While there are tons of “official” Christmas activities to partake in over the next few weeks, you’ll find that many (like the plethora of ice rinks that have popped up in all corners of the capital) don’t really fit within a Cheapo’s budget. From raising a pint at a cheery pub to taking in the view of the famous Christmas lights on Oxford Street, London is a good place to be for Cheapos.

So here are some foolproof ways to embrace the festive spirit without frittering away your Christmas present budget!

Read more about visiting London:
• Here are the 5 best cheap hotels in Central London
• 10 Free things that will make you fall in love with London
• Follow these 25 tips for a much better trip to London

Christmas in London: Fun activities for less

1. The London pub

A favorite retreat at all times of the year, London’s traditional pubs come into their own at Christmas time. Serving up warming mugs of mulled wine and cider while offering some cozy relief from the bitter cold, make the pub your first port of call. Of particular note is the Churchill Arms in Kensington, which gets into the Christmas spirit with holiday decorations everywhere you look, while our round-up of favorite London pubs is also a good place to start.

Related: Everything you need to know about raising a pint in a British pub

2. Carolers are caroling

Belting out some carols to your heart’s content is a fun way to feel festive and there’s no better place to do it than around Trafalgar Square’s enormous Christmas Tree (an annual gift from Norway to London). Four hours of carol singing takes place daily from December 9 to 24 (except 14 and 22) from 4 to 9 pm on weekdays and 2 to 7 pm on weekends. It’s free to attend but donations are encouraged.

Related: 10 free things to do during winter in London

3. Release your inner child

Whether you have children or not, a trip to Hamleys is a sure-fire way to get into the Christmas spirit. This wonderful toy store, the oldest in the world, buzzes with life and excitement every day of the week but never more so than at Christmas. It has been a Regent Street institution since 1881 but actually started life even earlier, back in 1760. Containing 50,000 toys across seven floors, after a mulled wine in the pub it’s another great pit stop to get some welcome respite from the cold.

4. Light up London

Another free and festive activity is to take in London’s best illuminations and decorations, which you’ll find all over the city. Oxford Street and Regent Street have the biggest light displays, but nearby Carnaby and South Molten Streets, as well as St Christopher’s Place, always boast some truly magical creations. The Christmas tree and decorations in Covent Garden piazza are another must-sees, while you can enjoy the fantastic window displays at classy shops like Harrods, Harvey Nichols, Fortnum & Mason, and Selfridges without having to fork out any cash at all.

Related: How to shop in London without blowing your budget

5. Welcome to Winter Wonderland

Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland has been running for years and while it is a family favorite, it’s also known for big crowds and hefty price tags. The fun runs daily through January 5th, 10 am to 10 pm (closed on December 25th). A few other Christmas activities to take note of are Winter at Southbank Centre and Christmas in Leicester Square with a lively market and shows inside a 1920s spiegeltent.

Have you been to London during the holidays? Let us know your favorite cheap and free things to do at Christmas time!

The post London: Free and cheap things to do for Christmas appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

But all those extra bobbles and balls do not mean you can’t still find some affordable cheer around town.

It’s not too late to book one of the best cheap hotels in Paris and head to the City of Light for a holiday getaway as 2019 turns into 2020.

More Paris budget tips

• Paris on the Cheap: The top 25 free things to do
• A guide to finding the best time of year to visit Paris
• 10 ways to prepare for your Paris vacation

How to celebrate the holiday season in Paris

Have you ever dreamed of visiting Paris in the weeks leading up to Christmas and New Year’s Eve? Here are six easy ways to celebrate in Paris à la Cheapo.

1. Bask in the glow

Through early January, the city’s iconic streets are aglow with holiday lights, Christmas window displays and the sounds of the holidays. Of special note are the trees and lights at Place Vendome (through January 2020) the festive decorations hanging across rue Montorgueil, and of course, the ever-campy but always appreciated displays on the historic Champs-Elysées (November 24 to January 8, 2020).

