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.

The truth is, there isn’t just one type of Parisian, nor is there one way to act when visiting the city.

But you know us — we couldn’t resist creating a jumbo list of our own. However, we’re listing only friendly do’s and don’ts that will help you make the most of your trip and your budget. Do… keep reading!

Related Paris reading:
• 10 costly mistakes that tourists make
• 10 Ways to prepare for your Paris vacation
• The best SIM Cards for a trip to France

Browse the cheese, but don’t forget to say hello, er “bonjour”, to the shopkeeper. Photo: LEAF Project

Basics

1. Do say “Bonjour” when engaging with another person. This includes all salespeople, servers, front desk, etc. Bonus points for adding a “Monsieur” or “Madame”.

2. Don’t worry about not speaking French beyond the basics. However, do learn a couple of words. Bonjour. Au revoir. Merci. Monsieur. Madame. Oui. Non. Voila — you’ve got it. (Want more? Here are 10 French phrases that can help you save money.)

3. Do seek out locals, or at least try to talk to them at a picnic or in a bar. But try to drop a couple of words in French. It’s a good conversation starter.

4. Don’t expect the French to be rude. They’re just humans. (And you’re far less likely to find yourself in a rude situation if you stick to rule #1 above.)

5. Do learn how to use an “inside voice”. Parisians, in general, are a lot quieter in public places than we’re used to being in the US. You will notice this tout de suite in the Metro, restaurants, in line at the bakery, etc.

Clothing and Packing

6. Do wear comfortable shoes (no stilettos) and clothes that can easily be layered. Pack a nice outfit for special occasions, but don’t go overboard here. You’re mostly going to be walking, and walking, and walking…

7. Don’t come unprepared for the weather. Research the weather before you go and pack accordingly, when possible. Pack an umbrella and a light rain jacket.

8. Do wear a scarf in the winter and fall. It might seem like a cliché, but it’ll keep you warm and Parisians wear them all the time. Wrap yourself up — you’ll fit right in.

Eating and drinking

9. Don’t buy bottled water in a restaurant unless you like or need bubbly water. Otherwise, stick to a “carafe d’eau”. It’s delicious — and free.

10. Do spend at least an hour at a café terrace at some point during your trip sipping something. Bring the journal, notepad, book, or postcards, and have the whole experience.

11. Do refill your water bottle at any of the city’s outdoor water fountains. It’s the same delicious water Parisians drink daily. Eco-friendly! Free! Photo-op!

Go for a “tradition”! Baguettes at La Grande Epicerie in Le Bon Marché. Photo: kanuck

12. Don’t buy a baguette “ordinaire”. Stick to the “tradition”. Trust us on this one.

13. Don’t fuss over eating like you eat back home. This is not home, so breakfast options and coffee choices are not the same. (Sorry. But not really.)

14. Do eat things that you have never tasted before. This is Paris and we like to eat. (And we like to eat things that might seem rather unusual to you at first. Go for it!)

15. Do order a carafe of wine at lunch to share… or for yourself. Wine is cheap in France! And you’re on vacation, right?

16. Do eat as much as you can. Once you’re home, you won’t get any more baguettes. Well, maybe you can buy one from Whole Foods, but it won’t taste the same. Here’s how to eat like a local for under €20 a day.

17. Don’t go to McDonald’s. I mean, it’s fine for a bathroom break (and for emergency free Wi-Fi), but the experience isn’t really that different or more exciting than you’d have at the Golden Arches back home.

18. Do throw yourself a picnic if possible. Head to an outdoor market, get some cheese from a fromagerie, some fresh baguettes and head to the wine store. We’re so there.

19. Don’t write off ethnic food in Paris. A lot of it is really good and unique. Just don’t fiddle with the American stuff. But the falafel? Winner!

20. Don’t tip needlessly in restaurants. Please don’t. We’ve talked about this already.

21. Don’t eat anywhere within a beret’s toss of a major tourist destination, especially Sacre Coeur, Eiffel Tower, or Notre Dame. Push a bit farther afield and look for something more authentic without “tourist pricing”. Here are a few choices for dinner in Paris.

