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.

I have been there. So to help out, I’ve created a shopping list to use as a starting point. Crank up the printer, because I’m about to share three cheeses that are not to be missed!

Brillat Savarin tastes like buttah.

1. Brillat Savarin (Tastes like buttah!)

Butter. Brillat. Butter. Brillat. That’s what he said. Thank my cheese monger friend Ishai (extraordinaire!), for introducing me to this very velvety, voluptuous beauty. I’m a fool for fresh salted butter, so for me it was love at first bite. In fact, I squealed. Read my hips. This decadent triple-cream cheese from Rouen contains a whopping 75% butterfat and about 40% fat overall.

Yes, this little piggy will be returning to the market for more. Tip: I recommend serving it with a sparkling wine or a palate-cleansing beer. The carbonation will cut the fat, while enhancing its milky mushroom flavor. Visiting Paris? Sample Brillat Savarin as a fresh young’un. For the love of cream cheese or ice cream, you won’t be sorry.

Here are a few historical tidbits to help pump up your plateau de fromages and cocktail party conversation. Created in the 1930s by Henri Androuët, he named the cheese after the 18th-century French gastronomic guru, Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin.

A master of words and cuisine, B-S is responsible for such gems as: “Tell me what you eat and I will tell you who you are,” and “A dessert without cheese is like a beautiful woman with only one eye.” (Huh?)

Mighty Mimolette

2. Oh, Mighty Mimolette

Scatter close, my history bugs, because I’ve got another royal story to tell. After the Sun King banned imported goods from Holland in the 17th century, the folks in Lille, in northeastern France, put their heads together and created a copycat version of Edam, their favorite Dutch cheese. To make it sound more French, they called it Mimolette. After all, a rose by any other name is just as stinky!

So what’s the difference?

Though both have the same basic texture and spherical shape, Edam is dipped in red wax, while Mimolette features a natural (waxless) rind that gives it a neon orange hue. And thanks to the addition of cheese mites, it is riddled with holes. Yes, that’s right—mites!—as in bugs. But fear not, they’ve all flown the coop by the time the finished Mimolette makes it to market. So don’t even think about it!

Here’s a tip: Go vintage! The older, the better, my friend, is what my fromager tells me. Yes, given enough time, Mimolette eventually blossoms, revealing a rich, salty, hazelnut flavor. Looking a lot like a cantaloupe, both inside and out, just try the flaky “extra-vielle” (that’s been aged 18 to 22 months). By the way, it was Charles de Gaulle’s favorite cheese.

Morbier Fermier is smelly (and delicious) when ripe.

3. Morbier Fermier

Morbier Fermier is easily identifiable in display cases by the horizontal line of bluish ash cutting through it like a layer of icing in the middle of a vanilla cake. This dates back to when farmers would half-fill their cheese molds after the first milking and then scatter a little ash on the curds to keep bugs away till they’d milk the cows again and top up the molds.

Warning! When ripe, it can be smelly! But fear not, its aroma is stronger than its (grassy-with-a-lemon-twist) bite.

How did I discover Morbier Fermier? Again, with a little help from my friends. Film editor Yohan and media analyst Stéphanie are self-proclaimed “food enthusiasts” and proud of it. Whenever I attend one of their dinner parties, I always take notes. “We like Comté, Vacherin Mont d’Or and Morbier Fermier. They’re all from Yohan’s hometown, Besançon,” says Stéphanie.

Chez Virginie Fromagerie
54 rue Damrémont, 18th arrondissement (Métro Lamarck-Caulaincourt)

Where do Yohan and Stéphanie shop? Chez Virginie Fromagerie is their secret weapon. Virginie herself is a third-generation cheese monger, and extremely friendly and accessible. If you need help, just ask questions. I also recommend the shop’s signature chèvre, topped with pesto or tapenade.

Cheese tips?

Do you have a favorite French cheese? If so, let us know. Moo-la-la! Bon Appétit!

