The coastal city of Valencia, the third largest locale in Spain, is an ideal destination for a long, relaxing weekend or an action-packed adventure. We asked Heather Cowper, travel blogger extraordinaire, how to make Valencia a cheapo-friendly spot. Here, her insight for an inexpensive getaway: Cheapo activities in Valencia- Head to the Mercado Central: The main fruit and » Read more
Nicky and Susanne of hidden europe magazine posted on our blog last week about the joys of night trains in Europe. Today, they came across a Cheapo-friendly night train offer from TGV, the French railway: When we wrote last week’s post, we assumed that First Scotrail’s Caledonian Sleeper services (nightly from London Euston to over forty destinations » Read more
Don't miss your chance to see a show! Photo: baldeaglebluff
Prague boasts a world-class music scene, with concerts, operas, and ballets performed throughout the year in the city’s famous theaters. Best of all, tickets to these events are within even a Cheapo’s reach, as they cost a fraction of the going rate in other capital cities. You may even be able to score one for under $10. If you’re planning » Read more
Cheapo’s traveling to (or living in) New York City, take note: On Wednesday, June 18, the city’s first IKEA opened in the Red Hook neighborhood of Brooklyn. It’s notable (and controversial) for many reasons, but right now we’d like to focus on the budget travel implications of the new store. The store offers a free water taxi service » Read more
We try to keep self-serving plugs to a minimum (seriously folks), but every rule has its exception. After about a year of preparation and development, today we’re announcing the relaunch of our sister site, EuropeanHostels.com. The website is entirely focused on making it easier for budget travelers to find the best hostels in Europe. What » Read more
EuroCheapo in 2001. Love that look! Please excuse the self-congratulatory and very personal manner of today’s post. Next week, we’ll be back to budget travel advice. However, tomorrow, June 14, is EuroCheapo’s seventh birthday. The site launched on June 14, 2001 from my apartment in Berlin, where I spent the year living and traveling on the cheap. The first » Read more
San Marco Piazza in Venice. Photo by Diogo Pereira on Unsplash
Venice, city of gondolas and canals, can get expensive. Thankfully, however, it need not break your budget. Here are five free things to do in Venice: Hang out in Piazza San Marco. While we don’t recommend Cheapos splurge for the touristy restaurants and cafés lining San Marco’s square, we do think that parking yourself just outside » Read more
The Mitte neighborhood in Berlin. Photo: Craig Nelson
In the mid-1990s, many Berlin artists moved from the west side of the city to Auguststrasse in East Berlin. Auguststrasse, sometimes referred to as “East Berlin’s art mile,” today hosts some of the city’s most creative minds, and the Mitte gallery scene has become a haven for international talent. Spread out among the area’s hip » Read more
What city are we in, Cheapos? Here’s a hint for today’s mystery photo: You might say these bunnies are enjoying their coffee right in the “middle” of things. We’ll reveal the answer tomorrow. Leave your best guess in the comment section below! The first Cheapo to answer correctly will win a copy of “The Rough Guide » Read more
So many chocolates, so little time! Photo: KLMircea
According to the experts, Belgians eat approximately 20 pounds of chocolate per year. (That’s the size of our family cat!) There’s no arguing then that we’re far behind on our cocoa intake and must catch up. We’re happy to know that while we’re getting our fix, too, we can also tour many of the chocolatiers (called chocolateries » Read more
Author, reporter, and NPR correspondent Scott Huler recently returned from an epic journey tracing the tale of Homer’s “Odyssey.” After reading “No-Man’s Lands,” his insightful recounting of the trip, we asked him for advice on planning a similar journey—on a budget. Scott had some great advice: When Odysseus set off on an epic voyage, he » Read more
Do you smell that, Cheapos? It’s the scent of summer, of rubber-soled walking shoes, and of crisp, new, glossy maps. It’s time to set foot in the land of tea and crumpets. Royal weeeeee! Here are five fabulous walking tours in London that won’t cost you a pound. Get moving! 1) For Charles Dickens fans: London is a virtual » Read more