22. Do consider restaurants that aren’t listed on TripAdvisor. The site isn’t the final word on dining in Paris — and, actually, it can be quite an echo chamber, sending more and more tourists to the same restaurants, while smaller establishments remain ignored. Head off on your own… follow your nose and your own instincts.

Book accommodations in a central location like Hotel Marignan in the heart of the Latin Quarter. Photo: EuroCheapo

Hotels

23. Don’t pay for breakfast in a hotel or hostel if you don’t have to. It will probably cost you about €9-14 for something that you get (fresher!) at the corner bakery for about €3-4.

24. Do book a hotel that’s as central as possible to avoid wasting time in transit. You might have to pay a few more euros per night, but you’ll save a lot of time and money. EuroCheapo has hotels whether you’re a romantic or traveling with your family. Check out our full guide to cheap Paris hotels.

25. Don’t touch those items in the minibar. Head to the nearest supermarket to pick up water, drinks, snacks, champagne, fruit, etc.

Always keep an eye on your stuff in touristy areas like cafes and popular attractions. Photo: Danile Lobo

Money and Safety

26. Don’t carry your passport and all of your credit cards with you. Leave your passport and some of your plastic in a safe back in the hotel. (Also, do make a copy of the passport and keep it with your travel documents.)

27. Don’t fall for street scams (aggressive petitioners, “charity” collectors, bracelet/ring scam artists, three-card monte dealers, shell game hucksters, etc.). But don’t be freaked out by normal people. Simply avoid anyone who approaches you in an unusual manner. If it feels odd, keep on walking.

28. Don’t let your guard down. Petty crime exists here. Just because Paris can seem like a movie set doesn’t mean pickpockets don’t lurk in the shadows. When sitting at a cafe, keep your purse safe and valuables (including that smartphone!) off the table. Things can disappear from your table between sips…

Shopping

29. Don’t take pictures of people in shops. They tend not to like it that much. It’s going to get awkward.

30. Do go to Paris’s famous flea markets to find something totally unique to bring home. We promise you’ll find something more special than an Eiffel Tower snow globe. (Well, you might find a cool vintage Eiffel Tower snow globe.) Check out a few of our favorite flea markets.

31. Don’t be entirely cheap. Sometimes a few extra euros can go a long way. And if you want to embark on a shopping spree, here’s how to do it on a budget.

Yes, a river cruise along the Seine is touristy, but it’s also a lovely way to see Paris. Photo: Jean-Pierre

Sightseeing

32. Do visit all of the touristy sights that you’ve been eager to visit, even if there’s someone in your group moaning and groaning about it. Don’t leave with regrets about not having visited (fill-in-the-blank). You can even get started on your very first day in Paris.

33. However, don’t feel you have to go to Versailles, even though it’s famous and big and glorious. It won’t change your life unless you’re completely obsessed with Louis XIV.

34. Do buy a travel guide. Much of the information listed is evergreen and will be useful. Plus, it doesn’t run out of batteries and it’s a lot less costly to lose (or spill a glass of wine onto) than an iPad. Here are a few of our favorite Paris guidebooks.

35. Do read a few websites and travel blogs before visiting. (As you’re reading this post right now, you’ve already mastered this one. Well done!) Often websites have more offbeat and more recently updated information than guidebooks and magazines.

36. Don’t bring a selfie stick. No one will like you, and many museums look down on them. Take your photo the old fashioned way — ask that guy from Minnesota walking past you to take it.

37. Do take a boat ride along the Seine. It’s breezy and romantic — well, unless you get stuck with a group of 100 teenagers who are literally going bonkers.

38. Don’t come with a padlock and leave it locked to one of our monuments. Please just don’t.

39. Do take advantage of the city’s many free museums, festivals, and concerts. Paris is full of amazing free attractions, especially during the summer.

40. Don’t just see the Mona Lisa at the Louvre. Try to find something else that resonates with you — and that you don’t have to fight to get close to.

41. Do keep your expectations realistic and remain flexible, with a sense of humor, if possible. Paris is not perfect and sometimes things don’t go as planned. (The Eiffel Tower workers go on strike the day you visit? Take a photo — you’ve got a story!)