Ladling up a mulled mug at the Christmas market along the Champs-Elysées. Photo: anniemole

2. Stroll with mulled wine

To appreciate the lights, be sure to grab a cup of hot wine (vin chaud) to go while strolling the streets. The Christmas markets, while selling plenty of trinkets, do manage to provide enough of the sweetened, spiced wine to make them worth a trip. Once the holidays are finished, the wine is still available in most cafés, and is often a bit tastier — and it doesn’t get cold as quickly.

Check out the official Paris tourism website for the 2019 list of markets and holiday activities.

A classic and affordable French dining experience awaits at Chartier. Photo: shufgy

3. Feast for less

Holiday eating in Paris can be tricky because many places close on December 24, 25, and January 1, but diners won’t starve, even on a budget. A simple yet exceedingly affordable meal can be had at old favorite Chartier while those looking to drop a bit more can have a four-course Christmas meal (including Champagne!) at the famed Coupole for €75. Though it may seem steep, it’s a lot cheaper than many holiday menus around town!

Ice skate under the spectacular dome of the Grand Palais. Photo: Le Grand Palais des Glaces Facebook Page

4. Hit the rink

Winter is here, but that doesn’t mean you have to spend all of your time in Paris huddled away. Strap on your skates or rent a pair and hit the largest rink in the world at Le Grand Palais from December 13 to January 8, 2020. You can also skate at the Christmas Market at Champs de Mars right under the Eiffel Tower (through January 2020). If it’s a bit too frigid outside, the Patinoire Pailleron by the Parc de Buttes Chaumont is a bit more tolerable with its indoor rink and costs just a few euros to take hit the ice.

Ring in the New Year with a twinkling Eiffel Tower. Photo: tonyjcase

5. Toast the New Year

Although there haven’t been fireworks for several years in Paris on New Year’s, the Eiffel Tower does offer a lively light show, and the Champs-Elysees is the place to be if you want to join the throngs. Otherwise, don’t expect much more than a Champagne toast at midnight and some rabble-rousers in the streets.

A cake fit for a king. Photo: lesteph

6. …and cut the cake

There is more to look forward to in early 2020. On January 6, the Feast of the Epiphany, you’ll see bakeries decked out with the galette des rois, the frangipane-based cake that ushers in the New Year. A small figurine of the baby Jesus is hiding inside each cake, and French tradition holds that he or she who finds the token in their slice buys next year’s cake.

Did you find the baby? Congratulations! You can start off the New Year in debt — vive la France!

Your tips

Have you been to Paris during the holiday season? Tell us what you like to do during your visit!

The post Paris: 6 ways to celebrate the holidays (without blowing your budget) appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

There’s just one catch — it’s also one of the most expensive times when it comes to booking hotels. And although there are ways to save on your New York hotel, with so many sparkling attractions, millions of other travelers want to experience this special holiday joy as well. Rates soar and rooms fill up fast. 2019 might bring a little relief because the holiday falls on a Wednesday making it harder for travelers to plan a long weekend getaway.

However, there are a handful of hotels that keep prices down, even during one of the busiest times of the year. Here are three hotels that put you in the heart of the holiday action for less. All of our picks offer double rooms for under $160 on Christmas Eve.

New York is full of surprises, even holiday hotel rates sometimes!

Related:
• Cheapo Guide: Visiting New York on a budget
• 5 Super cheap and central hotels in New York City
• Best cheap hotels near Broadway theaters

Affordable New York Christmas hotels

The classic Hotel 31 makes an affordable home base during the holidays.

Hotel 31

120 East 31st St (between Lexington & Park Ave)
Doubles with shared bathroom on Christmas Eve from: $134

Nestled between two major Manhattan streets, this two-star hotel puts you in a lovely New York neighborhood. There’s nothing trendy about the hotel’s location or style (think “grandmotherly”), but the rooms are cozy, very clean and come with free Wi-Fi. When you want to see New York decked out for the season, you can stroll over to Madison Square Park or the Union Square Holiday Market in about 15 minutes.

