1. Stroll les Berges de Seine

The renovated banks along the Seine were one of the best gifts the mayor gave the city last year. This year, they will be in full swing. Games, restaurants and a second location of Rosa Bonheur, the “it” place in Buttes Chaumont that now has a riverside address.

The berges are the place to see and be seen on hazy summer evenings, so scope out your favorite section and prepare for a summer of excellent people watching. Check out the official website for locations.

2. Must see museum exhibits

For those days when the weather isn’t cooperating, there are still plenty of great shows in some of Paris’ most famed galleries. A few recommendations:

• Check out the “Paris 1900” exhibition at the Petit Palais through August 17.

• Stop in the Louvre to see the Abu Dhabi collection that will be premiering in the museum’s newest location that is set to open 2015. It’s on display through July 28 before being packed up for its new home.

• The Musée Maillol has the Trésor de Naples through July 20 to discover some historic glitz and glam from Italy.

Also see our full list of Paris museum admission fees and discounts.

The annual Fête de la Musique brings live bands out into the streets of Paris for an all night party. Photo: straightfromthecask

3. Fête de la Musique

June 21

An all-night party in Paris with music at every turn? OK! Urban music is the special guest this year, so it’s anyone’s guess what kind of performers we’ll be seeing. But the whole night is about music out in the open for the public to enjoy—and that’s just what you’ll get.

Simply wander the streets and follow the sounds, just don’t stay out too late, because it can get kind of messy in the wee hours of the morning. Find out more on the Fete’s official website.

The fireworks display on Bastille Day is a must-see for any summertime visitor. Photo: Yann Caradec

4. Celebrate Bastille Day

July 14

We’d be remiss to talk about summer in Paris without mentioning the Bastille Day celebrations. From the firemen’s parties (bals de pompiers) to the military parade on the Champs Elysées, there’s fun to be had for all. And as long as you don’t mind crowds, be sure to see the pièce de résistance—the fireworks behind the Eiffel Tower. It’s a Parisian summer staple. Here’s a full round up of Bastille Day events.

Take a break with a frozen treat or break our your swimsuit for some sun along the Seine. Photo: passionleica

5. Hit the beach at Paris Plages

July 20 – August 20

It’s a mainstay of the summer in Paris, be it along the Seine or up along the Canal in the 19^th arrondissement. The banks are turned into beachside resorts where families can catch a bit of sun, dig their feet in the sand and enjoy dancing and other events sponsored by City Hall—for free.

6. Cinéma en Plein Air

Starting July 23

Up by the old abattoirs at La Villette in the 19th, the lawn offers primo seating for Paris’ biggest outdoor (and free) movie screen. When the sun goes down, the pictures start rolling. Pack a picnic and throw down your best blanket. This year the theme is “Adolescence,” which means movies like “Moonrise Kingdom” and “Scream 4” will regale audiences. See the schedule on the festival’s website.

7. Cinéma au Clair de Lune

July 31 – August 11

If you don’t like the film selections at La Villette, try the smaller but equally Parisian (and free) Cinéma au Clair de Lune. A series of films are projected in some of Paris’ most iconic parks, squares and public places. The location changes every night, so be sure to check the listings once they’re posted by the Forum des Images on their website.

8. Ride with Ratatouille at Paris Disneyland

Opening summer 2014
Website

Found a good deal on Disneyland tickets? Head on out to the park and look for the new Ratatouille ride opening this summer. The hotly anticipated addition to the Walk Disney Studio section of the park will be a 3D event starring everyone’s favorite Pixar rat. The attraction features a Disneyfied version of Haussmann architecture, recreating the quaint streets of Paris in addition to a bistro. So there’s really no reason to leave the park, right?

9. Picnic in the park

Paris in the summer also means picnics. Assorted meats from the local butcher. Wine and cheese. Beer and chips. Orangina and, well, whatever pairs with Orangina. All are fair game. Speaking of games, don’t forget to pack your pétanque balls or Molkky set to entertain you and your fellow picnickers as you sit back and relax, doing exactly what one should do in Paris.

Need ideas on where to enjoy your spread? Here are 8 great spots to enjoy a Paris picnic.

