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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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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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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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Warsaw is usually overlooked by its more colorful cousin, Krakow. However, the city is interesting with a great combination of restaurants, nightlife and history. The main sites are quite walkable and the Old Town (completely destroyed during World War II and reconstructed) is remarkable. That’s where you’ll find the “history;” much of the rest of the city is more “modern” (built following WWII) and is of that interesting Communist-era architecture form. It is worth a walk around both parts to get a real feel for the city, plus the people are quite open and friendly. Warsaw still isn’t up …read more

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Looking to celebrate beer this fall? Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany is the biggie. Dates are September 20 to October 5, and if you were thinking about popping in, think again – tents are already sold out. This is also not a very budget-friendly event. However, depending on the entry fee, and how much you drink – visiting a local festival is often an inexpensive way to spend the day, hanging out with locals and participating in one of their special celebrations. No crying in your beer over Oktoberfest though; there’s more drinking fun to be had around the continent …read more

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Welcome to Fun Time Friday’s. Today the Fun Master takes us to the city of music and chocolate – Vienna!
Vienna is an impressive, compact city. Which makes it affordable for two reasons – you can walk it and there are tons of buildings, monuments and statues hanging about for you to gawk at. If you want to get inside something; the Museum of Applied Arts has free entry every Saturday. All of the city’s municipal museums are free on Fridays before noon. Many of the city’s churches are free to enter, and often have concerts as well. St. Stephen’s is …read more

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European Heritage Days are a joint promotion between the Council of Europe and the European Commission to promote cultural experiences across Europe. What this means for the lucky visitor is free access into numerous sites, as well as a peek into buildings and other places not normally open to the public. This year, 49 countries will help spread the message about Europe’s cultural diversity in conjunction with the European 2008 Year of Intercultural Dialogue campaign.
Dates and events vary, but most are held sometime in September. In the Czech Republic for example, the theme is Monuments in the Landscape and …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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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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It’s time for another edition of fabulous moneysaving travel tips!
How do you get from the airport to your hotel? Not by a taxi, folks, please choose public transport. Most cities have decent bus, metro or train links from their airports to the city center. Information on how to do it can often by found on the city’s tourism bureau website, but if not simply search “airport city transport Prague” or some other such phrase. Not only will you save yourself a decent chunk of change, you’ll also be beginning your education on the city’s public transport system.
We’ve written about …read more

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