You might wonder why the site of a sporting event ranked high on my list of must-see attractions in this “city of art and culture”, but this is no ordinary tennis stadium. Host to the French Open, one of the four majors of the sport, Roland Garros is rivaled only by Wimbledon in history and charm. (All apologies to partisans of Melbourne and Flushing Meadows.)

A view over the practice courts at Roland Garros

With its leafy campus outside of the city center and just adjacent to the massive Bois de Boulogne park, Roland Garros is a pleasant spot for an urban escape.  During the French Open, of course, the scene is probably much more hectic, but we were visiting the complex while all the stars of tennis were busy at the U.S. Open back in New York.

Touring Roland Garros

I had expected the tour to include a stroll through the striking red-clay courts that tennis fans know so well, and perhaps a visit to center court. Rather, the hour-plus tour was a sweep of the entire campus, including visits to the press boxes, media rooms, and players’ locker rooms, finishing up with a visit to the French Federation of Tennis Museum.

Your 2013 French Open champion, Brendan Linard! (Or so I got to pretend.)

Visitors can sit in the press room and pretend they won the championship, while an audio recording of the most recent final adds the proper ambiance to the center court visit.  And no, unfortunately you don’t get to walk on the clay court itself (the groundskeepers would be beside themselves).

Filled with history and interesting anecdotes about players ranging from Suzanne Lenglen to Steffi Graf and Rafael Nadal, the tour will be appreciated by any tennis fan visiting Paris. Even non-fans will feel the historical significance of the complex.

Tours cost €10.50 per person (€8.50 for children and students) and a combined tour/museum ticket runs €15.50. English-language tours depart at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays (plus Tuesdays and Thursdays during French school holidays). Check out the Roland Garros website for more information.

Free and cheapo visits

If you’re not willing to dish out for a tour, but you still want to take in the scenery of the Roland Garros campus, access is perfectly free for most of the year. You won’t get to see center court or the other auxiliary attractions, but the grounds themselves are worth the trip on the Metro.

During the French Open, of course, you’ll have to pay to get into Roland Garros.  There are ways, though, of getting your tennis fix on the cheap.  During the tournament (mid-May to early June each year), evening tickets start at €12. These get you access to the outside courts from 3 p.m. on or the show courts from 5 p.m. on. You might not catch a marquee match-up, at least in whole, but you’ll still get to see the pros duke it out on the challenging clay courts.

To get to Roland Garros, take Metro Line 10 to Porte d’Auteil.  The entrance is a 10-minute walk down Avenue de la Porte d’Auteuil and Avenue de Gary Bennett.

Where to eat

Our trip to Roland Garros began with a delightful brunch in the garden of the quaint and convenient Le Roland Garros restaurant, where we gorged ourselves on charcuterie, merguez and eggs “a la coque” (soft-boiled). The restaurant unfortunately does not offer Cheapo-priced meal fare, but the idyllic atmosphere might be worth a decently priced cocktail plus charcuterie, antipasti or a dessert (each at €8 – €10).

More information

This post is part of a series sponsored by Atout France – USA, the French Tourism Development Agency in New York, which is highlighting youth travel in France. On our recent trip, we traveled from Paris to Montpellier, inspecting accommodations, activities and sights that appeal to youth travelers.

For EuroCheapo’s advice on the best places to stay in Paris, check out our list of budget hotel recommendations.

The post Tennis and history on the outskirts of Paris appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Flash forward to Saturday, though, and I’d already found my first Cheapo tip to write back home about. The Bateaux-Mouches, simple boat tours of Paris from the Seine, are well-worn tourist territory. But this doesn’t mean you should hesitate to board one of the barge-looking vessels for a quick, convenient and inexpensive introduction to the City of Lights.

Sit, relax, and ogle

As a very sore, very jetlagged traveler, being able to sit on a boat and ogle the major sights of Paris without having to walk or worry about planning was a blessing. The Bateaux-Mouches (and other similar boat services) cruise by the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, the Hotel de Ville and a number of other sights in a brisk hour or so. No other service can offer so comprehensive a tour more quickly or cheaply.  A Seine River cruise is never a bad idea, but for the tired traveler, it can’t be matched.

