(Don’t forget to check out our Brussels city guide for more budget tips.)

Free things to do in Brussels

Here are five free attractions to enjoy in the Belgian capital:

1. The Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula

Sinter-Goedelevoorplein
Hours: 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Monday to Friday), 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (Saturday), 8:30 to 2 p.m. (Sunday)
Website

Dating back to the 11th century, the Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula is a prominent fixture in the Brussels cityscape. Inside you’ll find stained-glass windows and beautiful arched ceilings. The cathedral is home to a Romanesque crypt, though visitors must pay €2.50 to view it.

In addition to holding daily services, the Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula hosts classical music concerts, may of which are free. Check the cathedral’s calendar of events to see who’s playing when you’re in town.

2. Visit European Parliament

Wiertzstraat 60
Tel: +32 (0)2 284 21 11
Website

Lest you forget, Brussels is the administrative center of the European Union. This special distinction affords visitors the opportunity to tour the European Parliament—without spending a euro.

To get your international relations fix, catch a guided tour of European Parliament’s debating chamber. Tours are conducted at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Monday to Thursday and at 10 a.m. only on Friday. If you want an extra special glimpse into the workings of the EU, check out the plenary sitting schedule to see when events are open to the public.

3. The Royal Museum of Armed Forces and of Military History

Jubelpark 3
Tel: +32 (0)2 737 78 33
Hours: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. (Tuesday to Sunday)
Website

A visit to Brussels’ Royal Museum of Armed Forces and of Military History is completely free. The exhibitions document Belgian and European history chronologically, with no shortage of tanks thrown in for good measure. After winding your way through the galleries, head up to the museum’s roof. You’re in for a real treat: Look out and enjoy a panoramic view of Brussels.

4. Free museums on the first Wednesday of the month

While some Brussels museums are always free, others open their doors gratis monthly, on the first Wednesday of the month. Among the participating museums are the Museum of Old Masters and the Museum of Modern Art. Free admission begins at 1 p.m. Visit the Brussels Museums Website for more information.

5. Free concerts

L’Archiduic, a popular bar in the Ste. Catherine hood, hosts live jazz throughout the week. Check the site to see what’s on—but don’t blame us if you end up shelling out for a few drinks.

What else?

Have other suggestions for free activities in Brussels? Share your wisdom by leaving a comment!

The post 5 free things to do in Brussels appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Definitely a melting pot of people, cultures and styles, Brussels offers a lot to see and do, including the tradition of imbibing Belgian beer.

But as the de facto capital of the European Union, this city can get expensive very fast, as rooms fill up on the weeknights and prices soar as administrators from around the continent come to do business.

Brussels budget travel guide

From finding affordable hotels to knowing where to get a good deal on a plate of mussels and frites, here are a few tips to keep your trip on the cheap.

1.  Free and cheap museums

While some of the fun ones like the museum of comics and the museum of musical instruments aren’t free, others like the museum of military history and touring the European Parliament are open to the public at no cost. And remember: all museums in Brussels are free on the first Sunday of every month.

Related: 5 free things to do in Brussels

2. Sipping beer at local brasseries

One bar might claim it houses the largest selection, the other says they have the strongest, or the darkest, etc. Don’t be sucked into a tourist trap just because you see that pink elephant on the beer bottle — all cafes in Brussels hold a rich and impressive Belgian beer selection. Take your time and look for something that has a local feel.

3. Know the mussels season

Brussels offers several local delicacies, but none are as famous as their steamed mussels. In Brussels, mussels season is typically in the fall (September to December), and sometimes in January and February. Ordering up a steamed pot in summer is available, but possibly not fresh and not from the North Sea. Other yummy alternatives for a taste of Belgium include carbonnades flamandes (Flemish beef stew) or rabbit in a gueuze beer sauce.

4. Seeking out fresh-cut frites

You will find enough frites (French fries) stands to make your head spin, but look for the ones with freshly-cut potatoes. Some stands use pre-packaged, frozen potatoes in their fryer, along with processed mayo in industrial-sized cans. The best frites shops have raw potatoes in burlap sacks ready to be cut and fried on the spot, with a giant assortment of sauces. Yum!

