A view of Buckingham Palace from the Garden. Photo by heatheronhertravels.
If you’re looking for a bit of decadence in London this summer, why not take your tea like the royals do—at Buckingham Palace? From July 27 to September 29, 2010, the recently opened Garden Café will provide visitors the opportunity to enjoy some light refreshment on the West Terrace, located between the State Rooms and » Read more
A car train at Verona station. Photo © hidden europe.
There are some occasions on trips through Europe when you just know that a car is essential, but with European fuel prices through the roof, and automobile rental companies sometimes levying draconian one-way drop charges (especially for international journeys), many folks are naturally wary about opting for a vehicle. European car trains can, however, play » Read more
Outside the Circus Hostel. Photo by masck.
Last month we announced our “Cheapo 100” list of our favorite cheap hotels in Europe. These 100 hotels were chosen from 20 cities and selected for five categories, including “Best Location”, “Best Budget Theme”, “Best Budget Style”, “Best B&B or Pension” and “Best Super Cheapo”. But what exactly is a “Super Cheapo”? Is it simply » Read more
Catch a free jazz act at Haus der Kulturen der Welt. Photo: Ansgar Koreng
Nothing says summer like a great concert. Good thing Berlin has plenty of acts—both indoor and out—to offer when the weather gets hot in July and August. Big shows with hefty price tags, including Patti Smith, Prince, Stevie Wonder, Arcade Fire and more, will hit the capital’s dozens of stages this season. But there are » Read more
Budapest, a Cheapo-friendly destination. Photo by **Maurice**.
Don’t let the fear of expenses get in the way of a trip across the pond. When done right, touring Europe can be cheaper than traveling through North America. If I can manage a four-month jaunt for under $1500, you can manage a two-month trip for $1000 or less. Here are 10 ways to make » Read more
Sir Norman Foster's Elephant House in Copenhagen. Photo: Søren Cosmus
Most folk have definite views about zoos, and any mention inevitably brings out a string of arguments for and against the incarceration of animals. But there are other reasons for going to zoos beyond watching wild cats, apes and okapi. Zoos are great spots for people watching and, for anyone with even only a passing » Read more
The merry-go-round at the Place des Abbesses. Photos by Theodora Brack.
Growing up, my dad’s battle cry was, “Tour it, explore it and adore it!” Entire weekends were spent discovering Washington D.C. (with kazoos in hand). Because I helped plan the days we spent there, the museum-lined National Mall became both our second backyard and my very first frontier. So in celebration of freedom of choice » Read more
Italian food and the Eternal City—what could be wrong? Um, costly dinners, for one thing. Rome is no stranger to overpriced restaurants catering to tourists. But this doesn’t mean you have to shell out for tasty Italian fare. A first step toward finding a cheap meal is heading beyond the historic center. The closer to » Read more
Walking along the marina in La Barceloneta. Photo by Motarile.
As of the San Juan parties held on June 23, 2010, it was officially summertime in Barcelona. From now until October, sidewalks, plazas and patios will be full of folks sipping cava, wine and refreshing claras under sun umbrellas. For most of the year, the Barcelones and tourists visiting the city block out the fact » Read more
This past weekend, June 18-20, 2010, the Travel Blog Exchange (“TBEX”) held its second annual conference in New York City. Hosted at the Cantor Film Center in Greenwich Village, the two-day event featured panels, presentations, and readings featuring travel bloggers hailing from the US and abroad, some coming to town from as far away as New Zealand. » Read more
June 30, 2010. As we have said before, it is not compulsory to take the fast train. On most routes through Europe, there are plenty of slow train alternatives, often more scenic and sometimes much cheaper. A great weekend bargain in Germany On the weekends, for example, travelers can roam the length and breadth of » Read more
Is flunch for you? Photo: InSapphoWeTrust
How would you like to “flunch” together? Curious name aside, the flunch cafeteria chain in France offers a Cheapo-friendly lunch and dinner option to travelers not afraid to grab a tray and get in a line. But are cafeterias your thing? The cafeteria conundrum Without shame, I admit to being a fan of cafeteria food. » Read more
A midsummer parade in Stockholm. Photo: Bengt Nyman
On December 22, 2010 in Stockholm, the sun came up at 8:44 in the morning and went down at 2:49 in the afternoon. That’s not a whole lot of daylight. At all. Today (June 25, 2010) in Stockholm, the sun came up at 3:32 in the morning and will go down at 10:09 p.m. That » Read more
Here’s a simple and essential car rental tip that will save a lot of time, money and hassle: When renting a car in Europe, make sure you know if it requires diesel or unleaded gas. Why, you ask? Allow us to demonstrate photographically what happened on a recent journey when we overlooked this critical step. » Read more
Trees provide some shade at Le Cascine park. Photo: g_u
There is no reason why your Florentine holiday should feel like you’re walking on the bubbling surface of the sun. (Unless of course you are a seasoned fire walker, in which case your callused feet will feel right at home.) For all other readers, here are a few activities in Florence that will keep you » Read more
Outside the Sephora on the Champs-Elysées. Photos by Theodora Brack.
