Europe String

Money moguls, travelers and game lovers can unite with Hasbro’s new Monopoly version: Monopoly Here and Now: World Edition. Released this past week, world cities have replaced the streets of the original version. The cities in place were nominated by votes from around the world – and based on some of the choices, it seems some cities got their citizens involved. European destinations include some expected ones: Paris, London, Rome as well as Athens and Barcelona. Riga is an up-and-comer so that was nice to see. A few eyebrow raisers? Kyiv, Belgrade and Gdynia (it’s in Poland).
To celebrate the …read more

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Welcome to Fun Time Fridays – a new weekly city review article. Here, we’ll share tips on budget things to do, go, see and stay in a variety of European cities. We also hope to kick off your weekend with a new destination to dream about. First up: Prague!
While not as cheap as it was in the ‘90’s, Prague can still be an affordable destination. The city is compact and if you are staying in a centrally located hotel and like to walk, you could avoid city transportation costs. From the airport, get to the city center by taking …read more

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Europe by train is an enduring ideal in many people’s minds. But don’t overlook another option – the bus.
Eurolines is probably the most well-known inter-Europe bus company. They have 500 European destinations, and are especially good if you are looking to travel further east or in countries where the inter-country rail links aren’t as good. They offer online booking, however it is through the local Eurolines operators and the websites aren’t always in English. They also have a Eurolines Pass which gives you the option of 15 or 30 day unlimited travel between 40 destinations. You can book as …read more

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Are you a big traveller? A recent report from Eurostat, an organization that collects information and statistics on a wide range of issues across the European Union found that, for the most part, Europeans are a travelling bunch.
The study covers the year 2006 and looked at what percentage of the population went away for four days or more. They also spilt the information between domestic and foreign trips. On average, about four out of 10 Europeans travelled abroad that year. For the most part though, more trips were made in-country than out. Exceptions include Luxembourg, where only 1 percent took …read more

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I was recently in Copenhagen and was amazed not only by all the bikers, but also by how well the city caters to these riders. Every major street has a sidewalk, bike lane and car lane. All three “users” are extremely respectful towards the others and seemingly move about in contented harmony. Copenhagen has an excellent free bike program in which a 20 DKK deposit allows you to tool around the entire city center. It’s not the only European city though offering this economical, eco-friendly and healthy way to see the sights.
Paris’ program was well-publicized when it came into …read more

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Whenever I return from a trip, I’m always infected with a new travel bug. The main symptom is that I immediately start searching for a new place to go. Recently returned from a long weekend in Copenhagen and that means I’ve been spending a lot of time on various websites, and have seen some pretty good deals. In case you too are beginning to feel the travel bug bite – here’s some medication.
If it’s a taste of Italy you are in the mood for check Europe Destinations. They have a Rome-Florence-Venice package starting at 635 USD that includes roundtrip …read more

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There is so much good information out there that sometimes it can be a bit overwhelming. Not sure how often you get around to any of these sites, but here are some recent posts I found interesting and thought you may too!
Mary Jo from Fly Away Café is running a poll on how people choose their flights. Check in and share your opinion.
I love the pics posted at Travel Photo Daily. Visit daily and get a dose of travel envy.
I’ve started bringing a travel pillow with me on nearly every trip I take, even if I’m not flying. I find …read more

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Setting your budget before you even book your trip is a good way to get a handle on how much you can afford to spend, and then targeting destinations that will give you the most bang for your buck. Let’s look at all the expenses that go into your holiday. Note, this is not meant to depress, but inform you – remember, knowing is half the battle!
Think about what you’ll need to buy before you even leave your house for the airport. Do you have a passport? Do you need new luggage; this can include suitcases, carry-ons or even …read more

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No one wants to get sick while on holiday; not only can it ruin your trip, it could be potentially expensive as well. There are a couple things you can do before your holiday to ensure a healthful trip.
First, check with your health insurance provider to find out what, if anything, will be covered if something should go wrong. If you are traveling to a particularly dangerous place, or plan to participate in some potentially injuring activities, make sure your insurance covers you if the unexpected happens. Also, pay a visit to your doctor. You should do this anyway, …read more

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Do you have some holiday must have’s, do’s, see’s, no matter the cost? Are there some things you just refuse to spend money on? Knowing your boundaries before you start planning your trip and keeping inside them once on holiday will greatly help you stay on budget. And don’t forget – you ARE on holiday! You are supposed to be having fun and that includes spoiling yourself a little!
Here are a few suggestions for saving, and for splurging. Not everyone will agree, but please share what your splurges and saves are!
Don’t buy food or drink at the airport. Unless you …read more

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