Little boy pis. Photo: fredrte

5. Don’t “pis” your time away

Word of mouth has somehow deemed Manneken Pis the landmark of Brussels. That mindset leads to continuous letdowns: the fountain is small, the statue is tiny and black iron poles block any chance of a good photo op. Locals find the hooplah hilarious, so listen, it’s no biggie. Go see it, and even grab a souvenir to take home, but just don’t revolve your whole day around it.

6. Laces out

Belgian lace is intricate, delicate, detailed and finely spun craftwork that’s quite special to some people. But textile work specific to a region isn’t unusual, so don’t feel like you have to pay an exorbitant amount for it. Lace shops might look fancy, but it doesn’t mean they should overcharge. Beware of paying too much for lace around the center.

7. Walk but maybe don’t eat: Rue des Bouchers

This quaint little alleyway is covered top to bottom in Belgian cafes and restaurants, with waiters beckoning patrons from the sides. The whole street seems to be working together, as prices, deals and dishes are strikingly similar. Rue des Bouchers is a strange, independent organism that seems to live by sucking euros from tourists that don’t know the difference between paella and mussels.

8. Dine local away from the action

In general, Brussels best finds are down small streets and away from the tourist spirals of Grand Place. Being a safe, small city to wander in, locals know their favorite eating spots lie within neighborhoods around the center square. There’s a huge café culture here, do as the Belgians do and wander until something looks appealing.

Related: Exploring the neighborhoods of Brussels

9. Strolling around here is easy (and free!)

The “must-see” of Brussels is the city itself, and downtown is very walkable. From the Botanique cultural center to the Brussels Charleroi canal and the dozens of impressive churches around town — everything is a stone’s throw away. However, if you don’t feel like walking too much, public transit is also a breeze, with underground metro stops at all of the above-mentioned areas. A one-day pass is €7.50

Cheapos love Residence les Ecrins for its good location and fun Tin Tin motif in the dining room. Photo: EuroCheapo

10. Finding affordable accommodations

Again, the center is a great place to wander but not necessarily to sleep in. Prices are usually high, and most Belgians live luxuriously on the fringe of the center. Since the city is small and easy to move in, don’t be afraid to find something further from the train stations and Grand Place. Some of the more clean and modern spots are away from those areas. Check out our favorite budget hotels in Brussels.

Furthermore, as a hub of the European Union, during the week, hotel prices soar. For a better deal, come on the weekend when most bureaucrats have headed home.

Ready to search? Check out our full list of cheap hotels in Brussels

The post Brussels Budget Travel Guide: 10 ways to save on your trip appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Internationally overshadowed by its more bureaucratic sibling Brussels, Belgium’s second city used to be an important mercantile center in the Low Countries and has left behind a rich city to lose yourself in.

Today it takes a more discerning traveler to explore this picturesque medieval city. If that’s you, we are sure you will appreciate these tips by Spotted by Locals.

Related: A budget guide to visiting Antwerp, Belgium

5 cheap eats in Antwerp

Here are five spots to enjoy great food without breaking the bank or limiting yourself to the obligatory Belgian (don’t call them French here!) fries and chocolate.

Filling up on the buffet at Aahaar Indian Cuisine. Photo: Regina Jansen of Spotted By Locals

Aahaar Indian Cuisine

Lange Herentalsestraat 23

Let’s start off with the best deal in town. Aahaar Indian Cuisine pretty much does what it says on the tin: delicious Indian food, which in this case means spiciness turned up to eleven. But what’s great about this cozy restaurant is the daily buffet: for just €10 you can mix and match every dish that meets the eye and leave completely satisfied to continue your exploration.

Don’t forget to combine your pile of delicious food with a sweet mango lassi to wash off any extra spiciness.

Waiting for chips at Chips. Photo: Andy Helinx of Spotted By Locals

Chips

Sint-Antoniusstraat 35

OK, we lied about not mentioning fries — how could we ignore the ones they make at Chips? To be perfectly honest, it’s difficult to get bad fries in Antwerp, even in the city center, but this spot takes them to another level. They’ve also hit the sweet spot budget-wise (€2.40 for a small order), and they even serve burgers with meat from the best butcher in Antwerp.

If you’re feeling adventurous, you can also opt for the homemade tartare sauce instead of the tried-and-true mayonnaise.

