Posts by author Alex Robertson Textor
A sunny day at Beckenham Place Park. Photo: Berit Watkin
Greater London boasts a striking 3,000 public open spaces across 32 boroughs and the City of London. During the worst of the pandemic, London parks served an extraordinarily important function for locals. They were places where people could be active outside, places where some semblance of normalcy could be staked. Happily, you don’t have to » Read more
The Eurostar train between London and Paris is quick and affordable--if you book way in advance. Photo: Renaud C
London and Paris are two of Europe’s biggest tourist destinations, just a few hours away from each other by road or rail; about an hour’s distance in the air. Barring car travel, there are three ways to make the journey from London to Paris: by air, by rail and by road. But what about the » Read more
Exploring London doesn't have to break the bank. Photo: Charles Postiaux
London is expensive! It would be folly to try to pretend otherwise. But a visit shouldn’t have to destroy your bank account at home. In early 2023, there are two cross-cutting factors at play. Let’s start with the good news for visitors. The pound is historically pretty weak at the moment, which means that, at » Read more
Tromsø is a a great home base way up north in the Artic Circle to see the Northern Lights. Photo: Alex Robertson Textor
There’s a reason that so many European magazines and newspapers were buzzing a few years ago in 2014 about the Northern Lights. And I was lucky enough to witness what is known as the solar maximum, a peak in activity in the sun’s 11-year cycle. Oh, the Northern Lights. I saw them once on a » Read more
In the autumn months, England's Lake District drips with fall colors and, well, rain. Photo: Alex Robertson Textor
The Lake District is one of the most significant tourist destinations in the United Kingdom, taking in a whopping 15 million visitors every year. Located in Cumbria in the northwest of England, it is flooded with lots of different types of tourists. Outdoorsy nature lovers comprise one significant stream, as do the literary-minded – above » Read more
Visit Museo del Prado on the free days. Photo: Carmelo P.
Need a break from the hip and crowded streets of Barcelona? Hop on the high-speed train for a quick trip to Madrid just 2 hours and 30 minutes away. Stately, refined, and dignified, even in its grungier quarters, the Spanish capital is a fantastic destination for budget travelers. Here are five tips for simple ways » Read more
Instead of Madrid or Barcelona, consider a trip to Lisbon. Photo: Ulrika
On the face of it, this should be a great time for Americans to think about traveling to Europe. Just a few years ago, it took $1.38 to buy a euro; today, a euro can be had for just $1.13. But despite this trend, Western Europe can still be expensive for Americans, and, for that matter, » Read more
The colorful buildings of Saint-Pierre and Miquelon.
Did you know there’s a little slice of Europe in the North Atlantic? Saint-Pierre and Miquelon might fly under the radar for most budget travelers, but it’s worth a look if you’re ready to see something totally different. Here’s how to visit this self-governing French territory off the coast of Canada without breaking the bank. » Read more
The old town of Tarifa. Photo: Francisco
New to the hotel scene in Tarifa, The 8 Rooms House is an affordable, stylish surprise that Cheapos will love. This little minimalist guesthouse is a quick walk to the beach and Old Town and offers rooms starting as low as $64. If you’re looking for a cheap hotel in Tarifa, 8 Rooms is an excellent choice. » Read more
How light can you pack? We have some tips on keeping it small. Photo by Mantas Hesthaven on Unsplash
Packing advice can get awfully proscriptive very quickly, and these tips are no exception. Bear with me. Before you start throwing everything you own into a bag, take a moment to think about strategy. With a few easy steps, you too can be hitting the road in Europe like a budget travel pro. I’ve been » Read more
Yes, the Swiss dream is available to budget travelers! Photo: Roderick Eime
Switzerland always presents a dilemma for budget travelers. With day to day costs quite high, it’s a constant challenge to stay on budget. However, it is possible to ride the rails without breaking the bank. With a little bit of scrappy research, cheap accommodations can be found. And as elsewhere in Europe, supermarkets are a reliable » Read more
Arriving by boat at Funchal, Madeira. Photo: Mark
The subtropical Portuguese island of Madeira sits in the Atlantic, about 300 miles (410 km) north of the Canary Islands and about 450 miles (715 km) east of the Moroccan coast. It’s got an unbelievably perfect climate — relatively warm winters and relatively cool summers. An island of gardens, inland valleys and flowing levadas — » Read more
The city center of Hull. Photo: Steintec
Kingston-upon-Hull — “Hull” to its intimates — is the 10th-largest city in England and the largest city in the East Riding of Yorkshire in the northwest of England. Its fate has always been tied to the sea, through the rise and fall of specific industries. Today, with the fishing industry a shadow of its past self, » Read more
Golfo Aranci in Sardinia. Photo: Rolf B
In late spring, before the summer season really gets going, Sardinia casts quiet spells. The Costa Smeralda, developed in the 1960s as a center for luxury tourism, has given Sardinia a very pricey reputation. This part of the island is relatively small and much of Sardinia is wonderfully budget-friendly to boot. We didn’t do Sardinia » Read more
Vibrant Martinique. Photo: Christelle S.
