Ready to start sipping? Here is a guide to Irish beer and drinks. And remember: if you order at the bar, there’s no need to tip the bartender. Keep your change.

Guinness

Ireland’s most famous stout, Guinness Draught, is brewed right in the city center of Dublin. Often called the “milkshake of beers”, Guinness is known for its rich, creamy head and hint of chocolate flavor. Remember to be patient when ordering a pint — the perfect Guinness takes time to pour, but it’s worth the wait. Walk into any pub in Dublin, and you will see a lot of locals drinking the black stuff (and they always wait for it to settle before taking that heavenly first sip).

Smithwick’s is older — and lighter — than Guinness. Photo: ach10

Alternative Irish stouts: Beamish stout, Murphy’s Irish Stout

Smithwick’s

Smithwick’s Irish Ale is even older than Guinness and other one of the most famous Irish beer and drinks. This smooth ale dates back to the 14th century and is produced in the oldest operating brewery in Ireland. While many of the best known Irish beers are stouts, Smithwick’s is the biggest ale producer in the country. If you find Guinness a little heavy (especially after the first one or two), switch to Smithwick’s for something lighter, but still flavorful.

Harp Lager

On a sunny day in Dublin, grab an outdoor table at a pub and sip on a refreshing Harp lager. This crisp beer is a light alternative to heavy Irish stouts. This smooth, light beer doesn’t have the same history as Guinness or Smithwick’s — it’s only been around since 1960 — but it’s a tasty Irish alternative to other foreign lagers on tap.

Irish Coffee

If you happen to be in Dublin on a rainy day, there is nothing more satisfying than an Irish coffee. This mix of hot coffee, Irish whiskey, and brown sugar topped with a thick layer of cream will warm you up on more than one level. Don’t over-stir the concoction; simply sip the coffee through the cream.

Irish Whiskey Punch (or a Hot Toddy)

Another traditional drink — often enjoyed when you have a case of the sniffles — is an Irish Whiskey Punch or Hot Toddy. Irish Whiskey is mixed with hot water, brown sugar, cloves, and lemon, resulting in one steaming, soothing drink.

When in Dublin, go local. Drink Irish beers and whiskey, eat Irish cheese, and don’t leave without sampling local smoked salmon and roasted lamb (preferably with a pint of Guinness on the side).

Your favorite pour? What do you order when you cozy up to the bar at a Dublin pub? Share your favorite Irish beer and drinks in our comments section.

Also in our guide: Heading to Dublin and looking for a great affordable hotel? Our editors have hunted down the best cheap hotels in Dublin, from hostels to three-star hotels, all centrally-located, clean and cheap. Read more in our Dublin hotel guide.

The post Dublin: A quick guide to Irish beer and drinks appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Note: This article is part of our budget travel guide to Iceland.

Supermarkets

The Icelandic supermarket will be your best friend if you really want to keep your food costs down. Bonus is a discount chain that can feed you for just a few dollars a day, and there is one right in the heart of the city at Laugavegur 59 Kjörgarður.

If your hotel or hostel has kitchen facilities, consider at least a few meals that you can cook yourself, and then you’ll have a little extra left over for the nights you do want to go out. Shopping at the supermarket lets you taste local Icelandic specialties like fish and lamb without shelling out a small fortune. And don’t leave the market without picking up a few types of licorice candy, the local sweet treat that everyone loves!

Reykjavik cheap eats

The prices at restaurants and bars in Reykjavik can add up quickly, but here are some budget options:

• For a delicious local delicacy at a good price, try a bowl of lobster soup at Saegreifinn
  
• For a hearty and healthy lunch along the main drag in Reykjavik, Sandholt, a bakery that has been making homemade bread for over 100 years,  serves up sandwiches and salads in their cafe space.
• Food halls offer a fun, affordable way to eat out in Reykjavik. You’ll find everything from fish and chips to lamb burgers at Grandi Matholl and Hlemmer Matholl (a renovated bus station).
• Pop into Brauð & co for delicious (and affordable) organic pastries that are so good they usually sell out before the end of the day.
• The student cafe, Háma, at the University of Iceland is a good spot for lunch with daily specials for under $10.
• Coffee shops we like include Reykjavik Roasters and the classic Mokka that’s been serving espresso since 1958.
• For a hot dog, try Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur, a very popular stand in the center of town that has been open for decades.

