If you’ve ever caught Nespresso’s ad set in a luxurious lakeside villa starring Jack Black and George Clooney, you’ll know that legendary Lake Como attracts Hollywood’s heavyweights — at least that’s what big corporations would like you to think. And it’s partly true. But is this lake, one of Italy’s finest, just for the big spenders?

Locals know better. Since long before Mr. Clooney attracted any tourists, Lake Como, with its picture-perfect location and climate, has been a hub of settlements and small communities, with visitors coming from all over the country. Artists, writers and philosophers have sought inspiration here for generations. Today, many holiday homes still belong to locals who either have their original dwelling higher up the mountain, or in the bigger cities.

Related: 11 Simple ways to save on a trip to Italy

Tips for visiting Lake Como

Even if you only have a few days to sight-see, try to move away from the shopping towns to reach breathtaking views uphill: rustic stone chapels standing strong against bellowing winds, sheep grazing in pastures, children scrambling or biking up mule trails to reach school. It’s unforgettable and can be surprisingly affordable.

Here are 10 ways to do more for less while visiting Lake Como:

A rustic trail near the town of Pigra on Lake Como. Photo: Dennis Matheson

1. Walk or hike

Going by foot is the oldest way of traveling, and still the cheapest. Take the rugged footpaths which start at lake level before winding up at craggy mountains. They may not be found on any map, and there’s your adventure. Switch up your level of intensity by choosing how high or low you walk.

Tip: Follow this link to get information on local hikes.

2. Rent a bike

Move around effortlessly and hit multiple beaches by pedaling your way along the trails lining the lake. In recent years, more towns have constructed paths fronting its shores for easier access to the water.

Tip: Get cycle routes and bike rentals in Bellagio with this helpful website. Giancarlo’s Bike Rental in Sorico (north) rents out from around €15 for a day. You can get a guide as well, to learn some history — and Italian — as you cross the protected Pian di Spagna Nature Reserve. Call +39 338 471 7186

3. Buy spirits from local supermarkets

The Valtellina region is world-renowned for its fantastic vineyards and local wine cellars. You don’t have to sit in a swanky restaurant to indulge. At a third of the price of what that could cost, you can enjoy premier wines sold on local supermarket shelves.

Tip: Iperal is the big supermarket with a mall in Colico (east) in case you feel the urge to shop. Lidl, a German chain, has also quality items at lower prices. Bottled wines from every region start as low as €2.99.

4. Order house wine with your meal

Anyone who turns a stuffy nose up at the offer of vino della casa in Italy clearly doesn’t know how exceptional the local wine can be. Many places have basement cellars and produce their own aromatic reds (it won’t come with any label, but no matter) from the plump Nebbiolo grape.

5. Eat in an Agriturismo

No-frills, farm-to-table goodness is hard to beat for taste and price. Italy’s agriturisimo restaurants are famous for generous portions of food that are locally sourced, often from on-site farms, that you can visit before dinner. Get ready for some serious comfort food cooked with extra cream. You might end up rolling home, but at least your wallet’s still intact.

Tip: We like surprising visiting friends with such porzioni abbondanti as El Mercante serves in Colico.

6. Kayak, SUP and canoe rentals

To get a close-up view of the lake, rent a kayak from the many water sports schools that now offer decent priced options for aquatic playtime.

Tip: Rates can be as low as €10 (Standup Paddle Boards) and €7 (kayak) for an hour.

7. Get locally-sourced tips

Google doesn’t always know where the good stuff is. Local festivals, art workshops, town marathons and private wine-tastings may not even be advertised on the usual travel sites. To find out about events that are open to the public, check out the local tourism office website (before your trip) and visit the office in person upon arrival. Plus, look for events in the local newspaper, and stay on the lookout for posters and flyers when visiting.

Tip: Check out the websites about visiting Gravedona and Lario News. You can also pick up a copy of the newspaper La Provincia.

8. Ride the public bus

Although it comes at sporadic times and you need to purchase your ticket in advance at the local tobacco store (where they sell everything from lottery tickets to grappa), the public bus is still a great way to hop from village to village. Prices start at less than €2 and an unused ticket is valid all year long.

Related: Crossing the Italian Alps by train

9. Fast Boat Ferry

Another option for village hopping: You can cross Lake Como in just two minutes by taking the ferry from Domaso to Colico, or vice versa. Or use it to sail 45 km south in less than an hour, where you can then continue on your on-foot excursion if it’s bedazzled Bellagio you seek.

Tip: Find the ferry schedules here.

10. Come during winter

Layers of light filtered through a lazy haze make the Lake Como region magical in the winter months. Winter is low season, meaning you’ll get prized accommodations for much less, and the absence of crowds make it seem as if you have this gem all to yourself.

