Archive for March, 2010

The new face of Copenhagen

March 30th, 2010

Copenhagen is considered one of the most attractive and interesting cities in Scandinavia and also one of the most cosmopolitan. It has been modernised over recent years thanks to a growth in tourism, an irresistible combination of cutting edge architectural design and old fashioned cobbled streets and the Danish themselves taking pride in their city and developing a more Mediterranean culture of socialising in bars and restaurants, bringing the city to life like never before. Another major attraction to Copenhagen for many travellers is how safe and clean it is. It is also very easy to negotiate, with a very efficient public transport system and friendly locals who nearly all speak excellent English.
One of the downfalls for budget travellers is how expensive the city is. It is not easy to find budget accommodation in Copenhagen but it is not impossible either. There are some inexpensive hotels in the centre that have decent standards and come recommended; it is just a case of doing your homework before you book. As far as finding cheap flights to the city is concerned, the same rules apply as with any other destination – the less desirable your flight times and dates, the cheaper they will be.
Some of the main sights and places of interest in Copenhagen include the Carlsberg Brewery which offers a little history and free beer! If history really is your thing, a visit to the Nationalmuseet (the national museum) should also be on your list of places to visit. Rosenborg Slot, a Dutch Renaissance style castle and home to the Danish royal jewels, is also of historical interest

For free sights, head to the Radhuspladsen, Copenhagen’s main public square and home to the town hall. It is lively square and a great meeting place with easy access to other sights such as the Tivoli Gardens and the Vesterbro district. The charming little mermaid statue sits perched on a rock in the sea and is probably the most photographed sight in the city. And if all of that is not enough to satisfy you, you can always take the 30 minute train ride from Copenhagen City Centre to the Swedish city of Malmo and see two Scandinavian countries for the price of one!

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Seville on a tight budget

March 29th, 2010

While Seville is maybe not the cheapest city in Spain it does have a handful of free sights and parks where you can make the most of that wonderful climate in southern Spain. Here is some information to help you get started planning your cheap stay in the capital of Andalusia:

The sunny city of Seville is peppered with lovely river side cafes and tapas bars with Arab-style internal courtyards where a simple glass of wine and a few olives can feel like total luxury in such an exotic setting. In many tapas bars you are offered plenty of free nibbles with your drink and this can be a great way to recharge your battery for free if you can’t afford a meal out. The Santa Cruz area is your best bet for this kind of bar.

The lovely Maria Luisa Park is a great place to enjoy a picnic or a romantic stroll with its leafy gardens and ponds and the Guadalquivir River is equally attractive. Plaza España is another free highlight for most visitors to the city. The Giralda Tower, the Royal Alcazars and the Cathedral are not free to visit so, if you are strapped for cash, you can either just settle for gawping at them from the outside or invest in a Seville Card and visit them all at a reduced rate.

If you don’t have a senior or student discount card, the Sevilla Card is a great option for free entry to most of the city’s museums and attractions as well as the Isla Magica park. It also offers good discounts in many restaurants and shops. The card costs 50€ for 24 hours and 60€ for 48 hours. You can also enjoy unlimited free public transport for just a few more euros. Visit the tourist office for more information.

For a cheap stay in the city, look for a budget hostel in the city centre or consider staying at a self-catering apartment for a longer stay and save on eating out. Flying out of the high season and during the middle of the week at unsociable hours is guaranteed to bring the cost of your flight down too.

A trip to Seville is never going to be completely free but it certainly doesn’t have to break the bank either!

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A family holiday in Prague

March 26th, 2010

Prague is not often the first place that springs to mind when planning a family holiday but, it is actually a very good choice for a variety of reasons: Towering spires, a huge Medieval castle and a pretty river where you and the kids can enjoy a boat ride, are just some of the attractions for couples with small children to Prague, but by far the biggest one is cost. Although prices have been rising steadily in Prague for years with the increase in tourism, it remains a very affordable place – ideal if you are travelling on a budget!
Here are some tips on when to visit and what to do while you are there…………………
Although Prague is very pretty in winter, it’s also pretty cold! Spring is nice but summer is better if you are visiting with family and want to be able to make the most of those outdoor cafes and enjoy a few boat rides on the river. If you don’t feel up to rowing along the River Vltava, opt for an hour long cruise and do a spot of sightseeing from the water.
If you can’t face the steep trek up to the castle (especially if you have little ones in toe), take tram number 22 from the town centre; this ride is quite an adventure in itself for children who have never been on a tram before. After gawping at the castle, you can head to the Toy Museum, housed within the same complex.
A stroll across the famous Charles Bridge is great for some free entertainment with its statues and portrait artists…not to mention the views!

The local cuisine is maybe not the most inspiring of European cuisines but it is usually a hit with children as it is not spicy. As with a lot of Eastern European countries, cuisine tends to be a little stodgy and heavily meat and potato based. It is, however, very cheap even if you decide to have a proper, sit down meal in a restaurant in the evening.

There is plenty of family-friendly accommodation to choose from in Prague, the main dilemma really is whether to go for something in the picturesque Stare Mesto (Old Town) or head to one of the more conveniently located hotels around Wenceslas Square. Prague also has a zoo and a few museums which may be of interest to children.