On Christmas Eve, you can walk a few blocks south to Gramercy Park to see the beautiful tree and sing carols. It’s the only time of the year when the park is open to the public!

Pod 51 Hotel

230 East 51st (at Second Ave)
Doubles with a private bathroom on Christmas Eve from: $122

Sure the rooms are tiny, but so are the prices for Christmastime in NYC!  You can walk to Central Park in about 15 minutes or head south to Grand Central Terminal to see the Holiday Train Show. In the morning, you can go around the corner to Ess-a-Bagel for the perfect way to start your holiday adventure!

Get into the holiday spirit with a stroll over to Fifth Avenue for the sparkling window displays, then hit up Rockefeller Center which is only 10 minutes from Pod 51.

The Hotel @ Times Square has a comfy sitting area, perfect for reading your guidebook (or iPhone!) before heading out.

The Hotel @ Times Square

59 West 46th St (at 6th Ave)
Doubles on Christmas Eve from: $152

With a location, just a five-minute stroll to the famous tree and ice rink at Rockefeller Center in one direction and Bryant Park Winter Village the other way, this three-star hotel places you in the middle of the holiday festivities. And did we mention they have spacious rooms (at least by Manhattan standards), coffee makers, Wi-Fi and free breakfast? It will be hard to find a better (or cheaper for what you get) base for exploring New York during the holidays.

More options

Want to see more affordable hotel options in the center of Manhattan? Check out our guide to recommended budget hotels in New York.

The post Surprisingly affordable New York hotels for Christmas appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

But how do you do it without breaking the bank? Considering that average nightly hotel rates during Thanksgiving in New York can reach well above $500 per night, getting a deal is no small task.

Good news, Cheapos, we’ve been keeping an eye on hotel prices for Thanksgiving’s big-ticket nights (Wednesday, November 27th through Sunday, December 1st) and were pleasantly surprised by the number of affordable hotel options still available.

Let us preface this by saying that hotels in New York, by and large, aren’t always cheap. In fact, during peak times the rates have a tendency to become fairly outrageous. Fortunately, our editors have scouted out dozens of budget hotel options that are central, cheap, clean and perfect locations to explore this wonderful city.

Hotels for an affordable Thanksgiving in New York

Here are four of our favorites that have availability and reasonable rates for this Thanksgiving holiday. Note: Rates quoted are based on double occupancy for searches conducted on Thursday, 10/10/19. Rates will likely increase as we get closer to the holiday.

#1: The Jane Hotel

113 Jane Street in Greenwich Village / West Village
Thanksgiving Weekend Price: From $125

Perk: Charming neighborhood and free bicycles for guests

From our review: “Part SRO (Single Room Occupancy) and part hipster den, the Jane Hotel is a beautiful beast, a glammed-up flophouse in a gorgeous ‘hood. And best of all for visiting Cheapos, the Jane offers twin rooms with shared bath for low prices.”

Staying in the West Village is a treat that will usually cost you a bundle. If you’re looking for something that’s a little bit quirky and fun, The Jane might be for you.

Pod 51 Hotel makes a fun and affordable Thanksgiving stay.

#2: Pod 51 Hotel

230 East 51st St. in Midtown East / Murray Hill
Thanksgiving Price: $189

Perk: In the heart of Midtown near the subway

From our review: “The two-star Pod Hotel is an appealing and affordable option in the heart of Midtown East, offering well-designed (if tight) rooms with seriously low rates.”

The rooms might be really tiny but they’re also well-designed with a modern look. If you don’t mind sharing a bathroom, you’ll have a great location near Grand Central Terminal and the United Nations. The famous Fifth Avenue stores and holiday window displays are also a quick stroll away.