Pastries from Brauð & Co and coffee from Reykjavik Roasters. Photo: Craig Nelson

Happy Hours

Iceland is famous for consuming large quantities of beer — and the even larger price tags that come with those pints. Taxes on alcohol are off the charts, and a beer can easily set you back $10. However, there are several excellent happy hour deals around town. If you love good beer, check out Skúli Craft Bar during happy hour where you can sip local brews at the outdoor picnic tables or head to Kex Hostel for one of the cheapest beers in town (800 kr). There’s also an app, Appy Hour Reykjavik, that you can download to find the nearest (and cheapest) cocktail, although during COVID they have not been updating the information on a regular basis.

Kaffibarinn is a popular bar in Reykjavik. Photo: halighalie

Nightlife

Even though Iceland is tiny (about 350,000 population), the music scene has produced an impressive number of world-famous acts from Björk to Sigur Rós and GDRN. The nightlife scene is hopping with dance clubs with DJs, bars that get packed on the weekend (like Kaffibarinn), and plenty of live music venues as well as numerous festivals throughout the year like Iceland Airwaves that draw fans from around the world.

The Reykjavik Grapevine offers detailed listings for movies, music, performing arts, and much more. You can pick up a copy around town or check their website before you hit the town.

Our guide to budget travel in Iceland

Read more in our guide to saving in Iceland:

• Airfare: Finding cheap flights from the US
• When to go to Iceland
• Budget hotels in Reykjavik
• Renting a car in Iceland
• Bus tours from Reykjavik
• Budget tips for visiting Reykjavik

The post Reykjavik cheap eats: Save on restaurants, cafes and bars appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Today, many London pubs have been turned into trendy gastropubs, whilst other more modern watering holes have gone to great lengths to achieve an old-fashioned look.

Nonetheless, those pubs that have been carefully preserved for hundreds of years make the perfect spot for any visitor to soak up a bit of traditional English culture and see day-to-day London life in action.

London: 5 classic pubs that we love

Before you head out, read our guide to drinking at a traditional pub in London. Ready to sip a pint? Here are five of the best to kick-start your London pub-crawl:

The Prospect of Whitby

57 Wapping Wall
E1W 3SH

This Docklands pub marks the spot where fishermen, sailors, smugglers and pirates used to stop off right back in 1520. Sadly, all but the flagstone floor was destroyed in a fire and the pub was rebuilt in the 1770s. In the seventeenth century, Samuel Pepys used to frequent this watering hole, hence the aptly named “Pepys Dining Room” upstairs. In more recent years the pub has attracted the likes of Frank Sinatra, Richard Burton and Kirk Douglas.

The Prospect of Whitby is perfectly positioned on the edge of the Thames making it an ideal spot to gaze out at the river and admire the city of London whilst enjoying the comforts of a real local pub.

The George Inn

77 Borough High Street
Southwark, SE1 1NH

Tucked away from the hustle and bustle of Borough Market and flanked by some of London’s most iconic modern buildings, the George Inn is a perfectly preserved little chunk of old London. The earliest reference to the inn is on a map dated 1542, however, the George had to be rebuilt after the Southwark fire destroyed the original building in 1676.

Today, the George is famous for its wooden galleries that characterize the front of the building. The simple, wooden interior boasts plenty of cozy corners to escape the cold and enjoy a good ale and in the summer months, the enormous outdoor terrace is popular with city slickers and market traders alike.

The Argyll Arms

18 Argyll Street
Soho, W1F 7TP

Ever popular and ever special, the Argyll Arms is strategically located just off Oxford Street, making it the pub of choice for office workers, theatergoers and West End shoppers. Built in 1742, the Argyll received a makeover in 1897 when “snugs” became fashionable and the bar was split up into several ornately decorated little compartments so that punters could drink privately. Several years later regulators demanded that some of the partitions were removed to prevent “unsavory” goings-on and so the Argyll took the shape it has today.

The beautifully etched glass partitions and mahogany bar and paneling even survived the Blitz and the Argyll remains one of London’s most atmospheric pubs. Lovers of ale are also in for a treat as the Argyll boasts some of the UK’s finest cask-conditioned real ales and the selection is constantly changing, giving punters another reason to keep coming back.

The Holly Bush

22 Holly Mount
Hampstead, NW3 6SG

A real treat hidden away in one of London’s oldest villages, The Holly Bush is one of those rare urban locals that manages to transport you far away to a rural countryside hideout. The pub opened in the early nineteenth century but is housed in a building that dates back to the 1640s and the original fireplaces, wooden booths and oak paneling are all still intact and beautifully preserved.

