Remember that amazing tiramisu you had in Rome? How about that chocolate éclair in Paris? Given New York’s international nature, you don’t have to hop a plane across the pond to rediscover your favorite international sweets. There are plenty of sweet shops around the city to satisfy a traveler’s sweet tooth.

Here are some of my favorite places in New York to find authentic tastes from Europe and beyond:

French Sweets

Financier Pastisserie
62 Stone St (Multiple locations)
Web site

So you still have dreams about that sacher torte and almond berry tart you had while cruising through the French countryside? Financier offers these fine French treats, as well as traditional macarons (not the coconut ones!), madelines and palimer cookies. If you are looking to entertain for a larger crowd, they also have full cakes available for purchase. Chocolate Gianduja (hazelnut) Banana Cake anyone?

English Sweets

Tea and Sympathy
108 Greenwich Ave
Web site

Sure, the English may not be well-known for their food, but it’s hard to resist a delicately prepared scone and a traditional cup of tea! First, start off with a teapot of Earl Grey or English Breakfast tea while you take in the fitting décor and Cockney rhymes adorning the walls. The tiny space crowds quickly, but try sneaking in for their Tea For One in the afternoon, which includes finger sandwiches, scones with clotted cream, mini cakes—and a pot of steaming hot tea, of course!

Chinese Sweets

Tai Pan Bakery
194 Canal St
Web site

Straight out of Hong Kong, Tai Pan Bakery boasts one of the best egg tarts and shredded pork buns in the city. If you’re recovering from the sticker shock of European sweets, then settle for $1.10 egg tart and supplement with mango filled rice balls or taro mousse cake. Also consider sucking down one of their many boba (bubble) tea flavors for a refreshingly sweet liquid dessert! Tai Pan is located on Canal St., the heart of Chinatown, so don’t be deterred by a small crowd. The ladies behind the counter are happy to make sure you leave with enough buns and sponge cakes to last a week!

Italian Sweets

Ferrara Bakery & Café
195 Grand St
Web site

If you were ever a good Italian tourist, you wandered the streets of Rome and admired the ruins with a melting gelato cone in hand. Not only does Ferrara’s have a plentiful selection of gelato, they also have other delectable Italian pastries that allow you to embrace your inner Soprano. Chances are you will walk in with the intention to buy a cannoli (or two) and leave with a bag full of napoleans, fruit tartlets, pignolis, biscotti and tricolor rainbow cookies.

Though the bakery is located in the heart of Little Italy, arguably a huge tourist trap, but its authenticity is validated by the flurry of Italian spoken by both patrons and staff as you sip on your cappuccino or contemplate your sweet selection.

The post Finding authentic European treats in New York appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

In true New York fashion, however, there are ways around paying $200 a ticket to see a hit show. Check out these vendors if you’re looking for a cheaper Broadway seat:

Related: Best cheap hotels near Broadway theaters

TKTS
Web site

If you have some spare time to stand in a line and don’t have a specific show you want to see, then this is the option for you. With locations in Times Square, South Street Seaport and Downtown Brooklyn, TKTS booths offer up to 50% discounts for Broadway, Off-Broadway and other arts events for same-day performances and next-day matinee performances (Seaport and Brooklyn only).

Don’t be discouraged if the line seems endlessly long—it moves at a reasonable clip and allows you plenty of time to survey the ticket board that lists that day’s available show tickets. Once at the ticket window you choose which show you want to see and the agent doles out the tickets, usually without allowing many seating options (luckily most of the seats are orchestra or front mezzanine, so you won’t be stuck behind a pole). Be sure to check TKTS’ website for hours and to see which shows were offered the previous week.

BroadwayBox.com
Web site

This website is your best friend for theater discounts if you are pining to see a specific show on a specific date. In addition to offering discount codes offering savings of up to 50% off the normal ticket price for Broadway and Off-Broadway shows, it also has access to high-demand show tickets like “Billy Elliot” and “Jersey Boys.”

