So book one of our favorite budget hotels in the city, and start planning your eating adventure in Dublin.

And remember, the dining scene now offers much more than just fish and chips!

How to save on dining in Dublin

If you’re ready to explore all the delicious eats Dublin has to offer, here are a few tips to help you save along the way.

1. Seek out markets and street food

Staying away from restaurants is one of the best ways to keep your euros. Several markets offer great value (and large portions), such as the Temple Bar Market (Saturdays) or the Mespil Road Market (Thursdays). Browse through the market options for price and portion size. Check out the Visit Dublin website and the Irish Village Markets website for more details.

2. Plan a picnic

There’s great value in grocery stores, bakeries, and specialty shops. One of the best ways to enjoy a gourmet meal without the price tag is to stock up on products straight from the stores. Grab a sandwich, cheese, and charcuterie from Sheridans Cheesemongers, duck into the basement shop at Avoca for a loaf of fresh Irish brown soda bread, or stop into the grocery store Tesco to gather picnic supplies.

3. Take advantage of the early bird

Show up early to experience the best Dublin restaurants for reasonable prices. If you eat a light lunch, you might be ready for an affordable pre-theater dinner. For example, check out the lunch or pre-theater menus at Hugo’s, or Achara offers an early-bird menu from 5 to 6:30 p.m. with three courses for €25 per person.

4. Eat your biggest meal at lunchtime

Many restaurants have a similar prix-fixe menu for lunch. You can save a few euros by eating your bigger meal at lunchtime. Some restaurants with great lunch specials include The Winding Stair and Pichet.

5. Ethnic eats

Dublin doesn’t have the widest range of ethnic eats, especially in comparison to other European capitals. These restaurants do offer great value, both in the food and drink department. Stop into Hop House for affordable Korean and Japanese, Govindas for huge helpings of Indian-influenced vegetarian food, and Thai Spice for tasty Thai dishes.

The post Dublin: 5 easy ways to save on dining appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

However, tourists might find it difficult to navigate the many chains of supermarkets in Paris. Here are the names of Paris supermarkets to know if you’re ready to visit a supermarché.

Franprix

The chain with the most supermarkets in Paris, Franprix has at least one store in almost every neighborhood. Stores carry the brand “Leader Price,” one of the cheapest store brands available. Franprix offers decent produce, frozen selections and general grocery needs. Many locations are even open on Sundays and until 10 p.m. at night! This is by far the most popular supermarket choice.

Carrefour

The Walmart of France, Carrefour offers a huge variety of brand name and generic goods. Smaller Carrefour markets within Paris and larger Carrefour superstores just outside of the city limits are sure to please the most ardent grocery store addict.

Picard

While not the cheapest place to shop, Picard does offer an excellent selection of exclusively frozen goods (this is a good market if you have a freezer). You can get almost anything frozen for reasonable prices, considering the great quality. We recommend sampling the cupcakes at these Paris supermarkets.

Monoprix

Whenever anyone asks where to buy something, Monoprix is usually a good answer. Comparable to Target in the US, Monoprix also doubles as a great grocery store with inexpensive Monoprix brand products. Every arrondissement has at least one large Monoprix store in addition to smaller shops, called Monop’ Daily, for a quick sandwich or can of beans.

Related: Gourmet Picnic ideas for your Paris hotel room

Additional tips

Other Paris supermarkets to look out for include G20 and Coopérative U stores. And while not always as cheap, bodegas and corner markets sell small selections of food at reasonable prices (and stay open late!).

Be warned that most grocery stores close before 9 or 10 p.m. and—apart from a handful of Franprix stores—are rarely open on Sunday. Store brands are consistently cheaper than name brands, though the quality is not remarkably different. Plus, brands such as Leader Price and Monoprix now offer organic goods, so even organic shoppers can find a deal!

Related: Paris Outdoor Markets: 10 tips for budget shoppers

Your experience with Paris supermarkets

Do you have a favorite grocery store or supermarket in Paris? Tell us about it!

The post A guide to supermarkets in Paris appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Whether you are visiting Florence or living here on a budget, here are some simple ways to stretch your dining dollar.