The warm, inviting ambiance of the pub draws you in, as do the many different dynamics going on as you meander in and out of the rabbit warren of rooms. From romantic whisperings on intimate tables by the fire and walkers refueling after a brisk stroll across Hampstead Heath to family get-togethers on long tables in the back rooms, this is a special place that embodies what a traditional pub should be.

The Dickens Inn

Marble Quay
St Katharines Way, E1W 1UH

A wonderful way to enjoy the calm of St Katharines Dock, the Dickens Inn is actually a relatively new arrival on the London pub trail. However, this inn has an interesting story to tell and is certainly worth a visit! The timber frame that houses the Dickens Inn was built as a spice warehouse in 1775 and was sadly encased in brickwork in the 1820s to fit in with the modernization of the dock.

Almost 150 years later architects discovered what lay beneath and, in order to save the building, they had to transport it 70 meters across the dock to make way for a new housing development. The timber frame was painstakingly restored in the style of an 18th-century balconied inn and was opened by Charles Dickens’ grandson in 1976.

Your favorite pubs in London

If you need even more ideas, check out our list of 10 favorite bars in central London. Do you have a favorite pub you’d suggest adding to our list? Tell us about it in the comments section.

The post 5 Traditional pubs in London worth a visit appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

If you’re traveling on a budget, there’s no time like the present to hop a flight to Dublin (with cheap airfare, of course!) and discover this fun city.

Once you’re on the ground and you’ve booked your Dublin hotel, use these five tips to keep your money where it belongs: in your pocket.

Dublin budget tips

1. Don’t waste money on transportation

It can be tempting in Dublin just to hop in a cab, but this is one way to empty your pockets very quickly. Instead of cabs, check out the local bus schedule. Dublin Bus is very affordable, and routes connect all different areas of the city.

Alternatively, Dublin’s bike share program, called Dublin Bikes, is a cheap and easy way to get around the city. And remember, Dublin is very small and manageable on foot, too.

2. Eat your dinner early

With Dublin’s current boom, there are more and more gourmet restaurants opening in the city. These same restaurants do have deals if you know where or when to look. One strategy to fill seats is offering heavily discounted “early bird” or pre-theater specials.

Take one of my favorite restaurants in Dublin for example — The Winding Stair. A meal here is usually a splurge, but early birds can enjoy an incredible 2-course meal for just €29. You will leave stuffed and your wallet won’t be nearly empty.

Related:  Five ways to save on dining in Dublin.

3. Make friends with the half-pint — And keep your change!

There’s no such thing as a discount on alcohol in Dublin — you won’t find any “happy hours” in the city. If you’re trying to keep your costs down on beer, order a half pint instead of a full pint. This way you can spread your money a bit farther between different pubs.

Also remember, if you order from a bartender, there is no need to tip. Keep all your change!

4. Seek out free entertainment

While you’re sipping on that half-pint, how about some entertainment? Many Dublin pubs are known for their live music, so check out pubs that provide some entertainment beyond the Guinness and Jameson.

For traditional music, check out O’Donoghue’s on Merrion Row. Another great option for live music is Doyles, right across the street for Trinity College. If you happen to be in Dublin on “match day” (whether it’s rugby, soccer, or the Gaelic games) be sure to grab a seat in the pub — both the game and the locals will provide the entertainment.

5. Research your ride to the airport

If there’s one thing visitors complain about when it comes to Dublin — it’s the lack of airport transportation. You won’t find a train or a subway system that connects Dublin Airport to the city center. Some visitors resign themselves to taking a taxi (this costs at least €20) but Cheapos will want to check out the buses.

There are two options: the local bus that is very cheap (but stops frequently, seriously lengthening your journey into Dublin) or taking the Aircoach, a 24-hour express bus service into the city. Purchase a return fare to save a few euros instead of paying for a ticket each way. (Read more on Dublin’s airport transportation.)

A little airport research ahead of time could mean a lot of money saved during a trip to Dublin.

Your Dublin tips

Do you have any favorite ways to save? Share in the comments below!

The post Dublin Budget Tips: 5 simple ways to save appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

But the typical beer experience in France is a bit different from the one in North America or the UK, ranging from how pints are typically ordered and served to the types of popular beers on tap. Read on for the basics on what to expect when ordering a round in the City of Light

Related:

• 6 Tips for buying wine in France
• Buying a Sim Card in France
• 50 Ways to save on your trip to France

Tips for ordering French beer

1. Small or large?

In France, you don’t just get to choose the type of beer you want, but also the size of the glass. Your bartender will ask you if you want “un demi” (a half-pint that costs about €3 to 4), or “une pinte” (a pint that costs €6-8). The demi almost always costs half what the pint costs. If you’re not a big drinker, or simply want to pace yourself, the demi can make a good option, but the pint might save you a bit if you plan on drinking more than one demi.