BroadwayBox allows you to browse their coupons by clicking on various show titles and then you can purchase tickets online using their referral link, on the phone with the discount code, or by stopping by the box office in person. Reviews of the shows are also accessible on the website, which makes it ideal for anyone trying to plan a theater trip in advance.

HipTix.com
Web site

Created by the Roundabout Theater Company, HipTix aims to spread the love of theater and encourage attendance by the 18-35 age-group by offering two $20 tickets to members for every Roundabout production. It is free to become a member and there is no obligation to attend each show.

Membership is easily attainable by filling out a contact form on their website and ticket reservations can be made over the phone by calling (212) 719-1300. You won’t be able to personally select your seats, as availability varies by production and theater By putting in just a minimal amount of information, you can easily see RTC shows like “The Importance of Being Earnest” or “Brief Encounter” this winter!

Standing Room Only and Rush Tickets
More info

If you happen to be more of the last-minute type of ticket buyer, you may get lucky by stopping by your desired show’s box office the day of the show and asking if they offer any rush tickets, lottery tickets or “standing room only” tickets. Sometimes purchase of these tickets require a valid Student ID. Furthermore, be sure to have cash on hand because the box office is typically cash-only for these promotions. Check the above website for rush ticket pricing for each Broadway show.

The post How to Find Discounts on Broadway Theater Tickets appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

These little boutiques are great for last-minute shoppers and those looking for unique gifts and trinkets to bring home to friends and family. If you happen to be dragged to one of these marts against your will, have no fear because there is usually an excess of hot chocolate, cider and gourmet treats to enjoy as you mill around.

Here’s the roundup of the best holiday marts in NYC:

Boutique shopping in Bryant Park

Bryant Park’s Holiday Shops
Sixth Ave. and 42nd St.
Through Jan. 2
Hours: Mon.– Fri. 11 a.m.– 8 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.– 9 p.m., Sun. 10 a.m.– 6 p.m.

The shops surrounding the Citi Pond are surprisingly upscale for their temporary stature. A “boutique village” now appears where Bryant Park normally resides, complete with windows and an array of national brand names ready to serve holiday shoppers.

Among crafters and home decor you can also find stores like Sabon, Max Brenner and Kate Spade–all offering special gift packages for the season. In addition to these there are some unique shops like Dynomighty Design, featuring the slimmest, most indestructible wallet known to man (the “Mighty Wallet”) and jeweler Lucid with festive snowflake necklaces and rings for the ladies.

Strumming at Union Square

Union Square Holiday Market
14th St. between Park Ave. and Broadway
Through Dec. 24
Hours: Daily 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.

The Holiday Market at Union Square has a much more hometown feel than that of Bryant Park. The plywood-constructed booths are home to a variety of entrepreneurial ventures–jewelers, knitters, importers, artists and bakers. The ambiance is full of spirit, with apple doughnuts, hot cocoa and a guitar player or two all making their way around the garland-decorated square.

Not to be missed is the Alpaca Hat vendor, Back from Bali importers for children’s clothes and Copa Soaps. There are plenty of stocking stuffer options on the cheap, plus a free holiday gift-wrap booth courtesy of HSBC!

Columbus Circle Holiday Market
Central Park South and Central Park West
Through Dec. 24
Hours: Daily 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.

The Columbus Circle holiday marketplace is in its seventh year running and becoming a center for delectable food vendors. Though it is still home to many crafters and unique artisans, it offers some of the city’s best grub with Pies N’ Thighs, Fatty Crab and Crif Dogs now on the scene. If you still have room after that, you can indulge in a gingerbread house (or buy a kit to construct your own) and chow down on some French truffles found in nearby booths. New to the Columbus Circle Market this year is the Market Concierge, which will help lead you to the vendor or nearby shops you desire.

Grand Central Holiday Fair
42nd St. and Lexington Ave.
Through Dec. 24
Hours: Mon. – Sat. 10 a.m. – 8 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.

If the outdoor chill is a major deterrent to market shopping, then you can head indoors to Grand Central’s Vanderbilt Hall, which currently hosts 76 holiday vendors. The hall offers similar merchants to the other holiday markets, however it is geared towards a higher-end clientele. This can be seen in merchants like scarf designer Margo Petitti, and Aviva Stanoff’s detailed pillows and home décor.