So book your Florence hotel room and start thinking about all of the delicious things you will drink and eat from Bistecca alla fiorentina (a special steak dish) to the famous wines of Tuscany.

Tips for dining on a budget in Florence

Go to the market

Going to the markets in Florence is a beautiful experience, as they offer a fantastic combination of smells, amazing fresh fruit and vegetables — and no shortage of people-watching opportunities. And don’t forget your camera, because you will always find something neat to photograph.

The two main central markets in Florence are the Mercato di San Lorenzo and Mercato di Sant’Ambrogio. These are both wonderful markets, open every day except for Sundays until about 1:30 p.m.

Okay, now here’s the thing, to save your precious euros when going to the market you should know a few tricks. Many of the food stands in these markets cater to tourists and have the prices to match. I recommend taking a nice long walk around the market, looking at each stand. Look to see who is buying what at each stand. Head to the stand that has the most locals hanging around (normally this will also be the least fancy of the stands). Don’t be afraid to ask a local which stand they prefer.

At the markets, as well as in the supermarkets, all produce is sold by the kilo, so it’s always a good idea to ask how much something costs if you are not sure. You can also order by price. In this case, you would say, for example, “I’d like €3 of apples.” This way you will always know exactly how much you’re spending, especially if you are not familiar with metric quantities.

As far as the other outdoor vendors selling clothing and household items… bargain to your heart’s content! Unlike in the retail stores around town, at the market, you can bargain and sometimes get the vendor to dramatically reduce the price. When you are bargaining, I recommend having the amount of money you are offering for the item already in your hand for the vendor to see. I have had more luck that way. Happy bargaining!

Enjoy a picnic

For tourists visiting Florence, eating out every meal gets expensive quickly. Fortunately, you have access to great produce and local food products, so instead of heading to yet another restaurant, take a break and pick up some fresh vegetables at San Lorenzo market and some locally made cheeses and bread at Sant’Ambrogio. You can even check out the supermarkets around town for some cheaper, yet quality food supplies.

Now, where to go to have your picnic? You could go to any of the many public parks in Florence — during the day Le Cascine Park or anywhere along the Arno River would be a great choice. I would also recommend heading to any big piazza, such as Piazza Santa Croce or Piazza della Repubblica, as they’re fantastic for people watching.

I also recommend going to the Boboli Gardens to have a picnic, as the lovely gardens offer a lot of space. There is, however, an entrance charge of €6 at the Boboli Gardens. On a nice sunny day, I’d say it’s worth it.

Don’t sit down with your coffee

When going to a bar for a coffee or tea, remember that there are sometimes two different prices for drinks: bar prices and table service prices. Table service (meaning they take your order and serve you at a table) is about double the price of ordering and consuming your drink at the counter. Not all bars will charge you for table service, so it is important to ask before you order.

Related: How to order coffee in Italy

Snack on an “Apericena”

I love enjoying an “Apericena” with friends, as it’s definitely cheaper than going out to dinner at a restaurant and often much more fun, as well.

Now, to clarify: An “Aperitivo” is a before-dinner drink, normally accompanied by some light finger-food and snacks like chips, olives, or bread with dips. An Apericena, however, includes a drink of your choice, accompanied by a buffet of food, typically including different pasta salads, risotto, couscous, little sandwiches, etc.

The cost of an Apericena is typically around €5 to €8. After a couple of rounds at the buffet I’m usually a posto (“done”). Dinner and a cocktail for under €10 is a great deal. If you have a special diet or allergies to certain foods, make sure you take a look at the buffet before you order anything, or better yet, ask one of the staff what is in each dish. There are many Apericena spots around the city, so don’t be afraid to be selective.

Your tips

Do you have tips for dining in Florence? Tell us in the comments below!

The post Florence: Simple strategies for saving on dining appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

• Also see our complete list of Barcelona neighborhoods in our city guide.

Where to eat

The Santa Caterina Market is one of the prettier in the city. I prefer it to La Boqueria. Find seasonal foods here as well as bakeries and bars. You can’t miss it from the outside, it’s the enormous structure with the undulating rooftop.

