Cooling off in nature at the Divoká Šárka pool. Photo: Victor O.
Summer is in full swing in Prague. On those days when the city sizzles, it’s great to plunge into one of the city’s public pools. Along with being a pleasant way to keep cool, spending time at Prague’s pools offers the opportunity to see areas of the city that you might not get to otherwise. » Read more
Find an outdoor concert in Paris to celebrate summer. Photo: Olivier Ortelpa
By Bryan Pirolli in Paris— Summertime and the livin’ is easy… and cheapo if you know where to head in Paris. While every other tourist is heading to the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower, the city offers an abundance of summertime options that will keep you dancing, bopping or enjoying a free flick. Here are » Read more
Florence heats up in the summer sun. Photo: James-Hetherington
One thing you won’t see during the summer in Florence is people chugging down hot bowls of soup. With an average high of 88 degrees in July and August, this town really tends to sizzle. But besides the usual beach trips and dipping in and out of public pools (see previous post), what can you » Read more
Button up for some fabric shopping in Paris. Photos: Theadora Brack.
By Theadora Brack in Paris— This week, let’s go fabric shopping in Paris. Whether your place is in need of a supreme makeover, with some classic French upholstery retouches, or you’re on the make for material worthy of a wedding (New Yorkers, I’m talking to you!), Paris has what you need. One of my favorite textile » Read more
Summertime shopping in Barcelona. Photo: Oh Barcelona
July in Barcelona means humid days on the beach, lots of visitors in the city, tons of cool music and cinema festivals and the second best sale of the year. Sales are held in Barcelona twice a year, in January and in July. Of course, these are the times of the year when locals are » Read more
One of the highpoints on the Zürich to Lausanne route at Brünig station. Photo © hidden europe
Last week, we looked at the celebrated Glacier Express rail route, and questioned whether it might just take in one glacier too many (not to mention the 191 tunnels along the route). It’s a long haul from any major Swiss city or airport to either St. Moritz or Zermatt, which are the end points of » Read more
Grab some scoops at Amorino. Photo: Myhsu
As the sun starts beating down on a July afternoon in Paris, one surefire escape from the heat is a walk to the frozen food isle of the grocery store. Walk past the frozen bags of spinach and boxes of frozen pizza and you’ll find the cure to even the most sizzling of Parisian summer » Read more
Take in the view at the Gravity Bar at the Guinness Storehouse in Dublin. Photo: Michael Gallagher
The Irish take their sunshine very seriously. This is mostly because they get so little of it in Dublin, and also because it’s the perfect weather to sit around for a few pints in. When it comes to summertime bars in Dublin, there are a few spots that are ideal both for atmosphere and the » Read more
Skip to the loo at the New York Public Library's 42nd Street and 5th Avenue location. Photo: Melanzane1013
Glamorous it is not, but today we’re talking about toilets in New York City. On a recent trip, a friend teased me for taking every opportunity to use the restroom: before we left the house, when we walked through a historic building, upon leaving a restaurant… But during our bike tour, I had the last » Read more
The local train on the Glacier Express route at Oberalp Pass (2035m above sea level). Photo © hidden europe
“The most famous of Switzerland’s railway lines,” burbles the guidebook. Frommer’s Switzerland is given to hyperbole, and particularly where the Glacier Express is concerned. “The route is one of the most spectacular in the world,” the authors advise. Riding the Glacier Express in Switzerland Yes, the 180-mile journey from St. Moritz to Zermatt is a » Read more
Barcelona's Park Guell is a celebration of all things Gaudi. Photo: George M. Groutas
In my six years in Barcelona I’ve been to Park Güell twice. Both times when I have gone up there I’ve promised to come more often because it really is a fabulous park, but the bus ride is so long to get up there that I rarely follow through. I adore its weird mosaics, spooky » Read more
Falling for Notre Dame at dusk. Photos by Theadora Brack
By Theadora Brack in Paris— Toots, I did it again. I fell head over heels in love with Paris all over de nouveau. Setting the scene, I had just finished inspecting a slew of hotels in the Latin Quarter, and was headed to meet friends at the wine bar 5ème CRU. This Cheapo haven is » Read more
Don't leave too much on the bar! Photo: Giulio Yuri Dalla Noce
Tipping abroad can be confusing, especially when you’re on a whirl-winded European trip that takes you into and out of different countries with different customs. Often travelers tip too much, or to little, and rarely the right amount at the right time. How much should you tip in Amsterdam? Learn from the locals and follow » Read more
A reindeer on the move. Photo:
With the summer solstice this week, Nicky Gardner and Susanne Kries turn their thoughts to axial tilt and other astronomical matters: Now here’s a thought. Europeans heading north to cross the Arctic Circle, anxious to catch the mid-summer midnight sun, have to make longer journeys than their parents did. For the Arctic Circle is slipping » Read more
Arrive early to climb the towers of Notre Dame — or wait. Photo: Miguel Mendez
Visitors to Paris quickly realize that, even before hitting their last centime, time is the city’s most precious commodity. Tourists want to do and see it all in… but have limited time. From the top of the Eiffel Tower to the bottom of the Catacombs the options are vast. So while you’re budgeting your euros, » Read more
What a looker! EuroCheapo launched on June 14, 2001 with this design.
