Dinner at Trattoria Pizzeria La Rosa dei Venti. Photos by Monica Cesarato
It is true that the average meal in Venice is much more expensive than in the rest of Italy. There is a simple reason for this: All the restaurant supplies have to be carried by hand to each restaurant, therefore increasing the cost of ingredients and supplies by at least 1/3 of normal prices. But, » Read more
Enjoying wine on Aventine Hill. Photo: Ratio Partners
After visiting all the historic sites of Rome, what better way to spend your evening than sipping a glass of wine to quench that thirst? But where do you start with that long list proudly presented to you by the waiter? Fear not: Whether you are a wine buff or a wine buffoon, we are » Read more
The Arlanda Express in action. Photo: Tom Page
I have spent too much time wandering around airports trying to figure out the cheapest way to get into my latest European destination. It’s frustrating and really no way to start a trip after having been crammed on an airplane for several hours. Some airports are easier than others, though, and offer a few different » Read more
Buying train tickets in Venice. Photos by Tom Meyers
Two regular contributors to EuroCheapo respond to a good question posed on our blog. Victor posted on March 11, 2010: “Hi, three of us have planned a trip to Europe from 27th June 2010 to the 10th July 2010. Our itinerary will take us from London to Paris, Amsterdam, Rome, Venice, Vienna, Berlin and back » Read more
A villa in Tuscany. Photo by Nika.
A few years ago my wife and I pulled a daredevil stunt: We rented a 1,100 year old villa in Tuscany and invited both sides of our families to join us for a week-long vacation. Now, before you ask “what were you thinking?” or say “that doesn’t sound particularly Cheapo, Pete,” let me explain further. » Read more
A bridge on the harbor in Hamburg. Photo by Audrey Sykes.
Hamburg, Germany’s great northern maritime city, deserves at least a weekend for exploration. From the moving World War II monuments to a bustling fish market, here’s a rundown on how to spend a cheap but worthwhile weekend in Hamburg. Friday AM: Boats and beaches of the Elbe River Cheap boat rides can be found along the Elbe River » Read more
iPhone 6 Plus. Photo: Karlis
If you’re an American smartphone user getting ready to take a trip to Europe, you’ve likely been warned about using your phone abroad. After all, most American phone carriers’ rates for international calling and data use can be confusing, and misunderstanding your usage or phone setup could be a very costly mistake. I recently returned » Read more
The famous Holocaust Memorial in Berlin. Photo by dalbera.
Between World War II and the Cold War, Berlin has a lot to remember. No wonder dozens of memorials and monuments grace the city. You could spend days tracking down every one of these free-to-see reminders dedicated to bygone events. (The city’s official list of “Denkmäler,” which include buildings, cemeteries, and other locations of historic note, is » Read more
Today we’re happy to welcome Pauline Frommer to our “Four Cheapo Questions” interview series. Pauline is a one-stop shop for budget travel insight and advice, offering tips for “spending less and seeing more” on Frommers.com and in her “Pauline Frommer” guidebook series. In addition to her travel writing and editing, Pauline hosts a nationally syndicated radio show, » Read more
An exit sign at a Metro station. Photos by Theodora Brack.
Hit the ground running in Paris! Don’t let a little language barrier trip you up, not when there is so much signage to lend a guiding hand and make your transition as smooth and exciting as a Johnny Weir solid gold triple axel! 1. “Sortie” Exit signs are clearly marked by the word, “Sortie,” which » Read more
Venice's St. Mark's Square on February 25, 2010. Photos by Tom Meyers.
February 26, 2010: I awoke this morning at 5:55 to the sound of an alarm. It wasn’t my travel alarm clock, however. It was more of a siren, it was moving in the street, and it was loud. Once I remembered that I was in a hotel in Venice, all worries were cast aside. This » Read more
A bus in Florence. Photo: Kylie and Rob
Florence is a small and very walkable city, but that doesn’t mean you’ll never need a break from treading the cobblestone streets. Thus, visitors to Florence will benefit from understanding the city’s bus network. Here’s a warning: it’s not easy, but it can be done. It’s always tempting to take the hop-on hop-off tourist buses, » Read more
Outdoor skating in Helsinki. Photo by C.J.G.
