Posts by author Guest Post
Don't be scared by the line. It moves quickly. Photo: Andrea Shaffer
Looking for a tasty bite to eat in Paris without breaking the bank? Unfortunately, that’s a pretty tall order in this city, where it’s hard to find a meal for under €10 that isn’t McDonald’s. It feels wrong to eat at fast food in Paris, one of the culinary capitals of the world. So what’s » Read more
Enjoy famous falafel, crepes and classic French fare in Paris. Photo: Andrea Schaffer
Paris has a reputation for being romantic, fashionable, and as most are quick to add, expensive. While the food is almost always quite good, a nice dinner in the City of Lights can run up quite a tab. We highly recommend treating yourself to a classic French meal at least once during your stay, but » Read more
Hotel de Nice offers “Old Parisian” décor and is a favorite cheap sleep of EuroCheapo. Photo: Kaitlin Davella
For years, Hôtel de Nice has topped EuroCheapo’s list as one of the more beautiful and charming, while still affordable, places to stay in Paris. With rates between €80-280, gorgeously kitsch interiors and a central location in the Marais, this place is hard to beat. Walking into the hotel through the turquoise blue doors, you » Read more
The Catacombs of Paris — one creepy way to spend a couple of hours. Photo: Sean Graham
Happy Halloween! Though costume parties for October 31st are growing increasingly popular across the continent, most countries in Europe still do not celebrate Halloween in quite the same way as the United States does. Trick or treating has just not caught on yet. To get your spooky fix on that next European vacation — whether » Read more
Lunch time in Paris can be affordable and delicious! Photo: Pier-Luc Bergeron
Now that the busy summer season has come and gone, the city is starting to settle back into its everyday rhythm. This means you’ll find the people of Paris scattered across lovely terraces around lunch time, stopping by for déjeuner à prix fixe. These meals, often a daily special or a traditional French dish, will be » Read more
During a recent holiday in Turkey, I indulged in the ultimate pampering: a visit to a hamam. I had heard talk amongst my Turkish friends of their habitual visits to what can be compared to a spa or bath house. They always seemed so relaxed following a trip to the hamam, and after traveling around » Read more
Istanbul has some of the best and cheapest street food in Europe. Photo: Harold Litwiler
Where can you find some of the tastiest and most affordable street snacks in Europe? Welcome to Istanbul. Fresh from a trip to Turkey, I spent days wandering around this spectacular city trying out all of the delicious dishes. Luckily for me, Turkish street food is amazing, safe to eat and very easy on the » Read more
For a different side of Paris, escape to bucolic Parc des Buttes Chaumont. Photo: Guilhem Vellut
It’s summer in Paris, and what better way to enjoy the warm breeze than a picnic in the park? When one thinks of parks in Paris, Champ de Mars is often the traveler’s favorite. It’s the long stretch of grass surrounding the Eiffel Tower… you know, the iconic spot that’s probably in your Paris daydreams. » Read more
Whether by air, bus or train, there are plenty of budget-friendly travel options in Turkey. Photo: Oliver Holzbauer
Writing about adventures in Paris may be wonderful, but everyone needs a holiday. That’s why I spent the month of July exploring the amazingly beautiful Turkey. After some R&R along the Lycian Coast (which I highly recommend as far as beach holidays go, by the way), I needed to figure out how to make my » Read more
L'as du Falafel is a classic cheap eat that stays open all summer. Photo: Andrea Schaffer
We’ve made it again—it’s summertime in Paris! As you may already know, this means Paris has become somewhat of a ghost town. Now that August has hazily rolled over the City of Lights, all the locals have headed to their chateaux in Normandy or their hotels on the Mediterranean. What’s left? All of the tourists, » Read more
Heading to Paris for a study abroad program? You'll soon join students like these relaxing at the Sorbonne. Photo: AmitLev
If you’re a university student, chances are you may be planning your study abroad trip. If you’re lucky enough to be coming to Paris, you’ve got a lot to look forward to! Summer students have just descended upon the streets of Paris, and the fall semester and year-long students are on their way. If you’re coming » Read more
Strolling through Strasbourg along the canal through La Petite France, the adorable old town, is a highlight of any visit to this Alsatian city. Photo: Jorge Franganillo
We’ve said it before, but it’s worth repeating: Strasbourg is a hidden gem of a city! Nestled into the Eastern edge of France just a short drive from the German border, Strasbourg has traditionally been known as le carrefour de l’Europe (the crossroads of Europe). With a rich and fascinating past, tremendous political importance, a charming old » Read more
Hotel du 7e Art is a friendly and family-run spot in th heart of the old Marais. Photo: EuroCheapo
2017 UPDATE: The Hotel du 7e art has flicked its last feature, and has sadly closed. It is currently being redeveloped into a much fancier hotel, the Charles V. But don’t despair. There are still great budget hotels available in Paris. See our favorites here. From the archives: If you’re a film buff, a fan » Read more
Enter through the antique wooden doors of Chartier for a vintage dining adventure. Photo: Andy L
Housed in an ornate, mirror-filled 19th-century hall with mile-high ceilings and tiled floors, le Boullion Chartier is certainly a classic Parisian restaurant. How many restaurants can say they have a history dating back to 1896 or even their own Wikipedia page? While normally these Belle Epoque-style bistros will cost you a pretty penny, Chartier is » Read more
The menu board at Strada Cafe shows the range of coffee drinks now pouring at new Paris cafes. Photo: Courtesy of Strada Cafe.
