Europe String Gets a Fresh Start
This summer, I spent a week in Lisbon, Portugal looking for the perfect Pastel de Nata. The creamy custard tart is the official dessert of Lisboa, both sweet and creamy, with a crispy pastry shell and a hint of caramel. When done well, it is divine. This summer it became an emblem of everything wonderful about Europe—the little delights you find on your travels that cost you practically nothing. You find them everywhere when you travel. Whether it’s walking the gardens of the Louvre in Paris, or eating gelato on the shore in Croatia or learning how to pronounce the French word for Mussels in Belgium—it’s these little things that make exploring Europe (on any budget) the part-time dreams of most would-be nomads.
This summer I fell in love with Europe all over again. Since I first visited Barcelona, five years ago, I’ve had a crush on all things European. So when the opportunity to write for a Europe on a budget blog arose, I leapt at the chance. Luckily for me, it’s not just any site, but EuropeString.com, one of the top 50 travel blogs according to the latest T List. Luckily for you, it’s about to get even better.
We’ve made some changes around here, you’ll notice the new logo and colors, but we’re just getting started. What I’m really excited about, is the chance to share everything I know and everything that I can find about traveling in Europe, having an amazing trip and doing it all on a shoestring. This goes beyond generic advice about using hostels or getting a cheap flight. It’s about getting more out of your trip, discovering creative ways to stretch your budget and finding your own personal Pastel de Nata moment.
And I will be your guide. My name is Christine Gilbert. I am a full time traveler, writer and photographer, who most recently lived in Madrid, Spain. I also blog at my personal site Almost Fearless where I talk about the process of going from a Fortune 500 corporate manager to a freewheeling travel writer and vagabond. If you ever want to contact me, give me feedback (good or bad) or just say hello, you can reach me at christine.gilbert@gmail.com
Let’s Get Things Started Right
So in the spirit of a fresh start and new beginnings, I’m giving away a copy of Lonely Planet’s Europe on a ShoeString. All you have to do is comment on this post and you’re automatically entered. On 11/15/08 I will randomly pick a winner from those people who commented. How sweet is that!
So go, comment, and get a free guidebook. And welcome to the new EuropeString.com!
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November 10th, 2008 at 4:50 pm
Congrats on the new gig! Looking forward to following you here from Twitter. ;-)
November 10th, 2008 at 4:53 pm
Thanks Pamela! I’m very excited. :)
November 10th, 2008 at 4:54 pm
Congrats on the new opportunity! And thanks as well, because this is going to be great if I decide to forgo a summer at school and hit up Europe for the first time. 22 years without a European adventure is 22 years too long!
November 10th, 2008 at 4:55 pm
Congratulations on the new gig! I live in southern Italy, and I’m looking forward to lots of great tips on how I can see more of it on a budget :)
November 10th, 2008 at 4:55 pm
Congratulations on your new gig, Christine. I enjoy Almost Fearless (as well as your Tweets) and hope to learn a lot from this blog. I hope to be traveling to Poland and Italy this spring. While the trip will be subsidized to an extent, I need to watch costs carefully, especially with the $ not doing so well right now!
November 10th, 2008 at 5:01 pm
Congratulations on the new gig! Looking forward to reading more.
November 10th, 2008 at 5:16 pm
Congrats! As a fellow traveler (and travel-writer), I’m looking forward to reading…
November 10th, 2008 at 5:17 pm
Hi Christine, Great to see a blog post by you here at Europe String. I’m looking forward to reading more in the coming weeks!
November 10th, 2008 at 5:22 pm
To whomever hired Christine: good hire! (Please don’t enter me in the book contest though, I’m missing the “bargain travel” gene).
Look forward to reading about it though. Sort of in the same way I like reading about cooking and gardening.
November 10th, 2008 at 5:25 pm
Hi Christine! Congrats on the new endeavor! Looking forward to shoestring travel tips as I plan my own gig in Paris next month!
November 10th, 2008 at 5:27 pm
I hope you had pasteis at Nata de Belem. They are the original place to sell them (outside of the church) in Lisbon. Now I want one!
November 10th, 2008 at 5:27 pm
Congratulations!
I too love those Portugese pastries. Luxembourg has a large population of Portugese expats so they feature heavily here too.
November 10th, 2008 at 5:33 pm
Congratulations on the new gig Christine!! Best of luck!! :)
November 10th, 2008 at 5:41 pm
Congrats on the new gig! I have been a lurker at your blog and just love it. :) Just followed you on Twitter too thanks to the announcement Michelle made about your big news! Congrats again.