Santa Caterina Market

Tapas at Santa Caterina Market

What to drink

Have a glass of wine at Vila Viniteca’s La Teca bar. They have a wide selection of Spanish wines, cold tapas and cheeses (over 300 types of cheese!).

Wine in El Born

What to see

Santa Maria del Mar Church is a stunner, even if you’re not much for religious architecture. Some people like it better than the Cathedral… take a look inside and decide for yourself.

Santa Maria del Mar

Where to dine

Have lunch or dinner at the tucked-away Salero Restaurant, which serves seasonal, Mediterranean dishes.

Salero

Salero in El Born

Take a stroll

Barcelona is a city to walk in. There are balconies to ogle, architecture to ponder, window shopping galore, and excellent people watching to boot. Wander the maze of streets in El Born for an hour or so to get a feel for it.

Wander El Born

Have a snack

Have a coffee and a tasty snack at Cafe del Born Nou. Find a seat inside or search out their terrace seating.

Snack on some fluffy pastries.

Where to stay

The Hostal Nuevo Colon is located in El Born, and is recommended as a great value.

And don’t miss…

All the amazing street art in the area.

Street art in El Born

Counting street art in El Born

The post Barcelona Neighborhood Snapshots: El Born appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

But we have watched one too many tourists wander through the dreary aisles of a French supermarket scavenging like lost urban seagulls for industrially made scraps when all of Paris is there for the taking in its competitively priced gourmet food shopping glory.

Follow our tips on how to get more value and quality for your money and turn that in-room picnic into a memorable meal you couldn’t get at home.

Why the Supermarket Should Be Your Last Resort

Note that while American supermarkets have become more glamorous and high quality in recent years, Paris supermarkets just don’t try that hard. Even larger chains like Monoprix with their own deli counters and more extensive offerings can’t give you the same quality that you can find elsewhere. And if you are going to make a meal of wine, bread and cheese, which are usually accompaniments to the main meal in France, remember that life is short and you have better options than the inferior mass-market variety.

A Paris Farmers Market for Every Day of the Week

Another obvious one-stop destination for in-room picnic supplies is the Paris farmers market. Paris has 82 farmers markets in every neighborhood of the city, meaning you have your pick of locations any day of the week.

The lively markets of Paris are entertaining and life-affirming. Not only can you find fresh whole foods, you can also find more exotic but still affordable pre-prepared offerings like warm freshly made paella, choucroute or roast chicken and potatoes, or even a plate of shucked oysters (just ask) that you can enjoy with a glass of wine, some made-in-Brittany butter and fresh bread in your room, no cooking required.

Because the food is not pre-packaged, you can buy only as much food as you need, like a single roasted chicken thigh with a handful of roasted potatoes, instead of a whole chicken, or any sized morsel of cheese, which will save you money on wasted food.

Specialty Shops and Traiteurs

Don’t be intimidated by cheese shops, wine shops, fruit and vegetable sellers, butchers (who sell ready to eat cooked meats and pates as well), fish shops (which sell the aforementioned oysters or already cooked shrimp or smoked salmon) and other specialty shops, which may look fancy but aren’t necessarily more expensive.

The traiteur is the name for a gourmet take-out shop or deli where you can buy prepared foods. This is not a budget option per se, although if you want to sample gourmet dishes prepared by French hands without paying for a sit-down restaurant meal, there are savings to be found. Also be aware that even apparently upscale wine shops will have plenty of perfectly drinkable wines priced at well under €10, and the staff is trained to help.

Pick up bread, pastries, sandwiches, quiches and more at a boulangerie. Photo: meminick

Boulangeries and Patisseries

There is no point buying pre-packaged supermarket pastries when the city is jam packed with patisseries where you can buy anything from a single macaron to a slice of tart for the price of a pack of industrially made cookies at the supermarket.

It should go without saying that the boulangerie is the cheapest place to buy the freshest bread. But the boulangerie is also a reasonably priced place to pick up sandwiches, quiches, desserts, salads and in some cases hot meals packaged to go (if you want your meal heated, just ask).

