As things stay relatively cool, we think a walk in one of the city’s many parks makes for a perfect, cost-free way to spend time between visits to the Acropolis and the Agora.

National Garden of Athens

Metro: Exit at Syntagma (line 2 or 3)

Located in central Athens right behind the Greek Parliament Building, the National Garden of Athens makes a scenic place for a stroll. The garden is filled with plenty of gems to discover, including a smattering of ancient runes, a duck pond and a small zoo. For a fix of greenery in the city (and a nice spot to eat your Cheapo-friendly souvlaki), we can’t think of a better place.

Pedion tou Areos

Metro: Exit at Victoria (line 1)

The Pedion tou Areos Park is marked by a large statue of King Constantine I on a horse and a memorial to soldiers who fought in the Battle of Greece. Like the National Garden, the Pedio tou Areos Park offers plenty of greenery and no shortage of peaceful paths to explore.

One of the largest parks in the city, it also boasts a popular playground. Stop by before or after visiting the nearby National Archaeological Museum, but don’t linger past sunset; we’ve heard the scene gets slightly sketchy after hours.

Kifissias Park

Metro: Exit at Kifissia (line 1)

Kifissia is an attractive, affluent suburb on the northern side of Athens. In addition to some shopping and eating options, the neighborhood offers a lush botanical garden. If you’re itching for a taste of local life, take the metro out here and explore the expansive greenery. (Bonus tip: If you’re in town during April or May, you can catch the annual Kifissia Flower Show, which brings a colorful variety of flora to the neighborhood.)

Where else to walk?

Well, these are our Athens park picks, Cheapos. But we’re no Socrates: If you’ve seen better spots for strolling in the city, set us straight by leaving a comment!

And if you’re interested in reading more tips for Athens and Greece, have a look here.

The post Athens: Parks and gardens for some good, green fun appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

UNESCO World Heritage

But think again. For Mallorca, the fourth most populous island in the Med (after Sicily, Sardinia and Cyprus), has a feast of fine mountain country and a remarkable mix of cultural landscapes. So much so that in 2011 UNESCO inscribed the Serra de Tramuntana—the hills that parallel the north-west coast of the island—on the List of World Heritage Sites.

The island of Mallorca with places mentioned in the post. Photo: © hidden europe

Everything the poet might dream of

The UNESCO-designated area takes in old Moorish gardens, ancient agricultural terraces and water management systems, plus some dramatic mountain scenery around Mallorca’s highest summit at Puig Major. Europe’s literati discovered long ago that the Serra de Tramuntana is Mallorca’s trump card. It was 175 years ago this year, from fall 1838 until spring 1839, that George Sand and Frédéric Chopin overwintered in the hills. In her Un hiver à Majorque, Sand recalls that “Everything the poet or painter might dream of has been created here by nature.”

Another side of Mallorca

Drive the tortuous coast road out to the wild headland at Formentor (at the north-east extremity of the island), and you will surely agree with George Sand’s appraisal of Mallorca. For, yes, there is a redemptive Mallorca, a place apart from the tacky beach communities favored by the sun and sangria set. There are hilltop monasteries, fine country houses and excellent local markets—like the one held at Sineu every Wednesday morning.

The island boasts a vibrant wine industry too. Make for Binissalem to taste wines made of grape types that will probably be totally new to you: manto negro, callet or prensal blanc. And from there, head into the hills.

The village of Orient in the shadow of the Serra de Tramuntana. Photo: © hidden europe

Slow down in Orient

Places on main roads, like Sóller, inevitably pull the crowds. So our favorite Mallorca hill community is Orient, in a remote valley on the edge of the mountains. There are apple orchards and olive groves, neat stone walls and elaborate tiers of terraces. The village is dedicated fair and square to tourism. The farmers have gone, so too has the priest, and most of the houses are now holiday homes. But it is a fine spot to slow down, relax, breathe in fresh mountain air and remind yourself that, despite the woeful spreads of dreary concrete beachfront hotels, Mallorca is still very much worth a visit.