Billie’s Beer Kafetaria

Kammenstraat 12

You know what else Belgium is famous for? Beer. You can always look for a true brown bar to enjoy local brews but what if you want to combine some beer tasting with Belgian comfort food? Billie’s Beer Kafetaria in the shadow of the cathedral is a perfect choice. Here they have 11 beers on tap and 110 served from the bottle. You can combine your drink with a pub game.

Get some stew (€14) or meatballs paired with the brew of your choice (don’t be shy to ask the bartender for help!), grab a chair upstairs and settle in for the real wintertime Antwerp vibe. It’s Sunday every day here.

Dinner is served at Estrela do Mar. Photo: Petra Bartholomeeussen of Spotted By Locals

Estrela do Mar

Ellermanstraat 96

Another excellent place to have a quality dinner for cheap is this family restaurant in the north of the city, right in the middle of the Portuguese quarter. This neighborhood favorite is heaving with charm: even if there are no free tables at first glance, just ask the waiters and they will take you to the back where you’ll see why they call it the Estrela do Mar — the ‘starfish’.

There’s no menu here, but you’ll always have a handful of fresh, daily Portuguese dishes to choose from, including sardines, gambas, and steak. Pick your color of wine and dine like a king for one of the city’s best deals (€17 for a huge steak). Don’t forget dessert!

A few of the fabulous creations at MoMade Cupcakes. Photo: Regina Janzen of Spotted By Locals

MoMade Cupcakes

Reyndersstraat 37

Speaking of dessert, you can do much worse than having an artisanal cupcake made by a pastry chef in the beating heart (and stomach) of the city. MoMade Cupcakes is run by Mo Lamokoref, and here you can find flavors like classic vanilla, red velvet, and chocolate-raspberry. It’s basically edible eye candy, and each one costs just €2.90.

No excuses — you’re in Europe’s hidden gem, remember?

Do you have a favorite local spot in Antwerp? Let us know in the comments.

The post 5 local tips for cheap eats in Antwerp appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

However, there are still plenty of budget-friendly hotels to be found. We’ve made the hunt even easier by compiling a list of our favorite super cheap hotels in Brussels.

Also in our Brussels guide: Once you’ve booked your hotel, be sure brush up on these 10 budget tips in Brussels and check out these 5 free attractions to help you save even more money on your trip.

5 Super cheap hotels in Brussels

Along with price, these affordable hotels in Brussels also score high in other categories. We love these hotels for their cleanliness, comfort, hospitality, and character.

The same family has operated A La Grande Cloche since 1966!

A La Grande Cloche

Place Rouppe 10
Neighborhood: Grand Place
User rating: 8.0
Doubles starting at $56

The A La Grande Cloche is a family-run hotel with a location in the heart of Brussels. It’s just minutes from public transportation and attractions. The rooms aren’t terribly exciting, but they are clean, comfortable — and most importantly — often very cheap! Free Wi-Fi and a huge breakfast spread make this hotel an even better deal. Read the full review here.

Max Hotel blends cool and modern style with super cheap rates.

Max Hotel

Bd. Adolphe Max 107
Neighborhood: Near Gare du Nord
User rating: 8.1
Doubles starting at $57

The Max Hotel is a clean, minimalist, no-frills hotel with a central Brussels location. The list of amenities is not very long, but it does include flat-screen televisions, air conditioning, and free Wi-Fi. But costs are low, and Cheapos will love these prices.

Want to go super Cheapo? Waiving the maid service can save you an extra €15! Read more about the Max Hotel here.

You’ll love the outdoor patio and the prices at the Vintage Hotel.

Vintage Hotel

Dejoncker 45
Neighborhood: St. Gilles
User rating: 8.6
Doubles starting at $62

Retro furnishings and an overall groovy vibe define the Vintage Hotel. The décor may be all old-school, but the amenities are very modern. Rooms boast flat-screen televisions and free Wi-Fi. Guests will also love the hotel’s shared spaces, including a patio and a 24-hour lounge with a wine bar. Learn more about the hotel and book a room here.

Hotel Pantone is a modern, 3-star budget gem just outside the city center.