Also in our guide: If you’re planning a visit to Paris and are looking for a little hotel to go with your favorite cheese, look no further than our guide to inexpensive places to sleep. Our editors have visited, inspected and reviewed affordable hotels in central Paris and offer their recommendations for those offering the best value. Read more in our Paris guide.

The post Paris Shopping List: 3 cheeses to try at the fromagerie appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

1. Kilmainham Gaol – €6

Every trip to Dublin should include a little history. A captivating guided tour of Kilmainham Gaol will shed light on a group of Irish revolutionaries that gave their lives for the creation of the republic.

2. Rent Bikes in Phoenix Park – €10

Dublin is home to the biggest city park in Europe, Phoenix Park. Visitors can take advantage of the bike rental program, Dublin Bikes, but a credit card is required and not all stands accept cards. Another simple option is to rent your bike from Phoenix Park Bike Hire, at the cost of €10 for three hours.

3. Cake Café – €6 for cake and coffee

Part of the fun of stepping into a new city is finding yourself at an off the beaten path café surrounded by locals. Venture into the Portobello neighborhood and located off a small street and through an even smaller courtyard is the Cake Café, home to mismatched plates and fresh baked treats.

Catch something edgy and independent at the Irish Film Institute. Photo: Pierofix

4. Jameson Distillery – €11.70 (€10.60 for students)

This one is slightly over budget for non-students, but worth every cent. A tour of the former Jameson Distillery will not only bring you to the interesting Smithfield neighborhood, but will also bring you through a distillery, teach you about the process of making famous Irish whiskey, and even includes a tasting.

5. Walk the Pier in Dun Laoghaire – €2 each way

Board the DART train in the city center and head south to the coastal village of Dun Laoghaire. Right near the train station you’ll see the entrance to a pier jetting out into the Irish Sea. For the price of the train ticket you can watch the sailboats, see local families fishing, and maybe even catch a glimpse of seals swimming around the pier.

6. Irish Film Institute – €9.90

If you need an alternative to another night in the pub, check out what’s playing at the Irish Film Institute. Not only is this a hangout spot for Dublin’s artistic and literary set, but it is also a great place to see independent, European, and Irish films.

7. Take Advantage of Lunch Specials – €10

One of the best ways to eat well in Dublin is eat your big meal at lunchtime. There are great lunch specials throughout Dublin, including at one of the city’s latest hot restaurants, the Rustic Stone. At this healthy-focused restaurant, for €10 you can dig into dishes like sushi-style tuna with ginger couscous, tofu, and lime.

8. Hike from Bray to Greystones – €2.50 each way

To get to know the waterfront city of Dublin, take a hike along the coast. One of the best ways to accomplish this without breaking the budget is to take the DART train bound for Bray, follow the coastal hiking trail south 2 ½ hours to Greystones, and hop the DART back to the center of Dublin.

9. The Dublin Flea Market – Free

If you happen to be in Dublin on the last Sunday of the month, head to Co-op on Newmarket Square for the Dublin Flea Market. Entry is free, and your €10 will stretch far on the goods for sale here such as vintage clothes and accessories.

10. Sample Local Cheeses – €10

Step into Sheridan’s Cheesemonger, tell them you have a budget of €10 and would like to sample some local cheeses. There’s more to Irish cheese than Cashel blue and farmhouse cheddar, you’ll learn from these cheese experts. Take your stash to nearby St Stephens Green for a picnic.

Also in our guide: Heading to Dublin? Don’t blow all your euros on sleeping! Our editors have inspected, photographed and reviewed the best cheap hotels in Dublin. Read more in our Dublin hotel guide.

The post Dublin: 10 fun activities for less than €10 appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Big wheels do keep on turning in Paris! Like skirts, cheese is seasonal, and in France the variety is never-ending. So this week I’m taking it to les rues, and asking my favorite local Big Cheeses for recommendations and helpful tips, too.

Here’s a shopping list to use as a starting point. For the love of la bonne vie, Cheapos, just smile and say “cheese!” (Not to get your goat, this go-’round we’re only milking the cows!)