The post The Best Outdoor Holiday Markets in New York appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

The holidays are arguably when New York is at its finest, and there are many options to enjoy the glittering lights of the city and simultaneously strut your skating skills. Be mindful that many rinks may be closed certain nights for special events and parties, so be sure to check their websites before venturing out.

Here are four places where you can easily get your skate on:

Rockefeller Center
5th Ave. between 49th and 50th Streets

Hours: Daily, hours vary
Open: October 9, 2010 – Early April 2011
Admission: $14 (Weekend) or $10 (Weekday)
Skate Rental: $8
Web site

Given the endless movie and TV scenes set in this famous ice rink, it’s no surprise that it is the ice skating destination for holiday visitors and New Yorkers alike. Though it’s the smallest rink in the city, its popularity means that skaters might wait over an hour to take their spin around the ice with up to 150 others at a time.

The musical playlist here consists mainly of Christmas tunes, appropriately paired with the Rockefeller Christmas tree that towers over the rink before the holidays. It is hard to build up much skating speed though, given the small rink and crowds, but be prepared to suddenly stop for an on-ice marriage proposal! Once the skating wears you out, there are a couple somewhat overpriced eating options on site: Rock Center Cafe, The Sea Grill and Cucina & Co.

The Pond at Bryant Park
5th Ave. between 40th and 42nd Streets

Hours: Sun. – Thurs: 8 a.m. – 10 p.m.; Friday & Saturday: 8 a.m. – Midnight
Open: October 29, 2010 – February 27, 2011
Admission: Free
Skate Rental: $13
Web site

Thanks to Citi, this is the only free skating rink in Manhattan, assuming you bring your own skates and lock, of course! This fact, combined with its easily accessible Midtown location makes it a popular winter destination. Bryant Park draws a hefty crowd around the holidays, which can be bypassed with the purchase of an Express Pass (for a rather hefty $20).

The rink itself isn’t the best–it turns watery when the temperature is warm and it is covered with rivets and holes because the Zamboni can’t keep up with the dense crowds. There are several venues to grab a hot chocolate or snack while exploring the crafting and culinary pop-up shops throughout Bryant Park.

Wollman Rink at Central Park
Central Park South. Enter at 59th St. and 6th Ave.

Hours: Daily, 10 a.m. – Closing Times Vary By Day
Open: November 2010 – March 2011
Admission: $14.75 (Weekend) or $10.25 (Weekday)
Skate Rental: $6.25
Web site

Nestled in the midst of Manhattan’s iconic Central Park, Wollman Rink offers a more natural setting with amazing views of the park’s trees and the city skyline peeking through. This type of ambiance comes at a bit of a price, though, as admission is $14.75 on weekends, plus $6.25 for skate rentals and $4 for lock rentals. Should you want to bypass the skating altogether, you will have to pay a $5 spectator fee just to watch your friends and loved ones fall around the ice.

If the price isn’t a deterrent and you’re comfortable jumping over a kid or two on the ice, then grab some warm cider or hot chocolate from the concession and game up for a little league hockey-esque skating experience. The rink is much less crowded during the week and stays open until 10 p.m. on Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Sky Rink at Chelsea Piers
Pier 61, 23rd St. and the Hudson River

Hours: Daily, hours vary
Admission: $13
Skate Rental: $7.50
Web site

If inclement weather prohibits you from fulfilling your winter ice skating dreams then you can seek shelter at the indoor Sky Rink of Chelsea Piers. This rink lacks a winter breeze, but it is home to many of the city’s hockey players and figure skaters. What this place lacks in outdoor charm and Christmas carols can be somewhat regained with the stunning views of the Hudson River and George Washington Bridge.

The hours here are a bit erratic because general skating time is embedded in hockey and lesson schedules, but a quick call or look at their holiday schedule can prevent any scheduling conflicts. Sky Rink isn’t necessarily a cheaper option, but is definitely a better place for those looking to seriously sharpen their skating skills or reign in a group of rowdy kids.

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