There are several low cost airlines offering flights from the UK to Prague: easyjet, Jet2 and ryanair to name a few.

There really is plenty to keep a family entertained in Prague and the low prices on accommodation, eating out and tourist attractions are a great incentive to choose this rather than another European destination.

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New York in Spring

March 19th, 2010

Spring is a wonderful time to visit New York, The frosty winter days are a distant memory and New Yorkers love to get out in the fresh spring air and make the most of the first sunny days of the year, creating an uplifting atmosphere that is great to enjoy on a romantic break or a family holiday. Here are some of my tips on things to see and do on a spring break in New York.

Obviously, the first thing that comes to mind is Central Park. This enormous city park covers nearly 850 acres and contains lakes, forests, grassy meadows, fountains and a whole network of winding parks which are ideal for jogging or just taking a stroll. The Conservatory Garden on Fifth Avenue and 105th St. is the place for you if you are interested in botany, while the carousel and zoo are obvious choices for those travelling with children. Bow Bridge is often considered the most picturesque feature of the park and a nice place for a photo opportunity. Accommodation near to Central Park is a good choice if, like me, you love the city but need to be able to escape to somewhere more natural and peaceful when you want to.

A clear spring day when the skies are blue is a good opportunity to get a good panoramic view of the city. Most tourists head to the Empire State Building but the observation deck at the Rockefeller Center offers equally spectacular views of the Big Apple and an exhibition inside to boot! Ask for more info at your hotel about the “Top of the Rock” lookout point.

If you’ve had your fill of Broadway shows, art galleries and shopping, you could head to Coney Island for a little light-hearted, tacky fun. This peninsula off of New York City contains an attraction park and a pleasant boardwalk as well as the New York Aquarium. Come here for an ice cream and a good, old fashioned day out by the seaside. There is no tourist accommodation on Coney Island so you will have to make this a day trip from your accommodation in central New York or Sheepshead Bay which is the nearest spot to the island with hotels.

The Tribeca Film Festival also takes place in New York in spring. This festival screens hundreds of international films, including documentaries and family friendly movies. It also hosts debate panels with actors and film directors. This event, which ahs been held in New York since 2002, is open to the public and is as popular with locals as it is with tourists

There is so much more that you can see and do in New York in Spring; the list is endless, but hopefully this handful of suggestions will have you set up for a great short break in the Big Apple. Enjoy!

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Istanbul on the cheap

March 12th, 2010

Istanbul, like every major city, is full of tourist traps, but it can be a really inexpensive holiday destination if you do your homework before going. Look for a cheap flight to the city, a budget hotel with decent standards and cheap places to eat out and you’ll be set for a wonderful time in this city that has become so famous for bridging Europe and Asia, the east and the west, the historical and the modern.

Budget accommodation

If you want to be at the heart of modern Istanbul, look for accommodation on Taksim Square as this is where you will find all the more modern buildings, shops and restaurants. It is also home to the Cumhuriyet Anıtı (Republic Monument), which commemorates the establishment of the Turkish Republic.
If, however, you are more interested in the historical side of the city, you should stay in a hotel near the Blue Mosque where you will also find the Hippodrome of Constantine and the Hagia Sophia in an area declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

Getting there and around

Ataturk is Istanbul’s main airport and it is located just 10 km from the old city centre. You can get to the centre of the city either by taxi or, a cheaper alternative is to take a LRT (light Rail Transit to Zeytinburnu, and then a tram to Sultanahmet. There are also buses to Taksim Square which take under an hour to complete their journey. Once you are settled in your accommodation, it’s time to get visiting the city. I’d recommend an Akbil pass if you are staying in town for a while. You will find trams and buses but just a very limited metro service as the system is only partially completed. For water travel, you will find catamarans and ferries which will take you along the Bosporus for a very low price.

Cheap eats

Istanbul is as full of chic, expensive restaurants as it is budget ones. Some of the cheap eateries leave a lot to be desired though, so it’s good to have a few reliable addresses to head to when you are hungry and your travel funds are running low.

Canim Ciğerim (Asmalimescit Mahallesi Minare Sokak 1, Beyoğlu) is a simple little joint with a mainly meat menu. The food is fresh and cheap and the waiters are friendly and efficient – what more could you ask for?

Hala (Istiklal Caddesi 211, Beyoğlu) is part of a chain of restaurants selling pasta and pancakes with a choice of cheese, meat or spinach as a filling. This place has a few good vegetarian options and makes a nice place for a quiet lunch.

And, if you are feeling brave, head down to the river’s edge and grab a fried fish sandwich right off of one of the fried fish boats tied up down by the Galata Bridge!

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Lisbon on a shoestring

March 8th, 2010

Lisbon, Portugal’s pretty capital city has all of the charm and historical / cultural interest of other European capitals without all the pomp and ceremony. There is something irresistibly old fashioned about Lisbon’s winding back streets, picturesque yellow trams and cafe terraces where locals chat over a glass of wine in true Mediterranean style. Lisbon is also a particularly leafy, green city with plenty of attractive, natural spots where you can enjoy the lovely, mild, local climate. Sticking to a budget in Lisbon is not as hard as it may be elsewhere, so I’ve put together some ideas on how to make the most of this charming city if you are travelling on a shoestring.