2. Beer always comes with a glass

If you order a bottled beer, the bartender or server will always give you a glass to pour your drink into, whether you asked for one or not. This small cultural difference between France and the United States shocked an older French acquaintance of mine on a trip to Louisiana when, after ordering a bottled beer in New Orleans, the bartender just plonked down the bottle and left. “You always serve it with a glass,” he said to me, sighing, “because, it’s just, that’s just what you do.”

Bars always serve beer in a glass. Always. Photo: Matt Seppings

3. Cost depends on your seat

While the cost of beer in anglophone countries only depends on the beer type you’ve ordered, in France, the cost can also depend on where you decide to sit. If you choose a seat at the bar, your drink will cost about €1 cheaper than if you decide to sit at a table. And in some establishments, such as posh restaurants on the Champs-Elysées, your drinks will cost a few euros more if you sit outside. So when going for a drink, just keep in mind that if you find a great seat, you might be paying a bit extra for the privilege of being there.

Related: What you can expect to pay in Paris — and how to pay less!

4. Keep an eye out for happy hours

A welcome relief in one of the most expensive cities in the world, happy hours offer discounts on drinks in many bars and pubs around town. Establishments offering a happy hour usually advertise that fact on a chalkboard or easel just next to their entrances, making them easy to spot.

Related: 10 tips for saving on dining in Paris

Keep an eye out for happy hours like this one in the Latin Quarter in Paris. Photo: Elaine

5. Would you like syrup with that?

In France, sugary fruit syrups are not just for lattés. The French are known for mixing a variety of syrups with their beer. Popular offerings include peach, strawberry, lemon, ginger, black currant and mint. You can also order a beer with a shot of grenadine — just ask for “un tango“. It costs about €.20 to .50 extra to get a shot of syrup.

6. “Picon” mixes in citrus

Typical of the Paris region and in much of northern France, “picon” is an aperitif made from fresh oranges and distilled alcohol. It is also commonly mixed with beer. Ask for “une picon biére” at a bar and you’ll get a sweet drink with a hint of citrus. It will only cost you about €.50 to €1.50 extra.

7. “Panaché” mixes in lemonade

Called the “panaché“, this drink is half beer, half carbonated lemonade. A variation, called the “Biére Monaco“, is the same thing but with a shot of grenadine included. If you find yourself sitting on a terrace on a hot summer day, this mixture can be a really refreshing relief from the heat.

Pelforth is a classic brew from northern France. Photo: Clayton Parker

8. So, what’s on tap?

If you check the tap at just about any bar, café, bistro or restaurant in Paris, you’ll almost always find the following:

Kronenbourg 1664: A light, crisp lager produced in Alsace.

Grimbergen: From the Flanders region of Belgium, this brand makes a wide variety of popular ales and wheat beers.

Pelforth: A brewery which makes a famously light pale ale of the same name, produced in the northern French region of Nord de Pas Calais.

Other beers that make frequent appearances include the Belgian wheat beer brand Leffe, the Belgian pilsner Stella Artois, and Dutch lagers Heineken and Grolsch.

Related: Tasting the unique beer culture of Lille for less

9. Christmas beers

Some breweries whip up a batch of warming, hoppy specialty beers for Christmas, known as “les bieres de noel”. Brasserie Schutzenberger and Meteor, two brewers from Alsace, produce popular bieres de noel that can be found in bars and in supermarkets come December.

10. Traditional French beer from the Calais region

Known as “biere de garde“, these amber or gold-colored brews generally have a malty taste and have high alcohol content. Some well-known biere de garde brewers in France include Trois Monts, Jenlain and Brasserie Castelain. While not found quite as often on tap in Paris, they can be picked up at most supermarkets or in specialty beer or wine stores.

Bonus Cheapo Tip: If you want to do a beer tasting in your hotel room, however, this would be the cheapest way, with a 75 cl bottle of most domestic beers costing less than €3 at the supermarket.

Related: A guide to Paris supermarkets

Santé!

The post Paris: A guide to ordering beer in France appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

The tipping culture throughout Europe varies quite a bit from Paris to Amsterdam, and Sweden is no different. And a trip to Stockholm can add up fast if you don’t watch your budget. There are plenty of free museums in Stockholm and some great budget hotels, but everything else, from restaurants to taxis, will be higher than in most places in Europe.