And if it’s hot out, which does happen in Paris (90 degrees two weeks ago), it’s much nicer on the water than in city streets. Be forewarned, though, that in chilly weather, the wind up the river can make the tour almost unbearably cold.  I first took a Bateaux-Mouche two Februarys ago. I don’t think I could’ve penned a glowing review then.)

For information on the best Paris river cruises, along with prices, check out our post from June.

As for the rest of my trip, I’ll be getting to it soon. My itinerary so far hasn’t allowed for much quality blogging time. But while you’re waiting for these longer updates, you can follow my movements on Twitter and Facebook. It’s been a ton of fun so far and there’s plenty left to talk about!

The post Paris’ Bateaux-Mouches are the perfect tour for a tired traveler appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Because of this illustrious past, prospective visitors might think that the largest city in Austria is  too expensive for the average Cheapo. On the contrary! Vienna, while not exactly a bargain (it was BusinessWeek’s 24th-most expensive city in 2010), boasts enough free events, attractions and activities that you’ll be able to have a great time whether you’re a Habsburg or a habs-not.

Here’s our guide to free activities in Vienna:

Saint Stephen’s Cathedral
Daily, year-round

An impressive structure that looms over the heart of the city, St. Stephen’s Cathedral is the most important religious building in Vienna, as the seat of the Archbishop of Vienna and also as a historical site that dates back to 1147 AD.  It is instantly recognizable for its multi-colored mosaic roof that features the double-headed eagle of the Habsburg dynasty.

It’s also completely free to enter! Open to the public from 6 a.m. (7 a.m. on Sundays and holidays) to 10 p.m. every day, the interior of the church is as impressive as its exterior.

The cathedral also offers guided tours to anyone interested in learning more about St. Stephen’s and its history, though these are unfortunately not free. Depending on the tour, visitors also have the option of seeing the towers of the cathedral, the catacombs and the treasury—areas off-limits to non-paying guests.

Tours range in price from €5 for just the main area to €12.90 for the all-inclusive package.

Mass at the Augustinian Church 
Sundays, year-round

If touring Saint Stephen’s doesn’t get you your fill of religious sights in Vienna, then head to the Augustinian Church next to Vienna’s imperial palace (Hofburg) for Sunday mass.  Services begin every Sunday at 10 a.m. and feature a full orchestra and choir performing works by the likes of Mozart, Schubert and Haydn—appropriate fare for the City of Music.

Schönbrunn Palace gardens
Daily, year-round

Another one of Vienna’s signature sights is the Schönbrunn Palace.  While admission to the building itself isn’t free (€11.50), the gardens are, and are equally as impressive as the palace. Featuring numerous statues, fountains and fields, the park stretches  a kilometer from north to south and 1.2 km east-to-west.

Most of the complex is completely free to the public, though certain areas charge admission fees.  These include the viewing terrace of the majestic Gloriette, the maze and labyrinth, and the Crown Prince Garden.  Charges range from €3 to €4.50 for these attractions.

Also located on the palace grounds is the Tiergarten Schönbrunn, the world’s oldest zoo.  Admission is €15 (€7 for children).

Summer in the MuseumsQuartier
Daily during summer

Vienna’s MuseumsQuartier is a cultural complex that features, obviously, museums, but also trendy restaurants, shops and many smaller art and culture initiatives.  With over 70 cultural facilities, there’s plenty to do here throughout the year, but during the summer is when the MuseumsQuartier really picks up.

Throughout the warmer months, the many courtyards of the complex feature free, open-air entertainment, from concerts to street theater to literary readings. Public art installations and micro-museums are also installed in squares and passageways. Combined with the numerous sidewalk cafes of the MuseumsQuartier, these exhibitions make for a lively atmosphere.