November 10th, 2008 at 5:50 pm
Hi Christine:
Welcome to the Travel & Culture Channel!!
Jon
The DC Traveler & Travel Photo Daily
November 10th, 2008 at 5:58 pm
Michelle from Bleeding Espresso notified me of your site today and I love what I see! Congratulations!
November 10th, 2008 at 6:09 pm
I knew you would get thos going with a bang.
November 10th, 2008 at 6:15 pm
Nice job, Christine! I don’t need the book, but I wish you the best with the new project.
November 10th, 2008 at 6:25 pm
I love the new look Christine! Great gig, and there is no one better to take this blog to the next level. Way to go!
November 10th, 2008 at 6:30 pm
Wow! In case we weren’t already jealous of you wonderfully nomadic lifestyle (from following u via twitter - @almostfearless) this tops the cake! Thank you for sharing and fueling the dreams of “one of these days” travelers like us!
November 10th, 2008 at 6:44 pm
[...] @almostfearless: Just started a new gig today: http://www.europestring.com/europe-string-gets-a-fresh-start/ Congrats Christine! Kudos to you!! « előző | YankeeinaNewWorld — 2008. 11. 10. [...]
November 10th, 2008 at 7:00 pm
can’t wait for all your european travel advice, christine! congratulations =)
November 10th, 2008 at 7:16 pm
Good luck Christine. I’m following you on eTwitter and will check back here.
j
November 10th, 2008 at 9:53 pm
Wow! Thanks for the warm welcome, everyone! I’m seeing a lot of new faces here, and I look forward to getting to know everyone (plus checking out all the new blogs!).
November 11th, 2008 at 3:56 am
Yay! Congrats! *doing happy dance*
November 11th, 2008 at 4:23 am
Congrats! I can barely keep up with my own blog, so it always amazes me when someone manages their own blog and still contributes to another. I look forward to reading more here!
November 11th, 2008 at 5:54 am
Hi and congrats! Right on about the Pastel de Nata; My friend’s a Luxemburger of Portuguese descent and feeds me those all the time, they’re gorgeous. As for me, I’m from Belgium and would be happy to coach you on saying “moules” :-)
Hmm, if anything can bias your choice for giving away that book, my birthday’s on Nov. 14 and I love travel guides ;-)
November 11th, 2008 at 10:16 am
YAY! Congrats on the new gig!
“My name is Christine Gilbert. I am a full time traveler, writer and photographer” — I LOVE THAT LINE! hahaha..it’s so simple but makes it clear that you’re living your dream. Good on you!
November 11th, 2008 at 1:37 pm
Great news on the new gig!
Looking forward to seeing more great content.
Cheers,
Chris
November 11th, 2008 at 8:28 pm
Welcome, Christine!
The new design for the blog looks so much nicer, well done.
November 12th, 2008 at 12:37 am
Congrats on the great new writing job! I love Europe, hopefully I’ll be getting back there for a teaching job one of these days. Can’t wait to hear your advice!
November 12th, 2008 at 2:26 am
Great site. I look forward to more. I’ll be in Europe in January.
November 12th, 2008 at 3:07 am
Hello Christine! I just found this site because you followed me on Twitter. It’s all very ironic because I’m thinking about visiting Europe for the first time next summer… and I’m also a travel writer! (see my site)
Congrats, You’ve just joined my own personal twitter followbus.
November 12th, 2008 at 4:38 am
New to this site. I’ve been to Spain and Switzerland, but want to see much, much more!
November 12th, 2008 at 9:31 am
Welcome to your new digs! I can’t wait to start reading…
November 13th, 2008 at 3:58 am
What an amazing site and fabulous style - the photo made my mouth water. Best of luck in your new role.
I want to go to Paris - let me know when you find a way for me to get there and take my two children who are both in college in fields related to fashion.
November 13th, 2008 at 4:33 am
Congratulations on the fresh start! I will enjoy digging around here and keeping a watch on your updates.
Andrea
November 13th, 2008 at 5:09 am
Woo hoo! Great to hear from everyone!
3 more days till I use my fancy randomizing software to pick a winner!
November 21st, 2008 at 2:13 pm
Ah, Pasteis del Belem. Wonderful.
Vegetarians going to Portugal, you’ll do just fine in Lisboa. We ate at an amazing Nepalese restaurant, quite affordable.