Something old: Saint-Nectaire

Cat enjoying the cheese aisle

The Maréchal de Sennecterre introduced Saint-Nectaire (get it?), a superstar from near Clermont-Ferrand in Auvergne. Boasting an earthy aroma acquired while curing on straw for eight weeks, the thick, gooey Saint-Nectaire has long had its share of fans. Louis XIV gave this taste sensation his Good Palace-Keeping seal of approval!

My musician friend (and Charlotte Gainsbourg look-alike) Cat is mad about it. “It’s from where I grew up. The cheese is not industrial. Outside, the crust is grey, but inside it’s creamy, nutty, and fruity. Délicieusement fondant, baby! When I eat it I think of home and my parents.”

Keep your eyes peeled for its cousin Pavin, too, dressed in a bright orange rind. Named for Lac Pavin, its strong mushroom flavor will send your taste buds over the moon.

Something new: Saint-Félicien

Arriving on the French fromage scene around 1950, Saint-Félicien is similar to its older cousin Saint-Marcellin. “Saint Félicien’s taste is creamier and softer,” points out clothing designer Ghislaine. “Both are from the Rhône-Alpes, and very smelly! The smellier, the better, I think! Also, it comes in little crocks, which many people use afterwards to serve nuts and olives. You can always know when your friends like this cheese if you see them using those crocks!”

Ghislaine offers a shopping tip. “ The thing is to eat them at the right moment. If you eat them too early, they don’t have the authentic strong taste, but if you wait too long they taste like ammoniac. So ask for help. Let the fromager know exactly when you plan to eat it, and they’ll be able to figure out the ripeness with their fingertips.”

Laurent and Comté

Something borrowed: Soumaintrain

Film editor Laurent discovered Soumaintrain while completing a documentary about the late, great French New Wave filmmaker, Claude Chabrol. “The film story took place in an old house, where some friends of his came to visit him to enjoy a really good lunch, and he served them Soumaintrain.” After days spent editing this mouthwatering scene, Laurent had no choice but to set out on a quest to find it on his own.

“It’s from Bourgogne. It’s creamy and smelly. You can find its cousin Époisses at many cheese sellers, but only a few of them sell Soumaintrain. It’s very difficult to locate because the producers don’t always identify themselves. It’s almost like a secret society. Soumaintrain has a stronger taste and even more pungent smell than Époisses. You definitely have to drink a red wine and eat it with bread—a Burgundy, or a good Bourgueil from the Loire Valley.”

Something blue

How much are those cheeses in the window?

Film editor Yohan and media analyst Stéphanie are self-proclaimed “cheese snobs” and proud of it. “We like Comté, Vacherin Mont d’Or, and Morbier Fermier. They’re all from Yohan’s hometown, Besançon,” said Stéphanie. “We shop at Chez Virginie Fromagerie at 54 rue Damrémont in the 18th arrondissement. She’s a third-generation cheese monger. If you need help, just ask questions. They’re very friendly.”

Speaking of blue, Morbier Fermier is easily identifiable in display cases by the horizontal line of bluish ash cutting through it like a layer of icing in the middle of a cake. This dates back to when farmers would half-fill their cheese molds after the evening milking and then scatter a little ash on the curds to keep nighttime bugs away. In the morning they’d milk the cows again and top up the molds. Amaze your friends with this tall cow tale (but it’s true!).

My guilty pleasure: Cantal

Flummoxed by all these choices? Then I recommend starting off with a satisfyingly buttery number that’s everywhere in Paris but difficult to find outside of France: the “Cantal jeune.” Named for a region filled with volcanic peaks, even the Sun King was a fan!

Also worth a nibble are the rugged (and rarely exported) six-month-old Cantal vieux and its cousin, Salers. Take any one of the varieties and ménage à trois it with a baguette and a bottle of wine, and you’ve got the perfect Cheapo meal—morning, noon and night. Ooh, la la!