Located way up north (though at the southern edge of Finland), Helsinki is understandably chilly come wintertime. The low temperatures only add to the fun, however, as they give visitors the opportunity to partake in some quintessentially Finnish cold-weather activities. Read on for three ideas! Ice skating at Railway Square The Ice Park right outside » Read more
With its vast number of museums, it is no wonder that Amsterdam is the cultural hub of the Netherlands. It is, of course, the quaint, lesser-known attractions that add color to this image. The smaller museums in Amsterdam are interesting in their own right, and they also come with a smaller price tag than the » Read more
A bus in Rome. Photo by Samantha Collins.
One of the things about Rome that never fails to impress me is the value for money offered by the public transport system. While locals complain about the limited metro system (only two lines at present) and the endless strikes, you cannot help but be impressed at the simplicity of the “one ticket fits all” » Read more
The Eurostar train at London's St Pancras Station. Photo by garybembridge.
Some arrivals are just too good to miss. Dropping down out of the skies to land at some of Europe’s trickier airports can be challenging for even the most experienced pilots. And, even from the passenger cabin, the steep glide down into the airstrips at Innsbruck (Austria) or Lugano (Switzerland) can be very impressive. Funchal » Read more
A collection of prepaid SIM cards. Photo by toyohara.
No matter where you’re traveling, it’s important to keep yourself well-connected, technology-wise. Luckily, pocket-size, travel-friendly gadgets are no longer limited to the businessman-on-the-go market. (And even the most modest backpackers duck into Internet cafes to type emails on PC setups that rival the most tech-savvy home office.) If you’re making plans for a 2010 getaway » Read more
A couple at the Jardin des Tuileries. Photos by Theodora Brack.
With my pointy arrow, I feverishly pen this post from Paris. February marks my one-year anniversary with EuroCheapo! In honor of this sparkling occasion, I pop open the flashbacks along with a few brand-spanking-new insider nuggets! Read on, Cheapo! A for Abbesses By now it’s no secret that “Amélie” was filmed here, but did you » Read more
Outside the Santa Margherita dei Cerchi. Photos by Laura Mongillo.
Florence, along with the rest of Italy, is famous for its churches. Upon arriving in Florence, most tourists head to the Duomo for its giant brick dome, the Santa Maria Novella for its artwork, and Santa Croce for its crypt. While these churches are the most well-known in Florence, they are certainly not the only » Read more
De Slegte bookshop in Amsterdam. Photo: Vlad
For a lot of us, the appeal of Amsterdam lies in its diversity—be it food, culture, or the shopping experience. Tucked away from all major shopping spots, you are likely to find smaller, Dutch-specific stores that offer an interesting gift-hunting experience. Try these shops for a unique souvenir from the Netherlands: For Books: De Slegte » Read more
The CosmoCaixa science museum. Photo by Alan Bell.
Visitors to Barcelona (especially those who stop by the tourist office) will no doubt learn about the Barcelona Card for museum and transportation discounts. A couple years ago, we were not sure if the Barcelona Card really packed enough bang for the buck. In fact, our conclusion was simple: the Barcelona Card? Not for us. » Read more
The fountain in St. Peter's Square. Photo by David O.
A visit to Rome is not complete without seeing the Vatican. With its world-famous St. Peter’s Square, imposing dome, rather nice painted chapel ceiling, and fairly well-known resident, it has plenty of attractions. But with so much to see, where should you start? 1. St. Peter’s Square This vast space is famous for being the » Read more
To be perfectly frank, Helsinki doesn’t offer much in the way of exciting, inexpensive eats. Sure, if you’re willing to shill out for Michelin-rated Scandinavian cuisine and seafood, you’ll find no shortage of gourmet options. For those of us on a budget, however, choices are limited to kebab and pizza joints, as well as “grillis,” » Read more
Lübeck, near. Photo by lokenrc.
It has become fashionable for minor airports across Europe to seek prominence through association with major cities that are often many miles away. And airlines that serve these minor airports, largely because of their cheaper landing fees, are happy to join in the game. Exploring Allgäu from “Munich West” Canny Cheapos know that Germany’s Frankfurt » Read more
The city of Kotor in Montenegro. Photo by Audrey Sykes.
Lovely Montenegro, with its mountainous landscape and outdoor terrain, is a Southeastern European jewel worth visiting. Due to its cheap prices, the country is experiencing a boost in tourism and a revamping of its transportation options. However, there are a few key things to keep in mind when planning how to get around Montenegro: Avoid trains, unless you’re heading for » Read more
Most popular posts
Meet the Cheapos
Recent comments