The Pantone Hotel Brussels

1 Place Loix
Neighborhood: St. Gilles
User rating: 8.3
Doubles starting at $63

The colorful Pantone Hotel is designed according to — you guessed it — the Pantone color system. Along with clean, fun design, the hotel also offers air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, toiletries, and LCD televisions in every room. The hotel isn’t in the city center, but it is very close to public transportation and is located on a block lined with handsome Art Nouveau buildings. Read our review of the Pantone Hotel.

The reception area is a cozy place to kick back at Hotel Noga.

Hotel Noga

Du Béguinage 38
Neighborhood: Ste. Catherine
User rating: 8.8
Doubles starting at $82

With a quiet location and eclectic décor, the Hotel Noga makes a great home base for Cheapos. A mixture of vintage and modern furnishings create lots of character in the rooms, and amenities include everything from air conditioning and minibars to free newspapers and Wi-Fi. Outside the hotel, there are plenty of sights and attractions to see. Read the full review of Hotel Noga.

More budget hotels in Brussels

While these hotels are certainly great deals, our guide has dozens of other cheapo stays in the city. Check out our full list of budget hotels in Brussels.

Have you been to Brussels? Share your tips in the comments below and let us know if you have any favorite hotels in Brussels!

The post Brussels Cheap Hotels: 5 Super cheap options from our guide appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

There are loads of reasons to visit Antwerp, though an innovative museum, design, the legacy of Paul Rubens and good old jenever (gin) lead the pack.

MAS: Visiting a cutting-edge museum

Erudition first. In 2011, MAS (Museum Aan de Stroom) opened in Antwerp’s rejuvenating port district of Eilandje. MAS is a model for future museums. The museum is ordered into grand themes: Metropolis, Power, Port and Life and Death, and feels more like an archive than a museum, with most of its treasures in storage, including flat objects housed in display drawers. With QR codes affixed to objects, MAS is also fun to experience.

Designed by Rotterdam-based Neutelings Riedijk Architects, the building makes use of curved glass panels throughout, offering striking panoramas on dramatic platforms and from the building’s roof over the city below. For adults, admission to the permanent collection is €5; temporary exhibitions run €10 (seniors and kids €3 and €8, respectively.) Entrance to the rooftop and the Visible Storage section on the second floor are free, and admission to the entire museum is free on the last Wednesday of the month. Another budget-saving tip: on the last Thursday of the month, the entrance fee drops to €1.

As an aside for museum lovers, Antwerp’s excellent Royal Museum of Fine Arts is currently closed and scheduled to reopen at the end of 2017. Until it reopens, selections from the collection are on display around Antwerp.

Exploring the neighborhoods

Eiljandje itself has become a social district, and is fun to wander. That said, it hasn’t really yet picked up its own internal cohesion. Older neighborhoods of Antwerp feel more organically linked. Particularly charming is the world-class antique and design district along Kloosterstraat with its many comfortable cafes. Weekends along Kloosterstraat and elsewhere see the proliferation of antique and flea markets, which are good for scooping up rare retro finds but sadly not ideal for snapping up true steals.

Priceless paintings on display

Anyone after a less contemporary version of Antwerp will be comforted to discover that the city remains the territory of Flemish master Peter Paul Rubens. Four Rubens paintings (Elevation of the Cross, The Resurrection of Christ, The Descent from the Cross, and The Assumption of the Virgin) can be seen at the city’s Cathedral, which is the largest Gothic church in the Low Countries. Admission is €6.

Raise a glass of Jenever

Spirit-minded (as opposed to spiritually-minded) traditionalists can visit the city’s old-time jenever bars for extended sampling sessions of various types of the juniper-flavored spirit. De Vagant is an especially grand place for such an activity, with over 200 kinds of jenever on offer, all of which come from Belgium or northern France. Even better, a shot of the good stuff will usually only set you back about €2.25, so it’s an easy and affordable way to sample a few flavors.

Affordable eats

Frituur De Smulpaep (Varkensmarkt 2/A) is cheap and delicious for frites and croquettes. You can get a plate of filling fried things plus a drink for under €10, easy. To stock up on provisions, try local branches of Lidl or Albert Heijn.

