1. Cheap and sweet: the cookie aisle

Amsterdam’s chain supermarket, Albert Hein, is a gold mine for affordable and tasty treats that are light and allowed on board for the flight home. My favorite spot to spy a few good gifts is the cookie aisle, particularly where the stroopwafels and almond cakes hang about. From Belgian chocolate truffles and Nutella to quirky Dutch favorites like drop (salty liquorice) and hagelslag (chocolate sprinkles), the possibilities encourage creative gift baskets. And the best part? All of these items go for just a few euros.

Learn and taste your way through the history of Dutch cheese. Photo: Meg Marks

2. Cheese? Puh-lease!

After a few samples at the (free) Amsterdam Cheese Museum on Prinsengracht 112, it’s hard to resist packing a few small rounds of Dutch cheese in the suitcase. The garden harm combos, the smoked sticks and sharp goudas are nearly irresistible.

My tip: Don’t do it! Dutch cheese shops are not easy on the wallet, and forget the specialty spots within the center. If you want to be stubborn about it, at least support the local farmers and buy locally at the cheese stands at outdoor markets like Albert Cuypmarkt and Dappermarkt. Even better, it’s a short bike ride to surrounding local farm houses that have attached shops with an even larger cheese variety.

3. Tah tah, Tulipmania

There’s something you need to know about flowers, even tulips: they’re a seasonal buy! True, the flower market offers bulbs for sale year round, but that doesn’t mean they’ll grow once planted. The only time to plant tulips are in fall, and that’s the prime time to buy. Make sure they have the “special seal” on the package if you’re bringing them back across the pond—US customs are strict about tulip bulbs (and Dutch cheese) coming in.

As an alternative, check out the (free) Tulip Museum on Prinsengracht 116 for tulip trinkets that earn a bit more authenticity than the smorgasbord of souvenir stands around town. My favorite find for kids are the “tulip in a can” gifts at Knuffels (Sint Antoniesbreestraat 51A).

4. Always a find at Waterlooplein Market

The best market to dig around for treasures and random odds and ends is Waterlooplein, open everyday (except Sundays) from 9 AM to 4 PM. This hodgepodge of stands sell new and used apparel, accessories and random ornaments, spread out like a giant garage sale and offering some great buys.

Ten-cent postcards, €1 books and €5 shirts are just the beginning. This is the place for one-of-a-kind buys, boxes with a few gems in a mound of junk, vintage wear, and everything in between. In one trip I can pimp my bike with a new bell, score a pair of spring shoes, a good record find, and splurge on a mirror frame—and spend less than €30.

5. Feeling frisky? Put a “lid” on “it”

If the Red Light District is calling your name (or wallet) for gift giving, I have two places to recommend to you. Amsterdam’s Condomerie is the world’s first condom specialty store located on Warmoesstraat 141 just off Dam Square. They have an endless supply of different novelty condoms with shapes that vary from the Eiffel Tower to The Simpsons. These are NOT for use, but are great gag gifts hard to find elsewhere in this world.

The ultra find for the Red Light District can be found at the Prostitute Information Center at Enge Kerksteeg 3, just next to the Oude Kerk. It’s a few euros to enter, but it’s a worth it for a closer look at the history of the world’s oldest profession in Amsterdam. More importantly, it’s the only place you’ll ever find photos of the brief Red Light District moment in the 1990s when men could rent out windows and offer services to the public. This only lasted for an afternoon, as it drew too much media attention to the neighborhood, and men just couldn’t keep up with their “demand” for service.

The post 5 cheapo souvenir ideas to bring home from Amsterdam 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…

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