Walking or biking around Paris, however, can become a drag when the sky opens up and even the most prepared tourist may be caught off guard. Fear not, there are plenty of things to do in Paris when it rains–if not, do you think so many of us would still live here?

Here are five activities perfect for Paris “when it drizzles”:

1. Museums — but be careful!

Museums seem like an obvious choice, but choose wisely. If you decide to visit the Louvre on a rainy day, you very well may be lined up outside of that big glass pyramid waiting under your umbrella like everyone else who had the same idea.

Instead, try the Carnavalet museum in the Marais which features highlights of Parisian history, and it’s free. Or for €9.50 you could easily spend an entire day in the Hotel des Invalides visiting Napoleon’s tomb and the museum’s collection of war artifacts from medieval times until World War II. The perk? The museum is in French and English.

2. Pompidou Center Library

Everyone heads to the Pompidou Center for their modern art galleries, but if you just need a break from the rain, head to their library which is free of charge. The entrance is along rue de Rénard and any line that may form is rain-free.

Head upstairs to browse the collections or just bring your own book and grab a seat by the large windows overlooking the city and watch the rain fall. There is even a little café, bathrooms, and a covered balcony for smokers.

Related: How to spend three days in Paris

3. Park it at a café

Everyone always wants to play Parisian by passing a few hours sitting at a sidewalk café, and a rain storm provides the perfect excuse. Head to any café and order coffee for €1-3 and kick back.

Going solo is entirely acceptable, just bring a book or a notepad to make yourself look busy while you enjoy the pitter patter of the rain on the sidewalk.

4. Movies!

Movie time was always the perfect rainy day solution when I was a child. In Paris, the cinema is still a great option. Many theaters have special daytime or student prices, just make sure you see the “VO” version, the version original, or else you’ll be getting the version dubbed in French.

Head to the UGC at Bercy, for example, where shows before noon are only €6.70. Rainy mornings are just as bad as rainy evenings, right?

5. Brave it outdoors

If rain doesn’t faze you, then bite the bullet, put on some rain boots, grab an umbrella and take advantage of the fact that the rain scares most tourists away from the city’s most popular sights. A promenade in the rain through the Tuileries or Luxembourg gardens can be spectacular when no one else is around.

As long as you’re feet are fine and you leave your electronics in the hotel or hostel, you can really enjoy Paris during a summer afternoon shower.

Accessories

No matter what you do, plan accordingly. Proper shoes and umbrellas are a must for all seasons in Paris. If you are carrying any documents or important papers, keep them in a waterproof bag or leave them in the hotel safe–nothing is worse than a soggy passport at customs.

Your rainy-day activities

Paris proves, again and again, rain or shine, it’s always one of the most beautiful cities in the world. What are your favorite rainy-day activities? Share with us in the comments section.

Note: This article was updated on July 4, 2014 to reflect price changes.

The post Paris in the Rain: 5 activities for Paris when it drizzles appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Locals are thankful for any sunny days that they can get. An arsenal of indoor activities and strategies for dealing with the rain will come in handy during a trip to Dublin.

Tip: One thing I learned living in this city was never to leave home without an umbrella. Even if it looks sunny in the morning – if you leave your umbrella in the hotel you will almost certainly get drenched in a passing storm. Bring an umbrella everywhere and pack shoes that are comfortable for walking around on a wet day.

Once you have your packing list set, take a look at some of my favorite things to do in Dublin on a rainy day.

1. The Dublin Writers’ Museum and Hugh Lane Gallery

On a rainy day, you are going to want to choose a couple attractions that don’t require a ton of walking between them. Two of my favorite attractions in Dublin are right next door to each other. Start your day at the Dublin Writer’s Museum, a historic Georgian townhouse full of fascinating exhibits relating to Ireland’s best known writers.

Next door is the Hugh Lane Gallery, home to the recreated studio of Francis Bacon. The studio was recreated in the gallery just as it was found when the artist died. After checking out the temporary exhibitions, finish your day in the gallery’s cozy café for a pot of Irish tea.

2. Irish Film Institute and the Gallery of Photography

Too many visitors to Dublin only see one side of Temple Bar: the overpriced pubs full of tourists. The truth is, this old, cobbled section of Dublin is also known as the city’s cultural quarter. Skip the nightlife here and instead check out attractions during the day.