The post Summer in Paris: 9 ways to celebrate that won’t break the bank appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

This lifestyle can be taken to extreme levels, like dumpster diving and eating expired foods. Don’t worry, though, this blog post is not about finding day-old bagels in Barcelona.

Instead, I am focusing here on free things to do and see in Barcelona this summer. Freegans rejoice, you’ll spend nothing more than the bus fare to partake in the following.

Barcelona’s beaches are beautiful, interesting and totally free! Photo: Regina W Bryan

Go to the beach

Oh yes! Barcelona has many a beach, and from May to October you can tan your toes on them gratis.

Now, this is not to say that there will not be many temptations at the beach which a weaker freegan might fall for. You’ll be offered “cerveza, beer,” massage (don’t do it), cookies, bags of chips, sun chairs, sun umbrellas and cold cocktails in beach bars.

Just bring your own water and lunch and tell the hawkers a polite, “no gracias.”

Ready to jump in? Read my other posts on where to hit the beach in Barcelona, beaches worth a quick trip outside Barcelona, and the city’s best beach-side bars.

Play “spot the pickpocket” on La Rambla

This is a fun game I like to play with my husband. He, being a local, is better at it than I am, but over the years I’ve been able to recognize groups of thieves without much effort. Jokes aside (it’s not really a joke, watch your belongings here), La Rambla and most of the center offer excellent people watching. Sit on a bench and observe the circus going on around you. You can find hours of entertainment.

Have a picnic in Park Ciutadella

This is Barcelona’s Central Park, and while it is not nearly as big as New York’s version, it certainly has its own charm.

Wander around and admire the flower beds, jugglers, fountains and pond. Although there are many tourists in Park Ciutadella, it is also popular with locals. Find a shady spot under a palm tree and have your lunch. Note that this is also where you’ll find Barcelona’s zoo, which is overpriced and small.

Spend the day on Montjuïc, Barcelona’s nearest mountain

There are several pleasant parks on Montjuïc, and you can spend quite a bit of time getting lost in them.  The one called Jardins de Mossèn Costa i Llobera is especially nice. Like Park Ciutadella, the area near the Montjuïc Castle is a sweet spot for a picnic.

Celebrate Sant Joan

Basically a summer solstice party, Sant Joan takes place on the night of the June 23, and the following day is a holiday. Bonfires line the shores of Barcelona and revelers get wild setting off fireworks. Find a party and join in the fun.

Need a place to stay?

We have tons of great hotels to recommend in Barcelona, and while they might not be free, they’re definitely Cheapo. Check out our complete list of recommended hotels in Barcelona.

The post Free summer activities in Barcelona appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Making good use of the local grocery

Even if you don’t have a kitchen at your hotel or hostel, the grocery store can still be a good option. Simply buy ready-made snacks and drinks, or grab some plastic cutlery and some paper plates and head for the park.

Although this last week (September 2009) has been stormy in Barcelona, the weather is usually sunny regardless of the season, so eating on a bench or having a simple picnic in the city center is totally realistic.

Some foods you might look for at the grocery store include: ready-made sandwiches (ham and cheese, tuna, egg, etc.), bottled gazpacho, bottled yogurt (to drink, like a smoothie), bags of olives, chips and dips, sliced Spanish hams and cheeses, ready-made salads, and fruit.

Pick up the basics at the supermarket, then head to a bakery for fresh baguettes and croissants (perfect for breakfast).

Three central Barcelona supermarkets

In the center of the city, it may be hard for the untrained eye to find the grocery stores hidden among the sea of touristy restaurants. Here are three suggestions:

Carrefour
Rambla de los Estudios, 113

Located on the Rambla, Carrefour is one of the most complete supermarkets in town, and it’s also cheap. You’ll find ready-made goods at the front of the store.

El Corte Ingles
Plaza Cataluña

It doesn’t look like a grocery store, but go down to the “-1” level of this department store on Plaza Cataluña and you’ll find a full-service supermarket with local and international products.

Bonpreu
Calle Jordi De Sant Jordi 1

Meaning “good price” in Catalan, Bonpreu is true to its name. The supermarket is the smallest of the three, and offers local products and, usually, a bakery.

The post Barcelona supermarkets: Finding picnic-perfect cheap eats appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.