For free sunshine and pleasant surroundings, there is the Jardim da Estrela which is a garden surrounded by parks and the Basilica da Estrela. Entry is free and this is a wonderful place for romantic walks, picnics or for those interested in seeing the local flora at its best.

The incredibly pretty old town of Sintra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site is just a short train ride away and a favourite with day trippers from the big city. There are palaces and other tourist attractions which you can pay to visit in Sintra, but you don’t really need to spend a penny to visit the town if you don’t want to; you’ll just need your train fare.

Visit the old neighbourhoods of Bairro Alto and Chiado on the hilltops for a taste of Lisbon’s nightlife or just to stroll around the pretty streets, enjoy some typical local pastries and coffee and the views over the city. These neighbourhoods are also a good option for inexpensive accommodation in Lisbon if you do your homework.

Most museums are fairly cheap in Lisbon and many offer free entry on Sundays until 2pm. Some of the top museums are the Museu Nacional de Arqueologia, Museu Calouste Gulbenkian and Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga.

The Lisboa Card allows you free entry to museums and free public transport. You can get a 24, 48 or 72 hour card depending on how long you are staying and how much sightseeing you intend to do. You can ask about this card at your hotel or at any tourist information point in the city, there is no need to buy it in advance.

Remember that the beach is not far away too and is always a safe bet for a wonderful, budget day out in Portugal!

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Doing Dublin on the cheap!

March 5th, 2010

Dublin has been voted the friendliest city in Europe and it’s true to say that the biggest draw to the Irish capital is its people. Dubliners may not be the chicest of Europeans (especially not on a Friday night after too many pints of Guinness!) but they are, in general, genuinely warm, witty people who love to socialise and make foreigners feel welcome. You may not see what is so special about this less than glamorous city on first sight with its grey climate and run down jumbled architecture, but after a few days here you too will have fallen in love with Dublin for its laid-back, fun-loving, unpretentious vibe. A fairly recent influx of foreigners and foreign money has given the place a face lift and it can now add modern and multi-cultural to the list of positive adjectives that describe it.
Here is my very brief guide to visiting Dublin on a budget:

When booking your accommodation in Dublin you have a wide range of hotels, hostels, self-catering apartments at your disposal. My advice would be to look for a cheap B&B in Dublin and enjoy staying somewhere smaller than a hotel, with a homely feel and breakfast included in the price.
The local bus and train networks are pretty efficient and cheap to use although they stop running fairly early, so you have to rely on taxis to get home after a night out. This can be quite a drain on your funds, so booking centrally-located accommodation is always best.
Make the most of the many tourist attractions, including the National Museum, the Natural History Museum and the Hugh Lane Municipal Gallery of Modern Art. These places are great if it’s a rainy day but as soon as the sun comes out you should head to one of the beautiful landscaped parks such as St. Stephen’s Green which is considered one of the city’s top attractions. Merrion Square is an equally attractive green area of the city with a park area lined with Georgian townhouses.
For cheap eats head to one of the city’s most popular budget eateries such as the Bangkok Café on Parnell Street which is tiny (best to book a table) but serves up delicious Thai food at reasonable rates, Belgo – a great little Belgian restaurant serving up the classic Moules Frites and delicious Belgian beers or Milano if you prefer Italian food.

A trip to Dublin doesn’t have to be an expensive affair; a little careful planning can make a small budget go a long way and hopefully these money saving tips will leave you with enough cash to enjoy a pint or two; a national pastime in Ireland.

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Venice Events

March 3rd, 2010

Venice will never disappoint a visitor whatever time of year they come, but for an extra special experience in this romantic Italian city, you can plan your trip around one of the exciting annual events held here. Here is a little information on some of the most popular annual events to help you plan your stay in Venice.

Carnival (February – March) is a special event in many countries over the world, but Venice has to be in the top three destinations during carnival. Come here to enjoy the frenzy of colour and fancy dress, party day and night both in the open air and inside the exuberant Venetian palaces. You can really let your hair down and take part or just stand and gawp at the locals going wild. And don’t forget to buy a hand made mask to take home with you as a souvenir!

Next in line is the Venice Film Festival which is held in August / September every year at the city’s Lido. This is an international film festival that attracts thousands of visitors to the city from all over the world to enjoy films and discuss cinema. Come during This festival to see Venice at its most glamorous or to take part in debates and screenings. Check out the Venice Film Festival web site for more details.

The third and equally popular event in this list is the Venice Regata Storica which is held on the first Sunday of September every year. This wonderful display of historical boats complete with crew dressed in period costumes is a joy to watch and is followed by a competition on the Grand Canal. You don’t have to be a nautical fan to enjoy this event; the sheer beauty of such old vessels sailing along the canal with Venice as a backdrop is awe-inspiring for anyone, not to mention an unbeatable photo opportunity!

It goes without saying that if you wish to attend any of these events you will need to book your hotel in Venice at least 2 months in advance and the sooner you buy your low cost flight to the city, the better!

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