By Tom Meyers— Ten years ago this week, we launched EuroCheapo from my apartment in Berlin with a guide to 25 budget hotels in Paris. On June 14, 2001, with three friends huddled around my desk, I clicked “upload,” refreshed the browser, and watched www.eurocheapo.com come to life. True to “cheapo form,” we clinked glasses » Read more
By C H Kwak in Berlin— Some streets in Berlin are so jam-packed with cheapo establishments that they deserve their own blog post. Falckensteinstrasse, in the fast gentrifying Wrangelkiez, is one of them. This Kreuzberg street, which intersects with the hoppin’ Schlesische Strasse, has a number of budget eateries worth checking out. Here are my » Read more
The Watts Gallery colorfully captures the work of George Frederic Watts. Photo: Nick Garrod.
London has such a galaxy of galleries and such a lively arts scene that it is too easy to overlook the rich world of the arts in the capital’s hinterland. Here are two topical ideas for days out from London for art lovers. Compton: The Watts Gallery This weekend (June 18, 2011) sees the long » Read more
Let's hear it for JB Guanti, 59 Rue de Rennes. Photos by Theadora Brack
By Theadora Brack in Paris— Recently one of our Cheapo readers asked us for a few shopping tips. Emily plans to visit Paris with her teenage daughter in July, which is the parfait time because “Les soldes d’été 2011” (the big summer sales) kick off on Wednesday, June 22, 2011 and last through Tuesday, July » Read more
Take in the Basilica of Saint Francis in Assisi for free. Photo: fradavecss
With the strong euro and the weak—ahem—everything else, visitors to Italy are keeping their eyes on the bottom line and trimming the fat off their travel expenses this year. But if you’re like me, nothing makes you cranky and out of sorts like feeling you are missing out on the best of a destination because » Read more
Prague from Vysehrad. Photo: Dustin Drew
In a past post or two I’ve mentioned Prague’s beer gardens. Now that the season is upon us, it’s time to dedicate an entry to a few that offer not just excellent refreshment, but a wonderful view of the city as well. Here are my favorite places in Prague to enjoy a delicious beer while » Read more
The castle at Savonlinna, a short train ride from the Retretti Art Centre. Photos ©hidden europe
Tucked away on a rocky ridge is a Finnish gem. You have a hint that Retretti is something special when the slow train to Savonlinna pauses there. This is a minor single track railway, and the unstaffed station at Retretti is as small as they come. On the platform stands an oversized sculpture, an apt » Read more
Strolling through the streets around the Duomo. Photo: Rodrigo Soldon
Florence was recently billed as the most polluted city in Italia. Not cool. So what did the mayor do? He started kicking out cars from the center in favor of more pedestrians zones. Coolissimo! So which streets are making happy feet? Check this out to know more. The Danger Duomo The first area to go » Read more
Head upstairs to the "Loft" in Dublin's Powerscourt Townhouse. Photo: Informatique
By Jessica Colley— During the years of the Celtic Tiger boom, it was just about impossible for a Cheapo to do any shopping in Dublin. Sure, it’s fun to marvel at the gorgeous window displays at Brown Thomas department store on Grafton Street, but buying anything? Not in the cards, especially not with the exchange » Read more
Here's how to have the perfect cheapo day in Amsterdam. Photo: Michelle Maria
A day on less than €20 in Amsterdam? Can it be done? Why, yes it can! Amsterdam might not be the cheapest Euro destination, but thanks to its outdoor happenings and entertainment freebies, it’s certainly possible. • Related: Heading to Amsterdam? Be sure to swing by our guide to the best cheap hotels in Amsterdam. » Read more
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