Pretty much every boulangerie offers a fixed price menu option (or three) that can save you money on a sandwich/quiche/pizza/stuffed bread plus a dessert and a drink. (But be sure to do the math in your head first since in some cases you can save by buying separately.)

Remember not to buy more bread or pastries than you plan to consume asap, as items are baked fresh and not injected with preservatives to give them a shelf life.

If you want fresh bread but don’t want your baguette to go stale (which it will, often in a matter of hours), don’t go for those overpriced mini breads they sell like candies at near the cash register. Instead, ask for a “demi-baguette,” and you will pay half price for half of a full-sized baguette (this generally works only for standard baguettes, not ones made with special flours or whole grains or added ingredients like nuts or olives).

Microwave Meals

If your hotel has a microwave, we have two words for you: Picard Surgelés. This ubiquitous chain has been selling flash frozen foods and upmarket TV dinners to French citizens since the early 1970s, and now has more than 100 locations in Paris alone. Even if you don’t plan to buy anything, taking a stroll through the chilly aisles provides a fascinating sociological glimpse into the modern French palate. Plus you can try French specialties like escargot, duck stuffed with foie gras and more without paying restaurant prices.

Take Out and Delivery

More and more Paris restaurants offer take-out (à emporter), which isn’t necessarily a low cost way to go, especially since tipping is included in the price of items. Some restaurants, like the hipper than thou organic pizza makers Pizza Flamingo, knock €1 off for take-out. And there are mediocre sushi restaurants all over Paris that offer food to go.

Delivery (livraison) is also increasingly popular in Paris, but you will wait an hour and quality to price ratios are not necessarily givens. Be sure to check first with your hotel if you decide to go the delivery route.

The post Gourmet Picnic Ideas for Your Paris Hotel Room appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Here’s a quick overview of the markets selling secondhand goods in Paris:

Marchés aux puces

At the top of the list we have the marchés aux puces, the big organized flea markets that set up shop permanently around the extremities of the city at Porte des Vanves or at St-Ouen, the largest in all of Europe.  Here you’ll find everything from cheap army surplus to vintage Chanel, so it’s not all budget shopping.

The puces are a great experience in any case, and there’s always something for someone.

Brocantes

If you’ve already been to the puces and want to try something different, look for local brocantes where antique vendors and collector bring arrays of secondhand goods to specific locations for pop-up flea markets.  They are usually organized well in advance on sites like this one.

At a brocante, you may find a treasure, you may not, but price tags are generally affordable for those patient enough to sift through the wares.  Look for them at places like the Village St-Paul, the Marché d’Aligre, or around the Square du Temple.

Vide greniers

At the bottom of the ladder are the vide greniers, the “attic sales” where locals bring their used home goods, dishware, furniture, and all sorts of odds and ends to be sold at largely negotiable prices.

Less organized than the brocantes, the vide greniers are no less a shopper’s paradise for something unique to take home.  Just scout out ones near where you’ll be staying and get up early to rummage through before everything is picked over.  They are often organized in each arrondissement and may be held in front of churches or on larger boulevards by food markets.

Braderie, bric à brac, and vintage

In the same vein as the brocantes and vide greniers, look for words like braderie, bric à brac, and vintage so that you know you’re dealing with secondhand goods.  You’ll often see markets or stalls with the word créateur in the title, denoting that local artisans are selling their goods directly, so prices are general higher, and haggling is less entertained.

No matter which type of market, you’re bound to find souvenirs more unique than another Eiffel Tower key chain!  Happy shopping!

The post Paris: Know your secondhand shopping vocabulary appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Here are six cheap ways to get into the Christmas mood in Paris this year:

1. Walk the sights for free.

From the lights at Place Vendome to the Champs-Elysées, the giant tree at Place de la Concorde, or the windows of the grands magasins, there is no shortage of sightseeing for the holiday seeker. The best bets are to walk the Grands Boulevards to see the lights and decorated windows at the Galeries Lafayette and the Printemps department stores. And heck, while you’re there stop inside to see their trees and holiday pizzazz.