Cheap sleep

If you’re looking for an affordable place to spend the night, the Middelheim Guesthouse (Prins Boudewijnlaan 139) gets great reviews. Prices start at €60 for a single, €70 for a double and €85 for a triple.

Antwerp’s proximity to various other big tourist cities makes it easy to reach as a side trip, though it really deserves a few nights on its own.

The post Antwerp: Visiting this Belgian gem on a budget appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Weekends pass slowly and satisfying as people embrace the feeling of this 14th century sleepy Flemish town. Plus, there’s no lack of affordable hotels and hostels in town starting at $47.

But where do you begin to figure out how to spend your time here with a range of good neighborhoods? Have no fear, because we’ve assembled a perfect Cheapo weekend in Bruges.

Day 1

Grab breakfast at a supermarket like Delhaize (they’re stocked with fresh baked goods) and enjoy the view of the Markt before the tourists arrive. On Wednesdays there’s an open market here well-equipped with locally made jams and a dozen chocolate praline stands. Unless it’s already high on your list, you should probably refrain from the €50 horse carriage ride—Bruges is extremely walkable and best absorbed by foot.

Exploring the scenic canals of Bruges is a fun and free activity. Photo: Audrey Sykes

Sightseeing and strolling the affordable attractions

For some great sightseeing in town (and on the cheap), you could start at the center Burg Square. Skip the €8 walk up the Belfry clocktower—you’ll get a city view later. With a casual stroll south, through alleyways and cottages, you’ll wind up under the Gentpoort gate. Hang in the sun by the canalways at Minnewater Park. Nearby is the Bruges photo-op Begijnhof, a peaceful garden with romance written all over it.

Window shopping for free

Window shopping might sound like an obvious to do when on a low budget, but Bruges is great for it. Small lace boutiques, Belgian waffles and chocolates are on window display like glamorous stiletto heels. Tiny handmade toys, a glistening array of Belgian beer glasses and even private houses show off quirky collections on their street facing windows.

Related: Cheap Bruges hotels in Markt and Burg

Indoor activities for cheap

Hitting the town on a rainy day? Try a visit to the Dali museum for €10, and upgrade the experience for a few extra euros—€13 gets you a glass of Cava and a Belgian chocolate. The Basilica of the Holy Blood is an ornate chapel said to house a vile of Jesus Christ’s blood, while The Church of Our Lady houses the Madonna and Child statue by Michaelangelo. Both churches are free, although viewing times of Chirst’s “blood” is an extra €2.50 donation.

De Halve Man brewery tour

Despite the hundreds of beers bottled around Bruges, there’s only one working brewery in the city. De Halve Maan (meaning The Half Moon) is family-run brewery known for their smooth Bruges Zot blond and brown beers. Their 45-minute tours happen every hour, both informative and entertaining, with a chance for a great city view, and ending with a beer to enjoy in their authentic Belgian beer cellar café. Even better, they cost only €7.50 and run all day from 11 AM to 5 PM.

Café Vlissinghe is the oldest tavern in Bruges dating back to 1515. Photo: Audrey Sykes

A wallet-friendly evening out

Cheap eats out are best found at restaurants that don’t have menus in a rainbow of languages. You can always stick to frites and waffles, but it’s not difficult to find local fare. Ribs ‘n Beer have all-you-can-eat specials for €18 on Monday (daily for groups of six or more), or a more healthy bistro Hashtag Food (€13) and fast Pasta Delizia (€6).

Turn your walkabout day into a café beer hopping adventure. Some great and authentic favorites include Le Trappiste, De Garre and T’ Brugsch Bieratelier. Many Bruges cafes hold over 300 assortments of beer. If the weather is warm check out the beer garden at Bruges oldest pub Café Vlissinghe (circa 1515!). More lively late night pubs are brought by backpacker bars like Charlie Rockets and Lybeer Traveler’s Hostel.

Day 2

If you didn’t splurge on dinner, then you should have some money left over for a tasty start to your next morning. A good patisserie or bakery in Bruges is a cheap alternative for eating a pricey breakfast. Some favorites are the Gingerbread Tea Room (€10), Patisserie Academie (€4), Books & Brunch (€12) or La Baguette (€4).

