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Series: Affordable Europe
This is a special series of posts that offer tips and tricks to beat the high cost of Europe. We've tapped writers here and abroad for advice. Here are some of the contributors to this series:Erica Firpo is city editor for Luxe Guide Rome. She contributed to Fodor's Rome 2008. Her personal blog is Moscerina.
Laurie Pike splits her time between Paris and L.A. She edits The Paris Blog and has freelanced for the New York Times, Variety, and Los Angeles.
Mark Smith, based outside of London, is a travel writer who runs the award-winning, train-information site The Man in Seat Sixty-One.
August 12, 2008, 12:51 PM
Reid Bramblett has written several major guidebooks on Italy. Here are some of his booking tips.
Reid Bramblett has written several major guidebooks on Italy. Here are some of his booking tips.
Comments (7)
July 30, 2008, 8:49 AM
Next to the London Eye and the Thames River, London has laid out a "beach" with deck chairs, giant games of Connect 4, quoits (a British lawn game similar to horseshoes), and street performers.
Next to the London Eye and the Thames River, London has laid out a "beach" with deck chairs, giant games of Connect 4, quoits (a British lawn game similar to horseshoes), and street performers.
July 10, 2008, 12:31 PM
Spain has a growing tourism industry, a vibrant design culture—and a recent wave of hotel chains making chic accommodations affordable.
Spain has a growing tourism industry, a vibrant design culture—and a recent wave of hotel chains making chic accommodations affordable.
July 8, 2008, 11:43 AM
We asked Gourmet magazine's European correspondent, Alec Lobrano, for his advice on dining cheaply but well in Paris.
We asked Gourmet magazine's European correspondent, Alec Lobrano, for his advice on dining cheaply but well in Paris.
June 25, 2008, 12:03 PM
Despite all the bad news about the economy and air travel, a trip to Europe is still possible with some creative planning. Tip #1: Consider cities like Budapest, Prague, Warsaw, and Zagreb.
Despite all the bad news about the economy and air travel, a trip to Europe is still possible with some creative planning. Tip #1: Consider cities like Budapest, Prague, Warsaw, and Zagreb.
June 20, 2008, 9:40 AM
Visiting Stonehenge, carrying luggage on the Tube, and other tips from a London commuter.
Visiting Stonehenge, carrying luggage on the Tube, and other tips from a London commuter.
June 20, 2008, 7:12 AM
The website europeanhostels.com has been updated with better tools for seeking out hostels. Find out what makes the site great.
The website europeanhostels.com has been updated with better tools for seeking out hostels. Find out what makes the site great.
June 19, 2008, 9:15 AM
Forget Craigslist and Venere for apartments in Italy. Look instead at Cross-Pollinate.com, convents (yes, convents!), and farm vacations. Our Rome guest blogger has the lowdown.
Forget Craigslist and Venere for apartments in Italy. Look instead at Cross-Pollinate.com, convents (yes, convents!), and farm vacations. Our Rome guest blogger has the lowdown.
June 19, 2008, 7:49 AM
The back of famous Sacre Coeur cathedral bears all the Montmartre charm of the front, but is less cacophonous and touristy. Here are Parisian sweet spots, picked by a local.
The back of famous Sacre Coeur cathedral bears all the Montmartre charm of the front, but is less cacophonous and touristy. Here are Parisian sweet spots, picked by a local.
June 18, 2008, 8:09 AM
Unlike air travel, a train trip across Europe is a fascinating experience in itself, not mere transportation. Here are routes worth doing for the scenery alone, but which won’t break the bank.
Unlike air travel, a train trip across Europe is a fascinating experience in itself, not mere transportation. Here are routes worth doing for the scenery alone, but which won’t break the bank.
June 13, 2008, 1:03 PM
Up and down the peninsula, aperitivi hour usually begins after 6 pm. Try local drinks, such as prosecco, spritz (Aperol or Campari and wine), and, of course, wine.
Up and down the peninsula, aperitivi hour usually begins after 6 pm. Try local drinks, such as prosecco, spritz (Aperol or Campari and wine), and, of course, wine.
June 13, 2008, 11:28 AM
Perhaps one of the most lovely, traditional, and affordable Italian daytime activities is, literally, a walk in the park. Our Rome-based blogger lists her favorites.
Perhaps one of the most lovely, traditional, and affordable Italian daytime activities is, literally, a walk in the park. Our Rome-based blogger lists her favorites.
June 13, 2008, 11:16 AM
In Paris, a sale is really an event. Regulated by the government, city-wide sales offer considerable savings. The next one runs June 25 until August 2.
In Paris, a sale is really an event. Regulated by the government, city-wide sales offer considerable savings. The next one runs June 25 until August 2.
June 5, 2008, 3:13 PM
A well-traveled Briton shows you how to use ferries to save on a night's lodging during multi-city trips, or to add a more scenic "Day Four" excursion to your visit to a major European city.
A well-traveled Briton shows you how to use ferries to save on a night's lodging during multi-city trips, or to add a more scenic "Day Four" excursion to your visit to a major European city.
June 5, 2008, 11:12 AM
Advice on what you should avoid (subways in Rome), what you should prepare for (a lack of air conditioning), and what are the most scenic routes (such as cable cars and water taxis).