A clean and comfy room at Seafarers & International House.

#3: Seafarers & International House

123 East 15th St. Broome Street in Union Square / Gramercy
Thanksgiving Price: $102

Perk: Near Union Square’s holiday market

From our review: “The Seafarers and International House is run by the Augustana Lutheran mission as, officially at least, a sanctuary for sailors and sojourners… In addition to its great location, a stone’s throw from Union Square, and affordable rates, the Seafarers and International House provides a friendly — if undeniably religious — atmosphere.”

Rooms might be basic, but with an incredible location like this for such a cheap price, we’ll happily hop on board!

Which one would you choose, Cheapos? 

Are you headed to New York this Thanksgiving? Tell us about your hotel! Also, if you’re planning a visit, be sure to read our previous post on the best spots to watch the Thanksgiving Day Parade.

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Though costume parties for October 31st are growing increasingly popular across the continent, most countries in Europe still do not celebrate Halloween in quite the same way as the United States does. Trick or treating has just not caught on yet.

To get your spooky fix on that next European vacation — whether on All Hallows Eve or any other time of year — check out one of these spine-tingling tours and attractions.

More spooky posts on EuroCheapo:

• EuroCheapo’s Spookiest Hotel Ghosts (7 photos!)
• Five haunted (and free!) spots in New York City
• Free haunted walking tours in NYC

Paris: The Catacombs

From the late 1700s to the mid-1800s, the remains of about six million Parisians were dug up from cemeteries around the city and reinterred in a central ossuary, known as the Catacombs of Paris, a site that should be on every traveler’s shortlist of must-see Paris attractions.

Visitors descend 130 steps beneath the Paris streets for a 1.2-mile trek through poorly lit passageways. Whoever designed the Catacombs definitely had a taste for the macabre: An engraving above the entranceway to the ossuary reads, “Stop! For this is the kingdom of Death,” and the bones are artfully arranged in mounds with scores of skulls on top that seem to stretch on indefinitely. Perhaps the creepiest thing about the Catacombs is the pile of bones at the street exit — the artifacts that visitors have tried to take home as souvenirs.

Details: 1, Avenue du Colonel Henri Rol-Tanguy. Admission is €13.

London: Jack the Ripper Tours

We may never know the identity of the UK’s most famous serial killer, but the legend surrounding Jack the Ripper still scares the bejeezus out of us. Tramping through the back streets of East London on a dark October night seems a fitting tribute to this grisly murderer.

Though many groups offer similar excursions, London Discovery Tours claim to have the “original” Jack the Ripper tour. With a published historian at its head, the company certainly promises a thorough background in the murders, the suspects, and neighborhood history. The two-hour circuit winds through cobblestone streets to point out sites where the victims lived and died.

Details: Tours start at the Aldgate East Underground station at 7 pm nightly. Reservations must be made in advance; the cost is £10 per person.

Exploring the spooky Underground Vaults in Edinburgh. Photo fw42

Edinburgh: The Underground Vaults

Many cities boast myths of people living underneath the streets, but in Edinburgh the legends are true. In the late 1700s and early 1800s, a veritable underground city of chambers, vaulted rooms, tunnels, and passageways existed below South Bridge. In these darkened, confined spaces thousands of people lived — and some say their spirits never left. Abandoned in the 1830s, the Underground Vaults reopened to the public in 1996.

Your guide into this underground world is Mercat Tours, who will lead you on a 1-hour and 15-minute tour of the haunted vaults.

Details: From October to March, Mercat offers tours daily at 3 and 5 pm. Reservations are £13 for adults.