Cheapos, got your own favorite fromage? Do spill!

The post Paris: Locals Pick Their Favorite Cheeses appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Visiting one of the finest food capitals of the world, a place chock-full of bountiful “Bon Produits” (specialty shops), all managed by certified gastronomical experts who are more than willing to share their vast wealth of knowledge, is abso-fruga-lute-ly not the time to shop at a chain grocery store in order to save a few centimes.

Splurge on a café.

So take in all those wonderful boulangeries, pâtisseries, chocolatiers, confiseries, glaciers, éspiceries, fromageries, charcuteries, poissonneries, caves, and cafés with a clear conscience. And don’t be shy. Ask for recommendations! Ask questions, and in the process you’ll take home more than the receipt.

Here’s my personal sampling of things to not miss while in France. Cheapos, splurge on!

1. Crème brûlée

Before cracking open this classic beauty, lift the ramekin to your ear, and lightly tap on its hard, caramelized topping with your spoon. Breathe in. Savor the moment.

2. Pain au chocolat

The proper way to eat it is to pinch off teeny morsels with your fingertips to make it last as long as possible. However, I usually peel the individual layers off slowly, thoroughly enjoying each melted chocolate nugget I encounter.

3. Fromage

Big wheels do keep on turning. Like skirts, cheese is seasonal, and the variety is endless. So pace yourself! Start off with the “Cantal jeune.” Named after the volcanic peaks of the Cantal mountain range, it’s hard to find this one-month-old taste sensation outside of France. Why, even the Sun King gave it his Good Palace-Keeping seal of approval. Also, don’t hesitate to ask the fromager for a cheese recommendation based on the wine you just bought down the street. They’ll gladly help you out.

Baguettes from Gérard Mulot.

4. Baguette

If it’s still warm from the oven, do as the locals do and rip a chunk off and pop it in your mouth as soon as you step out of the bakery. I’ve noticed that males tend to carry their baguettes like caveman clubs, while women usually cradle their bread.

5. Macarons and meringues

The ultimate instant sugar rush—but what-the-hey? You only live once, right? That’s what she said. Catherine de Medici’s Italian pastry chefs introduced the macaron to France, and Ladurée is credited with its stream-lined modern sandwich-look.

6. Wines

It’s perfectly normal to say, “I’m looking for something around five euros to go with [fill in the blank].” Trust me, everyone else is asking the same question. Tip: Caviste Pascal Fauvel at La Cave de Abbesses at 43 rue des Abbesses clearly marks his recommendations with heart-shaped signs that read, “Coup de coeur maison.” Others follow suit.

7. French onion soup

Yummy escargot

Day or night, it’s a hot and hearty Cheapo happy meal (sans prizes).

8. Escargots

If you end up loving them (and most people do) then you’ve made a culinary discovery, and if not, at least you’ve got a funny story to tell, and everyone will admire your bravery. I usually order my snails bathed in garlic, butter, and herbs in their little spiral shells. Yum!

9. Crêpes

“Je voudrais une banane-chocolat crêpe, s’il vous plaît,” is another one of my tickets to paradise.

Tartes at Les Petits Mitrons.

10. Tarte

Any ole tarte will do as long as it comes from Les Petits Mitrons at 26 rue Lepic in Abbesses, just up the street from the Moulin Rouge, and kitty-corner from the café featured in the film “Amélie.” You can also buy your pie by the slice!

11. A drink in Parisian café

If you visit Paris and miss out on this experience, Cheapos, we are no longer friends. Yes! Your alcoholic or non-alcoholic drinks will cost a little more than in a grocery store, but the upside is that you’ll be given courtside seats to people watching, and you can stay as long as you like.

12. At least one article of clothing

For the simple love of bragging rights, do pick up a scarf, shirt, or slacks. Then, for years to come you’ll be able to say, “Oh, this old thing? I picked it up in Paris years ago!”

Cheapos, do you have a favorite French treat? Do tell!

The post 12 things worth splurging on in Paris appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.