Start out by exploring the exhibitions at the Gallery of Photography. A short stroll away is the Irish Film Institute. Grab lunch here in the artsy café before checking out a foreign film. Afterwards, a bookstore called the Gutter Bookshop is nearby. For a sweet finish to the day, grab a table at the Queen of Tarts for dessert and coffee.

3. George’s Street Arcade

Shopping in Dublin is an easy way to get soaked on a rainy day – unless you head to George’s Street Arcade. This indoor market is full of interesting stalls and restaurants – all shielded by the rain. It’s the length of a city block and has many shopping choices for cheapos.

Browse the racks at vintage stores, make an impulse purchase on costume jewelry, or pick up affordable souvenirs like replicas of antique Guinness ads. There are also a few affordable restaurants in the arcade, including Honest to Goodness and Little Macs.

While there are many indoor activities for a rainy day in Dublin, the locals don’t let a little rain get in the way of their fun. With the right gear, a hike can be just as rewarding on a “soft day” as on a sunny one.

Also in our guide: If you’re planning a trip to Dublin now, check out our list of recommended cheap hotels in Dublin, all visited, verified and reviewed by the EuroCheapo editors. They’re all safe bets, rain or shine.

The post Dublin’s Rainy Days: What to do in Dublin when it rains appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Here are five suggestions for cheap things to do in London when it rains:

1. Explore the universe: The Science Museum
Exhibition Road, South Kensington
Open: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. daily
Admission: Free
Website

Museums and galleries are the obvious choice for a rainy day and London is bursting with them – many of which offer free admission. Our pick to keep spirits high once the heavens have opened is The Science Museum. Most Londoners harbor fond memories of fun-filled school trips to this place but it isn’t just for kids – the Science Museum offers an array of exciting exhibitions across all areas of science and the spectacular IMAX cinema is the icing on the cake.

If you’re not all museum-ed out when you’ve finished exploring everything from astronomy to climate change, The V&A and The Natural History Museum are handily located just around the corner. The museum is located next to Hyde Park so it’s the perfect place to duck into for a couple of hours if your trip to the park gets rained off.

2. Release your inner child at Hamleys
188-196 Regent Street
Website

If you need to get out the rain while in London’s West End and you don’t fancy whiling away the hours in Topshop, then head to Hamleys, the world’s “finest” toy shop. This legendary toy superstore is over 250 years old and sells everything from classic games to the newest and most coveted toys. While many hate to admit it, adults can have just as much fun in here as children and it’s easy for time to slip by as you drift back to those carefree childhood days.

3. Shop till you drop (and stay under cover)
Website

If it looks as though the rain is here to stay the why not lift the spirits with a bit of retail therapy? The newly opened Westfield Stratford City is Europe’s biggest urban shopping center and is located right next to the Olympic Village. The complex houses pretty much every shop imaginable all under one roof, as well as numerous eateries, bars, cinemas and a bowling alley; it’s easy to spend the day here without getting bored.

If you are a long way from East London then head to the West London in Shepherds Bush. Of course it is free to browse but we take no responsibility for how much you end up spending!

4. Explore the other side of the South Bank

If you’ve done the Tate Modern and popular outdoor South Bank activities such as river boat cruises, walking tours and catching a play at The Globe Theatre get rained off, then head for cover at Namco Station. This hedonistic haven offers something for everyone with pool, bowling, dodgems, karaoke, arcade games from all around the world and a bar.

Alternatively, pay a trip next door to the SEA LIFE London Aquarium, home to over 500 species of marine life. The Aquarium boasts a special shark walk, interactive feeding and touch pools and is an excellent option for families with young children.

5. And if all else fails… make like a local and head to the pub!

It may not sound very inspired, but many a Brit will head straight to their “Local” for a pint to get out the rain. Some pubs also have board games behind the bar making it even easier to keep entertained until the rain passes. See our post on London’s best traditional pubs for some suggestions to get you started.

Also in our guide: Planning your trip to London? Let us help! Our editors have visited, inspected and reviewed dozens of inexpensive places to stay in central London. Find the perfect place for your trip in our guide to London.

The post London in the Rain: 5 cheap things to do on those rainy days appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

As the saying goes, when it rains it pours and the last place you want to be when traveling is stuck outside in the rain. When it’s raining like mad in Rome, you don’t want to be hanging out in the middle of the Roman forum, as there’s nowhere to take cover.

