Europe String

We rejoiced last April when instead of April showers, we were blessed with sunshine. Now that summer has officially started, the weather has turned. Instead of blue skies and the sun, we have clouds and rains with fleeting views of the blue skies.
So… should you be coming over to my part of the world, make sure that you bring your rain jacket and/or umbrella. Avoid that extra expense of buying a new jacket or, worse, paying for a taxi ride.
Take the advice from someone who is currently 30euros poorer and, at the same time, suffering from a …read more

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June 27 marks the 40th anniversary of John Shepherd Barron’s invention, the ATM. It was first installed in a Barclay branch in Enfield, north of London.
Also known as cash machine, hole-in-the-wall, cashpoint and Bancomat, Automated Teller Machines makes it convenient for us to get the local currency while traveling abroad without having to carry a bagful of cash. Again, thanks to John Shepherd Barron.
Now, when you plan on using your ATM on your next trip abroad, note that…

some banks charge fees. Check with your bank before you start recklessly using your ATM card during your travels. If …read more

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Sure, it’s nice to explore all of the must-sees where all the other tourists probably are but there are times when I would like to discover a city the way locals see it. I would like to experience more than what a normal tourist does.
If you feel the same way, you may want to go look for friends of your friends who may be able to help you see your next destination the way locals do.
Or, you can go and register over at Like-a-local.
With Like-a-local, you will be able to…

LIVE in a local atmosphere
GO where the locals go and experience …read more

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Whether you want to take a stand about the LGBT equality issue or you just want to see the festivities that happen during the Gay Pride parade, you can try and coincide your trip with the schedule of Pride events in the following European cities:

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If this news was good enough for CNN to place on its front page then, it’s good enough for Europestring.
What has this have to do with budget travel in Europe?  The Royal Family, of course.   Unfortunately, getting an audience with the Pope is a lot easier than seeing the Royal Family in the flesh.  Well, at least, you can get to watch the Changing of the Guard at one of the royal residences, the Buckingham Palace for FREE. 

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Many people dream about traveling around the world. Many have done it (I am actually one continent shy away from achieving that) but a lot more just have to settle with putting up a couple of flags on their “been there” world map.
Budget travelers probably just have to settle with touring around the country.
Now, if you want bragging rights to having extensively toured around a European country, where do you think you can do it without breaking the bank?
Where else but in… Vatican City! After all it’s the smallest country in the world with only 0.2 square miles. …read more

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The hamam (also spelled as hammam in Arabic) is the steam bath variant in Turkey. It involves relaxing in a room where hot dry air is allowed to continuously flow to allow bathers to perspire freely. If you can take it, you can leave this warm room and head for the hot room where it is, obviously, even hotter.
You can also get a massage and a full body wash. And for a slow transition to the “normal conditions”, you get to relax at the cooling room.
This experience is something that you would not want to miss, should …read more

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Here are a few great pictures on Flickr, showcasing European hostels. It should give you an idea of how different each hostel’s condition is.

Hostel Celica – a former Yugoslavian prison – is cool, according to jpete.
Hopefully, there are improvements on the Dover Castle Hotel (an old picture from clarissa).
I am not surprised that the famous Flying Pig Hostel in Amstedam made it to Flickr, courtesy of Dave Knight.
The Circus Hostel in Berlin where Shamrock Tatoo stayed looks clean. Highly recommended.
Lizvang stayed at the Leinster Inn Hostel.
The Copenhagen hostel where gaijin4life stayed at looks like something out of a budget …read more

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Related Posts:

Free Bicycles in Paris
Geneva by Bike

And today, we’re going to bike around in Vienna, Austria. Nope, it’s that other country where they do NOT have Kangaroos.
Biking is the fastest and cheapest way to explore the cultural, economic and political center of Austria. Of course, walking is still the cheapest option but if your time is limited and/or you do not have the patience or energy to spend 10-20 minutes walking between every site, biking is your best bet.
Citybike Wien rents out bikes. Before you can rent a bike, you need to register and pay a …read more

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Yes, do follow Mother Goose’s advise when you visit another foreign country. Of course, you need not follow Mother Goose to the letter by buying a fat pig (besides, even if you are willing to buy one, it will probably be out of your budget range).
What will you get out of it?
A trip to the local market will expose you to the local culture. Imagine all that haggling going on between the sellers and the possible buyers. Think of all those goods — some of them may even be strange — that you would be seeing there. Check …read more

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