42. Don’t plan too many day trips from Paris. I’ve lived here for years and have yet to discover all of Paris. If you have a week, you might not want to spend five days day tripping…

43. Don’t walk around with your headphones on while visiting. Why should your ears miss out while your other senses get to enjoy Paris?

44. Do know the hours and opening times of major sights in advance. Go early or late to avoid the big crowds. And know if you can book major tickets in advance (you can at the Musée d’Orsay and Eiffel Tower, among others).

45. Don’t scorn other tourists – we’re all in this together.

Don’t be afraid to take the Metro and be assertive when boarding if needed. Photo: Chris Yunker

Transportation

46. Do use the Metro to get around town when you have more than 4-5 stations between you and a destination. Is it closer? You can easily walk that. Of course, you can also take a taxi, bus or Uber, too.

47. Don’t be shy in the Metro. Say “pardon” and shove gently when needed.

48. Don’t ride a Vélib public bike if you do not feel safe cycling in a city. It seems fun (and it is!), but it can also be dangerous, especially if you’re unfamiliar with Paris’s streets and traffic patterns.

49. Do some pre-trip research on how Paris works, even if it’s very basic. Know how to get to and from the airport, for example. And be prepared for your first day in Paris.

Wi-Fi

50. Don’t try to connect to free Wi-Fi every chance you get. Yes, it’s tempting, especially if you’re used to being constantly connected back home. But you’re on vacation — Instagram and Facebook when you get back to the hotel at night. You have the power to put away your phone! (Your traveling companions will thank you for this one.)

One last thought

Do resign yourself to the fact that you can’t see it all during your visit. You’ll just have to come back. Paris is a life-long love affair, and it only gets better with each visit.

Your tips

What do you do to make your Paris adventure even better? Tell us in the comments below.

The post Paris: 50 Do’s and Don’ts guaranteed to improve your trip appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

But do you really have to? Probably not — in many European destinations boozy beverages don’t cost much. Sometimes they’re the same price or even less than soft drinks!

For example, in Prague, beer is the cheapest thing to drink after tap water, and in Spain, a glass of house wine often costs the same as a Coke. The key to drinking inexpensively in Europe? Knowing what to order depending on what country you’re in.

Related: Hungry? 10 favorite cheap snacks in Europe

10 Cheap drinks we like to sip in Europe

While a basic knowledge of what locals drink will lead you in the right direction, here are ten of our favorite cheap drinks from around Europe. Regarding cost, all of these drinks are typically available for €3-5 or less, especially if you order them away from major attractions.

Here’s how to get booze (and a buzz) while traveling on a budget in Europe.

1. Calimocho – Spain

Also spelled kalimotxo, this ’70s era student drink is equal parts cola and cheap red wine. Thought to have originated in Basque Country, the drink is widespread throughout Spain. It’s best ordered any place where university students congregate and in small neighborhood joints.

Want to order something slightly more grown up? Try a tinto de verano, a refreshing mix of red wine and lemon soda or sweetened soda water.

Related: 5 tips for saving on wine in Spain

Enjoying a beer in Prague. Photo: Jeffrey

2. Beer – Czech Republic

Drinking on a budget in Prague is easy. Just stick to local brews like Pilsner Urquell, Staropramen, and Budweiser Budvar. At $1-2 on average, a frosty pint is pretty much always cheaper than anything else you’d be tempted to drink — including coffee and wine.

Some other countries where you’re typically best off drinking beer to keep costs under control include Germany, Holland, and Belgium.

3. Vinho Verde – Portugal

While Portugal is also famous for its barrel-aged port and meaty Douro reds, its young, or “green” white wines make for a refreshing and budget-friendly option. They’re especially lovely when paired with local cod dishes and warm weather (which lasts well into fall around the country).

Related: Exploring Portugal: 10 days through Lisbon, Porto & Braga

4. Prosecco – Italy

It’s not always cheap to drink in Italy. But that said, wine and the sparkling wine known as Prosecco can be acquired for the bargain price of €5 or less per flute. Prosecco-based cocktails like a Bellini and Negroni spritz are also usually economically priced.