Perhaps even more significantly, from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., every institution in the MuseumsQuartier is available to visit free of charge.  This year’s program runs until October 1st. If you’re in Vienna during the summer, this is the place to spend your evenings.

Museum of Applied Arts
Tuesday nights, year-round

If you visit Vienna in the off-season, though, you’ll have to get your free art fix somewhere other than the MuseumsQuartier.  Luckily, the Museum of Applied Arts offers free evening admission on Tuesdays throughout the year. Featuring furniture and other decorative arts from around the world and from various historical periods, the museum is a great compliment to a city that values design as much as Vienna.

Free admission lasts from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. every Tuesday.  During the rest of the week, (except Mondays, when it is closed) the Museum of Applied Arts is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.  Regular admission is €7.90 (€5.50 for students, seniors and military).

Anything to add?

 If you know of any other free activities in Vienna, please let us know by posting in the comment box.  We’re always on the lookout for Cheapo ways to save! And if you’re interested in discovering Vienna for yourself, check out our recommendations for the best budget hotels in the city.

The post Five free cultural attractions in Vienna appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

And though that was centuries ago, if it sounds at all like Vienna, Austria is resting on its musical laurels, fear not—the city still has plenty to offer to music-lovers—provided you have a healthy appreciation for classical. Despite the high-society implications of this genre, it’s cheap and easy to get your daily dose of Mozart (or anyone else) while staying in Vienna.

In fact, it’s possible to take in tons of music while in the Austrian capital without spending a dime! To help you figure out how, here is our guide to finding free music in Vienna:

The Vienna Philharmonic’s summer concert
Annually in early June

If you happen to visit Vienna in late Spring (and who wouldn’t want to?), you might be lucky enough to catch the Vienna Philharmonic‘s annual free concert. Usually held in early June (though this year’s performance was on May 30th), the event provides the rare opportunity to catch one of the world’s most renowned orchestras in action without an accompanying price tag.

The ante is upped even further by the concert’s enviable location: in the gardens of the Schoenbrunn Palace. This former home to the imperial Habsburg family—now a UNESCO world cultural heritage site—provides the perfect atmosphere to match the Philharmonic.

Open-air opera
April-June, September

Continuing the theme of world-class music outdoors, the Vienna State Opera offers the opportunity to see its performances live for free, albeit on a projector screen in front of the Opera House.  Called “Opera for All,” the broadcasts take place at Herbert-von-Karajan Square in the pleasant evenings from April-June and in September.

Additionally, starting 45 minutes before the actual performance and during the intermissions, guests are treated to information about the Opera and the works being performed.

Organ concerts at the Peterskirche
Year-round

For a more intimate musical experience, Peterskirche (Saint Peter’s Church), holds daily organ concerts that are free to attend. Featuring works by such luminaries as Liszt, Chopin and Bach, and located in the heart of Vienna’s Innere Stadt, these performances are an easy and convenient way to get your classical music fix. Concerts are held Monday through Friday at 3 p.m. and on Saturday and Sunday at 8 p.m.

You may have to pay for this view of the Vienna Boy’s Choir, but if you can settle for just their voices, you’ll get in for free. Photo: Navnetmitt.

The Vienna Boy’s Choir
Year-round, except late summer

Along with the Vienna Philharmonic, the Vienna Boy’s Choir is one of the defining musical ensembles of the Austrian capital. Throughout the year (save for the end of June through the middle of September), they perform each Sunday at the Hofburg Chapel in Innere Stadt—a musical venue that dates back to Medieval times.

Seated tickets for these performances run between €7 and €35, but if you’re willing to stand, you can see the Boys Choir for free.  Well, technically you can hear them for free—the Hofburg Chapel’s website warns that standing room attendees will not get a view of the performers.  In fact, even the cheapest €5 seats do not feature a direct view.

Standing room opens at 8:30 a.m. for the performances, which begin at 9:15 a.m. If you do want to purchase seats, you must do so by mail, fax or e-mail.  Follow the link above for instructions from the Chapel’s website.

