Europe String

Before I type in all my hand-written notes about the fabulous deals the towns of Pisa, Lucca, Florence, Fiesole, Siena, Viareggio and San Gimignano have to offer, let me first give you a general guideline/advice of how to handle hunger pangs when touring around the Tuscan region.
Along with the oohs and ahhs of seeing Tuscany, you will have the grrs and brrs of your stomach to deal with. As excited as you are, you will definitely feel hunger especially with all the walking around you need to do.
You know what we did? We decided to combine the oohs and ahhhs …read more

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5 reasons why you should visit Croatia:
The adriatic Sea is beautiful and warm, surrounded by hundreds of islands, picturesque old towns and great dive sites.
Mediterranean climate and flora of the Adriatic Sea coast
Beautiful mountains and nature wonders
Friendly natives
And the best of all, prices are a lot lower than its Western neighbors.

The Peristyle. Diocletian Palace (copyright, AnP 2000)
The seaport of Split, designated by UNESCO as a cultural treasure, lies on the Dalmatian coast. Its palm-lined oceanfront promenade is reminiscent of the French Riviera, but the rest of the old city reveals a striking combination of Roman, Venetian and Hapsburg influences.
If you …read more

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When you are tired and jetlagged after a long trip, taking a taxi upon arrival at the airport makes a lot of sense. No hassling bus routes and train maps to figure out. However, taxis are the most expensive of public land transportation. Not to mention the fact that taxi drivers all over the world have the reputation of overcharging unsuspecting tourists.
Fortunately, in most European countries, there are other ways to get yourself to your hotel. It may not be as hassle-free as taxis but, at least, you can keep to your budget.
One fine example for today is getting to/from …read more

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Since Frankfurt is the geographical center of, dare I say, Europe, there’s a big chance that you’ll end up here at some point.

Frankfurt is one of Germany’s cosmopolitan melting pot and it could be more interesting than what most tourists would have thought. Should you want to know more about Frankfurt am Main, check out Frommer’s Frankfurt Guide.
Budget traveler tips, that’s what I am here for.
When in Frankfurt…
like in all other cities, do NOT take taxis. The train station is on the lower level of the airport. For 3.30Euro (as opposed to 25-30Euros for …read more

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A memo to visit the London office made it’s way to my desk 4 times this month. And like the conscientious employee *smirks* that I am, I always make sure that a trip out of town is not wasted. Every (free) minute counts.
This time, we took the train and hied it off to the neighborhood of West End.
My colleague took me to Pollo. It’s on Old Compton St. in Soho. They have generous servings of pasta, pizza, risotto. It’s great value for money (around 5 pounds), if you are willing to brave the lunch crowd.
However, …read more

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Everyone knows that the Belgians gave the world ambrosial chocolates and waffles. But did you know that the incorrectly named French Fries also came from Belgium?
French Fries or Frites are normally served in a paper cone and topped with mayonnaise. Frites are the answer to a budget traveler’s grumbling stomach. They’re filling and inexpensive.
However, should you feel like sitting-while-you-eat for a change, here are a few basic tips to get your money’s worth while restaurant dining in Belgium:

Find a restaurant away from the tourist center. 
Order the dish of the day (or dagschotel in Flemish and plat du jour in French). …read more

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When one is traveling on a budget in Europe, one should always be prepared to walk. And when in Europe, one should always be prepared for rain.
walk + rain = rain jacket
Never leave home without it!

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