Advice on what you should avoid (subways in Rome), what you should prepare for (a lack of air conditioning), and what are the most scenic routes (such as cable cars and water taxis).
June 5, 2008, 10:02 AM
Guests at the moderately priced InterCityHotels, often located right by airports and train stations, get to ride local public transportation for free.
Guests at the moderately priced InterCityHotels, often located right by airports and train stations, get to ride local public transportation for free.
June 3, 2008, 8:25 AM
Planning a trip to France this summer? Take advantage of a free-admission program to more than a dozen national museums.
Planning a trip to France this summer? Take advantage of a free-admission program to more than a dozen national museums.
May 30, 2008, 8:07 AM
In Paris, the cost of short-term sublets drops in the hot months, when locals take their own vacations in the provinces, putting their homes in the city up for rent.
In Paris, the cost of short-term sublets drops in the hot months, when locals take their own vacations in the provinces, putting their homes in the city up for rent.
May 28, 2008, 9:44 AM
Irish budget airline Ryanair operates over 500 routes. It offers a cheap way to get around Europe. But you have to be careful. The airline is notorious for its additional fees.
Irish budget airline Ryanair operates over 500 routes. It offers a cheap way to get around Europe. But you have to be careful. The airline is notorious for its additional fees.
May 27, 2008, 10:43 AM
The City of Rome sells three types of city cards that offer free and discounted entry into museums, sites and events--plus, a multi-day transportation pass.
The City of Rome sells three types of city cards that offer free and discounted entry into museums, sites and events--plus, a multi-day transportation pass.
May 20, 2008, 9:33 AM
The most famous Paris flea markets aren't cheap. Our Paris blogger will show you where to find the best values in souvenirs. Hint: Think, brocantes (swap meets).
The most famous Paris flea markets aren't cheap. Our Paris blogger will show you where to find the best values in souvenirs. Hint: Think, brocantes (swap meets).
May 19, 2008, 2:32 PM
Here are some tips that can save you money in Europe this summer. Ideas include bike-rentals, family-friendly hostels, and wine bars that trust you to pay what you think is fair.
Here are some tips that can save you money in Europe this summer. Ideas include bike-rentals, family-friendly hostels, and wine bars that trust you to pay what you think is fair.
May 16, 2008, 11:50 AM
I just returned from a 10-day trip to Italy and I cannot sing the praises of Auto Europe enough. It saved me money, and provided great service.
I just returned from a 10-day trip to Italy and I cannot sing the praises of Auto Europe enough. It saved me money, and provided great service.
May 15, 2008, 2:30 PM
Trafalgar Tours is offering early-booking savings. Passengers who book and make a deposit on a tour by July 31 will receive a free pre- or post-night, or an extra 10 percent discount.
Trafalgar Tours is offering early-booking savings. Passengers who book and make a deposit on a tour by July 31 will receive a free pre- or post-night, or an extra 10 percent discount.
May 14, 2008, 8:03 AM
One of the best ways to sample Italian culture on the cheap is attending a small town festival, such as festa, fiera or sagra. Our Rome blogger lists the best ones upcoming, and show you how to find others.
One of the best ways to sample Italian culture on the cheap is attending a small town festival, such as festa, fiera or sagra. Our Rome blogger lists the best ones upcoming, and show you how to find others.
May 7, 2008, 10:01 AM
In Florence’s crowded historic center, it can feel like there are as many Americans as locals—and tourism board and province officials want it to stay that way. They're launching a new promotion just for U.S. travelers.
In Florence’s crowded historic center, it can feel like there are as many Americans as locals—and tourism board and province officials want it to stay that way. They're launching a new promotion just for U.S. travelers.
May 7, 2008, 9:44 AM
In Western Europe, trains are a cheaper and more convenient way to get around than many of the other options. Here are five booking tips.
In Western Europe, trains are a cheaper and more convenient way to get around than many of the other options. Here are five booking tips.
May 2, 2008, 10:24 AM
Lunchtime in Italy does not always mean the two course pasta (primo) and meat/fish (secondo) meal with several bottles of wine. Our Rome based blogger offers two secret weapons for saving time and money.
Lunchtime in Italy does not always mean the two course pasta (primo) and meat/fish (secondo) meal with several bottles of wine. Our Rome based blogger offers two secret weapons for saving time and money.
May 1, 2008, 1:52 PM
It's not a trip to Paris if you don't take a Bateau Mouche, an open-air sightseeing boat up and down the meandering Seine. Here's how to save money, and get the best view...
It's not a trip to Paris if you don't take a Bateau Mouche, an open-air sightseeing boat up and down the meandering Seine. Here's how to save money, and get the best view...
May 1, 2008, 11:44 AM
Free--and nearly free--bicycle rentals are a great way to save in European cities. We list new programs in Zurich and Bern, plus the programs that have started in the past year.
Free--and nearly free--bicycle rentals are a great way to save in European cities. We list new programs in Zurich and Bern, plus the programs that have started in the past year.
May 1, 2008, 9:09 AM
Here are four ways to save on trains in Britain.
Here are four ways to save on trains in Britain.
March 24, 2008, 12:32 PM
In 2008, there are several ways for culture hunters to sample Europe's fine arts without spending a eurocent.
In 2008, there are several ways for culture hunters to sample Europe's fine arts without spending a eurocent.