The Music Film Festival in front of City Hall brings scores of tourists and locals each night in the summer. Photo: Ivan C.

The Rathausplatz Music Film Festival
Late June – early September

Every summer, from the end of June until the beginning of September, the square in front of Vienna’s City Hall becomes a nightly tribute to the city’s status as a global music capital, by playing host to the vibrant Rathausplatz Music Film Festival.  Every evening at dusk, a different music-centric film plays on a giant screen displayed above the square.  The selection is diverse—from operas to ballets to jazz to rock concerts—which can be refreshing for those worn out by Vienna’s constant onslaught of classical.

The festival doesn’t just offer audio delights either—a wide selection of international cuisine is available daily from 11 a.m. until midnight. Provided by twenty of the top restaurateurs in the city, the aim is to provide a “culinary world tour” for festival-goers.

This year’s festival began on June 26th and is running until September 1st. For more information, check out the Vienna tourism office’s website.

Donauinselfest
Annually in Mid-June

For visitors that have really had enough of concert halls and opera houses, Vienna also offers a much more modern music experience: Donauinsel, a free music festival on an island in the Danube River. The 30-year-old festival is held annually in mid-June and attracts a lineup of mostly German-language acts, though some major international acts have also performed.

The festival usually attracts more than three million guests and is one of the largest open-air events each year in Europe. In addition to the musical acts, Donauinselfest also features kid-friendly events, sports and a wide variety of vendors.  For those looking to see a different side of Vienna than the Baroque concert halls of the old city, this is the place to go.

Want more? Check out EuroCheapo’s guide to Vienna for travel tips and budget hotel recommendations.  And if you’ve got any questions or comments, be sure to leave them in the box below.

The post Vienna: City of (free!) Music appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

That’s right, it’s not all hotels all the time here at EuroCheapo (just most of the time). We love to recommend hostels, as long as they’re clean, central, and have the option of booking a private room. And if they have a little bit of character, all the better. Prague has a bunch of properties that meet these criteria with flying colors.

So if you’re willing to step out of your hotel comfort zone, you might want to Czech, er, check out the following Prague hostels. (Note that each of these properties offers privates in addition to dorms.)

Czech Inn
Francouzska 76,10100 (Vinohrady)
Dorms from $15; Doubles from $64
Great for: hostel doubters

For anyone skeptical of trying a hostel in place of more traditional accommodation, the Czech Inn (bonus points for “Czech” puns!) would be a good place to start. Featuring privates and apartments in addition to dorms, the hostel has a sleek, artsy feel to match its location in the hip Vinohrady neighborhood.

Some nice touches (chandeliers, fancy showers) help the Czech Inn transcend typical expectations of budget sleeps. With a bar area and lobby that houses an art gallery, you may forget you’re in a hostel at all.

The breakfast room at the Dlouha Hostel acts as a lively bar at night.

Dlouha Pension and Hostel
Dlouha 33,11000 (Stare Mesto)
Dorms from $17; Doubles from $44
Great for: party-seekers

Of course, not everyone wants to forget they’re in a hostel, and many are looking for certain elements associated with this breed of accommodation–namely, youthfulness and a place to party.

If that’s the case, the Dlouha Pension and Hostel would be a good choice. Its location on the lively Dlouha Street in Stare Mesto provides easy access to plenty of trendy nighttime hotspots.  The hostel itself isn’t just a snoozer either,  featuring a fun bar complete with foosball and a jukebox.  And while the furnishings are basic, this doesn’t seem to bother the hostel’s youthful clientele.

Hostel Sokol
Nosticova 2, Prague 1 (Mala Strana)
Dorms from $15; Doubles from $35
Great for: strict budgets

If all you need out of your hostel is a super-Cheapo sleep, the Hostel Sokol is your best bet.  The barracks-like accommodations are as plain as can be–but they’re clean, comfortable and bargain-bin cheap. As an added bonus, the ever-friendly Sokol provides a great Mala Strana location and a rooftop terrace with unbeatable views.

