But for those looking for a more inspired scenario that won’t evoke images of Tom Cruise proposing to Katie Holmes (at the Tower), here are a few romantic spots to consider, depending of course on you and your partner’s style.

Geting romantic in Paris:
• The best romantic hotels in Paris for budget travelers
• Save big on a fun shopping spree in Paris
• Enjoy a romantic meal without blowing your bank account

Proposing in Paris

Paris Luxe

Brides in white flowing dresses with husbands in tow can be seen along the Pont Alexandre III (pictured, top) taking their photos after their weddings — but why not start the engagement there? When we think of Paris, we think of the Champs Elysée, gold-domed buildings and splendid views of the river. The Pont Alexandre III offers it all.

A bridge over the Canal St. Martin. Photo: Sylvain Bourdos

The most ornate bridge in Paris with glowing globe lights and gilded statues, it’s one of the perfect places to get romantic at night as the Eiffel Tower glitters in the distance and the lights of the boats reflect off the Seine. It’s a jolt of old world glam that never seems to die in Paris.

Bohemian Paris

If you like the idea of something less glitzy but more gritty and real, head to the Canal St. Martin and choose one of the arching bridges for your special moment. The neighborhood is known for many artists and bohemian-bourgeois locals that dress shabby-chic with carefully de-coiffed hair.

The pedestrian bridges have a rustic, quaint feeling that evokes Amélie skipping stones along the still water. Local picnickers along the banks of the canal will surely applaud if your partner says yes and then you can share a romantic meal at the trendy Hotel du Nord, ending the evening with a candlelit dinner among the other bohemian lovers that fill the neighborhood.

Fairytale romance

For something a little more whimsical, head to the top of the Parc Buttes Chaumont. Crowning this little man-made hill is a gazebo fit for Rapunzel that, despite the graffiti, can be a splendid place for the question. The views overlooking the park and the rooftops of Paris are simply breathtaking, like looking upon some far-off kingdom where the animals dress you in the morning. You even catch glimpses of the gleaming white Sacré Coeur basilica to the north.

The tip of the Ile de la Cite. Photo: Tom Flemming

If all goes well, have the picnic and obligatory bottle of Champagne ready to celebrate a fairytale engagement.

Historical Romance

As featured in the 2009 film An Education, the tip of Ile de la Cité overlooking the famous Pont des Arts and the Louvre, can be a very intimate spot to say, “I do” while being surrounded by the best of Paris. It has been a popular place for romance ever since the 1600s when King Henry IV brought his lovers here, which is why the square is called Galant-Vert, an allusion to his many mistresses at an old age.

This historical spot, in the shadow of the Pont Neuf, Paris’ oldest bridge, boasts magnificent views and could be the perfect place to slip the ring on his or her finger.

Fit for a King or Queen

Just outside of Paris in Versailles, the possibilities are endless. It’s not free to enter, but if you’re going to make a special trip to the chateau and its gardens, stop over at the Trianon, Queen Marie Antoinette’s private getaway. The aptly-named Temple d’Amour is a beautiful Romanesque gazebo tailor-made for royal wedding proposals.

Afterward, a romantic stroll through the vast gardens is the perfect way for lovers to steal a kiss, like the countless royals that have courted lovers in days long gone.

Related: 8 fantastic day trips less than an hour from Paris

Your proposals?

So what do you think? Do you have any other ideas for places to pop the question? Propose some more locations in our comments section!

The post Proposing in Paris: 5 romantic spots to pop the question appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Cheapo’s counting those precious pences will be relieved to hear that London is also full of amazing views that aren’t accessed via a turnstile and ticket booth. Here’s my list of the best free views in London:

1. Waterloo Bridge

Tube: Embankment / Waterloo

Of London’s 33 bridges that cross the River Thames, Waterloo definitely has the most impressive views. Looking east you can take in St. Paul’s Cathedral, the Gherkin, the Oxo Tower, Somerset House and the National Theatre. Look westwards and you can take in the bustle of busy shoppers and street performers along the South Bank, the London Eye, Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament. Visit during the day to take photos and in the evening to admire it all lit up at night.