Biking around Bruges for €10

If bicycling in Amsterdam was too intimidating to try, Bruges is the best place for a round two attempt. Pick up a bike for a day at Bruges Bike Rental (€10) or Bicycles Popelier (€12) and head out of town.

Get out of town for a quick jaunt to Damme by bike. Photo: Audrey Sykes

Exploring Damme and beyond

There are bicycle signs around Bruges, and many of them point to Damme. From downtown follow the Potterierei along the canal. Once you exit town you’ll be on DamseVaart-Zuid. It’s a an easy two-mile bike ride along the river to Damme, a tiny port town from the 1400s. The bike ride offers a sweet sample of the Flemish countryside, while Damme is the perfect place to picnic for the afternoon.

A slightly more challenging bike ride north of Damme will reward visitors with the Belgian beaches of the North Sea. Towns like Blankenberge and Knokke-Heist are modest seaside towns with small sailboat harbors and windsurfers. Blankenberge gets extra points for a nice pier and a marine life park.

The post Bruges on a Budget: The perfect weekend itinerary appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

In Belgium, it is Brussels that pulls the crowds, and we certainly find the city a great spot to while away a day or two. It can be pricey, so it’s good to remember that rates for the more business-orientated hotels in Brussels plummet on weekend nights.

Beyond the capitals

But there’s more to the Low Countries than merely Brussels and Amsterdam, and we find that the smaller cities in this region better capture the flavor of their respective countries.

Here’s a handful of smaller cities in the Netherlands, any or all of which make a great overnight stay:

+ Middelburg
+ Delft
+ Gouda
+ Utrecht
+ Maastricht

Hop over the border into Belgium, and the following trio really deserves a day or two:

+ Bruges
+ Ostend
+ Spa

Creative travelers can devise smart itineraries, hopping from one small town to the next through the Low Countries. Flanders, Zeeland and Holland are much too good to just speed through on the fast train. These regions boast gentle landscapes of delicate beauty which powerfully influenced local artists from Pieter Bruegel the Elder to James Ensor.

An Amsterdam-bound alternative

European Rail News this week published our preferred route for Amsterdam-bound travelers coming from Paris and London. With a few days to spare, travelers with a zest for adventure can ride from Lille to Amsterdam by local train, bus and ferry, stopping off along the way at three of the small towns mentioned in our list above: Bruges, Middelburg and Delft. Indeed, with only modest detours off that route, one can also take in Ostend (a real heaven for fish lovers) and Gouda (good for more than merely cheese).

Taking time for smaller communities always makes sense. Accommodation is often cheaper than in the bigger cities favored by most tourists, and the chances are that in a smaller place you’ll get a warmer welcome from the locals.

And just now there is very good reason to by-pass the main tourist trail from Brussels to Amsterdam. The posh new train service called FYRA, launched last month to bring high-speed style to that route, has ground unceremoniously to a halt. Apart from the premium Thalys service (which carries hefty supplements for rail pass holders) there are at present simply no direct trains from Brussels to the Netherlands. Good reason, therefore, to think about inventive alternatives.

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So much well-justified praise is heaped on Eurostar’s capital city links that it is easy to overlook that the rail service through the Channel Tunnel is good for more than merely quick hops to nearby capitals.

Direct trains to the Alps

Last Saturday, Eurostar kicked off its regular season of direct ski-trains, serving some of France’s premier winter sports resorts from London and two other stations in south-east England: Ebbsfleet and Ashford.

Ready to board in St Pancras. Photo © hidden europe magazine

Although the trains are aimed fair and square at the winter sports market, you certainly don’t need to be a skier to use these trains which are a very fine way of traveling from England to the Savoie area of eastern France. The services run through mid-April and operate to Bourg-Saint-Maurice, stopping along the way at Moûtiers-Salins-Brides-les-Bains and Aime-La Plagne. The latter, with its cottage-style stone station building, surely rates as the most rural station on the Eurostar network.

Dash South to Avignon

Tickets go on sale tomorrow (December 22, 2011) for Eurostar’s 2012 season of direct trains from London and Ashford to Avignon in the south of France. Travelers can speed from Kent to the heart of the Provence in less than five hours.

And whereas most French high-speed trains serve Avignon TGV station, the Eurostar services drop passengers at Avignon Centre, just a stone’s throw from the ancient city wall and the Old Town. For Londoners keen to catch some southern sun, the direct Eurostar service to Avignon is hugely more appealing than tackling airport crowds.