Hostel Tyn
Tynska 19, Praha 1 (Stare Mesto)
Dorms from $18; Doubles from $50
Great for: sightseers

In a neighborhood where hotel rates can make it seem more like you’re in London than Prague, the Hostel Tyn provides a breath of Cheapo fresh air.  While the furnishings and decor are fairly basic, the Tyn’s great rates and location (a stone’s throw from Old Town Square) are perfect for those who want to step right into Prague’s Gothic charm without feeling it in their wallets.

The garden at Sir Toby’s Hostel is a great place to hang out.

Sir Toby’s Hostel
Delnicka 24,17000 Prague 7 (Holešovice)
Dorms from $12; Doubles from $65
Great for: socializing

It may be a little out of city center, but Sir Toby’s Hostel in the up-and-coming Holešovice neighborhood provides enough laidback comfort to make up for a slightly longer hike to the main sights.

The hostel provides a home away from home, with funky dorm-room furnishings to complement hip common areas that include a cellar bar and delightful backyard garden.  All of this, plus a sociable staff, combines to make Sir Toby’s a great place to set up shop in Prague and make a few travel buddies.

Want more? Check out our list of recommended hostels in Prague or our favorite budget hotels in Prague.

Your favorite hostels?

Have you stayed at any of these hostels? Or do you have other hostels in Prague you’d like to recommend?  Leave your thoughts in the comment section below!

The post Prague: 5 hostel picks for every kind of Cheapo appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Luckily, we’re here to help you sort through the mess and make the most of your mobile phone in Europe.

Check on international capabilities

The first thing you should determine is whether or not your phone is indeed capable of international roaming. Since this can differ based both on phone and service provider (one iPhone model may work for one carrier, but not another), it’s easiest to check directly with your carrier.

Click below to read about your international calling capabilities on the following American carriers. Most of these links go directly to pages explaining each carriers’ international packages, most of which consist of some sort of bundling of calling, texting and data options.

AT&T
Verizon
Sprint
T-Mobile

How will you be using your phone?

Next, figure out how you plan to use your smartphone while traveling in Europe. Will you need to be on the phone for hours? Just for emergencies? Do you need instant e-mail access? Planning to search the Web or use apps?

Carriers offer separate rates and plans for calling, texting and using data (e-mail, web browsing). If you get all three, the costs can quickly add up. Here’s an overview of your options:

1. Making telephone calls.

Depending on your carrier, prices can vary greatly just to make and receive calls while abroad.

AT&T

AT&T’s three “Passport” plans cost between $30 – $120, and lowers your per-minute charge for phone calls to between $1 minute and $.35 per minute. As minutes normally cost $1.50 each, these packages can offer considerable savings, especially if you plan on making a lot of calls. (read more on our AT&T page)

Verizon

Without any special bundle, you’ll pay $1.29 per minute to call home. With a $40 bundle, Verizon includes 100 minutes of calls. (read more on our Verizon page)

Sprint

Without a plan, Sprint charges $1.99 per minute to call the US from Europe. Sprint’s Worldwide Voice plan ($4.99 per month) lowers this hefty rate, bringing it down to $.99 per minute. (Read more on Sprint’s not-so-user-friendly Website.)

T-Mobile

Of the four major wireless service providers, T-Mobile offers the best deal with their “Simple Choice” plan. This plan offers unlimited free texts and data (!), and lowers the cost of telephone calls from Europe to the US to $.20 per minute. (read more on T-Mobile’s website)

2. Text messaging.

If you think keeping track of all these minutes and rates might drive you mad, texting while abroad can be a much simpler and cheaper alternative.

AT&T

If you sign up for any of AT&T’s Passport packages, unlimited text messages are included. Without a plan, these will cost $.50 each.

Verizon

Verizon’s texting rates are odd. Without a plan or with their cheapest $25 package, texts cost $.50 to send. With their $40 plan, you receive 100 texts. Not great.

Sprint

Texts cost $.50 to send from Europe to the US, and $.05 to receive.