5. Radler – Austria

Refreshing and a little sweet, this local shandy is perfect for the warmer spring and summer months or year-round for folks who want something very lightly alcoholic to drink. Traditionally made from a mixture of local beer and the Austrian national drink, Almdudler (herb-flavored soda), it’s also sometimes prepared with lemonade, grapefruit, or lemon soda.

6. Froccs – Hungary

This summery drink mixes wine with soda water and is called different things depending on the water to wine ratio. Made with a 2-to-1 wine ratio this drink is called “nagyfröccs”, and with a 3-to-2 ratio it’s called “házmester”. If you’re visiting during Hungary’s frosty winter months, sub in “forralt bor”, a traditional mulled wine to warm you up instead.

Accommodations: The best budget hotels in Budapest

7. Kir – France

This white wine-based cocktail is thought to have come about in the 1950s when the mayor of Dijon tried to make the most of a bad batch of wine by adding black currant liquor. It’s typically served as an aperitif (before the meal) and should be the color of a rose or blush wine, not darker.

If you’re feeling particularly spendy or celebratory, splurge on a Kir Royale, the Kir’s fancy cousin made with Champagne instead of white wine.

A selection of ouzo at a bar in Athens. Photo: Mark

8. Ouzo – Greece

Considered the national drink of Greece, this distilled liquor isn’t for folks who don’t appreciate black licorice as it’s heavily flavored with anise seed. The most famous varieties are from Lesvos and Tyrnavos. It’s best served ice-cold.

To stretch your drink, and your euros further, dilute it with water to release essential oils in the liquor and make it even more aromatic.

9. Vodka – Russia, Estonia & Poland

If you’re traveling in a country that could be described as the former Eastern block or belongs to Europe’s famed vodka belt, the drink of the same name is your safest bet for bargain booze of quality. Consumed chilled before, during, and after special occasion meals (like when you go out with visiting friends or colleagues), it’s name is Slavic for water. It’s usually sipped neat.

Related: A budget travel guide to Warsaw

10. Vermouth – Spain, Italy & France

Long regarded as an old-fashioned and out of style drink, vermouth is having a comeback in big Spanish, French, and Italian cities. This fortified and herbed wine is typically served either neat, over ice, or with a slice of citrus fruit and some soda water.

Bonus Tip

And whatever you do, skip imported tipples if you want to save on your drink bill. That means no tequila, rum, or bourbon. Drink like a local and reap maximum savings.

Do you have a favorite cheap drink in Europe? Tell us about it in the comments below.

The post Cheers! 10 cheap drinks in Europe that we love to sip appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

The caraway-flavored liqueur Allasch is too sweet for our taste, but it has become over the years the signature drink of Leipzig—even though its origins go back to Latvia. There is plenty of Allasch in Leipzig shops, but we do wonder if these days it is purchased mainly by tourists.

The Finnish liquor Minttu is a minty spirit that pairs well with hot chocolate. Photo: trontnort

Baltic favorites in Latvia, Estonia and Finland

Latvians may have lost their taste for Allasch, but Riga Black Balsam is still going strong. It has been made in Riga for over 250 years. Its distinctive ceramic flagons are a Latvian icon, but you will also run across Black Balsam in maritime communities across the Baltic region.

Vana Tallinn cannot claim the heritage of Black Balsam, as it is a child of the sixties, when Estonians realized that cheap Caribbean rum could be improved through the addition of a cocktail of spices. It comes in a medley of styles, some verging on the bizarre. Vana Tallinn Chocolate Cream is one to ponder.

Moving north from Tallinn across the Gulf of Finland, you might run across Minttu, which is as minty as the name implies. We think it is made only slightly more palatable by mixing it with hot chocolate, just as Finns often do in winter. Another Finnish favorite is Lakka, made out of cloudberries. Take it straight, on ice or mixed in with coffee.

Patxaran is a traditional Spanish spirit made from sloe berries. Photo: Pablo Arroyo

Further flavors

Here’s a handful of other local drinks to tickle your taste buds as you travel around Europe:

1. Patxaran – Spain

Made from sloe berries, this drink comes from Navarre in northern Spain, but it’s also a firm favorite in the Basque region just to the north.

