Dining on a Budget in Venice
By Katie | January 6, 2009
Venice is one of the most expensive cities in Italy. Space is at a premium, tourism is the main industry, and there’s just a higher cost involved in bringing goods over from the mainland to this city of islands. This translates into higher prices for just about everything. Luckily, dining is one area of your budget where you can follow a few simple strategies to cut costs while still enjoying all this magical city has to offer.
Breakfast
If your hotel offers a free breakfast, take full advantage. Load up on enough gratis goodies to keep you full into the afternoon. If not, forgo the sit-down American-style meal of bacon and eggs and eat breakfast like the locals. Hop into a café for espresso and a pastry, read the paper and watch the city wake up. Or for a slice of Venetian life, head to the Rialto Market – grab a few pieces of fresh fruit to nibble on and enjoy the market’s bustle as locals stock up on daily groceries.
Lunch
Picnicking in St. Mark’s Square is illegal and copping a squat on a bridge is just bad form, but there are still plenty of places in Venice for a relaxing alfresco snack. Stop into a pizza shop or alimentari (sandwich café) for a light bite, wander to an out-of-the-way square to sit, or just walk and eat while you take in the sights.
Dinner
Dinner will generally be your most expensive meal, but there are still ways to avoid getting ripped off and increase your chances of getting some decent food in a city with a reputation for mediocrity in the culinary world. First, avoid the brightly-lit, tourist-filled ristorantes offering seats overlooking the Grand Canal. You’ll pay double for the view. Sidestep establishments with waiters posted outside trying to lure in customers in multiple languages or any place heavily marketing its “tourist menu” (it may be a good price, but the food is usually uninspired). Instead, head to a bacaro for cichetti (small plates and bar snacks). The cichetti bars are easily recognizable by the crowds of Italians milling around outside with plates of food and glasses of wine. Point to what you want or order per person (“cichetti per due” for two) and stand at the bar or outside to eat; it costs more to sit. For €1 - €2 per item, you can load up on snacks and rub elbows with the locals.
Water
There’s an old saying about how in Italy the “wine is cheaper than water”, and while the wine is cheap, that may be because water is so expensive! Venice’s water is safe to drink, so buy one big water bottle and fill it from your hotel’s tap or be prepared for a hefty (€3-€4 in most restaurants) water bill with each meal.
Wine and Cocktails
Skip the fancy bottles and order red or white house wine by the glass. Most bars post the prices on a chalkboard (with different costs depending on whether you stand at the bar or take a table). Prosecco, a sparkling white wine, is also very popular and another economical choice. Harry’s Bar may have invented the Bellini (and now charges around €15 euros for it!) but most Venetians’ cocktail of choice is the Spritz – a bitter tipple made with Compari or Aperol, white wine, and club soda. Spritz, prosecco or wine by the glass will run €1 - €3 euros at the bar in most establishments.
Links:
Rialto Market
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rialto
http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attraction_Review-g187870-d544357-Reviews-Rialto_Market-Venice_Veneto.html
Recommended Restaurants
(wandering the streets and browsing menus is half the fun, but here are few sure things)
Pizza – Pizza al Volo - Campo Santa Margherita, Dorsoduro
Cichetti - Osteria ai Promessi Sposi (Cannaregio 4367 on Calle dell’Oca), Osteria “Alla Botte” Cicchetteria (San Marco 5482 on Calle della Bissa)
Topics: Advice (Dining) | No Comments »
Cheap Flights to Italy in 2009
By Elaine | December 15, 2008
Buy your tickets now for travel April 1 to October 31, 2009. EuroFly is offering Early Bird pricing to Europe from New York to many destinations in Italy.
Sample Pricing:
Rome/Naples from $579*
Palermo from $679*
Business Class fare from $1,999*
* Sale prices do not include fuel surcharge and other taxes and fees. Seats are capacity controlled
HURRY! SALE ENDS JANUARY 19th!
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Lunch for Less – Tips from a Ski Bum
By Janel | December 10, 2008
An easy way to save money while skiing in Europe is to take advantage of your pension’s breakfast. A typical breakfast will consist of a semmel (typical Austrian bread roll) cheese, cold cuts, hard boiled eggs, and juice & coffee. When I was living in Austria enjoying a winter skiing for a living, my funds were quite low. The trick of the trade among ski bums was to eat breakfast, and also make yourself a second semmel sandwich to tuck into your jacket for lunch, hence saving yourself valuable euros for après ski drinks. If you’re not staying at a pension where breakfast is included, head to the local grocery store and pick up some basics for a packed lunch, or easy breakfast. No refrigerator in your hotel room? Just stick your goods out in the snow!
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Make A Wish In Palermo
By Chris | November 29, 2008
Sicily’s glorious city of Palermo strongly reflects the multitude of customs that have influenced it over the years. Palermo is a place with a rich and diverse flavour, drawing as it does on Arabic, French, Spanish and Byzantine influences. Some of the buildings date from as far back as the 11th and 12th century, one of the most striking being the beautiful Palazzo dei Normanni. Palermo boasts a long and interesting history and today it is still a lively and vibrant city.