T-Mobile

With T-Mobile’s “Simple Choice” plan, subscribers get free unlimited texting from Europe to the US.

3. Data: Checking e-mail and Web browsing.

Using international data packages on your smartphone to check e-mail or browse the Web (instead of using Wi-Fi) can be a risky proposition while abroad. It’s easy to lose track of how much data you’ve used and wind up with a four-figure phone bill. Seriously. Luckily, most carriers offer data packages that can make internet usage a little less treacherous.

AT&T

AT&T offers three tiers of data in its Passport Plan bundles: $30 for 120 MB, $60 for 300 MB, and $120 for 800 MB. (Prices are per month.)

Verizon

Verizon, meanwhile, has only one pricing rate for data: 100 MB for $25.

Sprint

Sprint offers customers two international data “add on” options, although neither are cheap: $40 for 40 MB and $80 for 85 MB. Without the add on, you’ll pay a steep $.019 per KB.

T-Mobile

T-Mobile is once again the exception, offering unlimited data with it’s “Simple Choice” plans.

How to set up your phone up to go abroad.

As we’ve previously detailed for iPhones, it’s essential when traveling abroad to set up your phone properly. With different charges for calls, texts and data, it’s easy to accidentally open an e-mail or receive a phone call that results in an unexpectedly bulky bill.

Luckily, there are some settings that can help you manage your minutes, messages and megabytes.

To make calls only

If you’re planning on using your phone solely to make and receive calls while you’re abroad, make sure to turn off data roaming, which will block your phone from using e-mail services, web browsing, and downloads. Your phone will still be able to receive text messages (though check with your carrier about picture and video text messages, as they’ll sometimes count as data downloads).

For Android phones

Do this by going to Settings > Wireless & Networks > Mobile Networks.  When there, you can make sure international data roaming is turned off and also uncheck all mobile data roaming as a safeguard .

For Windows phones

Go to Settings > Cellular > Data Roaming Options and switch the setting to “Don’t Roam.”

For Blackberries

Go to Settings > Mobile Network > While Roaming and select “Off.”

Managing data

If you need to use web services while you’re in Europe, but you’re worried about piling up data charges without realizing it, you have a few options.

The least drastic is to switch off your phone’s ability to receive e-mail automatically (turning off “push” email downloads and notifications).  If you still want to check your inbox occasionally, you can do so by “fetching” your email manually.

For Android users, this can be done by going to Settings, selecting “Accounts and Sync” and unchecking “Auto-Sync.”  This will additionally turn off any other applications that automatically sync data, such as weather updates.

Windows Phone 7 owners should go to Settings, then “e-mail and accounts” to select their account.  Then, select “Download new content” and choose “manually.” Finally, uncheck all “Content to sync” and save the changes by clicking the checkbox at the bottom of the screen.

For other phones, check the user guide or talk to your service provider for advice on how to stop automatic syncing.

Airplane mode

A final and more extreme solution is to go into “airplane mode” and only use Wi-Fi networks to access your email, Web and apps for free. All smartphones have this setting, which shuts off access to all phone and data networks. Activating airplane mode will prevent you from getting phone calls, normal text messages, and using your Web browser without a Wi-Fi connection. However, it will also prevent you from fretting about the charges.

When you do join a Wi-Fi connection, however, you can check your email, browse the Web and use your apps. This is generally the best solution for casual travelers who are fine with checking their phones just a few times a day, for example from their hotel or a cafe offering free Wi-Fi. It’s even more sensible these days, as free Wi-Fi connections are popping up all over European cities. (Read our posts on where to find free Wi-Fi in Barcelona, Florence, London, Madrid and Paris.)

When in airplane mode, you can make calls using the Skype app or Google Voice while on a Wi-Fi network. Both of these options are free between Skype or Voice users and very cheap when calling a US phone number.

Note that once you activate airplane mode, you’ll often have to manually turn the Wi-Fi connection back on. Also, when you’re finished, don’t forget to go back into airplane mode!