2. Cantueso – Spain

Brimming with thyme flavors, a bottle of this is hard to find once you get beyond the Alicante region of Spain.

3. Noyau de Poissy – France

Crafted from apricots, this regional drink is a specialty of Poissy, a community on the bank of the River Seine just downstream from Paris.

4. Becherovka – Czech Republic

This spirit comes in distinctive green bottles which are found everywhere in Karlovy Vary in the Czech Republic. The town even has a museum devoted to the history of its signature drink.

5. Danziger Goldwasser – Poland

Intimately associated with the Polish city of Gdansk, we suspect that nowadays it is mainly German visitors to the city who splash out on a bottle. It is a herbal liqueur which has wafer-thin flakes of real gold floating in it. Devotees of this oddball drink debate how far the gold inflects the taste.

The post Sipping your way through Europe: The geography of regional drinks appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Saving your pennies can feel like an impossible task in a city like London when just using public transport can burn a massive hole in your pocket. Thankfully, all the main museums are free, meaning that large chunks of your day can be spent admiring everything from the wonders of the universe at the Science Museum, to the world-famous artwork at the National Gallery without parting with a penny.

Beyond the museums, you need to be crafty to get the best value out of central London – so get your Oyster Card ready (see my previous post on saving on public transport) and follow these tips to have fun on a budget in London.

Cheapo-friendly live music

Ronnie Scott’s aside, many of London’s lesser known blues and jazz bars offer free entry and excellent live music. Plus, the venues are quirky and the atmosphere friendly and relaxed.

Try Ain’t Nothin’ But blues bar in Soho for a fun night of live entertainment without the hefty entry fees. There is live music every night of the week and free entry Sunday-Thursday. On Fridays and Saturdays it’s free to get in before 8.30 p.m.

The Spice of Life in Cambridge Circus, Soho, also hosts an eclectic open-mic night on Mondays and a blues jam on Tuesdays, both of which are free to get in.

Free laughs at Islington’s Camden Head. Photo: Dom Stocqueler

Alternatively, head to the Road Trip Bar in Old Street on a Wednesday night for the jazz-fusion Hoxton Jam.

For something more relaxed, factor in a trip to ‘Round Midnight in Angel, Islington for the Monday night acoustic session which kicks off at 8 p.m.

Free laughs

London is also home to an impressively large number of free comedy nights, so if you’re up for a bit of good old British humor, this is an ideal Cheapo way to spend an evening.

The beautiful Queen’s Head pub in Denman Street (Piccadilly Circus) runs The Absolutely Free Comedy Night every Wednesday and Sunday from 8.30 p.m.

The Camden Head, just off Islington’s buzzing Upper Street, plays host to Angel Comedy on Saturday nights, plus Free and Funny every Thursday and each second and third Sunday of the month, all of which start at 8 p.m.

If you’re in the mood for a New York sense of humor, don’t miss Lewis Schaffer is Free Until Famous at The Source Below, just behind Regent Street. The Brooklyn-born comedian’s twice weekly show has become pretty legendary on the London comedy scene and is now in its 18th year. Catch Lewis on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 8 p.m. and be sure to register your name on the guestlist in advance to guarantee entry.

Eat, drink and be pampered

If you’re looking to frequent some of London’s more exclusive establishments on a Cheapo’s budget, be sure to check out Travelzoo’s Local Deals. I can’t guarantee what you’ll find as the deals change all the time, but I have been wowed by huge savings at some of London’s finest restaurants, as well as some pretty nifty deals to swanky spas and bars. The deals last for several months so even if you see something ahead of your trip you can snap it up and then use it when you arrive in London.

For discounts on all sorts of different restaurants across the city, from the cheap and cheerful to the downright expensive, make sure you check out TopTable before booking. This is especially good for lunch and pre-theatre menus.

Also in our guide: All laughing aside, we also have recommendations for great inexpensive hotels in our London guide. Our editors have inspected, photographed and reviewed hotels throughout central London looking for the best deals.