Budapest: Nighttime Visits at the Labyrinth of Buda Castle (currently closed)

Located underneath Buda Castle, the Labyrinth is eerie enough in the daytime when it’s illuminated by electric lights. After dark, however, with only a lantern as a guide, the stone passageways are downright spooky. Personally, we’d steer clear of the Labyrinth of Love (where couples start at opposite ends of the maze and meet in the middle for a “romantic” rendezvous undisturbed in one of the chambers), but a Dante-themed program makes our skin crawl in a good way. Forty minutes alone in the darkened halls with visions of the Divine Comedy in our heads? Let’s not think about what demons may be lurking just around the corner!

Find your own way out of purgatory by booking your night tour in advance via the Labyrinth of Buda Castle website (hours and days vary by tour; the Dante tour is available Mondays at midnight, Wednesdays at 11 pm, and Saturdays at 5 am). Adult tickets cost 2,000 forints (about $9) and include one regular admission during daytime hours.

Note: the Labyrinth is temporarily closed and is undergoing government inspection — we hope it will be back open sometime soon!

About the author: Liz Webber is an associate editor at ShermansTravel.com, a leading site for hand-picked travel deals and expert destination advice.

The post Boo! Spooky places to celebrate Halloween in Europe appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

So come on Cheapos, it’s time to pull out all the stops and show that special someone you care with a romantic (and budget-friendly) day out in London!

Call your sweetheart, book an affordable hotel in the heart of London, and follow along for a fun-filled adventure.

1. Escape the city on a romantic walk

Many visitors to London go no further than Regent’s and Hyde Park when in search of green spaces, but to really escape the madness of the city, just head north to Hampstead Heath. This wild and rambling area of parkland is the perfect place to get away from it all and whisper sweet nothings.

The view from Hampstead Heath. Photo: Martin Deutsch

Lakes, swimming ponds, rolling hills, and woodland all make for the perfect romantic backdrop. So, if the weather is good, take along a picnic and make a day of it. Don’t miss the climb to the top of Parliament Hill, one of London’s highest points, where you can take in a spectacular view of the city’s major landmarks including The London Eye, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Canary Wharf and the Gherkin, to name but a few.

Hampstead Heath
Highgate Road NW3 7JR
Tube: Hampstead

2. Snuggle up at the movies

Make a trip to the cinema even more romantic and visit the Everyman. In each of the Everyman cinemas, you can choose to reserve a plush sofa for two complete with footrests and “sofa service” so you can sit back and enjoy a more intimate cinema experience. Although a little more pricey than a normal cinema ticket, with sofas priced at £17.50 per person, it certainly adds a touch of romance and is perfect for a special occasion.

Everyman Cinemas (several locations in London)
See website for more information.

3. Splurge on a romantic view of the city

Enjoy the ultimate romantic London experience and head for a sunset drink at the lovely Oxo Tower Bar. Whilst just thinking about dining at the Oxo Tower Restaurant or Brasserie is enough to leave most Cheapo’s out of pocket, sipping on an early evening drink is easier on your wallet and certainly worth the splurge. Located on London’s South Bank, the Oxo Tower is one of the city’s most iconic restaurants and the views across the river are unbeaten.

Oxo Tower Wharf
South Bank SE1 9PH
Tube: Waterloo / Southwark
website

4. Wine and dine by candlelight

There’s no better place to cozy up together and enjoy a great meal than at Gordon’s. Opened in 1890, this atmospheric haunt claims to be London’s oldest wine bar and offers excellent wine, exquisite cheese platters, and tasty traditional English fare at reasonable prices (meals cost between £10-13).

Gordon’s Wine Bar oozes character with low lighting and candlelit tables tucked away in the nooks and crannies of this underground cavern. It is entirely unique and is the ideal setting for that special romantic meal.

Gordon’s Wine Bar
47 Villiers Street WC2N 6NE
Tube: Embankment / Charing Cross
website

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Sure, it’ll be a little chilly but with average temperatures of around 37 to 50 degree Fahrenheit, it’s nothing a good coat, gloves and a few warm layers won’t cope with.

For budget travelers, there’s also the advantage of securing cheaper airfares and hotel rooms (if you avoid the holidays). Once you’ve made it over here, try these suggestions for enjoying London in winter on a budget.