The coffee scene is changing in Paris. Gone are the days when all Parisians dined at fancy bistros and sipped on bitter Café Richard espresso. Now it seems like every time you turn around a new trendy café has opened that’s serves a decidedly hip clientele. But most importantly, at many of these spots the » Read more
The Loft Hostel keeps it cool with three styles colorful of room designs and perks like free Wi-Fi and breakfast. Photo: Courtesy of hotel
Paris may be infamously chic, sophisticated and beautiful, but it hasn’t always been viewed as a ‘hip’ city. What do we mean by hip? You know, the kind of place that’s always one step ahead of the trends, cooler than cool. But recently, the climate has been changing, and Paris has been gaining an edge » Read more
The Hotel St. Andre des Arts has kept rates low, even while the neighborhood around it has become very expensive. Photos by EuroCheapo.com
Hotel Saint-Andre-des-Arts is a charming, historic hotel nestled into the picturesque cobblestone streets of Saint Germain des Prés. In a city like Paris, it’s unusual for any of those words to coincide with affordability. And yet, year after year, Hotel Saint-Andre-des-Arts tops EuroCheapo’s list of favorite and most reasonable places to stay in Paris. (Read » Read more
The weekly market in Uzes draws visitors from the entire region. All photos by Bill Fogarty
If you’ve fallen in love with France as I have, you have probably traveled there more than once. Now that you have seen Paris and beyond, including all the regular tourist attractions, its time to learn about the fabulous Gard region of France. The Gard is located just west of Provence in south central France. » Read more
Zaytoon serves up Dublin's tastiest kebab in Temple Bar. Photos by Colm Hanratty
In this guest post, Colm Hanratty of Hostelworld.com tells us his favorite places to go for a late-night snack in the Irish capital. Dublin is famous for many things—friendly locals, outspoken rock stars and pubs being three. After sampling the local Guinness in one of its celebrated “boozers,” chances are you’ll be in search of » Read more
When in St. Mark's Square, don't sit down! Photo: Tom Meyers
While Venice is high on the list of most visitors to Italy, it’s also one of the more challenging places to be a Cheapo – no matter how you slice it, this is one expensive city. After spending the bulk of your travel budget on airfare to Italy, which is always more expensive than you » Read more
Take in the Basilica of Saint Francis in Assisi for free. Photo: fradavecss
With the strong euro and the weak—ahem—everything else, visitors to Italy are keeping their eyes on the bottom line and trimming the fat off their travel expenses this year. But if you’re like me, nothing makes you cranky and out of sorts like feeling you are missing out on the best of a destination because » Read more
A five pack at Prosperity Dumplings in New York. Photos: Craig Nelson
For the ultimate culinary adventure, nothing beats eating your way through New York’s Chinatown. Not only is it good for your stomach (at least most of the time), it also works wonders on your wallet. Here’s the only challenge: with hundreds of places to choose from, how can a visitor find the best places without » Read more
Looking up at Assisi, Umbria. Photo by Rebecca Winke.
By Rebecca Winke in Assisi, Umbria— Not too long ago, Umbria–with its rolling hills covered in vineyards and olive groves and topped by tiny medieval stone villages–was touted as the cheaper alternative to Tuscany (her neighbor to the north). This is not so true anymore, as this region in central Italy has begun to show » Read more
Crime in Stereo performing at the Webster Hall Studio. Photo: Bill Shouldis
By Alisha Miranda in New York— New York City is a hub for music lovers of all tastes. The city’s neighborhoods have streets lined with venues offering live music every night of the week. So whether you’re looking for a rock show or a jazz club, you won’t have trouble finding the right place. Manhattan » Read more
The view from the Castelo Sao Jorge. Photos by Guilhem Fauquier
By Guilhem Fauquier in Lisbon— The Portuguese often refer to Lisbon as the cidade das sete colinas, or “city of the seven hills.” They’re not kidding. Although walking the hilly terrain will be a workout, the seven hills do offer outstanding views that the locals enjoy every day. Most of these vistas offer dramatic, sweeping » Read more