The post London: A Cheapo’s guide to free live music and comedy clubs appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Happy hours galore

The Marais, French for “swamp,” is one of the oldest neighborhoods in Paris, located primarily between the St-Paul and Hotel de Ville Métro stations. Studded with free cultural attractions (Musée Carnavalet, Pavillon d’Arsenal, Victor Hugo House, etc.) it is also the historic Jewish, gay, and more recently Chinese neighborhood.

A walk down rue du Temple, rue des Archives, or rue du Vieille du Temple will take you into the heart of the gay district. The three streets run parallel and streets perpendicular to them are filled with endless watering holes, cafés, and nightspots catering to a largely male clientele.

A night on the town can easily start at the Open Café on rue des Archives. Happy hour pints of beer are a great way to get things going (€3.70, 6-10PM). (17 Rue des Archives, 75004)

After Open’s happy hour ends, hop around a bit, maybe to Banana Café. The Josephine-Baker inspired bar on the edge of the Marais, in the adjacent Châtelet neighborhood, serves up happy hour until 11 p.m. (€3 pints, 6-11 p.m.). If you’re in the bar before 11 p.m., you’ll be able to skip the cover to go dancing downstairs where the party continues. (13 Rue de la Ferronnerie, 75001)

If you’re not ready to dance, head back into the heart of the Marais where happy hour starts up again at Le Feeling, with €3 brews available until midnight (€3 pints, happy hour 7-9 p.m., then 11 p.m.-12 a.m.). Beware of – or marvel at – the Turkish toilet. (43 rue Sainte-Croix la Bretonnerie, 75004)

Dancing and Mingling

If you’ve had enough to drink and want to experience more gay nightlife, the streets branching off rue des Archives are your best bet for mingling and dancing.

FreeDJ, located between Open Café and Le Feeling, has no cover and two floors of dancing. Upstairs most people are simply waiting for the coat check while downstairs the cave bar plays all of the Lady Gaga and Rhianna that you could want. These are tiny Medieval Parisian buildings, so be prepared to get cozy on the dance floor. (35 rue Ste-Croix de la Bretonnerie, 75004)

Across the rue des Archives from the Open, Spyce, one of the newest additions to the Marais, offers €2 half-pints if you’re in by happy hour (€2 half pints, 6-10 p.m.). If not, it still has all the people watching you’ll need. (23 rue Sainte-Croix de la Bretonnerie, 75004)

Across the street, terraces fill up (even on colder nights) at the aptly named Cox on rue des Archives with a mixed set. (15 Rue des Archives, 75004)

A younger set can be found at Raidd Bar on rue du Temple, featuring a live shower performance by some of the healthier-looking locals. All three of these choices are free to enter, however, trying to enter these dance bars with large groups of girls can be a problem, and bouncers might refuse the ladies. You’ve been warned. (23 Rue du Temple, 75004)

To finish the night, Duplex is a laidback hangout to mix with locals over a beer or two (only €2.80 for a half pint). (25 rue Michel-Comte, 75003)

Dancing and mingling can also continue until the wee hours of the morning downstairs at nearby Cud, though drinks tend to be pricier. (12 rue des Haudriettes, 75003)

By 5 a.m. you’ll be wondering why anyone ever told you to go to Queen on the Champs-Elysées…

Your favorite gay bars in Paris?

Do you have a favorite bar to add to our list? Have any comments about the bars mentioned? Share with us in our comments section.

Also in our guide: If you’re heading to Paris soon and are looking for affordable accommodation, check out our hotel reviews posted in our Paris guide, with many listings in the Marais. Read more in our Paris hotel guide.

The post Paris: A Cheapo guide to Paris’ gay bars (for the boys) appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

So here’s what to do to keep the coins in your pocket and the wine in your tummy.

Squat a Piazza

If you’re not picky on location but like to be around people, here’s what I suggest. Make your way to one of the piazzas, like Piazza Sant’Ambrogio and find yourself a seat on the steps of the church or any of the benches.

Next, resist the temptation to drink at one of the surrounding establishments. They will be overpriced and lousy. Instead, walk the neighboring streets until you find a little store (some call it a “kiosk”) that sells cheap beer and wine. There are lots of these in Florence and lots of people do it.

Purchase a beverage, return to the piazza, soak up the ambiance and toast the stars.