This year’s Christmas tree inside the Galeries Lafayette. Photo: Jason Whittaker

Afterwards, take a stroll through the regal and festive Place de la Vendome on your way to “holiday central” at Place de la Concorde and the markets along the Champs-Elysées. Holiday cheer guaranteed for 0 euros.

2. Take in the Christmas markets.

Take a walk through the famed Christmas markets, inspired by a centuries-old German tradition, and take in the smells of cheesy tartiflette. Or have a sip of inexpensive spicy mulled vin chaud while browsing the oftentimes expensive merchandise. No holiday experience is complete without one, if not more, cups of this delicious hot wine.

For more on this, including market addresses, read my previous post on the best Christmas markets in Paris.

3. Stop for something sweet in the Marais.

To get some more tastes of the holiday season, you’ll need something sweet. Mazet de Montargis, in the Marais, has a variety of festive seasonal candies in addition to their signature almond-based praslines. Look for spiced chocolates and candied chestnuts among their other confections. (37 rue des Archives, 75004)

Shop for something savory (or sweet) at the Bon Marché’s Grand Epicerie. Photo: Antonia Hayes

4. Food shopping at the Bon Marché.

For something savory, think about picking up some foie gras, since this is the time of year when the French consume the most of it.

Consider taking a trip to the Bon Marché, the elegant department store, whose food section (called the “Grand Epicerie”) is a treat for gastronomes from any corner of the world. If you can imagine a food product for purchase, you’ll find it here, including both expensive and affordable treats. And on top of that, the store will be beautifully decorated, so it’s a two-for-one! (24 rue de Sèvres, 75007)

5. Take a spin on the “Grande Roue.”

This is the time of year to ride the Grande Roue, Paris’s enormous Ferris wheel at Place de la Concorde that overlooks the illuminated Champs-Elysées.  It’s open every day until midnight and it’s only €10 for one of the most unique and ephemeral bird’s-eye views of Paris.

Take in great views from the Grande Roue, Paris’ Ferris wheel. Photo: Raissa B.

6. Go ice skating.

For the active, strap on a pair of skates and prepare your best double axel. The ice skating rink at the Hotel de Ville is a staple, and is free to enter with skate rentals only €5.

But this year, the Grand Palais is hosting France’s largest-ever ice skating rink under the gorgeous glass dome. For €12, you’ll get a pair of skates and the chance to glide around until the early evening. For more information, be sure to check the sporadic hours on the Web site.

Also in our guide: If you’re heading to Paris this holiday season, be sure to check out our reviews of the city’s best budget hotels. Our hotel picks have been inspected and approved by our editors. Read more in our Paris hotel guide.

Looking for suggestions on ways to save in Paris? Be sure to read our article on Paris budget tips.

How do you get into the holiday spirit in Paris?

Do you have a favorite holiday tradition in Paris? Share with us (especially if it’s “Cheapo friendly”) in our comments section below.

The post Paris: 6 cheapo ways to catch the Christmas spirit appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

While tourists flock to Trastevere and squish into bars around the historical center, Testaccio, which was once famous for its butcher shops, maintains a low-key, friendly buzz that keeps things interesting, but not overwhelming. It could be called the “Notting Hill of Rome.” (Hugh Grant would not be out of place strolling through the wide, leafy streets or shopping for veggies in the weekend produce market!)

Below are just three reasons why it’s worth jumping on the Rome Metro and taking the short trip to one of my favorite parts of Rome.

Shop with the locals at the Testaccio Food Market. Photo: Context Travel

1. Real pubs

While there are lots of pubs in the historical center of Rome, they tend to be of the cookie cutter, “Irish pub” variety. Testaccio breaks this trend, with a selection of atmospheric pubs and locales in an authentic Italian environment (and absolutely no four leaf clovers or Guinness on tap!).