The post Cultural landscapes in Mallorca: Beyond the beaches appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Dartmoor delights

Dartmoor is England’s most extensive area of upland landscape south of the Pennines. It rises to no great heights, yet the moor communicates a remarkable sense of wilderness — especially on dark nights and foggy days. Arthur Conan Doyle clearly appreciated the haunting power of the moor;  he set one of his most celebrated Sherlock Holmes books on Dartmoor. Be assured, though, that you’ll not run into the Hound of the Baskervilles as you wander across Dartmoor.

Dartmoor is a great granite boss, the details of which have been shaped by millions of years of erosion and weathering. The summits (locally called “tors”) are fantastic jumbles of bare rock, shaped by wind and water. Settlements hunker down in the lee of the hills or take refuge in the valleys.

Exmoor landscapes

Dartmoor belongs wholly to Devon. The county’s other national park, Exmoor, which abuts the Bristol Channel on the north coast, is shared with neighboring Somerset. Here the igneous rocks of Dartmoor are replaced by soft sedimentary rock, giving very different landscapes. There are sandstones and limestones, shales and gritstones. Acidic soils support little by way of agriculture at higher levels.

Towards the north coast, the streams and rivers draining the moor have cut deep valleys that drop down steeply towards the sea. These valleys offer some of Devon’s most distinctive landscapes. The stretch of north Devon coast around Lynton styles itself Little Switzerland (trumping its Alpine cousin in being able to boast a coastline).

Britain’s natural heritage

Dartmoor and Exmoor are two of England’s ten national parks. Devon is one of only four English counties that have, within their territory, all or part of more than one national park. Next year, Exmoor will mark 50 years of national park status. It was designated in 1954. Dartmoor secured the coveted designation slightly earlier. That was in 1951, the year in which the United Kingdom kicked off its national parks program by naming its first four parks.

Looking at those early parks from the 1950s, one has a sense of a program that was designed by men and women who had a fine sense of the relationship between rocks and relief. That ensemble of early parks offers a feast of geomorphology, a symphony of fine landscapes. Like other national parks, Devon’s two examples present fine hiking country. In both parks, open expanses of wild moorland offer every opportunity for reviving city spirits.

Travel writers Susanne Kries and Nicky Gardner have penned warm words about Devon three times this month here on EuroCheapo. See their comments on a visit to Exeter cathedral (20 November), and ways to explore Devon by bus, train and boat (27 November).

The post Rocking Out in Devon’s National Parks: Dartmoor and Exmoor appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Lately, I’ve been feeling burned out on the metropolis’ din and have spent most of the summer’s weekends hiking. Many hiking trails in Catalonia require a car but not all. A few, like the Vall de Nuria and Montserrat, are easily reached by train.

The Montserrat Abbey is a big tourist destination outside of Barcelona. Around Plaça Catalunya you’ll see numerous signs offering bus tours to the spiritual site, set about an hour from the city. Going on a bus with a package tour is one way to see the museum, basilica, and monastery, but may not allow time for a hike into the mountains behind the abbey.

Montserrat landscape

You’ll need about five hours to do the Sant Jeroni hike, which leaves from behind the monastery and will take you deep into the Dr. Seuss-like peaks that make Montserrat so unique. The landscape is that of a cartoon, with rounded, bulging rocks around every bend. Sant Jeroni sits at 1,236 meters, which means fabulous, 360° views stretching all the way to Barcelona and Penedès.

Montserrat view

Preparing for the hike

When I did the hike I saw quite a few people marching up the mountainside in flip-flops. I don’t know how they did it. The hike is not easy, and requires a lot of up, up, up during the first 2 kms. Wear hiking boots or at least sneakers. Depending on the time of year, you should also have a jacket as the weather can quite cool at 1,200 meters. There is no water on the trail, so bring a couple water bottles and lunch.