One of my favorite spots in Paris to get beautified in a pinch is the Sephora on the Champs-Elysées. Outfitted with a dramatic ramp, a red carpet and black and white columns, it’s one of the largest Sephoras in the world. A cheapo dream-come-true, the shop is stocked with more than 250 discounted brands of » Read more
At El Rinconcillo, Seville's oldest bar. Photo:
Seville is known for its rich tradition of flamenco dancing, and there are plenty of flamenco bars to prove it. Not feeling in the groove? No worries: The city has plenty of other nightlife options as well. From international bars to dives serving beer for €1, Seville’s after-hours scene has something for every Cheapo. For » Read more
In-flight snacks. Photo: Steven Damron
Ten years ago, European budget airlines were widely celebrated as a positive symbol of then-contemporary Europe. The new budget airlines sold tickets online, easing the transaction process. Airlines flew cheaply to destinations both familiar and novel. The low fares and simplicity of travel ushered into effect by Europe’s budget air revolution were largely commended. Budget » Read more
The town of Skipton, North Yorkshire. Photo: Glen Bowman
Slow travel is suddenly in fashion. Speed was once associated with success. Less so nowadays, as travelers realize that those who travel slow savor riches that those committed to speed simply miss. Getting to know one or two places properly can be immensely more satisfying than trying to pack ten European cities into a two » Read more
Best "Super Cheapo": The Hotel Tiquetonne in Paris. Photos: EuroCheapo and Booking.com
Here at EuroCheapo, we’re obviously big fans of budget hotels. But we’re even bigger fans of budget hotels with that “special something.” In our 29 city guides, you’ll find more than 1,200 reviews of budget-friendly hotels, each one inspected and photographed by one of our editors. Some are listed simply because they’re cheap and clean. Others, » Read more
Suomenlinna Fortress is popular year-round. Photo: Jean-Pierre Dalbéra
Things are warming up in Helsinki (the high temperature for today, June 14, 2010, is a relatively toasty 68 °F). As summer comes to the Finnish capital, there are plenty of reasons to be outside. Where to go, you ask? Well, read on, because we’ve got you covered with some Cheapo-friendly ways to soak up » Read more
June 11, 2010. I recently read that out of 36 countries examined by Manpower Inc. for hiring expectations, only four have a negative employment outlook. Those were (can you guess?) Italy, Ireland, Greece and Spain. This bad news is reflected in the large cuts in the public sector in Spain. June was rife with protests » Read more
Window shopping in Berlin. Photo: Sascha Kohlmann
Unlike other European capitals, Berlin offers more for stylish Cheapos than second-hand and vintage clothing stores (of which there are plenty). You can easily get that “so-chic-without-trying” Berlin look for less than the cost of lunch by prowling a smattering of cheap and chic boutiques that appeal with low prices and hip styles. Stick to » Read more
A cemetery in Srebrenica. Photo by Elekeku
“Dark tourism” has come of age. Yet traveling to encounter the macabre or the gruesome is not just a modern whim. Many medieval pilgrims headed for spots where martyrs were allegedly killed. In our home city of Berlin, thousands of visitors head for the Topography of Terror, a chance to stand at the very spot » Read more
Photo: Dimitris Kamaras
Whenever I am in Venice, I always try to take a walk through the Jewish Ghetto. I’ve always found this area quite fascinating. It may be its history, it may be that it is always fairly free of tourists, or it may be some other reason. In any case, whenever I am there it just feels right. » Read more
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