However, knowing how the tipping culture works in Sweden can save you some money in Stockholm and beyond, while still keeping you in the good graces of your host nation.

Swedish tipping etiquette

In Sweden, service charges are almost always included in the bill — and keep in mind that the person waiting on your table at the restaurant is making a living wage without your tips. Of course, no one will be insulted if you leave a tip. Or if you don’t leave one, for that matter.

Understanding the bill

Despite the lack of social stigma towards not tipping, receipts tend to give you the choice. If you paid with a card, you’ll receive your bill with the total amount owed, as well as a couple of empty lines, one to fill in the tip, and one to fill in the final total.

Note: If you are in an upscale restaurant, there might be an extra line to fill in. Don’t. That line is for leaving a tip at the coat check, and unless you are visiting in winter, there tends not to be much coat checking going on.

Tipping in general

In the US, there are plenty of opportunities to tip. Those same opportunities can be found in Sweden, although, tips are not expected. Haircuts (no tip necessary in Sweden), hotels (no tip necessary in Sweden), bathroom attendants (never even seen one in Stockholm, so definitely no tip necessary), and of course, the two most common tipping opportunities – restaurants and taxis.

Tipping for restaurants and bars

Tipping when drinking and dining out has been changing recently. It is still completely acceptable to leave no tip or to only round up. A stor stark (strong beer) for 58 SEK will become 60 and everyone is happy.

However, ask around and you’ll hear that tipping is becoming more and more common in recent years. Not gratuitous tipping by any means, but a 5-10 percent tip is considered good form. Especially if you were pleased with the service.

Tipping for taxis

There are ways to avoid using taxis (public transportation in Stockholm and taking the train from Arlanda Airport, for example), but you may find yourself in a situation where you can’t avoid taking a taxi ride. If you’re traveling with luggage a tip of 10 percent is pretty standard. If you’re traveling without luggage, just round up a few SEK and thank your cab driver.

Stockholm is an expensive city to visit and by no means should you feel obligated to leave a tip. Whether it is for the taxi driver or the bartender, tips are not expected. Instead, save your money and grab another beer or check out just one more museum.

The post Stockholm: When (and when not) to tip in Sweden appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

So come on Cheapos, it’s time to pull out all the stops and show that special someone you care with a romantic (and budget-friendly) day out in London!

Call your sweetheart, book an affordable hotel in the heart of London, and follow along for a fun-filled adventure.

1. Escape the city on a romantic walk

Many visitors to London go no further than Regent’s and Hyde Park when in search of green spaces, but to really escape the madness of the city, just head north to Hampstead Heath. This wild and rambling area of parkland is the perfect place to get away from it all and whisper sweet nothings.

The view from Hampstead Heath. Photo: Martin Deutsch

Lakes, swimming ponds, rolling hills, and woodland all make for the perfect romantic backdrop. So, if the weather is good, take along a picnic and make a day of it. Don’t miss the climb to the top of Parliament Hill, one of London’s highest points, where you can take in a spectacular view of the city’s major landmarks including The London Eye, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Canary Wharf and the Gherkin, to name but a few.

Hampstead Heath
Highgate Road NW3 7JR
Tube: Hampstead

2. Snuggle up at the movies

Make a trip to the cinema even more romantic and visit the Everyman. In each of the Everyman cinemas, you can choose to reserve a plush sofa for two complete with footrests and “sofa service” so you can sit back and enjoy a more intimate cinema experience. Although a little more pricey than a normal cinema ticket, with sofas priced at £17.50 per person, it certainly adds a touch of romance and is perfect for a special occasion.

Everyman Cinemas (several locations in London)
See website for more information.

3. Splurge on a romantic view of the city

Enjoy the ultimate romantic London experience and head for a sunset drink at the lovely Oxo Tower Bar. Whilst just thinking about dining at the Oxo Tower Restaurant or Brasserie is enough to leave most Cheapo’s out of pocket, sipping on an early evening drink is easier on your wallet and certainly worth the splurge. Located on London’s South Bank, the Oxo Tower is one of the city’s most iconic restaurants and the views across the river are unbeaten.

Oxo Tower Wharf
South Bank SE1 9PH
Tube: Waterloo / Southwark
website

4. Wine and dine by candlelight

There’s no better place to cozy up together and enjoy a great meal than at Gordon’s. Opened in 1890, this atmospheric haunt claims to be London’s oldest wine bar and offers excellent wine, exquisite cheese platters, and tasty traditional English fare at reasonable prices (meals cost between £10-13).