Here’s how to set up airplane mode on your phone:

Android phones

Simply go to Settings, then “Wireless & Networks” and check the box next to “Airplane Mode.”

Windows phones

Go to Settings and then select “Airplane Mode” to toggle it on and off.

Blackberries

Click “Manage Connections” in the main menu and select “All Off” or “Turn all connections off.”

Of course, everyone’s needs while traveling abroad are different, and often the right approach is a combination of plans, settings and packages. Just remember to work out your strategy before you leave, in order to avoid getting mixed up in a maelstrom of bills and charges.

More tips for using your phone in Europe:

Using an American iPhone in Europe… without Going Broke

Tips for AT&T iPhone customers

Tips for Verizon iPhone customers

Setting up your iPhone to avoid a billing “surprise”

AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile: A comparison of international plans

The post American Smartphones in Europe: Windows, Android and Blackberry customers appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

As more than 250,000 American college students study abroad each year (most of them in Europe), many parents are combining their vacations with the opportunity to visit and check in on their children.

Yet visiting a student abroad is not like a typical trip and, done right, can offer much more.  When I studied abroad in Paris two years ago, my parents visited twice, so we had plenty of time to figure out what worked and what didn’t.

Here are five tips for making the most of a study abroad visit (trying as best I can to work in both perspectives).

1. Let the local lead.

One of the best things about visiting a student abroad is that you get to use them as your own personal tour guide. Not only will you gain a more intimate appreciation for your destination, but there are few prouder moments for a parent than seeing a cultured, confident son or daughter showing off their new, independent life in Europe.

Besides, as the visitee, I loved showing my parents around.  For 21 years, they had taken me on trips all over the world to show me new sights and cultures.  It was my turn to pay back the favor.

There are ways to plan your trip to ensure your child can be the best guide possible.  Try not to visit at the beginning of the semester, when students are still adjusting to life abroad.  A couple months in, though, and your kid should know the city inside out (not to mention that improved language skills could come in handy).

Also, as tempting as it may be to drag your son or daughter off to a beach vacation in an exotic corner of the continent, make sure to spend some (if not all) of your time in the city or town where they’re studying.  It’ll be worth it to see them in their element. Which reminds me …

2. Remember that you’re visiting a student.

People often forget (students included, of course) that when you’re “studying abroad,” you’re still supposed to be, well, studying!  Unless you visit during the student’s vacation, your child will still have to go to class and might even have homework. (Hey, you’re not paying tuition for nothing!)

So if you expected to show up in Europe and let your kid take over, I’m sorry to say that you may not be able to take a vacation from vacation planning.  While your son or daughter will undoubtedly have some great stuff planned, you’ll also have to think of some activities to do by yourselves. (For many parents, this is a relief rather than a burden.) Have some things in mind before you go and plan ahead with the student to figure out exactly when you’ll be on your own.

You also won’t be able to have your kid lead you everywhere—take the time to learn a little about your destination (getting around, sights to see, where to eat, etc.). EuroCheapo’s city guides should help with that.

3. Embrace the student lifestyle.

You won’t be surprised that many study abroad students equate a visit from their parents with free meals. And while it’s nice to treat your kid, don’t feel obligated to break the bank on gourmet food. A student will survive in Paris even if they never get to taste a sublime coq au vin.

Instead, take this opportunity to live the student lifestyle—have your son or daughter show you their favorite haunts. Chances are, it’ll be a lot cheaper and you’ll get a better sense of your child’s European lifestyle.

When my parents visited me in Paris, I took them to my favorite places to eat on my student’s budget. This included getting street food at l’As du Falafel in the Marais and hanging out at Chez Gladines, a raucous 13th-arrondissement Basque restaurant that’s popular mostly with students and young folk. When I asked my parents what they liked best about their visits, they both mentioned these meals.

4. Pack reinforcements.

Trying to fit an entire semester in one suitcase is difficult for a student, especially if their stay spans multiple seasons. A well-placed visit from parents, though, can help address this problem.