Up on top at Sant Jeroni

If you come to Montserrat Abbey unprepared and want to do the trail, you can buy almost everything you’ll need for the hike at their supermarket. A sort of “religious Disneyland,” Montserrat has two ATM machines, a cafe, two restaurants, several gift shops, a hotel, and a small market on site. It’s a bit touristy, but worth it.

Most visitors do not make it up to Sant Jeroni because it takes time, gear, and physical ability. However, I saw a few families with kids (no younger than seven or eight) doing the trek, so it’s not that hard.

If you plan to see the religious buildings at Montserrat and then hike Sant Jeroni, you’ll need to leave Barcelona early in the morning.

Check out this website for more information about trains from Plaça Espana to Montserrat and its funicular.

Happy Trails!

The post Montserrat: A hike from Barcelona that’s accessible by train appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Here are my five picks for city parks in and around Amsterdam:

Vondelpark

Located just behind the Leidseplein entertainment square is Vondelpark, the city’s most visited park: Its leafy green design draws 10 million guests per year. Concerts and live performances take place for free in its open air stage, while cute and leafy cafes like the Blauwe Theehuis are perfect places to pass the afternoon and soak up some rays. Between the perfectly trimmed rosebushes and romantic gazebo, the soothing creeks and the running track, there have got to be a hundred more reasons why Vondelpark must be visited, especially in nice weather.

(Looking to stay near Vondelpark? Check out our reviews of budget hotels nearby.)

Westerpark

There is a lot going on at this wide and vast park just west of the canal belt. While the shady tree areas can be great for barbeques, the open field is ideal for throwing a Frisbee and other sports. Families love the Westerpark because it offers one of the few shallow pool fountains young kids can splash around in. And by night, the surrounding old factory buildings that make up Westergasfabriek light up with outdoor salsa, live music and a fun bar atmosphere.

(We also have a few choices for places to stay near Westerpark in our guide.)

Oosterpark

Oosterpark is a great “local’s park,” and an ideal pit stop when wandering around the Tropenmuseum and Plantage neighborhood. A lively population of ducks and water foul hang around and wait to munch on bread crumbs, and the open field here is surrounded by beautiful tall trees. Amsterdam’s green parrots like to congregate here around sunset, and many brown cafés are located just across the street and have lively terraces and a fun, young crowd.

Sarphatipark

While the Sarphatipark is one of the smallest of the city’s parks, it offers a great break while wandering around the Albert Cuyp Market in De Pijp. Packed with everything a park needs to be beautiful and calm, Sarphatipark draws a trendy crowd of the neighborhood’s young professionals. It’s a perfect spot for pre-drinks before hitting the nearby bars.

Flevopark

Flevopark is a giant nature park that’s great for swimming and for experiencing a bit of the Dutch countryside style. The outdoor public swimming pool is one of the few in the city, and the park’s large lake draws many boaters, jet skiers and water skiers that can cruise far out of the area. There’s a great Genever distillery house that serves up some excellent liquors and fresh Czech beer at a cheap price. Along one side of the park runs a Zeeburg Cemetery, where around 100,000 Jews were buried between the 18th century and 1942 (burials here were discontinued during Amsterdam’s Nazi occupation).

Your favorite park in Amsterdam?

What is your favorite park in Amsterdam? Tell us about where to “park it” in our comments section.

The post Amsterdam: Top 5 parks offering an escape to nature appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

While each park has a different culture, no matter where you are, you’ll likely find musical performers, sculptures, and fountains, families with picnics and grills, couples young and old, and plenty of spaces for children and adults to play.

Here a sampling of some of my favorite urban strolls.

Autumn leaves in Hampstead Heath. Photo: Lenoz

Tiergarten, Berlin

I would be remiss if I didn’t start with *the* park of my hometown’s parks.  Many tourists in Berlin skirt the edges of this green space, which neighbors major central sites such as the Brandenburg Gate, Reichstag, and Holocaust Memorial, without so much as dipping in a toe — to their loss!