Related: Lake Como in Winter: Budget tips for an Italian Alps holiday

The post Northern Italy: 10 ways to save when visiting Lake Como appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Carnevale Venezia 2019 kicks off on February 16th and comes to its grand finale on March 5th. The world-renowned festival itself is said to come from the Italian words “carne” (meat) and “levare” (to remove or withdraw). In former times, Venetians went all out partying and feasting just before the somber fasting of meat during the long period of Lent.

Today, Carnevale is still a huge occasion to have a bit of fantasy and fun. Here are ten tips for travelers headed to Venice on a budget this year or any year for Carnival.

Venice Hotels: 5 Budget accommodations with canal views

1. Masquerade for Free

In the old days, masks disguised the city’s citizens, hiding the identity, social status, and even sex of the wearer. Traditionally, they were crafted from paper mâché or leather. Original masks and costumes can be pricey; make-up artists around the city offer face-painting for less.

If you’re feeling lucky, fill out the form for free entry to the Best Masked Costume Contest. Final awarding happens on Sunday, February 24th.

Getting dressed up for Carnevale is an adventure.

2. Stay at the Lido

Lido is a great place to set up your home base during Carnevale if you want to save on accommodations. “We paid just €70 for a 3-star hotel for three people with a nice street view — affordable especially during high season,” says Maria, a UK resident. If you stay at this beach island, you can easily get to Venice and back by boat.

3. Take the Local Ferry for Canal Crossing

Instead of shelling out €80 for a 30-minute gondola ride, Jayne Seddon of Venice Events recommends doing as the locals do: taking the Traghetto, a ferry across the Grand Canal, for €4. Jayne also suggests eating at the pasticcerie (cake shops), where you can order an affordable cappuccino and a fritelle, the popular local snack.

(Tip: Have your coffee while standing at the bar to save.)

4. Join the Free Fest for Kids

Traveling with little ones? Don’t let that be an excuse to join in on the fun. Kids can participate in the 7th International Kids Carnival. There will be workshops, competitions, and crafts, so your young ones can party too. The best part? All the activities are free.

5. Head to Rialto Market

For the freshest seafood sold at local prices, visit Rialto Market early in the morning. You’ll find fishermen with their catch, hustling the way they have for centuries. Even if you’re not there to shop, just observing local market life is an experience in itself.

6. Have a Free Art Lesson

Observe how Venetian artisans manufacture Murano glass in the New Arte Fuga (Via Giudecca, 13), a Lume Glass Factory. You can watch them skillfully creating glass art when you download a coupon for freebies and discounts at New Arte Fuga here.

7. Island-hop with Interactive Apps

See Murano, Burano and Torcello for just €20 per person. Take the four-hour boat tour of three islands in Venice — guides can speak English, Spanish, German, French, and Italian. Isola di Burano, a unique and colorful city, is well worth exploring on a trip to Venice.

Then, back in Venice, check out the beautiful, recently reopened Scala Contarini del Bovolo. Movie buffs will recognize the magnificently arched spiral staircase from Orson Welles’ 1952 film, Othello. Use this interactive guide app from Artplace Museum.

8. Know Your Stuff

Read Detourism, the local online magazine with text in English. Its publishers say their idea of “de-tourism” is to enable visitors to travel the city slowly and experience a more authentic Venice. From the canal cruises to the backstreets, you can read and uncover hidden stories.

9. Do a Pub Crawl “Venetian style”

The folks at Venice Events organize fantastic Venetian bar hops. You come in costume, then meander through the labyrinth of the city’s small alleyways and squares.  The pub crawl goes to four local barcari (bars), and €45 per person includes wine, aperitivi, and insights from your guide.

10. Party at The Arsenal

An old shipyard, called The Arsenal, now on its second edition of “Nights at The Arsenal” is the new hottest place for night owls to party. Pyrotechnics, theater magic and thumping dance floors are energized with live music by international DJs.

While each event at the Arsenal has an entrance fee, you can get a better deal online when you purchase the digital ADA ticket (“All Day Access)” for discounts, private entrances and a pass to all events for just €50 a head.

Special thanks to Venice Events for help with this article. www.venice-carnival-italy.com

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Ceské Budejovice

German name: Budweis

First, let’s get one thing straight: It’d be a sin to confuse Ceské Budejovice’s famous beverage with American Bud “beer.” This city is home to Budweiser Budvar, the globally exported lager. This is the one and only, and you’ll be schooled on the pedigree.

Meanwhile, the city’s historical, hectare-wide main square is a lively scene with tall townhouses, fun bars, and good restaurants.

Fine-dining doesn’t get more budget-friendly than in Restaurace U Solne brany. You’ll find it right off the historical center. To give you an idea, my full-course dinner feast:

• Starter of exquisite venison terrine with cranberries and quail egg (€3.15);
• Main Course: roasted pork Ttenderloin with seasonal mushroom ragout and mushroom truffle cream (€7.77);
• Dessert for €2.59.
• Grand total of just over €13, all the while being serenaded by a live jazz pianist!