Looking out from Parliament Hill. Photo: Duncan Harris

2. Parliament Hill

Tube: Hampstead

Hampstead Heath’s famous “Kite Hill” has featured in TV commercials and films aplenty over the years, as its wonderful juxtaposition of rolling fields and greenery backed by London’s iconic cityscape is so unusual. Many visitors to the capital don’t know that you can escape the madness of the city with such ease (and without actually leaving the city).

A brisk walk through Hampstead Heath is enough to revive any weary tourist and a stroll to the top of Parliament Hill is always rewarding. Join dozens of dog walkers and kite enthusiasts at the top of the hill, and enjoy an elevated view of the city from afar. Canary Wharf used to be the focal point, but The Shard’s recent appearance is certainly stealing the limelight on London’s skyline today.

Relaxing on Primrose Hill. Photo: Peretzp

3. Primrose Hill

Tube: Chalk Farm

Tucked away behind Chalk Farm and Camden Town, Primrose Hill is on the northern edge of Regent’s Park. From the top of the hill you’ll get an incredible panorama of central London and it’s the perfect spot for a picnic on a sunny day. Heading down Regent’s Park Road towards Chalk Farm you’ll also find a pretty selection of boutique-y shops and some lovely pubs.

4. National Portrait Gallery

Tube: Charing Cross / Leicester Square

A trip to the National Portrait Gallery isn’t just for the exceptional artwork. Make sure you don’t leave without stopping for a drink at the very swanky rooftop Portrait Restaurant and Bar. Admire everything from Nelson’s Column and Trafalgar Square in the foreground, to the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben and the London Eye in the background.

Also in our guide: If you’re heading to London and looking for an affordable place to sleep, be sure to read our reviews of budget hotels in London. Our editors have hunted down the best values in the city’s accommodation scene. Read more in our London guide.

The post The best views in London… for free! appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

It is not the first time that a European city has deployed a cable car to speed travelers over a river. The Kölner Seilbahn has been whisking passengers across the Rhine for over half a century, along the way affording magnificent views of Cologne’s fine Gothic cathedral.

But a cable car is a first for London, giving visitors to the city another option for crossing the river. Though, of course, they are already spoiled for choice. London has its landmark bridges, plus tunnels and ferries aplenty, so–while we wait for the cable car to be completed–we have been taking a look at London’s top five river crossings.

1. The London Millennium Footbridge

This is the perfect link between St. Paul’s cathedral and the growing cluster of attractions on the south bank of the river: Tate Modern, Bankside Gallery and the Globe Theatre. The footbridge, which opened in 2002, is airy, light and elegant.

2. The Albert Bridge

Compared to the youthful Millennium Footbridge, the Albert Bridge is a real veteran of the river. Opened in 1873, the bridge connects Chelsea with Battersea Park. It looks for all the world like a suspension bridge, though it fact it is not. It just oozes Victorian grace and is a great spot to linger at night. Traffic is always light. Just now, the bridge is closed for refurbishment, but this prettiest of London bridges will reopen later in 2011.

3. Greenwich Foot Tunnel

This is a decidedly oddball way to cross the Thames. Near the preserved Cutty Sark ship on the Greenwich riverfront is a brick building with a glass dome that many visitors mistake for public toilets. Actually it is the entrance to a foot tunnel under the Thames that opened in 1902. The northern end of the tunnel is in Island Gardens on the Isle of Dogs, from where there are super views back across the river to Greenwich. And just in case you are wondering, the Isle of Dogs is not an island at all.

4. The Rotherhithe to Canary Wharf Ferry

This is the only one of our top five river crossings that you have to pay to use. The ferry connects the Hilton Docklands Hotel (on the south bank of the river) with Canary Wharf. The boat shuttles to and fro between 6:30 a.m. and 11:30 p.m. on weekdays. At weekends, it starts at 9 a.m. We think this little ferry hop is at its spring and summer best late afternoon or early evening, when the sun to the west really shows off Canary Wharf architecture at its most dazzling.