Eurostar operates a two-class service on the Avignon route (compared with the choice of three classes on their capital city services). Fares start at £109 return in Standard Class and, for passengers wanting extra space with complimentary meals and drinks, return tickets in Standard Premier are from £249.

Connections through Brussels

We traveled last Wednesday from London to Cologne, an easy 4hr 20min journey including a slick connection from Eurostar onto a German ICE train at Brussels. You can use the Eurostar website to book through journeys from London to Aachen and Cologne in Germany, as well as to any station in the Netherlands or in Belgium.

City center to city center travel times often undercut comparable journeys made by air. For example, the fastest rail connections from London to Rotterdam (changing at Brussels) take less than four hours.

Beyond Paris

Travelers from the UK can use the Eurostar website to book through tickets from London via Paris to a dozen Swiss cities and to over 60 stations across France.

We used this latter option last month on a London to Strasbourg journey, which took 5hrs 15mins. That included time for a change of trains in Paris, requiring an easy ten-minute walk from the Gare du Nord to the Gare de l’Est. One-way fares on this routing start at £55.

Some travelers worry that many itineraries via Paris require a change of station in the French capital. And that is where Lille Europe station comes in handy, as it offers seamless connections between Eurostar and the French high-speed network without the need to switch stations. For example, the same lead-in fare of £55 from London to Strasbourg is also available on routings via Lille.

You can book with Eurostar from London to Lille and connect there onto direct trains to Nice, Toulouse, Marseille, Bordeaux and dozens of other destinations across France. Again, through bookings for most itineraries can be made on the Eurostar website.

Other Links

The regular direct Eurostar trains from London to Marne la Vallée-Chessy are operated mainly for visitors heading to the Disneyland complex east of Paris, but can also be used to link to and from connecting TGV services.

And we have found Eurostar useful for short hops on the continent. For example, Eurostar trains can be used to travel from Lille to both Brussels and Calais.

Rail pass options

Interested in seeing a full list of rail pass options? Visit our booking partner, Rail Europe, to compare rates, destinations covered and see their latest promotions.

The post Eurostar Links: Beyond Paris and Brussels appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Of course, there are plenty of other ferry options, many of them with much longer crossing times than the short but sweet shipping routes which we highlight here. Those longer options includes several North Sea crossings from the eastern England ports of Harwich, Hull and Newcastle to the continent. And there are also a range of routes linking the south and southwest England ports of Newhaven, Portsmouth, Poole, Weymouth and Plymouth with France and Spain. The “short-sea” routes on which we focus below are all year-round services.

Four companies compete with ferry services from the Kent coast to the continent, three running from Dover to France and the fourth operating out of Ramsgate to Belgium.

Cruise-ferry comfort with P&O

Top choice from Dover to Calais is P&O, which offers cruise-ferry comfort on the 90-minute crossing to France. The company currently shuttles to and fro 46 times each day, but services will be a shade less frequent in the quieter winter months (from early January to mid-March 2012).

These are wonderful, well-appointed ships. Crossing the Channel by sea is a chance to relax, see the White Cliffs of Dover and recall how that short stretch of water separating Kent from the French coast so powerfully shaped English identity.

Daytime-only for foot passengers

This P&O ferry route to Calais is the only route from Dover on which foot passengers are permitted. And remember that foot passengers may not use night services. They are restricted to daytime sailings (viz. sailings that leave Dover between 8:10 a.m. and 7:35 p.m. or those that leave Calais between 6:30 a.m. and 10:00 p.m.).

One-way fares for a car (including up to nine passengers if you can squeeze that number in) start at £25 single, and that fare also applies to car travelers wanting to return the same day – good for shoppers making a day excursion to France to stock up on cheap wines and French deli produce.

By coach and ship to France: Eurolines

Selected departures on Eurolines’ London to Paris express bus service also use the P&O shipping service from Dover. (Others take the less romantic option: the Eurotunnel vehicle shuttle). Services using the ferry are marked as such on the Eurolines timetables.

Grab one of Eurolines’ Advance Single fares and you may pay as little as £29 for the one-way ride from London to Paris, with a short cruise with P&O along the way.

