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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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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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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Yesterday we looked into the budget skiing destinations of Slovenia and Slovakia. Today we’ll check out the conditions in Bulgaria and Austria.
Bulgaira’s government is putting some money into its ski resorts in the hopes of attracting more tourists. Right now, beginners and less advanced skiers will probably find the area more to their liking. There are three resorts: Borovets, Pamporovo and Bansko with Borovets being the largest. There are good ski schools and the lifts are modern, so this might be a good location if you are looking to try your feet at skiing, or have a large group …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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When budgeting for your trip to Europe, food is often the most difficult item to factor in. Airfare and hotel prices are set and web searches will reveal the prices of many attractions you may want to visit. But food? Unless you are an uber-planner, who knows where you’ll be eating every meal and what you’ll be in the mood for? Enter the Economist magazine and their Big Mac Index.
Stick with me for a moment; this is information straight from the Economist’s  website on what the Big Mac Index is and seeks to do: Burgernomics is based on the …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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