The park’s vast expanse makes it a great detour to Potsdamer Platz, the Kulturforum (including the Philharmonic Hall), the Soviet Memorial, the Victory Column, even the main train station! With vast areas of lush grass, the park has plenty of both sunny and shady spots, depending on your preference.

Hampstead Heath, London

Once you’ve passed through the recreational areas on the Eastern side of the park and taken in the views of the city from Parliament Hill, it’s entirely possible to forget where you are while crossing this expansive natural space.

Ponds, high grasses and wooded areas make this a pleasant and varied walk.  If you wish, take time to stop in the Heritage site Kenwood Estate, or watch the kite flyers paint the sky in long, colorful strokes.

Parque del Buen Retiro, Madrid

The scruffiest of the bunch, Retiro Park is loved by locals and a great stop for people watching. Let yourself be drawn into a musical performance or two. Shade is at a premium here, and if you don’t have a blanket, be prepared to get a little dusty.

To avoid these issues, simply join the crowd lounging on the stones around the lake while enjoying an ice cream. The park’s Crystal Palace offers free rotating displays of art.

Jardin des Plantes, Paris

From the entrance nearest Gare d’Austerlitz, the park’s shady grande allée may remind you of many of Paris’ other, more formal parks, beloved by joggers and stroller-pushers alike. Perseverance leads to a long promenade of beautifully maintained and varied flower beds, inviting (rather than forbidding) you to walk on the grass and take a closer look.

Exploration of the side allées yields a formally structured and educational botanical garden and even a small zoo.  It’s possible to end your adventure in the adjacent Natural History Museum.

Where do you park it?

Which parks have you fallen in love with, sought refuge from crowds and heat in, or simply stumbled into while traveling?  Share your favorites in the comments.

The post Hanging with the Locals: Our favorite urban parks in Europe appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Before the days get too short and while leaves are still on the trees, here are a few of my favorite lookout points in Dublin. Some are for relaxing picnics while others will require a little energy to get there.

1. The Sugar Loaf Mountain
Web site

One of the best views in all of Dublin is found from the peak of the Great Sugar Loaf Mountain. Located about 30 minutes south of city center, this peak is accessible only from a trail off a narrow country road. En route to the top, you will pass ancient stone fences and grazing sheep.

While the climb might look daunting, it’s really more of a hike on an incline than a climb. It is possible to reach the top in an hour or hour and a half, with only a few tricky steps towards the top when you must scramble over a few rocks. Once you pass this test, views are the reward.

The whole geography of Dublin unfolds in front of you. The Bay of Dublin, the piers jetting out into the water (where you can go for a swim if you dare) and the surrounding signature green countryside are all clearly visible from this vantage point.

Bring a picnic with you and stay for a while to take in the views.

2. Bewley’s Grafton Street Café
78/79 Grafton Street
Web site

Grafton Street is the pedestrianized center of Dublin. Very often visitors walk up or down this street en route to some attraction or another throughout the city. Yet how many stop to enjoy the view? Beyond shopping, Grafton Street is known for street performers, or buskers (Rodrigo y Gabriela got their start here).

One of the best places to take in the bustle is on the second floor of Bewley’s Café on Grafton Street. Get a table overlooking the street. The windows will be open on a nice day and while sipping on a cup of tea you can watch the daily theater of Grafton Street unfold beneath you.

3. Hike from Bray to Greystones
Web site

Some of the best coastal views in Dublin can be seen on a hike between the villages of Bray and Greystones. From the city center, hop a commuter DART train heading south to Bray. From the station, wander down towards the beach, and join the trail that winds south along the coastline.

Over the course of a 90-minute hike, you will have the chance to see not only coastal views from every possible angle, but also the DART train barreling through tunnels. Finish with a stroll through a grassy field as you approach Greystones. There are several places to picnic along the route before boarding the train in Greystones to head back north to Dublin.