Gordon’s Wine Bar oozes character with low lighting and candlelit tables tucked away in the nooks and crannies of this underground cavern. It is entirely unique and is the ideal setting for that special romantic meal.

Gordon’s Wine Bar
47 Villiers Street WC2N 6NE
Tube: Embankment / Charing Cross
website

The post 4 Cheapo ways to be romantic in London appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

We’ve shown you how to save on dining and hotels, and now let’s break down the nightlife scene into a few categories to make things clear — and affordable!

Nighttime transportation

Metro: No matter what you do at night, know that Paris is more difficult to navigate once the Metro closes around 1 am (2 am on weekends). Never head to a station just before it closes expecting to catch a train, since the last one may have already passed.

Bus: Fear not, the night bus, called the Noctilien, fills in the gaps until the Metro opens up again in the morning. While not a fantastic option, it’s useful if you’ve mapped out your route home in advance and know where the nearest stop is.

Taxis and Uber: If all else fails, and you can dip into some international cellphone data, the Uber app will always help you get home, especially as taxis will become notoriously difficult to find later in the night. Whatever happens, as in any city, do not enter any unmarked cabs.

Walking: And then again, consider walking – it doesn’t get any cheaper!

Drinking for less at cafes and bars

Bars and cafes: Parisians are no stranger to spirits, and most locals “having a night out” will head to a café or bar until 1 or 2 am, and usually catch the last Metro home. Sip on affordable carafes of wine late into the evening at any neighborhood café – don’t feel the need to get fancy with a bottle of something nice.

Cocktails: For those looking to check out the cocktail scene in Paris, prices start to rise considerably. At the café, enjoy €3 glasses of wine. At a cocktail bar, prices can climb to €12, €15, even €20 for a drink! Some are super posh, but not all of them are, with some lower key bars like “aveK” providing quality, but still affordable mixed drinks.

Drinking al fresco: Hands down, the cheapest option if the weather is nice is to grab a few French beers or a bottle from the closest shop and ask someone for an opener along the Seine or the Canal – it’s what those of us who live here actually do.

Related: 5 Bars perfect for a Cheapo night out

Catch a show at Sunside and Sunset Jazz club in Paris. Photo: Luc Legacy

Late night clubs for live music and dancing

Clubs: The Paris club scene is, well, fine. Those looking for parties and dancing will certainly find it in here, but it’s not always cheap or glamorous. You can pay a hefty cover for venues like Bus Palladium or Favela Chic, but if you’re into the “scene,” then by all means enjoy. Just don’t expect to find too many locals hitting up the clubs of the Champs-Elysées with you.

Dancing on the Seine: Do you like to show off your moves but the club scene isn’t your thing? Instead, consider heading to the outdoor salsa and tango classes along the Seine during warmer months, just east of the Institut du Monde Arabe.

Gay and lesbian: A lot of the gay bars and lesbian clubs and bars have no cover charges, although they may be difficult about letting too many ladies in at one time at the gay bars.

Live music: Music fans might want to check out the jazz clubs like Sunside and Sunset in Les Halles. Shows cost around €20, but check the schedule for free events as well. There’s also the occasional free soirées at the Alimentation Générale for enthusiasts, as well.

Nights at the museum

If drinking and partying isn’t your thing, or you just don’t want to be a night owl, there are some notable cultural offerings at night. While you may be sacrificing prime dining time, you’ll also be avoiding the crowds and tour groups that plague these museums during the days. In fact, you can visit a museum every night of the week.

Every day: The Palais de Tokyo is open until midnight (yes, 12 am!) every day (closed on Tuesday).

Monday: The Musée du Luxembourg is open until 10 pm.

Tuesday: The Fondation Cartier until 10 pm.

Wednesday: The Louvre is open until 9:45 pm.  Rodin Museum until 8:45 pm.

Thursday: The Musée d’Orsay stays open until 9:45 pm. The Centre Pompidou until 11 pm.

Friday: The Louvre is open until 9:45 pm. The Institut du Monde Arabe until 9:30 pm.

Saturday: The Quai Branly until 10 pm.

Related: A list of free and discounted museums in Paris

And that’s not even all of them! Check the museum’s hours before going to see if they have an evening opening.

Studio 28 is a classic movie theatre founded in 1928. Photo: sonofgroucho

Saving on theater and film

For something more lively, but still cultural, consider taking in a show!

Opera and ballet: You can always try for cheap tickets to the Opera by going the day of the show and taking any unclaimed or unsold tickets for as little as €5-10. Last-minute cheap tickets for the Palais Garnier go on sale at 11:30 am, while the Opera Bastille requires you to be at the ticket window an hour and a half before show time.

