I am not talking about checking out travel or destination sites which everyone already knows about. Instead, I’ll stroll around and look for new treasures.

I want to read about the time you ran out of money. I’d like to pore over your account of how you spent all your money buying drinks for that hot backpacker. I’d like to unravel the mystery of your budget travel secrets which could, most likely, land you in jail.

I want to see new sites. I want to see blogs which are geared for friends and relatives. I want to check out the backyard of bloggers who talks about their opinion on how nice or crappy some places are, rather than those who care too much about SEO or sponsor posts.

Now… would YOU help me out? If you know of any site that fits the description, let me know. Email me at pinayexpat@gmail.com and write “Europestring, wander into this backyard“.

Post from: Europe String

Anyway, both companies have expanded outside of Spain. And they have taken the rest of Europe and some North American cities by storm.

So… what is my point and what has these clothing chains have anything do with budget travel Europe?

Well… both Zara and Mango are Spanish-brands. And, guess what, it actually is even cheaper if you buy them in SPAIN!

I checked out the airport branch and the one at Gran de Garcia.  As a regular of the Frankfurt branches (both in Rossmarkt, the Zeil and MTZ branches), I was really surprised at the difference when I checked out the goods here in my temporary abode in Barcelona.

So… if you are coming to Barcelona, you might want to consider saving a few more so you can go shop at Zara or Mango.

Post from: Europe String

I travel blog for several networks because I travel a LOT (25x per year). I have been traveling (and have even lived in 5 other countries) for the past 16 years. I have been writing about travel – online and print — since 1999. Those are my reasons for travel blogging. I am afraid that I cannot help any of you find a travel blog gig just so you can get travel freebies.

I have been offered free travel (transpo, hotel and entrance) to 2 travel expos – one in the US and one in Germany. Unfortunately, when the offer came, I was in the 8th month of my pregnancy so I could not travel. I have also had the opportunity to review 2 hotels (one of which was crappy). I have received 3 travel books (one of which was excellent) and I have 1 free travel magazine subscription. I have also received a couple of products for review.  I am also just about to receive a travelpacket for review anytime soon.

The few times that I have received products, I check them out and write a review. IF, after my review, the product in question can still be used, I usually hold a contest and use the product as giveaway (watch out for another one very soon!)

If you look at it, I do not really get as much as the others. And I do NOT accept all the travel freebies offered to me. I only accept those which are offered with no strings attached. If I can write the good AND the bad then I usually accept.

/end of clarification

Post from: Europe String

Interestingly, some parties think that using the word FREE would make me (and other people who blog/write about travel) immediately grab whatever it is that they are offering.  The thing is, when something in return (like a good review even if what you are offering is crappy!) is expected then it isn’t free anymore, is it?!

Now if you allow me (us) to talk about the bad things as well then, that is a different story.

It’s interesting what kind of offers we (travel bloggers) are getting.  I can’t imagine what famous broadsheet travel writers are being offered.

Post from: Europe String

A great (not to mention, strong) alternative, should your shoelaces suddenly retire from all that walking you have been doing.  

photo source

Post from: Europe String

If you do not have the time nor the energy to plan your trip, you may want to consider one of Sophisticated Traveler, Inc.’s Independent Travel Packages. I swear, they have one of the cheapest travel packages I have EVER seen.

As an example…

A travel package to Budapest (Hungary) will only cost you from US$1288, if you are coming from Philadelphia. For other US city origin, cost is as follows: US$1310 – Boston/JFK/Newark, US$1316 – Atlanta, US$1318 – DC, US$1445 – Chicago/Houston, US$1498 – LA and US$1506 – San Francisco.

The package includes: roundtrip flights on Star Alliance airlines (mid-week), private arrival transfer from airport to hotel, 5 nights double room accommodations, full breakfasts and local hotel taxes.

Check out their site for other travel packages. They are offering great value for your money.

photo source 

Post from: Europe String

“would you drive around in what amounted to a sedan-sized billboard?”

I would definitely do it. I do not mind how the car looks from the outside. As long as it is in good running condition and I get a great price (or even get to drive it for free), I’ll definitely say yes to this offer.

What about YOU? Would you mind?

photo source

Post from: Europe String

It’s even BETTER if you do get a great travel deal.

But, if you get a freebie, that is the BEST.

Complimentary… gratis et amore… handout… free…

Whichever way it may be labeled, this will be music to every budget travelers’ ears.

Janet Jackson and Luther Vandross surely got it right when they said that the best things in life are free.

And below are just some of the best of the BEST when it comes to traveling on a shoestring which you might want to sample during your European sojourn:

FREE ENTERTAINMENT. It comes in many forms. In the summer, they have many open air summer concert festivals that do not require you to pay an entrance fee.  The Edinburgh Fringe and Amsterdam’s Openluchttheater comes to mind. It can also mean just sitting on the grass in that beautiful city park, taking in all the local culture as you watch the locals do mundane things which could seem strange — and hell yea, entertaining! — to you. It could also mean a cultural day out without paying a considerable sum. All you need to do is to do your research and check when the museums have their once a month free entrance days. They have a lot of that here in Europe. I’ve blogged about some of them here.

FREE TRANSPORTATION. Your kids can fly for free on board Lufthansa this summer. They have free bikes for rent in Geneva, Paris and Vienna. Or, you can throw caution to the winds and fly with AirHitch to wherever they may take you.

FREE LODGING. Crash into your neighbor’s cousin’s brother-in-law’s fratmate’s girfriend’s sister’s friend’s flat. Or, try couch surfing and you will probably get the same kind of accommodation minus the you-owe-me-big-time weight on your shoulder.

FREE FOOD. Get your travel mate — who has a bit more money than you — to eat in any of the London restaurants which offer buy 1 get 1 free meals.

FREE DRINKS. Cruise along the disco row of Port Olimpic in Barcelona.  Ask for carafe d’eau (plain ole tap Water, my dear) in Paris.

If you keep your eyes and ears open, there are surely lots of freebies out there, just waiting for financially-challenged travelers to avail of them.  I am 100% sure that all of you will agree with me when I say that getting travel freebies — provided without charge or payment — is the best in budget travel.

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• Amsterdam Gay Pride – August 2 - August 5, 2007.
• Pride London - 30 June.
• Cardiff-Wales Lesbian and Gay Mardi Gras 2007 main event - the 1st of September.
• Cologne Pride - 6 until 8 July
• Copenhagen Pride – 18 to 26 August
• EuroPride Madrid – now until 01 July
• Christopher Street Day in Frankfurt – 20-22 July
• Glasgay! 2007 in Scotland – Oct 12 – Nov 11
• Christopher Street Day in Hamburg - Aug 3 – 5
• Europride 07 in Madrid - June 22 – July 1
• Christopher Street Day in Munich - Aug 11 – 12
• Paris Pride 2007 - June 30
• Stockholm Pride - July 30 – Aug 5
• Zagreb Pride 2007 - July 4 – 7

source: gaylife at about

Post from: Europe String

Budget travelers probably just have to settle with touring around the country.

Now, if you want bragging rights to having extensively toured around a European country, where do you think you can do it without breaking the bank?

Where else but in… Vatican City! After all it’s the smallest country in the world with only 0.2 square miles. Therefore, it would not cost you a lot of money to tour around Vatican.

Yes, that was a trick question. hehe

Post from: Europe String