Your views?

From the center of Dublin to the top of a mountain, this city is full of places with incredible views. If you’re looking for a place with a view to sip on a pint of Guinness, check out my recommendations for scenic summertime bars.

Have a favorite lookout point not listed here? Tell us about it in our comments section.

The post Dublin: The best lookout points around Dublin appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

For such a small city, Dublin is rich in parks. It has the largest city park in Europe as well as small parks and a charming little canal. Venturing to the following parks will get you face to face with local Dubliners kicking around a soccer ball, having a family picnic, or sneaking a few cans of Bulmers (that’s “Magners” to us Americans) in the sun.

St. Stephens Green
Web site

It’s certainly not off the beaten path, but St. Stephens Green is the main artery of the whole city. This park, situated smack in the middle of Dublin, is beautiful and serene, particularly in spring and fall. When the first daffodils break ground in Stephens Green, this is the first signal that winter is on the way out.

Plan a picnic here and you might encounter lunchtime concerts. Don’t be surprised to see kids walking around with bags of stale bread–they’ve come to feed the swans and ducks.

Herbert Park
Web site

In the leafy neighborhood of Ballsbridge is a gorgeous little park called Herbert Park. This is where you will find the family picnics, the after-work rugby matches, the outdoor yoga classes, and in season, lovely flowers. In the spring Herbert Park is especially spectacular, when the trees flower and the ducklings have just hatched.

One easy way to reach Herbert Park is by Dublin Bike, the city’s bike share program. The park is less than a 15-minute cycle from St. Stephens Green.

Phoenix Park
Web site

Located on the north side of the River Liffey, Phoenix Park is the largest city park in Europe. Famous for the deer that roam wildly, this is one of the best places in Dublin for a serious cycle or long run. The massive park also hosts concerts from time to time, and makes a fantastic outdoor venue.

Iveagh Gardens
Web site

Of all the parks in Dublin, Iveagh Gardens is one of the best-kept secrets. It’s tucked away just beyond St. Stephens Green, and feels as if you’re making a great discovery when you enter through its ancient gates. It might be small in size, but between fountains, statues, and flowers, there’s plenty to see. Bring your picnic here, and you are sure to be surrounded only by Irish accents.

Cheapos know that you don’t have to spend big to scratch beneath the surface of a destination. You just need to find a free park bench and open your eyes.

Your favorite park in Dublin?

Have a favorite park in Dublin that we didn’t mention? Tell us about it in our comments section.

The post Dublin: Best parks for exploring nature and meeting locals appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

If you need a break from the hustle and bustle of Madrid, you’re in luck. Spain’s capital is flanked by mountain ranges including the Sierra de Guadarrama, Sierra del Norte and the Sierra de Gredos, all of which offer city dwellers some well-needed respite from the urban grind.

Day tripping to the mountains

My six-hour hike.

Most trips to Madrid’s mountains are easily doable in a day and are highly enjoyable in any season. Why not go skiing during the winter, savor the crisp mountain air in fall, admire the flora and fauna in spring, or escape the heat of the city at a natural mountain swimming pool in summer?

For the walkers among us there are many different routes for all levels. The most experienced hikers and climbers will be challenged, while those wanting a gentle walk through beautiful surroundings and some wholesome rural food will also be happy.

Do-it-yourself mountain trips

Most Madrileños seem to have an innate knowledge of the different mountain ranges and often disappear off for the weekend to the Sierra. However, for foreigners it can seem like a mysterious world outside the city that is completely inaccessible without a car.

Wrong. Tourists, too can explore la Sierra! Cercedilla, Cotos and Manzanares El Real are all easily reached either by train from Atocha station or by bus from Plaza Castilla. A round-trip ticket costs less than €10.

Ah, nature...