Christmas and New Year

1. Take in one of the Winter Festivals

A whole array of mini festivals pop up in the weeks before Christmas and generally stay open until the first week of January. Entrance is free, although you’ll probably pay a premium for the mulled wine. Try the South Bank or Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland.

Or head down to Trafalgar Square in the evening to take in the impressive Christmas tree—a gift from Norway each year, in gratitude for Britain’s support in the Second World War. There are carols in the Square too, performed by charity groups to raise money, which never fail to raise the festive spirits.

2. Head to festive Somerset House

This impressive neoclassical building on the Strand is at its most picturesque in the run-up to Christmas, partly because of the hugely popular courtyard ice rink. But Somerset House has a whole range of run activities. Skating is quite pricey, but the surrounding buildings are full of free treasures to be explored. There are often free photography exhibitions, while the Courtauld Gallery, housed within Somerset House is renowned for its collection of Impressionist and Post-impressionist artworks.

If you do fancy a skate, London has several rinks to choose from— book your tickets online in advance for the best discounts.

3. Make the most of a quieter city

London is a lot quieter than usual between Christmas and New Year when lots of its residents leave the city for the holiday, or simply don’t leave their houses. Now is the time to check out the major attractions, such as the British Museum, without the crowds. Or else to simply enjoy having a bit of breathing space on the Tube.

Holiday lights along Oxford Street. Photo: Magnus D

4. Check out the Christmas lights

The main shopping streets, Oxford Street and Regent Street, are transformed with elaborate lighting schemes for Christmas, while the window displays in department stores, the likes of Selfridges, are always spectacular. It can get extremely busy with shoppers however, so come prepared.

And, if you really like a challenge, head down this way for spectacular discounts in the January sales: although you’ll really need to get your elbows out to make your way through the bargain-hunting masses.

During the rest of winter

5. Dig into some hearty grub

Traditional British food tastes at its finest in the winter months. Tuck into a bargain roast or a full English Breakfast, knowing that you’re bound to burn off the calories in the cold. Probably.

And fish and chips definitely taste at their finest when eaten straight out of their paper on a wintery evening. Then you’ll need to walk it off…

6. Go for a beautiful winter walk

Whether a stroll by the Serpentine, in Regent’s Park, or admiring the deer in Richmond Park, bright blue skies and a layer of frost can make London’s many parks look at their prettiest. For a walk in a real winter wonderland, head out to Epping Forest. It feels like the English countryside but is accessible on the tube. Plus there are pubs and restaurants close by for refueling your energy after a vigorous walk.

7. Get active outdoors

If it’s a bit too chilly to walk around, and you don’t fancy getting onto a stuffy tube train, why not get the circulation moving with a quick ride on a Boris Bike? We’ve got a guide to getting around town on this very reasonable option here. Many Londoners will be on a fitness kick after the excesses of the holiday season, so why not join us on a Park Run? It’s a free 5k run that takes places in parks all over London and the UK.

8. Shop at a local market

While London is known for its street markets, an indoor market can be easier to explore in the winter months. Alfie’s Antique Market is set over several floors and has an amazing array of antiques and collectables, available at all price points. Or the covered Brixton Market Row and Brixton Village in south London combines a long-established market with bargain eateries and vintage stores.

9. Make like a Londoner and head indoors

If we’re not at home, we’re probably in the cinema or the theatre. We’ve got a guide to bargain cinema tickets here, and how to sample London’s theatre on the cheap here.

Or perhaps we’ll be enjoying a pint in a cozy pub. Before you drink all your traveling money away, check out our guide to budget pub going.

10. Or head out for deals or a night on the town

Shops and restaurants are usually so eager to woo customers in the January slump that there are often discounts to be had. Check out Moneysavingexpert.com for the latest money-off deals, or pick up a free copy of Time Out on a Wednesday for the latest listings.

