It was a wintry thrill to visit this northern city in the colder darker months.  It also, however, provided some stunning views of the city during the long, winter night.

Today I thought I’d post some of my favorite photos of St. Petersburg at night. Glowing lights, snow, beautiful bridges. Talk about drama!

The pictures

As you can see, walking along the canals–or anywhere, really–in St. Petersburg in January can be hazardous. The sidewalks might simply look wet, but they’re often covered in ice. Check out the frozen Moika  Canal.

But when you do venture a look up from the sidewalk, behold the city! I took this photo along the Moika Canal heading toward the Hermitage. The beautiful canal is one of three that winds its way through the heart of St. Petersburg.

Along the Moika’s banks are 18th and 19th-century government buildings, offices, museums, restaurants, apartments, and palaces. As you can see, during my visit there weren’t very many tourists walking along the canals. It was very, very cold outside.

St. Petersburg’s canals are crossed by 313 bridges, many of which are works of art. Many incorporate statues, most involve intricate metalwork, and almost all are photogenic. This bridge is crossing the Moika.

Continuing westward along the Moika, we cross another bridge and spot St. Isaac’s Cathedral. The day after I took this shot, I climbed to the top of St. Isaac’s and circled the giant rotunda in whipping winds.

Returning home along the Neva River, we pass the Peter and Paul Fortress, with its illuminated cathedral glowing through the falling snow. Under that shining spire rest nearly all the czars of Russia, including Peter the Great, himself.

Good night, St. Petersburg!

The post St. Petersburg: Photos album of the city at night appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

February 2, 2009–Greetings from Riga, Latvia, where I’ve spent the last four days exploring the town, getting acquainted with its history, and, of course, checking out budget hotels.

Riga has a wonderful and picturesque “Old Town” neighborhood. This section of town dates back to the city’s Medieval beginnings, and has been preserved (and rebuilt) over the centuries. Fires, wars, occupations… you name it, the city has perservered, rebuilt, and clung to its cultural identity.

The Old Town is where I’ve focused my hotel search, and where most of the super-charming lodgings are situated. And what a selection! So far I’ve seen a handful of budget-friendly “boutique” hotels (with funky artwork and eclectic decor), a convent-turned-hotel complex, a super-old no-star with style, and several completely new hotels that were built to look old.

Today I’ll check out some ultra-cheap hostels (with private rooms), as well as some two and three-star hotels located in the “Center,” which is the neighborhood just outside the Old Town.

A street in Riga’s Old Town.

Hotel owners and managers have been very friendly, and for the most part have spoken flawless English. In Riga, tourism makes up an extremely important part of the town’s economy, so most in the business speak at least Russian and English, in addition to Latvian.

Right now, the Latvian economy is hurting. Money is tight, banks are on the verge of failing, and budgets are being slashed all around. (For example, when checking out performances during my stay, I found that the ballet had slashed its performance schedule.) Everyone’s talking about the crisis, and it’s only made worse by the tourism calendar–the tourist season doesn’t begin until April, when the weather finally warms up.

The financial mess has spawned a political crisis, as well, as protestors took to the streets two weeks ago in an effort to overthrow the current government. These protests, which ended in a handful of injuries, occured in a square just blocks from my current hotel. It seems so hard to believe, walking the cobbled streets today.

And so it goes. I’m off to hunt down some more hotels and treat myself to one more Latvian blow-out lunch. Here’s an idea of what I’m talking about, snapped yesterday at 1 PM at the “Lido” cafeteria-style restaurant in Old Town:

The plate features chicken stroganoff (a dish I was delighted to hear existed!) with stewed vegetables over rice, with a side salad (lettuce, shredded carrots, and pickled red onions), grape juice, and a beer. The meal, including juice, cost 3.90 lats, about $7.00. The beer cost 1.50 lats, or about $2.50.

Bon appetite!

The post Riga: Postcard from Latvia appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Happy Friday, Cheapos!

Touring the canals throughout Amsterdam’s Old Center

The weekend scene at Dam Square

Our friends at Amsterdam’s Artis Zoo

Seeking The Dutch “Dukes of Hazzard”

The post Amsterdam “Photo Friday” Bonanza! appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Last night, Kari wandered Madrid, photographing the city’s finest monuments. Is it just us, or do the Spanish have a gift for lighting their monuments with a dramatic gusto unmatched in other countries?

Allegorical paintings decorate the Casa de la Panaderia at Plaza Mayor.

Benches line the Paseo del Prado connecting the Plaza de Cibeles and Plaza de Canovas del Castillo.

The impressive headquarters of Spain’s postal service was built between 1905 and 1917 by Antonio Palacios sits on the Plaza de Cibeles.

The Ministerio de Asuntas Exteriores y de Cooperacion built in 1636 sits across the street from Plaza de Santa Cruz and Plaza de la Provincia.

Designed by Francesco Sabatini, construction of the Puerta de Alcala started in 1769 and took nine years to complete. It stands in the center of Plaza de la Independencia.

This fountain is found in Plaza de la Puerta del Sol.

Many thanks to Kari Hoerchler for the fabulous photos, and for taking us along on a tour of Madrid monuments by night.

Also see: Our recommended budget hotels in Madrid.

The post Madrid’s Monuments at Night: A photographic tour appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.