Ok, it’s no secret. We love free music. And, the annual Fete de la Musique in Paris is one of the best ways to see tons of musical acts, bands, and performers without paying a euro cent. The fete, which got its start in 1982, is a “come one, come all” sort of affair. Anyone » Read more
Albergo Guerrato, pension Calle drio la Scimia 240/a San Polo, Venice Doubles € 100-140 We first fell in love with Albergo Guerrato because of its location. Just a short walk from the Rialto Bridge, it holds a coveted place in the lovely San Polo area of Venice. But, then there was the ambiance. The Guerrato » Read more
During his time in Rome, Michelangelo charged the ancient city with works of incredible beauty. His sculptures, frescoes, and architecture still inspire a city-wide love affair. And, his priceless work is on view at no cost to modern admirers. Angela K. Nickerson, author of A Journey into Michelangelo’s Rome, takes us on a very cheapo-friendly » Read more
Save euros by following along with podcasts for tours. Alexander Kagan
We use our iPod like it’s going out of style. And, that doesn’t stop once we get to Europe. In fact, before we head off, we load it up with free podcasts depending on what city we’re visiting. We’ve saved many a euro by taking our own free tours, headphones in. Here are five picks » Read more
It’s undeniable that an increase in flying is contributing to the degradation of the environment. In Europe, news reports about the effects of low-cost airlines on the environment are a regular occurrence. We’d be remiss if we didn’t acknowledge that low-cost flights in Europe are undeniably contributing to global warming. But what can you do about it, » Read more
Thinking about postponing that trip to Europe? Jane McIntosh, creator of Jane’s Smart Art Guides™, audio guides for independent travelers, says, “Go ahead and go.” While the exchange rate keeps getting worse and fuel surcharges increase the cost of flying, there’s still no guarantee that the dollar will power up to the euro’s mojo or that air fares will » Read more
While strolling down La Rambla in Barcelona, one of our editors walked past this jazzy dog. The little guy was sitting in a bicycle basket and was flanked by colorful flower stands and live bird cages. Our editor snapped the photo, but it still needs a caption. We know there are a lot of creative » Read more
Michelangelo Buonarroti was born outside of Florence in 1475. Though he spent much of his life working in Rome, he loved Florence and considered it his home. Many of his greatest works still reside in Florence, and Florentines are exceedingly proud of their native son. Although visiting the city can get pricey, many of Michelangelo’s treasures can be experienced cheaply, » Read more
A picnic by The Seine. Photo: Gideon
When the weather turns warm, Parisians picnic. Sure, some stray as far as the terrace of their corner café, but many flock to parks, gardens and river-side quais to enjoy their beloved city. For cheapos, picnics have the added advantage of being easy on the budget. Here are our steps for procuring and perfecting the » Read more
Gardens at the Rijksmuseum are free to stroll through. Photo: Marcelo Campi
Looking for ways to save some euros while visiting Amsterdam? Here are five suggestions: Try some flower power. Visiting the masterpieces at the Rijksmuseum will set you back €10, but the baroque and renaissance gardens behind it are free to stroll. Delight in the fountains, statues, and the carefully coiffed hedges and plants. The gardens are open daily from 9 am to » Read more
Some items of note that flashed across our screen this week… Cheap eats in Roma It turns out we’re not the only ones blogging this week about cheap eats in Rome (read our post). Budget Travel’s blog is talking up cheap lunches in the Eternal City. Erica Firpo writes from Rome that we should say » Read more
A reader asks: “Do you have any advice for inexpensive, authentic Roman restaurants in the center of town?” Annie Shapero responds: Here’s the bad news: Rome is a gaping hell mouth of overpriced restaurants aimed at the hungry, innocent traveler. The good news is that real Roman cuisine is actually a cucina povera, or poor » Read more
Who IS that girl? Identify her and win “The Rough Guide to Europe on a Budget.” We’re not procrastinating, but… We were just gazing out of our window at Broadway and Houston in New York and realized that a new billboard is being painted right before our eyes! But who is she? The first comment » Read more
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