When I studied abroad, my parents visited in March and were able to bring warm weather clothes while taking back my heavier coats and sweaters.  Because we had planned this, it was much easier to pack for the semester.

Even if you can’t plan before you pack for the semester, check in before your visit to see if there are any American supplies your son or daughter dearly misses. Personally, I was ecstatic when my dad brought comfort from home… a jumbo-sized jar of peanut butter. (A tiny jar costs almost €5 in Paris—not exactly Cheapo!)

5. Stay nearby.

Unlike EuroCheapo, not all study abroad programs are concerned with providing central accommodations.  It often ends up that students are placed in some pretty far-flung neighborhoods of the city in which they’re studying (especially since rents are usually cheaper there).

This presents a dilemma for visiting parents: Should you stay central, near the sights (and most of the hotels) or try to find a place closer to the student?

There are a few right answers to this question.  One solution many families come up with is to treat the parent’s visit like a mini-vacation for their kid and book a hotel where everyone can stay.  Accommodations for study abroad programs are not always the cushiest (I shudder when I recall my finicky shower and miniature bed) and it can be nice to get away. Of course, depending on how many parents or siblings are visiting, this may mean dishing out for an extra room, which isn’t always a desirable option.

In that case, it’s best to book a hotel that’s easy to get to from your child’s study abroad home. This doesn’t mean that you have to stay out in the boonies, though. Try to find a place that’s on the same subway or bus line so that meeting up isn’t a hassle.  You’ve already come across the Atlantic to visit your child, you probably don’t want to spend half your trip organizing where you’re meeting.

Your tips

Have some tips to add for parents visiting their children studying abroad? Share with us in the comments section below.

The post 5 tips for parents visiting their college student abroad appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

That’s why we’re happy to introduce a new series: EuroCheapo’s Budget Neighborhood Guides to New York, starting with cheapo guides to SoHo and the East Village.

Because even if you’ve managed to sort your Uptown from your Downtown and your East Side from your West Side, do you know where to sip in Cheapo-style in Chelsea? Find non-tourist traps in Tribeca? Hunt down local hangouts in Hell’s Kitchen? (And we’re only talking Manhattan here!)

Pull up to the bar at the International Bar in the East Village. Photo: Zagatbuzz

Cheapo essentials, neighborhood by neighborhood

Luckily, New York-based writer Jessica Colley is an expert on all things budget in the Big Apple. We asked her to give us a rundown of the Cheapo essentials in New York’s priciest and most popular neighborhoods.

With her help, you’ll be able to find Cheapo-approved places to rest your head, grab a bite to eat or go out for a drink, no matter which neighborhood you choose.

East Village and Soho on the Cheapo

Highlights in Jessica’s guide to the East Village include the neighborly East Village Bed & Coffee, which makes a welcoming home base in the otherwise frenetic neighborhood. For those looking to get in on the excitement, though, Jessica has plenty of nighlife recommendations. At the hole-in-the-wall International Bar, for example, you can mingle with locals and get a glimpse of the East Village’s gritty past.

If you’re craving a late-night pierogi after an evening spent indulging in the neighborhood’s rowdy scene (and who wouldn’t be?), Jessica recommends Veselka, a 24-hour Ukrainian restaurant with two locations in the East Village.

Cheapo-friendly shopping at the Pearl River Mart in Soho. Photo: Mariaalana

Meanwhile, in nearby SoHo, Jessica takes us shopping at the Pearl River Mart, a Broadway superstore that offers surprisingly affordable (and unique) souvenir opportunities in the heart of the chic neighborhood. Spend a few hours browsing here and you may work up enough of an appetite to wait out the lines at Alidoro, an Italian deli offering famously huge sandwiches.

To cap it off in Cheapo style, Jessica recommends dropping in on the Cupping Room Café during happy hour, when the SoHo watering hole offers discounted drinks and free bar food.

For more neighborhood-by-neighborhood recommendations, keep checking back to our New York city guide, where we’ll publish each new installment in the series.

The post NYC: Cheapo guides to SoHo and the East Village appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.