One of my favorites, Enoteca L’Oasi della Birra, boasts 500 different beers from across the globe (including Brazil, Mexico and Israel), as well as good old fashioned Belgium and German brews. They also have an extensive wine menu. L’Oasi della Birra (literally, “beer oasis”) also does an excellent aperitivo buffet – for around €10 you can drink a beer, heap a plate with cold meats, pizzas, cheeses, pastries, and watch the world go by from the outdoor seating area. Heaven!

On The Rox is another popular spot with Romans. Spread across two floors, and with a generous outdoor area, four types of beer are available on tap, as well as bottled brews, cocktail and spirits. Scruffy chandeliers, funky art on the walls, free Wi-Fi and beer pong make it extremely popular with young Romans keen for a pint (or two!) before heading out to the numerous clubs in the area. It’s open late – which also makes it a great place to finish an evening in the Eternal City.

L’Oasi della Birra, Piazza Testaccio, 38/41, Open from 4:30 p.m. Closed Sunday.
On the Rox, Via Galvani, 54, Open 6:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m. Closed Sunday

2. MACRO – Museum of Modern Art

Visiting Rome and need a break from frescos? Visit MACRO Testaccio and experience the future of the Italian art scene. Not your ordinary art gallery, MACRO Testaccio (Museo d’Arte Contemporanea di Roma) is the hip little sister of MACRO Roma (the main Museum of Modern Art in Rome).

Located in the heart of Testaccio, Macro displays art from the hottest young artists in Italy and Europe.  The current exhibition, “Re-Generation,” is open from now until September 9, 2012, and features contemporary installations and works from some of the most talented young European artists today (including my good friend Luana Perilli!).

MACRO Testaccio, Via Nizza 138 – 00198 Roma. Open from  4:00 p.m. – 12:00 am.

3. Food Market

Essential to any trip to Testaccio is a visit to the central Piazza Testaccio food market.  Since opening its doors nearly 100 years ago, the Testaccio food market has become one of the best markets in Rome – and it’s easy to see why. A quick stroll through the undercover market reveals stalls overflowing with meats, cheeses, fruit, vegetables, seafood as well as clothes and other knick-knacks.  The best part is that its not touristy; this is a living, breathing market where Romans go to pick up fresh produce for authentic Roman dishes.

Roma Farmer’s Market, ex mattatoio-Testaccio padiglione 9. Open Saturday and Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Also in our guide: If you’re planning a trip to Rome and looking for an affordable hotel, be sure to check out our Rome guide for our editors’ hotel recommendations. We’ve visited and inspected budget hotels all over Rome. Trust us, we’ve been there!

The post Rome: Three reasons to love Testaccio appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Although I do have access to a car, I often take day trips by train, and La Garriga, located about a 40-minutes ride north of Barcelona, is one of my “top five” when it comes to a weekend or day trip getaway from the Catalan Capital. Here’s why:

1. The Hot Springs

The main draw for city folk to La Garriga is its natural springs. There are two that offer soaking options and treatments in four- and five-star facilities.

I stayed at the Blancafort and very much recommend it. While I opted for a package deal and stayed two luxurious nights, one can also just pop in for the afternoon. A two-hour soak in their Terma Romana pools costs €32 and includes hot tea in the chill-out area, as well as access to several indoor pools with waterworks and to the outdoor heated and cold pools. The Blancafort also offers up a tempting massage menu, but the rates are steep at €47 for 25 minutes.

Fresh air and hiking in Montseny park. Photo: Stvcr

The other thermal spring spa in town is Termes La Garriga, which is smaller and more classical in style than Blancafort. Both spas are in the center of the village and an effortless walk from the train.

2. The “Modernista” homes

Along La Garriga’s main drag, El Passieg, there are numerous “Modenista” (think Art Noveau) homes that were built as summer residences for the wealthy in the late 19th and early 20th century. Some of these are well-kept and extravagant, while others look like they might be haunted (or at least inhabited by mice and bats).

All of them are interesting, and most have little plaques explaining their histories. Follow “Villa Termal y de Veraneo,” a self-guided tour through town that is marked by said plaques and outlined in detail here.

There are also formal guided tours offered each month, but these may be in Catalan or Spanish, so it’s best to ask ahead of time. Visit La Garriga’s Web site for more tour information.