Mountain trips with a group

Alternatively, if you want to reach lesser-known parts of the Sierra you can go with a group led by experienced hikers.

I decided to give this a go and booked with specialist tour company Tierra de Fuego. For just €18 I opted for the beginners level (there are three levels to choose from) and took a six-hour walk through the Dehesa de Somosierra and Horcajo de la Sierra.

I joined my group on a coach in Plaza España and we traveled for about an hour before starting the walk. The group was predominantly Spanish and ages ranged from 20-65, including groups of friends, couples and individuals, all in search of some fresh mountain air.

It was one of those beautiful crisp, blue autumnal days and we were treated to some stunning scenery–vast expanses punctuated by craggy mountains, majestic auburn pine forests and beautifully preserved little villages. As we sat at the highest vantage point eating our packed lunches and gazing out at the view, I couldn’t believe it was possible to find such peace and tranquility just a stone’s throw from Madrid.

However you decide to go, Madrid’s mountains are a very affordable way of taking a mini break and should certainly rank high on any Cheapo’s “to-do” list.

The post Madrid Day Trip: Exploring the Sierra mountain ranges appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Luckily, visitors don’t have to feel left out of the biking fun: Bike rentals are cheap and easy to find. And tooling around by Rad won’t just make you look and feel like a local—it will also enable you to access sights that are otherwise impossible to visit by foot or too time consuming to visit via public transportation.

Before burning rubber, read this little guide to find out where to find a bike, how to ride like a local, and which bike paths to seek out.

Step One: Rent Wheels

Many hotels and hostels will arrange bike rentals for you. But if they don’t, both Fat Tire Bike Rentals (€12/day) and fahrradstation (€15-20/day) boast several locations throughout the city. If you have time to hunt for cheaper prices (you can find bikes for as low as €8/day), scour neighborhoods like Prenzlauer Berg, Friedrichshain, and Kreuzberg for upstart rental spots.

Step Two: Follow the Rules!

Since most Berliners use their bikes as a form of transportation and are sticklers about the rules, you should brush up on a few Regeln before pedaling. You’ll see plenty of bikers blowing through red lights, weaving through traffic, and speeding past pedestrians on a sidewalk. Don’t follow their example! They give bikers a bad name—and they are asking for a ticket.

If there is a bike lane, use it. (But first make sure that you’re riding in the correct direction; not all paths are two-way.) If there isn’t a bike lane, ride on the street—not the sidewalk. Stop at stop signs, stop lights, and never, ever assume that a car driver sees you coming.

You are free to bring your bike with you onto the U-bahn (subway) and S-bahn (commuter train)—as long as you use designated compartments (look for the bike sign on the door). Baby carriages and wheelchairs have priority.

Step Three: Hit the paths

Berlin boasts 620 kilometers (385 miles) of bike paths. We’ve highlighted two of our favorites below, but the city government’s English-language biking page offers a complete overview of Berlin’s biking opportunities.

Path: Follow the Wall

The Berlin Mauerweg is a well-marked route that follows the contours of the 12-kilometer-long Berlin Wall. Though the actual divider is long gone, taking this scenic, off-the-beaten-path trail that passes through often-overlooked districts is the only way to get a true sense of the Wall’s size and scope.

For inspiration beforehand, rent the documentaries “Cycling the Frame” and “The Invisible Frame”. They feature the actress Tilda Swinton biking the Wall in 1988 and 2009 respectively.

Path: Take a Dip

Visiting the peaceful and historic Wannsee, a posh lake district in far-western Berlin, by public transportation is time consuming. After taking the S-bahn to the Wannsee station, you have to walk (a lot) or rely on buses to see the lake’s must-see sights: a historic public beach, the gripping Haus am Wannsee-Konfernz, and the romantic, flower-filled Pfaueninsel (“Peacock Island”).

Take a bike along with you or rent a bike at the lake, then pedal from one sight to the next at your leisure. Don’t forget your bathing suit!

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