What to do

Take a tour of the Budvar Brewery. Check out the mini-museum, complete with films and historical info. Plus, you can experience their take on all the legal clashes surrounding their fight for their name against you-know-who. During the guided tour, peek in at the brewing and bottling process — after sampling a free taste, of course!

Regular guided tours take place at 2 pm every weekday and cost €4 per adult. We took our two kids along; they were mesmerized with all the big bottling machinery!

Stay

Luxury apartments for the price of a budget hotel! Residence U Cerné veže (Cerne Veze 13, Ceske Budejovice 370 01, Czech Republic). Family or party-sized, furnished pads with a breakfast buffet from €60 per night.

Search all hotels in Ceské Budejovice

Getting there

Trains from Prague run every hour; tickets cost about €6 per person. The journey is roughly 2 ½ hours.

More affordable Czech destinations

Ceské Budejovice is just one stop on our tour of budget-friendly Czech destinations. These also include:

• Plzen
• Františkovy Lázne

Also going to Prague?

Be sure to check out our recommended budget hotels in Prague, and our articles on how to save when visiting the city.

The post Budget guide to Ceské Budejovice (Budweis), Czech Republic appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Františkovy Lázne

German Name: Franzensbad

Much smaller than Pilsen, but known for its equal charm. Františkovy Lázne has been a wellness holiday destination for centuries. Goethe himself described it as “heaven on earth,” and it was the setting for Milan Kundera’s novel, “The Farewell Party.” At the height of its popularity, Beethoven and Johann Strauss visited, no doubt taking a dip in one of its 20+ mineral springs and going for mud baths.

It’s still got wellness hotels and traditional treatments, although Thai massage spas have since moved in. And here, too, the price is right.

What to Do

Walk around the town parks or take a relaxing spa trip. A half-day pass to the Aquaforum for two adults and two kids costs only €18!

Penzion U Namornika on the on the outskirts of Františkovy Lázne. Photo: Booking.com

Stay

Penzion U Námorníka
Družstevní 203/5 a 202/7, Františkovy Lázne, 351 01
Doubles from $43

This three-star pension is perfect for families, with its large outdoor garden and playground (complete with pirate ship!). A shared kitchen and low rates only sweeten the deal.

Search all hotels in Františkovy Lázne

Getting there

Františkovy Lázne is mere steps from the eastern German border. A direct train ride from Prague is just over 2 hours long.

More affordable Czech destinations

Františkovy Lázne is just one stop on our tour of budget-friendly Czech destinations. These also include:

• Plzen (German Name: Pilsen)
• Ceské Budejovice (German name: Budweis)

Also going to Prague?

Be sure to check out our recommended budget hotels in Prague, and our articles on how to save when visiting the city.

The post Budget guide to Františkovy Lázne (Franzensbad), Czech Republic appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Pilsen

Local name: Plzen

“The government that raises the price of beer will fall,” the old Czech saying goes.

Named the EU Cultural Capital for 2015, Pilsen is best known for, what else, Pilsener (or “Pilsner”) beer. Back in the 1200’s, the townspeople were allowed to brew and sell beer right in their homes. (Remember Good King Wenceslas?)

Today, the city’s draw is still its old local taverns. There, you can taste the distinct and flavorful Pilsner Urquell and follow a “beer trail” to find out how traditional secrets were guarded through many generations.

What to Do

Eat. Drink by the pitcher. Try the beer spa of Purkmistr brewery which takes groups up to 16 for a fun experience of massages and sauna. Skeptical whether hops and yeast can actually have a healing or cleansing effect on your skin? There’s only one way to find out. (Beer baths from €27.)

The Hotel Rango, Pilsen Photo: Booking.com

Stay

The Hotel Rango is a lovely three-star family-run property located in the historical center of Pilsen (literally less than a minute from the city’s main square). Its location alone makes it an easy walk home at night…

Doubles from $56 a night

Search all budget hotels available in Pilsen

Getting there

From Prague Airport, 90 km/50 minutes by car. There’s also a direct bus trip from Prague. Check schedules at www.idos.cz. Trains from Prague leave to Pilsen every hour.

More affordable Czech destinations

Pilsen is just one stop on our tour of budget-friendly Czech destinations. These also include:

• Františkovy Lázne (German Name: Franzensbad)
• Ceské Budejovice (German name: Budweis)

Also going to Prague?

Be sure to check out our recommended budget hotels in Prague, and our articles on how to save when visiting the city.

The post A budget guide to Pilsen (Plzen), Czech Republic appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

“Everything in Czech Republic is heavy!” came the curt reply.

And so I gave in, succumbing to giant portions of crispy roast duck with plump Knedliky dumplings. And afterwards, palacinky — sugary, stuffed crepes. There was beer, beer, and more beer. It was all delicious.