Cinema: If you’re a movie buff, Paris is filled with excellent cinemas like La Pagone, Le Gran Rex and Studio 28. Tickets are usually affordable, but there are also many ways to get discount tickets and movie passes.

French theater: For the dozens of other shows in Paris, you’ll need to brush up on your French a bit. If there is a deal to be had, you’ll find it on the website BilletReduc. Catch a French musical at the Mogador Theatre, or maybe some other dance or opera performance, just don’t pay full price. I want to be a good patron of the arts, but I need to pay rent, too.

Affordable late-night dining

After all of those glasses of wine, it’ll be time to soak it up before hitting the hay. Few places in Paris serve late night food, but there are a few go-to’s that I recommend beyond the typical greasy kebab (we’ve all been there).

Falafel: If it’s not too late, head to L’As du Fallafel for the city’s best falafel sandwich in the Marais. Sunday through Thursday they are typically open until midnight. On Friday and Saturday, their competitors are also open just across the street — the line’s shorter, but let’s face it, it’s just not as good.

Gelato: Afterwards, also in the Marais, head to Pozetto for the city’s best gelato, open until midnight as well.

Classic French dishes: For real late night eats, there are few places to grab anything resembling a late night slice in New York. Instead, grab a seat at Au Pied do Cochon in Les Halles, a restaurant that used to feed the hungry market workers a century ago. They have French classics like onion soup well into the wee hours of the morning. Down the street, La Poule au Pot is also open from 7 pm – 5 am, Tuesday through Sunday.

Grocery store: Also, note that Monoprix on the Champs-Elysées stays open until midnight, just in case you want to prepare a last minute late-night picnic.

Paris is very much alive at night, just don’t expect to stumble upon the party. Once you know where to look, however, you’ll be golden.

Have fun!

The post Paris Nightlife: How to save on bars, clubs and culture appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Whether you’re looking for some vin rouge to go with your dinner or you want a bottle for a friendly picnic, here are some tips to keep in mind for picking an affordable wine.

1. Don’t be thrown off by labels or price tags

Higher prices and pretty labels are not indicative of how much you will like a wine. Bottles at restaurants can cost €20, €40, €60 and beyond.

While the wine will probably be good, less discerning pallets can opt for the much cheaper and equally tasty carafe or pichet of wine. This is a house wine that is served in a small pitcher or glass bottle that comes with none of the frills of a Saint-Emillon or Chateauneuf du Pape, but it will still be a tasty accompaniment to most French meals.

Don’t feel goofy asking for a pichet at lunch or dinner, because even the locals will order up some house red, white, or rosé on a typical evening.

2.  Don’t get too cheapo…

When purchasing a bottle of wine at the grocery store or wine store, even Cheapos have a limit. Any bottle under €3 is rarely something that you’d want to drink, more often reserved for cooking or wild student parties. Stick to the €5-10 range to ensure that the wine won’t make you wince.

Appellation Medoc Contrôlée. Photo: Dominic Lockyer

3. “AOC”? A-OK!

Look for the AOC, or appellation d’origine contrôlée on any bottle you purchase. This indicates that the wine is a credible Bordeaux, Burgundy, or whatever other region (origine) it may claim. Without the AOC, there is no way to know if the wine was made by a professional or from some guy down the street in his bathtub.

Still, if you go to a wine bistrot like Le Verré Volé, many of their wines don’t have a AOC. However, you can be sure that the specialists in the store have visited the vineyards and know exactly where that wine is coming from.

4. Think inside the box, but outside the jug

Box is OK, but plastic jugs might be pushing it. Box wine is not quite trendy, but is accepted with wine stores like Nicolas offering up affordable varieties.

The liter-sized plastic jugs at the supermarkets, however, are not to be trusted. Take a tip from someone who may or may not have been there – it’s not worth testing unless you want your wine to double as a paint-remover.

5.  Know when to say “non”

If you taste a wine and it doesn’t suit your tastes, hopefully you didn’t buy a whole bottle of it at a restaurant. That said, if a wine tastes particularly offensive, with smells and tastes that seem unfit for any mouth, it may be corked, which means the wine has been spoiled in the bottling or aging process.

While rare, receiving a corked glass or bottle of wine can happen, and if you are really unable to drink the wine, ask your bartender or server what they think and they will usually be honest with you.

6. Supermarket wine is not taboo

With aisles devoted to all sorts of regional French wines, Parisian supermarkets like Monoprix and Franprix are acceptable places to buy a bottle for dinner or a picnic.