Fun bars for aperitivo

If you are not big fan of “piazza guzzle” here’s a few bars that are fun. First try “Volume” in Piazza Santo Spirito with its vintage/museum deco. Or the nearby La Cité (still my personal favorite) with its book-covered walls and small music stage.

Or maybe it’s food you want with your aperitivo, so try Kitsch Bar where you’ll have access to a full buffet of Italian specialties during aperitivo time.

If pubs are more your thing, try The Lion’s Fountain Pub, which is usually overflowing onto the square.

Bottoms Up

Have you heard of Vin Santo? If not you need to try it. Often made in Tuscany’s very own Chianti Region, Vin Santo is a strong sweet wine served either before or after dinner (or at any other time of the day that you see fit). You can pick it up anywhere that sells wine, but my suggestion would be one of the larger supermarkets where it is definitely cheaper (Coop, Esselunga, etc.).

And if you are completely new to the Italian drinking scene, consider trying an ice cold shot of Limoncello, a lemon liqueur from the south or a shot of Grappa, Italy’s answer to Tequila.

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Fear not: Whether you are a wine buff or a wine buffoon,  we are here to help with a short guide to Lazio wines and to the maze of Italian classifications.

Lazio wines

Lazio, the region in which Rome is situated, is not as well known for its wines as other Italian regions such as Tuscany and Abruzzo, but it still has a fair few to sample.

In the 1930s, the Lazio region suffered from boggy, malaria-infested land. However, Mussolini initiated a “bonification” program to make the land usable, which  meant workers from the north brought down local grapes such as Merlot or Cabernet. This has led to a diverse wine industry in the region.

Around 80% of the wines produced in Lazio are white, with the best known being Frascati from the Castelli Wine Region just close to Rome and Est Est Est, from Lake Bolsena, further north towards Umbria. Lovers of red should try a sip of Cesanese del Piglio or look out for the Red Cremere (produced by local vineyard Terre del Veio). There is even a Rosato Risona Rosé wine (which is nothing like the sweet, cloying wine drunk by teenagers at the height of 1970’s sophistication).

Wine Classification System

How do you know if you are buying a wine bargain or something that would be better sprinkled on your chips? Luckily, Italy has its own system for classifying wine quality. Bring along this (not very) serious guide and you will never have to worry again…

DOCG – Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita

This classification denotes the highest quality recognition for Italian wines, and only a few achieve this status. To be sipped seriously without the use of a straw and served on very special occasions such as marriage proposals and honeymoons, or sampled freely and without discretion at wine tastings.

DOC wine – Denominazione di Origine Controllata

Good stuff. Wine that has passed a strict set of tests to ensure its provenance and to ensure that the region’s produce remains distinct. Probably one to buy for a first date or a business lunch, ensuring that the label can be seen at all times.

IGT – Indicazione di Geografica Tipica

General wines that are suitable for the table. These wines are often grown in specific geographical growing regions but without the strict controls of DOC wines. Tend to be of a lesser quality, but excellent DOC wines fall under this to avoid the paperwork for DOC status.  (It’s worth tasting them all to check.) Works well if drunk as a second bottle and/or third.

VdT – Vino Da Tavola

This signifies wines that have met no other criteria than that they were produced somewhere in Italy. Fine in an emergency, but most suitable for buying as a present to take home to relatives or colleagues that you don’t like very much.

And if all that sounds like too much hard work, ask for the house wine, or “vino sfuso,” which costs hardly anything (you should pay around €4 for half a liter) and goes down like a treat. The best advice is just to try as many as you can!

Cheers!

The post Rome: A quick guide to local wines (and Italian wine classification) appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Fiaschetteria-Trattoria Mario (Via Rosina, 2r. Tel. 055218550) is only open for lunch. Go early and be prepared to eat on your feet—or squeeze in at the first available seat with groups of hungry locals.

On the other side of town, at Trattoria Accadi (Via Borgo Pinti, 56r. Tel. 0552478410; see above), a Japanese head chef turns out some darn good Tuscan Italian specialties at rock bottom prices. You can actually have two hefty courses for around €12 total.

Who said you can’t eat cheap in this most touristed of cities?

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