Martinique, an overseas French overseas department located in the Caribbean, sits between the independent countries of Dominica and St. Lucia. Martinique is fully integrated into the French state, with representatives in Paris and the euro as its currency. As you might expect, it is not the least expensive place to holiday in the Caribbean by » Read more
A stylish (and cheap!) room at Zum Guten Glück.
European budget hands know well the financial horrors of traveling in Switzerland. There is almost no way to spend time in the country without blowing a huge hole in your wallet. Yet here, in the country’s largest city, you can snag a nice single room at Zum Guten Glück for just 69 CHF ($70; €63) » Read more
Charming view of Tartu, Estonia. Photo: maple03
Estonia, with a population of just 1.3 million, is a remarkably innovative and exciting place. Want some examples? Skype’s software was built by Estonian programmers; in 2005, Estonia became the first country in the world to launch an electronic voting system; and in 2014, Estonia became the first country in the world to offer electronic » Read more
Las Palmas on Gran Canaria. Photo: El Coleccionista
Gran Canaria is one of Europe’s most important mass tourism destinations, one of the few places accessible within a few hours’ flying time that can just about guarantee warm weather all winter long. (Sharm el-Sheik, where tourist traffic has fallen precipitously this autumn, is another.) Upwards of 50 airlines fly to Gran Canaria from various » Read more
Delicious dosas that don't break the bank at Sagar Vegetarian in the heart of London. Photo: Ewan Munro
Visiting London and looking for excellent restaurant suggestions that won’t blow your entire budget? Alas, it can seem impossible in a city where most “affordable” restaurants tend to be either uninspired tourist fare (cheap pizza and pasta) or dismal fast food joints. That’s not to say it’s impossible, however! We asked London-based correspondent (and foodie) » Read more
Head to Reykjavík for an affordable Icelandic adventure. Photo: Marco B.
Reykjavík is a fine base for exploring Iceland; it is also an exciting place to stop for a few days between North America and the European continent. Icelandair’s extensive reach across North America, as well as the arrival of Wow’s low-cost flights from Boston and Baltimore, make long layovers in Reykjavík easy to arrange. The » Read more
The sun is always shining in Gran Canaria, Spain. Photo: El Coleccionista
As this cool spring lingers well beyond its welcome in London, it’s time for a warm and affordable break. There are two ways to plan a holiday getaway from London to a place with near-guaranteed heat and sun: the independent route, which is the EuroCheapo way, or a package holiday. To help independent travelers think » Read more
The Tyne Bridge and Gateshead Sage in Newcastle. Photo: Ben C.
The northern English city of Newcastle (officially called “Newcastle upon Tyne”), about 45 miles from the border with Scotland at its most direct route, is known for its friendly and fun-loving locals. Locals are called “Geordies”; most notoriously, they have a habit of parading from pub to pub in the coldest depths of winter wearing clothes » Read more
The deep blue seas off of São Miguel Island in the Azores. Photo: Feliciano G.
For Americans, Europe looks set to be particularly budget-friendly this year. This is all well and good, as summer season is just around the corner. But favorable exchange rates only go so far; for most travelers, high-value and modest costs remain objectives. Below are a few affordable, attention-worthy European destinations. I came up with three of » Read more
Editor’s Note: WOW Air ceased operations in March of 2019. Travel blogs have been abuzz in the last few weeks in the wake of Iceland-based WOW Air’s announcement that they will be offering summer 2015 transatlantic flights starting at $99. How is this possible? Is it really possible? There must be a catch, right? Before » Read more
Rotterdam brilliantly mixes the old and the new across the city. Photo: Rudy and Peter
In terms of architecture and scale, Rotterdam feels almost surgically sewn together. This impression reflects the city’s experience of the twentieth century. Heavily bombed during the Second World War, Rotterdam is an architecturally new city, with boxy hypermodern buildings and expansive, well-designed public spaces. It is also a real port city, raw and enriched by » Read more