3. Montseny

The mountains surrounding La Garriga are part of Montseny, a protected park. This means that wherever you look in the village you see green and forest in the distance. (Wherever I look in Barcelona I see concrete, so the views in La Garriga were extra refreshing.)

Many trails into Montseny leave from La Garriga, so those who stay the night or come early in the day could easily fit in some hiking (and then hit the springs!).

4. The Saturday market

You’ll find markets in lots of places around Catalonia, and certainly Barcelona has many of its own Saturday markets. Still, the produce tasted fresher from the market in La Garriga than my normal Barcelona mercado‘s offerings. Maybe it was the clean mountain air that made the difference?

Set in the center of the village, in several squares around the church, the market runs from 7 a.m. until 2 p.m. every Saturday. This is the spot to pick up a jar of local honey, some cheese or sausage from Vic, or even inexpensive clothing items. (I snagged a couple of colorful spring scarves!)

For such a small town, La Garriga has a lot going for it. The village itself is pretty, with a cobblestoned strip filled with boutiques and cafés running through the middle of it. There seemed to be a lack of restaurants in the town, but we did find a couple that were reasonably priced. Of course, both of the hotel/spas also have eateries.

For more information about La Garriga, check out the city’s Web site.

The post Barcelona: 4 reasons to take a day trip to La Garriga appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Hey, you’re in Florence, consider this a good thing! Do not waste this unique opportunity to pick up some great souvenirs! Here’s a quick guide to gifts that will fit many a Cheapo budget:

Food & Wine

Why beat around the bush? Your tummy is getting a lot out of this trip and you’d like to share some of the yummy treasures with your loved ones back home. Problem is, a Florentine tripe sandwich doesn’t travel very well.

But, confection food does! Those olives you had with your aperitivo? They were from a glass container! That ball of mozzarella that balloned over your pizza? Comes in sealed plastic! Those sundried tomatoes? They’re, um, dry so they actually travel quite well.

My point is that all these things are purchasable at any of the markets in Florence and come in small travel-friendly packages. Or if you want, do it the “cheapo way” and buy them in a supermarket.

In terms of wine, don’t waste your time. Go straight to the supermarket where a bottle can cost up to 75% less than it does in a specialty shop.

Art

In the good ol’ days, all you had to do was become friends with the local nobility to get Michael or Leo to paint you a little number for your living room. Now, one either has to be an international art thief or an auction prince with deep pockets to score one of those. Bummer.

So we’re stuck with the replicas. Hit the souvenir shops in the Uffizi museum, the Palazzo Strozzi, or any of the other galleries where you just saw a fancy painting to pick up the poster/picture format. For something like movie posters, try the Movie Store on Via Guelfa near the tourist office.

Or, just prance about the little streets in the historic center where you’ll find tons of shops selling prints. Prices vary so don’t be afraid to shop.

Clothing

Now for the third prong in our souvenir trifecta: clothes. If it’s souvenir threads you’re after (i.e. t-shirts with prints of statues on them or sweatshirts with “University of Florence” embroidered onto the front), then the markets will be your best bet. They also carry soccer jerseys, aprons, scarves, hats, just think of something and you’ll probably find it.

Also, don’t forget about Florence’s rich tradition in leather-making. You’ll find small shops all over the place that carry these goods. Sandals, purses, wallets all make great souvenirs. Some are pricey, some aren’t. A wallet can cost as little as €5 and a purse, €20.

Last Chance: Airport

Oops, you’re just about to board the plane and forgot one last cost center from your list that’s souvenir worthy. Fortunately, there are a few shops in the airport that carry food, wine and clothing. But of course, these will be more expensive.

Whatever you do, don’t snatch the blanket from the plane to give to your uncle. Seriously, don’t.

Also in our guide: Looking for hotels that fit your Cheapo budget? You’re in luck! Our editors have visited, inspected and reviewed the best cheap hotels in Florence, all centrally located. Read more in our Florence guide.

The post Florence: Cheap souvenir ideas for everyone on your list appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.