Europe String

“Chains” seem to be more synonymous with the US – think restaurants, shops and of course, hotels. Motel 6, Holiday Inn, Marriott, Hilton – no matter your budget or where you plan to go, you’ll probably quite easily find one of these. In Europe however, and especially if you are a budget traveler, you are more likely to find and stay in a locally owned pension or bed and breakfast. The positive aspects of chains is that you know exactly what you are going to get. And in the constantly surprising world of travel, a little bit of comfort can …read more

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A round-up of some interesting, informative and entertaining things I’ve come across lately…
Budget Monkey Travel (how fun a name is that?!?) has added to their Cheapest Countries to Travel list with Cheapest Countries in Western Europe to Travel. I was excited to see that my current number 1 “I want to go there” destination (Portugal) is number 2 on the list. Number 1 is Andorra, and where will be not be visiting anytime soon? Iceland.
Airline fees. Who can keep up with them and who even knows what the heck you are paying for anymore?!? The kind people at Kayak have …read more

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As you may or may not know, Europe String is part of B5 Media, one of the biggest blog networks in the world. We belong to the company’s Travel & Culture Channel, and the Channel has just released its brand new spiffy website.
It’s pretty slick looking, if I do say so myself, and puts all the fab Travel & Culture blogs right at your fingertips. Did you look at the Channel’s demographics? 85% of you plan to travel in the US. I’m happy you are traveling, but I’m hurt you aren’t planning a European jaunt! But that’s okay; …read more

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Berlin defies description. It is definitely Western Europe; but most of its prices are decidedly not. Parts (specifically the eastern half) still have a gritty, post-Communism feel; but a lot of the city is spiffy and full of interesting landmarks. The amount of museums and levels of history you can experience in Berlin, in my opinion, cannot be matched any where else in Europe.
One of the cheap charms of Berlin is its variety of neighborhoods. Afternoons can be spent discovering the streets, shops and lifestyles of these unique areas. Prenzlauerberg is a good one, as is Mitte and Friedrichshain. …read more

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Well, no one is going to sing to you or give you gifts, but September 27th is designated as World Tourism Day. Sponsored by the United Nation’s World Tourism Organization, this day is set aside to recognize and raise awareness of the important social role of tourism. This year’s theme is “Responding to the Challenge of Climate Change” and organizers hope to build on the tourism sector’s relationship with the climate and its related global social and economic value. It also hopes to address the role of tourism in regards to sustainable development.
These ideas pose interesting questions for budget …read more

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Are you a guidebook junkie? Before every trip, do you rush out and buy 2-3 copies of various books based on your destination? Maybe you are the addicted to the Internet type – spending hours online researching your holiday spot. Perhaps you are a free spirit; simply appearing in town, with a plan to figure it out as you go along. I’m definitely a mix of all three styles, and I bet a lot of other people are too. I love guidebooks cause I’m a reader, and nothing puts me in holiday mode more than curling up on my …read more

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Preparing to book your flight? Night owls won’t like this, but booking the first flight of the day is often your best bet. There are less chances of it being delayed, because most likely the plane has been at the airport overnight. This means no late departures due to tardy incoming aircraft. Plus, if for some reason your flight is delayed, there should be more options for you to depart the same day. The first flight also gives you more flexibility should you need to change flights mid-trip.
Budget your trip before you leave. This can be difficult as you …read more

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No, we aren’t talking about the Emmy’s today, but the World Airline Awards. Yep, there seems to be an award for everything these days, and why should the airlines be left out? The Awards are presented by Skytrax, who conducts the World Airline Survey. This survey measures over 35 different aspects of passenger satisfaction with an airline and is supposed to evaluate a ‘typical’ travel experience. More than 15 million people were polled worldwide – 95 different nationalities, in fact.
While there are a number of categories (Best Cabin Staff; Best Airline Catering) we are going to focus on the …read more

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Yes, autumn has definitely moved in to Europe. But that doesn’t mean the cultural calendar is shutting down for the winter. Check out these interesting festivals happening around the continent. Even if you aren’t big on the the festival’s theme, they are a great way to mix with the locals, meet some interesting craftspeople and enjoy a (often) free afternoon of entertainment.
October 3 is the Day of German Unity (on this date in 1990 East and West Germany were reunited.) If you happen to be in Berlin, you have the opportunity to partake in the festivities. This is a …read more

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Welcome to Fun Time Fridays! Today we are going to head north to the very cool city of Edinburgh.
Edinburgh has a cool vibe with lots of attractions, both cultural and natural. Their bus system is topnotch, making it simple to find your way around – and the main sights in the city’s old town can all be covered on foot. For accommodation, Scottish bed and breakfasts are superb. Cozy rooms, welcoming owners and a made-to-order breakfast are typical for most Scottish guest houses. And you’ll need a warm and filling breakfast to keep you going throughout your long, possibly …read more

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