The post London: 10 tips to enjoy winter on the cheap appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Here’s a quick rundown of some of the center city’s most-accessible markets and few ideas to help you find affordable gifts:

Gendarmenmarkt: fun entertainment worth the cheap price

This is the only market I have ever been to that charges an entrance fee—to the tune of only €1. That finances an entertainment stage with constant performances, as well as fancifully costumed figures roaming the market and spreading cheer and laughter. There are many larger shops at this market offering “indoor” shopping rather than just market stands, and several restaurants also offer indoor seating.

Alexanderplatz: double your pleasure, double your fun

The square at Alexanderplatz itself is home to a very typical market, with a mix of cheap market items you might find any- and everywhere (colorful knitwear sets, leather wallets, keychains and trinkets) and more unique and handcrafted items such as jewelry, soaps, or handwoven baskets. Given its location at a major transportation crossroads for natives, this market has an abundance of food stands. This is also the most central location to shop for a souvenir for your tree at a Kathe Wohlfahrt glass ornaments shop.

In the shadow of the TV tower, just in front of City Hall, there is a second Christmas market even larger than the first. In the area surrounding the Neptune fountain is a giant ice skating rink with on-site skate rentals, a flying Santa sleigh and a large Ferris wheel. Because it is more atmospheric than its neighbor, it is often quite crowded, with comparable food and drink offerings to the other Alex market.

Potsdamer Plats Christmas Market is the first to open every holiday season. Photo: onnola

Potsdamer Platz: Austrian flair for earlybirds

This market is the first to open in the center of Berlin, usually by the middle of November, so if you’re visiting the city before the Christmas season is in full swing, you can usually get your mulled wine and candied almond fix here. It also offers a gigantic tubing hill with snow machines, if you would like to go sledding. This is a good place to pick up handcrafted wooden Christmas crafts, like arch-shaped candleholders for windows or traditional Christmas “pyramids.”

Opernpalais: nostalgic market

Back for the first time in a few years, this market just past the Cathedral and Museum Island was once among my absolute favorites. Unfortunately, the current subway line work in the area has it seemingly sandwiched between construction zones, meaning it’s best visited at night. You’ll find a unique selection of quality wares for sale here.

Beautiful Charlottenburg Palace all lit up for Christmas. Photo: Stephanie Kligast

Charlottenburg: klein aber fein (small but mighty)

This market in Charlottenburg takes place immediately in front of the palace, which makes for perhaps the best Christmas market photo opportunity in Berlin. While not the largest of the markets, it is also typically uncrowded, which can be a real blessing. Most of the food stands are gathered together, making this an excellent place for groups to meet and eat. The goods on offer are usually very high quality—and if you are in the market for a fancy hat, this is the place!

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Horst Sindermann, one-time member of the GDR politburo, recalled the events of fall 1989 in Leipzig a few years later. “We were prepared for everything,” he said. “But not for candles and prayers.”

Related: Leipzig budget travel guide

Leipzig city center with the tower of St Nicholas’ Church in the background.

Praying for change

The peace prayers at Leipzig’s St Nicholas’ Church have a history that dates back over 30 years, but it was only in late 1989 that they caught the attention of the international media. Here was a grass-roots revolution in the making. On successive Mondays there were arrests of activists and others involved in the peace prayers. On October 7, 1989, the GDR celebrated the fortieth anniversary of its foundation. Two days later, the Leipzig evening vigil with candles and prayers attracted huge crowds as never before.

Demonstrations on the streets of Leipzig

Amid an atmosphere of remarkable calm and intense concentration (but coupled with anxiety about how the authorities would react), thousands of Leipzig citizens peacefully demanded a new future for their country. The fragile flame of democracy and change was tended in the small candles carried by each participant.

If there was one turning point in the fate of their country, it was that Monday evening in Leipzig. Violent confrontation was averted, and the more intelligent members of the politburo quickly realized that power was slipping inexorably from their hands.

