Europe String

I’ve been working on my Christmas Travel Wish List.  I would like one Paris, a bit of Iceland and a few Eastern Europe please.  This week, everyone else, has been super busy writing about Europe.  Go figure.  Here’s the best of the best for this week’s Europe on a Budget Round Up.

European Destinations
Brussels is not THAT boring.  Hasn’t anyone seen the movie En Bruges?  (Now that city… ) Europe A La Carte apologies for Trip Advisor’s conclusion that Brussels is the most boring city in Europe.
Rain, rain, everywhere, but not a drop to drink.  Budget Travel covers the latest floods …read more

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Yes, more free stuff, read on for more….
This summer, when I was living in Madrid, my husband contracted Mumps. An unusual affliction, and before we knew what it could be, we were both panicked at what the softball sized lumps on his jaw could be. We both spoke a little Spanish, enough to do almost everything we needed in daily life. This wasn’t daily life. Suddenly I was presented with medical vocabulary I had never heard or studied before. What’s the word for swollen? Or allergies? Or insurance card?
At almost the same time, …read more

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It’s December already! This month we’re starting something new here at the ol’ Europe on a Budget factory… a weekly round up of the best posts from around the web: European Destinations, Travel Tips, and Budget Deals– and a few extra things I thought you might like. And while the holiday spirit is upon us, I’ve included a way for you to submit posts for next week’s round up at the end of this post. So go, write something brilliant, then tell us about it.
European Destinations
End of the Parisian café? Let’s hope not: Au Revoir, …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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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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How do you deal with foreign currency? Do you stock up on traveller’s checks before your departure and cash them in as needed during your trip? Do you hit the first exchange place you see and fork over your cash for some of the local’s? Do you use ATM’s? Put everything on the credit card?
Generally speaking, one of the worst places to get foreign currency is at a “no commission” exchange shop. Sure, they don’t charge commission, however their exchange rates are usually horrendous. The best is with the “right” debit or credit card. And in between are traveller’s …read more

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On the 7th anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attacks in New York, Washington DC and Pennsylvania; our thoughts go out to the friends and family of those who lost their lives on this tragic day. We also remember, and thank, the families of the rescue personnel involved in trying to save people’s lives and in the line of duty, lost their own. We thank them for their valiant efforts, and hope for peace in the hearts of all those who wish harm to innocent people.
 
Photo Credit: Savethedave@Flickr

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