Never fret. Here’s a few of my favorite things to do when it rains in Rome:

1. Museums

An obvious first choice is to check out one or two of Rome’s famous museums. There’s the MAXXI, MACRO, Capitoline, Ara Pacis and of course, the mother of all museums, the Vatican Museums.

Even in the rain, the Sistine Chapel dazzles. Photo: Jim Forest

It’s probably already on your checklist, anyway. Who comes to Rome and skips over the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel? That would be sinful. What better way to spend a rainy day than losing yourself amidst works by some of the greatest artists in the world, including Michelangelo, Leonardo Da Vinci, Raffaello and Caravaggio.

Vatican Museums
Viale Vaticano
Metro A Ottaviano-San Pietro
Tel.: 06 69884676
Admission: €15
mv.vatican.va

Cheapo Tip# 1:

On the last Sunday of the month, the entrance is free. Beware of the long lines on any given day, especially when it’s free. However, if you don’t feel like waiting in line, you can simply buy the tickets online for €4 more and you can skip straight to the head of the line and into the museums. Simple as that!

Cheapo Tip #2:

On September 27, 2011, World Tourism Day, entrance to the Vatican Museums is free. The only catch is you have to make a reservation online to get the free entrance and pay a €2 per person reservation fee.

2. Pantheon

Not too many monuments can be fully appreciated during the rain. But there’s nothing more fascinating than entering the Pantheon during a downpour.

This temple-turned-Catholic church is something truly special to marvel at from the outside with its colossal dome. During a rainstorm, once inside the Pantheon you’ll witness a cascade of rain entering through the large circular hole at the top of the dome, creating a waterfall onto the resplendent marble floor, before draining away. The best part? It’s free.

3. Church Hopping

You’ll need an umbrella to get from church to church. But once inside, you’ll be nice and dry and you can also take in the beauty of each one at your own pace. Here are a few of my favorite Roman churches:

Saint Peter’s Basilica

Millions of pilgrims flock to Saint Peter’s Basilica, the largest and most important Catholic church in the world, every year. The burial site of its namesake, Saint Peter’s construction involved Italian masterminds Michelangelo, Raphael and Bramante, and took more than a century to complete.

Santa Maria in Aracoeli (Our Lady of the Altar in Heaven)

Nothing is more enchanting than the monumental sweeping staircase leading to the entrance of the Santa Maria in Aracoeli basilica, perched atop the Capitoline Hill. Its 137 steps were designed according to myths that celebrate the passing of the plague, the “Black Death.” Whew. Now that’s a climb! It’s best known for its carved wooden figurine of the Baby Jesus, the “Santo Bambino.”

Santa Maria sopra Minerva

There are very few Gothic-style churches in Rome, but if you had to choose one, Santa Maria sopra Minerva definitely takes the cake! Just around the corner from the Pantheon, this church is best known for its vast collection of art and sublime frescoes designed by Filippino Lippi. The church was built in the 13th century over the Temple of Minerva (the Goddess of wisdom). Also to be admired (with an umbrella in hand) is Bernini’s elephant obelisk in front of the church.

Sant’Ignazio

No, your eyes don’t deceive: It’s actually an optical illusion. What appears to be a dome above the church is actually an elaborate painted optical illusion. Sant’Ignazio, built in 1626, was dedicated to Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Jesuit Order.

Santa Maria in Cosmedin

The Santa Maria in Cosmedin

should be on your must-visit list, rain or shine. Tourists line up here, anxiously awaiting their turn to stick their hand inside the Bocca della Verità (“Mouth of Truth”), an drain cover from the Middle Ages located in its portico. Legend has it that the jaws would clamp down on the hands of those who are untruthful! Unfortunately, tourists rarely seem interested in the church’s well-preserved interior and Romanesque bell tower, the tallest medieval belfry in Rome.

4. Gelato

Sure, it doesn’t have to be raining in order to duck into a gelateria to savor some delicious gelato. But since it is raining outside, why not? Here are a few of my favorite gelaterie:

Giolitti
Via degli Uffici del Vicario, 40
Near the Pantheon, Rome

San Crispino
Piazza della Maddalena, 3
Near the Pantheon, Rome

Via della Panetteria, 42
Near the Trevi Fountain, Rome

Il Gelato
Piazza Monte d’Oro, 91/92
Near Piazza Augusto Imperatore, Rome

Fata Morgana
Via Lago di Lesina, 9/11
Near Villa Ada, Rome

Your tips for Rome when it rains?

Have another rainy-day activity for Rome when it rains? Share with us in the comments section!

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