Recalling the peaceful revolution

Light filled the streets of Leipzig that Monday evening, and the events of 9 October 1989 are nowadays recalled each year in Leipzig’s Festival of Lights. This evening will be something special in Leipzig, but as nothing compared with 9 October 2014 when the GDR’s peaceful revolution will be recalled 25 years on. The city’s inner ring road will be closed to traffic and a series of performances and processions will recall the strong sense of community daring that characterized October 9, 1989.

An echo of 1989: the Monday demonstrations in Leipzig still take place.

For more details about the 2014 events, go to www.leipziger-freiheit.de/lichtfest.

Monday evening demonstrations continue

This evening’s events in Leipzig will be more modest in scale. If you cannot make it today, you can still catch the spirit of protest in Leipzig by visiting Leipzig any Monday evening. The peace prayers still take place at St Nicholas’ Church, perpetuating a long Leipzig tradition. It is a strong reminder that social injustice was not eradicated by the events of 1989.

The post Living History: Leipzig’s Festival of Lights on October 9 appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Warming Up

Every year, Bastille Day (July 14) kicks off with the fireman’s brigade ball on the evening of July 13, where you can go and dance the night away (until 4 a.m., to be exact) with the studly firemen of Paris in stations citywide. A small fee is sometimes charged at the door; if not, be prepared to make a small donation.

If you’d rather party in the open air, head over to the newly revamped Place de la République, which has just reopened after 18 months of renovations to make it more pedestrian-friendly and inviting, for a night of music and letting loose starting at 9:30 p.m. and continuing through dawn.

Bastille Day Classics

If you’re not too tired (or hungover) on Sunday morning, the annual military parade down the Champs-Elysées starts just after 9 a.m. Europe’s largest military parade has 4800 men and women marching in uniform, 265 military vehicles, 58 airplanes and 35 helicopters.

Sunday afternoon, a citywide meet and greet with French military personnel is a chance for locals and tourists alike to meet active duty soldiers and talk to them about their work, on the Esplanade des Invalides, the Place de la Nation and elsewhere. Free of charge.

The night of July 14 is a mob scene on the Champ de Mars as thousands of people crowd in for a birds eye view of the spectacular fireworks display starting at 11 p.m. To keep the crowds who arrive early to secure a spot, a classical concert begins at 9:30 p.m. and ends just before the fireworks begin with a group singalong of France’s national anthem, “The Marseillaise”.

Note that all Vélib stations around the Champ de Mars will be closed and inaccessible and don’t think about coming by car. Walk or take public transport and again be sure to arrive early.

Bastille Day on the Fly

Don’t feel like joining the throngs on the Champs-Elysées? Plan to be outdoors around 10:40 a.m. on Sunday morning and look up to catch a glimpse as military air jets do a patriotic fly over in normally restricted airspace above central Paris, leaving photogenic blue, white and red streaks in the Paris sky. (Ditto for Sunday evening, where the fireworks can be viewed from along the Seine, the Pont des Arts and elsewhere around the city.)

Bastille Day is a national holiday, but not all city attractions take the day off. Check out this list of museums and attractions that are open (ouvert) or closed (fermé) on the 14th if you’re not in the mood to treat it like anything but just another day.

Special perk: free parking on national holidays, including the 14th.

This Year’s Ode to the French Revolution Will Be Televised

Don’t like crowds? For the first time this year, the Bastille Day concert and fireworks will be broadcast live on French TV. If you aren’t in the mood for a rowdy scene, there’s nothing wrong with staying in like many Parisians do, grabbing a bottle of wine and kicking back in your room to watch the festivities on the small screen (or online at Paris.fr).

For more ideas on ways to celebrate, see last year’s post on Bastille Day events.

The post Inexpensive Ways to Enjoy Bastille Day Weekend in Paris appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.