5. The Woolwich Free Ferry

Free, just as the name says! Operating day-in, day-out since 1889, the Woolwich Free Ferry is a London institution. Services run from 6 a.m. till 8 p.m. Monday to Saturday, and from noon to 7 p.m. on Sunday. The Woolwich Free Ferry carries vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians.

Your favorite Thames crossing?

If you have thoughts on your favorite Thames river crossing, be it by tunnel, ferry or bridge, why not share them here? Within Greater London alone, there are more than 50 options from which the traveler can choose.

The post London’s Bridges, Tunnels and Ferries: Top 5 ways to cross the Thames appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Like good bread and wine, affordable nights out are abundant if you know where to look. Here are some of our favorite spots for a Cheapo night out:

Music on the waterfront…

25 Est
10 Place de la Bataille de Stalingrad, 75019
Website

Overlooking the northern stretch of Paris’s canal, the restaurant 25 Est is known mostly for its large terrace and live music. Happy hour ends around 8 PM, but drinks are not expensive even at normal prices (pints of Stella are €5). Considering the waterside view and local bands, it’s a good deal.

BYOB with a view…

Pont des Arts
Spanning the Seine between the Institut de France and the Louvre

While picnics along the Seine disappear with the setting summer sun, one spot still retains its outdoor atmosphere. The Pont des Arts, the bridge linking the domed Institut de France with the Louvre, is a great “BYOB” experience, weather permitting. Artists hang art and locals break out their guitars, creating the biggest party spanning the Seine. Of course, if it’s raining or too cold, opt for an indoor venue. However, the Pont des Arts is a refreshingly affordable evening with a view throughout the summer and into the late fall.

Late night wine tastings…

Barav
6 Rue Dupuis, 75003
Website

“Wine bar” meets “street party” at The Barav, a cozy bar in the ever-hipper Upper Marais. The street is filled with new eateries and bars with clients spilling out into the streets. The Barav’s hip staff pair glasses of wine (€4) with delicious charcuterie or cheese platters (between €6 and €12). A summer concert series at the adjacent town hall keeps live music pumping during summer months.

Corner bistrot concert hall…

Chez Adel
10 rue de la Grange aux Belles, 75010

When you spot the overweight mini Dachshund, you know you’ve made it to Chez Adel. A block away from the trendy Canal St-Martin, this tiny neighborhood bar serves up cheap but tasty food and drinks late into the night, and the Dachshund will be glad to pick up any scraps you leave behind. Local musicians, from jazz and zydeco to an Edith Piaf character who serenades tables, bring the place to life. If  jazz is your thing, check out our post about one of our favorite Paris jazz lounges.

Cheap and dingy, but still Paris…

Hideout
46 rue des Lombards, 75001
Website

If a dive bar is more your scene, Paris certainly isn’t lacking. In the Chatelet neighborhood there are plenty of bars geared towards tourists, students, and “happy hour” enthusiasts. The Hideout, with its €2 happy hour, is a little hole in the wall aimed to please bargain hunters. You get what you pay for—a dingy bar, elbow to elbow with other patrons. Its location, however, next to the largest transportation hub in the city center, guarantees a good time with a wild mix of locals and visitors in search of cheap beer.

Looking for gay nightlife? Read our guide to Paris’ gay bars (for the boys).

The post Paris: 5 Bars perfect for a Cheapo night out appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Regardless, there’s quite a bit to be said for the real bridges (“ponts“) in Paris. Join us, as we stroll from the Ile St. Louis to the Eiffel Tower, crossing over some of the city’s best bridges.

A river runs under it

Bicycle man

We start at the Pont Sully (built 1876), at the very eastern edge of the Ile St. Louis. Down below on the banks, this section of the isle is an ideal location for sunbathers on a clear day. After gazing out to the east of Paris, take a stroll westward through what has become one of the city’s most fashionable addresses.

The Pont St. Louis (completed 1970) is a tiny bridge connecting the Ile St. Louis with the Ile de la Cité. It sits in the shadow of Notre Dame, across the street from one of the many places selling the famous Berthillon ice cream (though not the original, at 31 rue St. Louis en Ile). This bridge is prime real estate for musicians and other street performers. On a recent afternoon, a crazy French clown and his amazing trick bicycle entertained a crowd of a few dozen, while a rock band was only too glad to take over once the clown’s show finished.