Here are a few tips and guidelines to help the budget-minded traveller get the most out of Palermo and, more importantly, without spending a fortune.
For romantic fun - Throw a coin, or several, and make a wish in the Fontana Pretoria. This beautiful fountain, built in the 16th century is situated in the square of the same name and is a favourite spot for lovers.
Take to the streets - The summer season (June to September) sees the advent of Palermo’s street theatre activities. The city’s squares and streets are host to musical shows and performances from travelling theatre groups. A colourful carnival feel permeates the city’s streets at this time.
Eating out – It’s almost a cliché now – but eating where the locals eat still represents good advice wherever you are in the world, and Palermo has a vast selection of eateries from which to choose, many will suit modest budgets.
Accommodation – Palermo offers a wide array of hostel style accommodation for budget-conscious travellers, as well as pensiones (Italian versions of Bed and Breakfast) so for those who prefer economic lodging, these comfortable alternatives are ideal.
Palermo’s vibrancy and uniqueness is open to all. And even if you’re not visiting with the idea of shopping till you drop, the experience of visiting the Vucciria Market is invaluable. Take a camera, even if you’re not buying, the exquisite displays of fish, vegetables and fruit are great photo opportunities. Enjoy!
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Amsterdam On The Cheap
By Dan | November 24, 2008
Amsterdam, Netherlands, is an ideal place for budget minded visitors to have fun. There’s plenty to do and see, and like most European cities it offers a good dose of edifying venues such as museum visits and art galleries. But there are also lots of fun things to do in Amsterdam as well.
Obtaining an ‘I Amsterdam’ card, will give visitors free travel and free entry to a lot of local attractions (this includes canal boat trips) and 25% reduction in select restaurants. The card is reasonably priced and is available at the VVV Information Offices of the Amsterdam Tourism and Convention Board.
Most of the city’s attractions are easy to get to either on foot or by bicycle, as the city is built on flat ground.
Amsterdam is home to some rather interesting markets. Amsterdam hosts the world’s largest flower auction. The auction is run five days a week and around fourteen million flowers are traded here, most famously tulips.
Many visitors to Amsterdam cite the Heineken Museum as a must see. Here you can sample free beers and the entry fee is nominal.
Amsterdam also plays host to a major electronic music festival in July each year. Ticket prices are good value and entitle the holder to see concerts and films, electro music videos and art installations. The gig lasts five days and represents a real bargain.
Window shopping, so to speak, in Amsterdam’s red light district makes for an interesting sight-seeing experience, for those with a broad mind. It’s free to look, obviously!
The city of Amsterdam has a strong and famous history in the diamond trading and cutting industry – the city has been one of the world’s most significant diamond centres since the advent of diamond cutting in the late 1500s. Today Amsterdam has at least twelve diamond factories, several of which offer a guided tour service. These tours are free of charge and usually take place from nine to five daily. Visitors get the opportunity to see how diamonds are cut and polished. While the diamonds themselves are expensive to purchase the tours are fun and won’t cost you a penny.
Reasonably priced accommodation in Amsterdam is easy to come by, there are plenty of hostels, low budget hotels and bed and breakfasts available. The Flying Pig Youth Hostels (there are 2 of these) http://www.flyingpig.nl/ are often named by travellers as the best value in the city.
There is plenty to do in this international city, and you can enjoy it all without breaking the bank!
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Santorini, Greece - Cheap Fun In The Sun
By Chris | November 19, 2008
You know the saying “The best things in life are free.” Well, the sunsets on the Greek island of Santorini are said to be among the most beautiful in the world. And budget-conscious travellers to Santorini can enjoy beautiful sunsets every day –at no extra charge!
In terms of a bargain, Santorini represents a very good value in the Greek islands. The towns are said to be shopper’s paradises, with local goods on sale for reasonable prices.
What’s fun to do? Cycling, even if you’re not used to using this mode of transport at home (and few of us are) it’s a really good way to get around, economical, and so long as you actually can ride a bike, well, it’s as easy as… riding a bike. No need to go fast, there are plenty of sights to see, and there’s no rush. A leisurely cycle around Santorini will prove invigorating.
Travellers who like a bit of risk-taking will be pleased to know that Santorini is a volcanic area! However, records indicate that there have been no devastating eruptions since the 1950s.
Visits to vineyards come cheap, and wine tasting is almost obligatory. It’s fun, informative, and the yard proprietors who open their arms and their premises will be more than happy to tell you all there is to know about their wine production. It makes for a joyous and ultimately groggy afternoon for many a traveller. And it’s fascinating to taste, on site, some of the wines we are accustomed to buying from our local stores and supermarkets.