When the bill for dinner came round, I nearly fell off my chair: €22 for all that — for all of us? Surely, they had made a mistake!

Czech please! A budget traveler’s dream

But no, this was Western Bohemia, a budget traveler’s dream. After Budweisers at the amber-lit Budweiser city square, we went bar-hopping and food-tripping. We toured small spa towns with their preserved architecture. We swam in thermal pools for a third of the price of what they charged across the border in Germany.

The next day, we booked our luxury apartment an extra night. As a couple with two kids, the €60 price tag was too enticing to go home. It was smack in the historical center, had two bathrooms, two bedrooms, kitchen, and lounge. Even a breakfast buffet was included.

While most visitors head to Prague, budget travelers will also have a blast in these three cities. Here, culture doesn’t just “come alive” — it’s been around for hundreds of years. And so has the delicious, legendary beer.

Our tour of the Czech Republic outside Prague

Here are three destinations beyond Prague in the Czech Republic that should definitely be on every budget traveler’s shortlist:

1. Pilsen

2. Františkovy Lázne

3. Ceské Budejovice

Also going to Prague?

Be sure to check out our recommended budget hotels in Prague, and our articles on how to save when visiting the city.

The post Czech Republic: 3 Great budget destinations beyond Prague appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

For centuries, this pristine lake and its surrounding mountain peaks have been a prime holiday spot for Italians. Residents of Milan only need to drive an hour to reach Lake Como’s shores. Summer is high season and the water is packed. But in winter, when crisp temperatures drop, so do the prices.

Affordable ski holidays

There are numerous ski towns and resorts in this mountainous area connecting Italy to Switzerland. Costs for a full-day entrance with a ski pass vary from €25-37 per adult. When compared to prices on the slopes in the US that can easily top out at over $100, the Italian Alps offer a pretty affordable skiing option.

Beginners can hire an instructor for the day, and full gear is easily rented in shops near the lifts.

Madesimo will have you flying high with low rates for the ski slopes. Photo: Matteo R

The top three ski resorts in the area are:

Madesimo
Cost: €27 for a half-day pass

The most accessible from Lake Como, it only takes an hour to reach. At 138km from Milan, this idyllic ski resort in Sondrio province is filled with hotels and ski schools. Enjoy 50 kilometers of ski runs, a friendly, laid back atmosphere, and English-speaking instructors.
Click here for more ticket info. 

Bormio
Cost: €20 for a 4-hour pass

About a two-hour drive from Lake Como, you’ll find this pretty town with its historical center and access to the lifts. The restaurants in town are good quality and not too pricey for local standards. It’s more rustic compared to other alpine resorts, and you’ll love walking around its historical town.
Click here for more ticket info.

Livigno
Cost: €32 for a half-day pass

Get great value for your euros here. It’s a tax-free zone where the winter season starts earlier than most places (November till May). Sometimes called “Italy’s Little Tibet” because of the beautiful mountains and nature reserve, you can also hike 20 km of Nordic walking paths. Get a natural high at an altitude of 1,815 m; the highest lift reaches over 5,000 ft.
Click here for more ticket info.

Other Active Adventures near Lake Como

For the active traveler, this part of Italy is a world of endless choices and chances to try new things.

Besides skiing, what else can you do in winter?

• Go ice-skating in Chiavenna (45min drive from Lake Como)
• Rent and ride horses in Colico (a town on the eastern side of the lake with direct train connection from Milano Centrale) or Bormio (also a ski resort)
• Learn to drive a husky-drawn sled in Arnoga, Alta Valtellina (Winter courses start in November and end in April)
• Go boulder-climbing or hiking in gorgeous Val Masino (free, but for safety, rent a crashpad for €8 a day)

Best-Value Thermal Baths

For a relaxing holiday, dip in the famous healing waters that flow down directly from alpine springs. Many resorts have thermal baths and pools for swimming. In Italy, many outdoor springs are free… but what about during winter?

While high-end hotels include private spas and pampered seclusion, the budget traveler should hit the Bormio Terme for a thermal bath experience. Outdoors, you get a gorgeous view of snow-capped Alps while soaking in bubbly hot Jacuzzis. Indoors, a sauna and steam room are connected to the family-friendly pools.

On Wednesdays and Fridays, the water park stays open until 9:30 p.m. with a happy hour buffet included at the on- site bar and bistro. A discounted price is offered for night swimming from 7:00 pm.

Low season price per adult: €17 day pass or evening pass €12 (from 5 pm). Children under 6 years old are free.

Where to stay

To find a budget-friendly place to rest up at the end of a long day, check out the small, family-run one- and two-star hotels in Como, Bellagio, Menaggio, and Lecco.

The post Lake Como in Winter: Budget tips for an Italian Alps holiday appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.