DFDS and Sea France

Two other companies operate from Dover to French ports, namely Sea France (to Calais) and DFDS (to Dunquerque). Neither carry foot passengers, although the DFDS services will carry cyclists – and they have a very reasonable £10 one-way fare that covers both cyclist and bike.

Ramsgate: A link to Belgium

Kent’s second port at Ramsgate is very much smaller than Dover. Ramsgate is north of Dover and the travel time from London to both ports (whether by car or by train) is broadly similar.

Transeuropa Ferries offer thrice-daily services from Ramsgate to Oostende in Belgium. Crossing time is 4hrs 30mins (so more than twice as long as on services from Dover to France). Transeuropa do not carry foot passengers – a travesty as the ferry port in Oostende is right by the train station and this route would be so convenient for rail-sea travellers.

And – surely this must be against the law – Transuropa say that, for the time being, they will not accept cars that have a passenger who relies on a wheelchair. We have never used a Transeuropa ferry, but we understand from those who have that there is little by way of creature comforts.

The post England to France by Ferry: A few short routes appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

With plenty of Eurocrats flaunting their nontaxable income, Brussels can be a tricky place for Cheapos. But eating and shopping in Brussels don’t have to cost an arm and a leg (although they can, if that’s what you’re into). Let me give you a few splurge options–and their budget alternatives.

Chocolate souvenirs

It’s indisputable that Belgians know how to make phenomenal chocolate. You can choose from a number of chocolatiers in the historic Old City, although you’d be wise to veer away from the perennial mall faves like Godiva and Neuhaus. If you want to splurge, you should look no further than the museum-like Pierre Marcolini boutique (39, Grote Zavel). Marcolini has some of the most inventive and delicious truffles, and you can even buy them by the piece.

Still, Marcolini’s gorgeous works of art don’t come cheap. That’s where Leonidas (12, Galerie du Centre and throughout the city) steps in. Though Leonidas’ truffles are good enough to be sold in upscale department stores abroad (i.e. Galeries Lafayette), they’re at the bottom of the steep chocolate hierarchy in Belgium, making them absurdly affordable. A 250g box goes for €5—and makes for a great souvenir.

Lunch with a view

Musical Instrument Museum. Photo: Vainsang

The Musical Instruments Museum (2, Hofberg) is housed in a gorgeous Art Nouveau mansion, and its terrace affords a stunning view of the city. The top floor cafe also happens to offer good bistro food, friendly service and a chance to mingle with the city’s Bright Young Things. But, with drinks and dessert, even its lunch deal can run close to €20.

For a cheap meal with a fine view, grab a sandwich from a bakery. Take the glass elevator up to Place Polaert, from where you have a beautiful panorama of the city–tout gratuit.

Art Nouveau elegance

Brussels is arguably the capital of Art Nouveau. The granddaddy of the movement, Victor Horta, lived the way he preached in a beautiful house. Today, the turn-of-the-century house is a museum (25, rue Américaine) that showcases gorgeous stained glass, beautiful arches and elegant wrought iron decorations. The only trouble is, it’s open only three hours a day, with visitors snaking around the block. Plus, admission is, at €8, not cheap.

As an alternative, you can head to the tourist information center and grab the helpful downtown Art Nouveau map that highlights some of the best examples of the movement. The whole city is your Art Nouveau museum, free of charge.

Antiques

Le Sablon square is the address for exclusive antique shopping. On weekends, when vendors set up tents, you’ll see well-heeled Parisians strolling with wads of cash. The stores surrounding the square are posh, everyday of the week.

If you’re less than awash in cash, you should beeline straight to the Place du Jeu de Balle, a flea market in the gentrified but still charming Marolles. It’s the kind of place where you’ll see 18th century dressers next to piles of used t-shirts. You might find stupendous reproductions of Magritte–or an oil portrait of someone’s great grandma.

And if you want to keep shopping, the surrounding streets are dotted with eclectic boutiques. (This neighborhood might be the only place on earth that outnumbers Berlin’s number of per-capita vintage stores.)

Get there before hipsters like you and me ruin it forever. Oh, wait…

The post Luxurious Brussels and Cheapo Alternatives appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.