Eating out if you’re in the know, can be a truly gastronomic experience. Just about anywhere you go you can find gyros and souvlaki for under 10 euros. There are many take-away gyro stands, some having outdoor tables where you can stay and eat. In Imerovigli, try Skaros Fish Taverna or in Amoudi, Katina’s Fish Taverna.
Remember that fun feels the same wherever you are and however much money you have. And in Santorini the fabulous sunsets are still free.
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Look for Lower Airfare Pricing
By Elaine | November 18, 2008
With the recent reduction in the price of oil, many airlines are eliminating their fuel surcharges. This will provide a nice reduction (from $20 to $100 per ticket) in air pricing. At this point, Lufthansa, Northwest, British Airways, Delta and Virgin Atlantic have dropped the fuel surcharge fees. This is setting precedent, so more airlines will likely follow suit.
Topics: Advice (Transportation) | No Comments »
Krakow, Poland - Cheap Places To Stay and Things To Do
By Chris | November 12, 2008
Krakow (also known as Crakow) http://www.krakow.pl/en/ is becoming a wonderful tourist destination, and it is good to know that it can easily accommodate budget travellers.
Here are just a few handy hints to help the budget traveller get the full benefit of a stay in Krakow without going bust (and have a lot of fun as well.)
Accommodation for the economy minded visitor to Krakow can be found at the Bursa Jagiellonska Hostel http://www.bursa.krakow.pl/hostel/en/ in Podgorze, one of Krakow’s central districts. Bursa Jagiellonska is only open in the summer season (July – September) and the accomodation is suited to budget travelers and back backers. Some private rooms are available, which is unusual for Krakow hostels.
Slightly up-market, and at a slightly higher price (though still very reasonable) The Honey Apartments http://honeyapartments.eu/pages/index.php?lang=en in the Jewish Quarter offer great self-catering deals. The apartments are spacious and well equipped and situated near to some of the city’s lively amenities.
Like many cities, Krakow offers a Tourist Card, which entitles the holder to cheaper fares or lower fees for travel, and reductions on entry charges to some of the city’s monuments and museums, so investing in one of these makes sense. Get it at the Tourist Office.
Aside from what might be considered the more high-brow pursuits of visiting galleries and museums or going on historic sight seeing trips, there’s plenty to do for the visitor who seeks fun in Krakow. Paintball experiences can be arranged, time at a shooting range, hot air balloon flights, and even a visit to Lokietek’s Cave. In 1300 the Prince Ladislas was under attack from King Wenceslas. After many brawls with his adversary, the king went into hiding. The cave was his chosen retreat. Lokietek’s Cave with its legends and history prove hugely popular with children and adults alike.
While on the subject of money and budget, it’s best not to assume that all venues will take credit card payments. Many do, but some still do not have the facilities to do so in Krakow. Cash point machines are available but exchange rates and charges differ from bank to bank.
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Europe is Suddenly Cheaper!
By Elaine | November 6, 2008
The bad economy has brought some good news as well; the dollar to Euro exchange rate is now moving in the dollar’s favor. Earlier this year, the dollar cost more than $1.50 per Euro; now one Euro costs $1.27. That will make a great deal of difference in what your hotel or restaurant meals will cost on your trip.
For instance, if your hotel is 100 euros per night and you stay 5 nights, it will cost you $635. Earlier this year, at the same 100 euros per night, your hotel would have cost you $750. That is a savings of $115. It all adds up!
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Sightseeing on a Budget in Lisbon, Portugal
By Dan | November 3, 2008
Here are a few handy tips to help the budget traveler get the most out of their stay in Lisbon, and have some fun without breaking the bank.
Lisbon, the capital city of Portugal since its conquest from the Moors in the 1100s, is a renowned city flavored with centuries of history. The climate is kind to spending time outdoors, walking and sightseeing, quite comfortably.
Lisbon boasts a host of interesting museums and beautiful historic sights. The Torre de Belem is an ornate 16th century Manueline fortress. Originally built to protect the city, it is now owned by Unesco. And well worth a visit is the nearby, if rather surreal, pink marble Cultural Centre. The building was constructed in the 1990s so it’s a modern addition to the city. Here you’ll find performance venues, with lots going on at different times of the year, and art exhibitions. In the museum’s permanent collection are works by none other than Picasso, Mondrian and Warhol – best of all, admission is free. High culture on a low budget.
Lisbon city centre is relatively small so walking is easy, alternatively trolley riding will suit. Trolley cars are available in abundance. Though the cars themselves may seem ancient, the vantage points afforded the traveller are great and the sights from the trolleys are stunning. The trolleys don’t travel at high speed so you can take in or even photograph the views as you go. Costs are minimal – just a few euros per trip.
Recommended walking – the Alfama District. This is the ideal way to explore Lisbon’s Moorish history.
Portuguese food is Atlantic-based so many of the dishes are fish related. Salted cod or Bacalhau being one of the most popular feature, though Lisbon is as culturally advanced as any city these days so all kinds of fare is available to suit most budgets.
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