Everything old is new again

Continuing west off the Ile de la Cité, the next major bridge is the Pont Neuf. Despite it’s name, it’s actually the oldest bridge in Paris, completed in 1607. Just north of the bridge is the Samaritaine department store, closed since 2005 for safety-related renovations. The tip of the island to the west of the Pont Neuf is popular with picnickers. Although alcohol is officially “interdit,” gendarmes tend to look the other way if you pour your beverage into cups and hide the bottle.

Looking towards the Pont des Arts

No cars allowed

Following the Seine west, the next bridge we encounter is the Pont des Arts (completed 1984), an iconic footbridge anchored by the Louvre on one side and the Institut de France on the other. Taking a cue from the bridge’s name, many artists and craftsmen set up shop here to display their creations.

A little ways down is another pedestrian bridge, today called the Passerelle Léopold Sédar Senghor after the first president of Senegal and the first African to be a part of the Academie française. Completed in its latest incarnation in 1999, this bridge arcs right down to the edge of the Seine.

Bridging the gap

The Paris city hall website calls the Pont Alexandre III “Paris’s most elegant bridge.” It can be a little hard to appreciate the fine sculpture work, however, with all the cars and buses roaring up from the Avenue de Maréchal Galliéni. The bridge was built between 1896 and 1900.

Between the Pont Alexandre III and the Eiffel Tower there is not much to see aside from the Passerelle Debilly, a pedestrian bridge built for the 1900 World’s Fair. Still, a walk along the southern bank of the Seine is quite pleasant, as it’s mostly a tree-lined strip of a park.

La Tour Eiffel

Get over it

We have finally reached the Pont d’Iéna (completed 1814), which was originally conceived to commemorate Napoleon’s 1806 victory in the battle of Jena. The bridge is an excellent spot for taking photos of the Eiffel Tower. Across the river, the steps of the Palais de Chaillot are probably the best place to watch the tower’s evening light show that takes place every hour from sunset to 1 AM (2 AM in summer).

Your favorite bridge?

Do you have a favorite bridge in Paris? How about a favorite spot along the Seine? Tell us in the comments section below.

About the author: Liz Webber is a freelance journalist living and working in Paris. She has previously worked for the International Herald Tribune and Budget Travel.

The post Paris Walking Tour: Bridging the Seine appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

It was a wintry thrill to visit this northern city in the colder darker months.  It also, however, provided some stunning views of the city during the long, winter night.

Today I thought I’d post some of my favorite photos of St. Petersburg at night. Glowing lights, snow, beautiful bridges. Talk about drama!

The pictures

As you can see, walking along the canals–or anywhere, really–in St. Petersburg in January can be hazardous. The sidewalks might simply look wet, but they’re often covered in ice. Check out the frozen Moika  Canal.

But when you do venture a look up from the sidewalk, behold the city! I took this photo along the Moika Canal heading toward the Hermitage. The beautiful canal is one of three that winds its way through the heart of St. Petersburg.

Along the Moika’s banks are 18th and 19th-century government buildings, offices, museums, restaurants, apartments, and palaces. As you can see, during my visit there weren’t very many tourists walking along the canals. It was very, very cold outside.

St. Petersburg’s canals are crossed by 313 bridges, many of which are works of art. Many incorporate statues, most involve intricate metalwork, and almost all are photogenic. This bridge is crossing the Moika.

Continuing westward along the Moika, we cross another bridge and spot St. Isaac’s Cathedral. The day after I took this shot, I climbed to the top of St. Isaac’s and circled the giant rotunda in whipping winds.

Returning home along the Neva River, we pass the Peter and Paul Fortress, with its illuminated cathedral glowing through the falling snow. Under that shining spire rest nearly all the czars of Russia, including Peter the Great, himself.

Good night, St. Petersburg!

The post St. Petersburg: Photos album of the city at night appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.