If you want to ask questions or are looking for something specific, however, head to a wine shop, or caviste. Nicolas or Le Repaire de Bacchus are two such chains found all over the city. Additionally, there are countless independent wine shops and bistros that will be happy to help you find what you’re seeking.

Your wine questions or advice?

What other questions do you have about wine in France? Have some advice to share with our readers? Join the conversation in our comments section!

Also in our guide: Heading to Paris soon and looking for advice on great affordable sleeps? Our editors have hunted down the best hotel deals, all visited, inspected and reviewed by EuroCheapo. Read more in our Paris guide.

Note: This post was updated on September 30, 2015 with new links, photos and information.

The post France: 6 wine buying tips for Cheapos appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

And it’s not just the locals who feeling the season. Visitors to Paris during these warmer spring months have a tendency to get downright giddy (weather-permitting).

To help you get your giddy on, here are 9 ways to celebrate the spring this year in Paris, nearly all of them outdoors.

1. Drink on a terrace

Find me a Parisian who doesn’t love a chilled beer or glass of rosé while sitting on a sun-soaked terrace – I dare you. This is the most typical way to usher in warmer temperatures with friends, drinks, food, and sun. Here are some of my favorite drinks to order at an outdoor cafe.

2. Picnic in a park

If the terraces are too crowded, take your bottle and baguette to the closest waterfront or park and set yourself up with a picnic. I can’t stress enough the importance of picnicking in the springtime. Sure, go ahead and visit the Louvre, Notre Dame, and the Eiffel Tower, but then, before all else, have a picnic.

Here are some favorite items to pick up at the butcher in Paris, and here are some recommended picnic spots.

(Photo: seafolke)

3. Spend the Night at the Museums

The European-wide Nuit aux Musées on May 16 offers a unique way to experience some of Paris’s most iconic galleries. Museums are open at night and cost nothing to entrer. Games, illuminations, and guided tours await those who can stay up late enough. Read more about it here.

(Photo: anhgemus-photography)

4. Bike about

Check out the “I Vélib I Can Fly” exhibit at the Hôtel de Ville, April 2 to May 16, 2015. The exhibit features work by international artists who just love biking through their cities (who can blame them?). And of course, it’s free. Maybe afterward you’ll feel inspired to take a spin on a Vélib on your way to your next destination (here’s how to use the cheapo bike share program).

(Photo: gregcullen)

5. Head to the Bois de Vincennes for a carnival

For those looking to get a breath of fresh air, spend the day in the Bois de Vincennes to the east of Paris. The annual fair, the Foire du Trône, runs from March 27 to May 25 and features family-friendly activities and food, including rides, games, and of course churros. There will be fireworks on May 1st to sweeten the deal.

(Photo: kerolic)

6. Spend rainy days with Edith, Napoléon, and Gaultier

When April showers cometh, head inside for one of the many springtime exhibits featuring some very famous Frenchies. This season’s must-see shows include an Edith Piaf show that will go up at the BNF, a Napoléon exhibit hitting the Carnavalet, and a Jean-Paul Gaultier show that has already landed at the Grand Palais.

(Photo: calips96)

7. Take a stroll

Why not celebrate springtime with a good old-fashioned stroll? Explore the old railways of the Petite Ceinture and the Coulée Verte, or simply make your way along the Seine until you can walk no more. It’s so much nicer to stroll the city without being bundled up under layers of scarves and sweaters.

(Photo: Paris.fr)

8. Ahoy! Float along the Canal St-Martin

You might want to forget walking and biking and give into your nautical side instead. You can rent a small boat along the Canal de l’Ourcq (€40 for 1 hour in a five-person boat) and enjoy the Canal St-Martin from a new perspective. It’s not the cheapest activity, but split five ways, you can spend an hour or two without breaking the bank. No license required!

(Photo: fatemeh)

Strawberry season at the Marche d’Aligre. Photo: ligelena

9. Taste the springtime

Springtime means we can ignore the cabbage and potatoes at the market and lighten up our dining habits a bit. Seasonal eating is important to the French, so in April and May we’ll feast on cherries, strawberries, apricots, asparagus, and creamy goat cheeses. The Marché d’Aligre (daily except Monday) is a local favorite to visit, but the Bastille market is an enormous bustling alternative (open Thurs and Sun).

How do you celebrate the springtime in Paris?

Have a springy activity to add to our list? Tell us how you celebrate the springtime in Paris in our comments section below.

The post 9 ways to celebrate the spring in Paris this year appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.