Beyond its amazing architecture, most of the things to do in Barcelona cost much lower than elsewhere in Western Europe. Tasty Mediterranean cuisine, clean and comfortable budget accommodations, discounted and free entry to shows, museums, and attractions — Barca has something for every visitor and every pocketbook, even Cheapos!

Budget tips for visiting Barcelona
• Barcelona: The best cheap hotels near top attractions
• 25 Do’s & don’ts to improve your trip to Barcelona
• 7 Phrases to learn before your trip to Barcelona

Budget travel guide to Barcelona

Read on for our best advice on making the most of your euros (and your time) in Barcelona.

Flying into Barcelona–El Prat Airport on a budget airline. Photo: James A

When to visit Barcelona

When it comes to finances, the best time of year to visit Barcelona is mid-January through February. It’s not particularly warm or sunny but it’s not freezing outside either. Besides, once the local Christmas holidays end on Three Kings Day (January 6th), airfare prices plummet and accommodations are especially reasonable, given the low occupancy levels during the lull between the holiday rush and when things warm up again for spring.

That said, deals can be had in Barcelona pretty much year-round, especially from late October through early December and then from mid-January up until Easter week. After Easter week, prices are on the rise but get exponentially higher after locals welcome the summer months in with fireworks and bonfires for Sant Joan’s Eve on June 23rd.

If you must visit for a major city event like the festival of La Merce (September 20-24 in 2024) or the Mobile World Congress (March 3-5 in 2025) our best advice is to book in advance — and not just flights and accommodations but any must-sees on your monument list, too. Gaudi sites like Sagrada Familia are known to sell-out regularly, particularly when your visit coincides with local holidays or an important conference.

Related: How to find the best dates in Barcelona and beat the crowds

Getting to Barcelona

Transatlantic fares to Barcelona start as low as $300 round-trip, if you’re flexible and shop around. For example, we recently found deals from Newark Airport on Tap Air Portugal from $401 and deals in the fall and winter from Boston with Iberia Airlines starting at $399.

If prices for flights to Barcelona seem a bit high for the dates you need, you can always fly into London or Paris, then hop a budget airline to Barcelona from about $33. Look for low-cost airfare to Europe with CheapoSearch.

Getting around

From the airport

To get to the city center from the airport, the best value for your money is to take the train from Barcelona’s old terminal, T2. If you arrive into T1, follow the arrows to the shuttle to T2 and the train. At about €4.50, or even less per ride if you buy and use a T-casual ticket (€12.15 for 10 rides) for your time in Barcelona, it’s cheaper than the Aerobus (€9.75) or the Metro (€5.15) and much cheaper than a taxi (about €30-€45). If you time it right and don’t have to wait for the next train, it’s also slightly faster than taking a regular city bus (46/N16/N17), a €2.40 option.

Walking

Once you get to the center from the airport, Barcelona is a very walkable city. Most of the major attractions you’ll want to see can be reached on foot, and for the most part, the center is fairly flat. That said, a few attractions, such as Gaudi’s Parc Güell, are far enough away that it’s probably worth your while to hop public transit to get there.

Public transit

Fortunately for residents and visitors alike, public transit in Barcelona is very cheap. A one-zone, multi-person 10-trip ticket, called the T-casual, can be had for €12.15. That’s only around one euro per swipe! See our tips on how to use the Barcelona bus system for more information.

Looking out over the city from Park Güell designed by Gaudi. Photo: Lauren F.

Cheap and free things to do in Barcelona

Gaudi for less

While you’re well-advised to go ahead and spend some cash on seeing the inside of some of Gaudi’s buildings, for travelers on a limited budget, there’s another good option: gawking at the outside of said buildings for free. One more pointer? If you’re going to go inside, go ahead and book your tickets online for Sagrada Familia, Casa Batlló, and Parc Güell. It’s slightly cheaper, saves you a little time waiting in line, and guarantees you won’t be turned away at the door because they’re sold out for the day.

Related: Best hotels for sleeping near Gaudí architecture

Another free thing to do? Head to Ciutadella, Cervantes, or Palau Reial Parks for a picnic and a walk around the grounds. Ciutadella is the most centrally located, Cervantes has a gorgeous rose garden, and Palau Reial has a Palace. Or, if you can scrounge up €2.23 and a metro pass, head to Barcelona’s Garden Labyrinth Park. Scenes from the movie Perfume were filmed in its neoclassical maze.

We also highly recommend visiting Barcelona’s historic cemeteries in Montjuïc and Poble Sec. Full of fascinating funerary art, they offer unique insights into life in the community.

Most of the city’s museums have a free afternoon weekly, a free day monthly and also waive admission on certain holidays.  For example, MNAC, the National Museum of Catalan Art in the palace on Montjuïc is free Saturday afternoons from 3 p.m. until close, as well as the first Sunday of the month, and on four city holidays. Even the Picasso Museum has a free evening weekly, Thursdays from 4 to 7 p.m. (November through April) or 7 to 9 p.m. (May through October), in addition to a free day every first Sunday of every month.

Tapas is a tasty and cheap staple of Barcelona life. Photo: Craig Nelson

Wallet-friendly eats and drinks

You can’t leave Barcelona without trying staples like Cava and tapas. And before you walk into a restaurant, cafe or bar in Barcelona, there are only a few rules you need to follow to get more bang for your buck:

Don’t eat right next to a popular attraction

Prices will always be higher and the quality has the potential to be lower. This is particularly true on the Rambla.

Eat when the locals eat

Barcelona eats on a very specific schedule, learn it, and you’ll not only save but you’ll be blending in with the locals (or at least trying to). Here are 18 tips to dine like a local in Barcelona.

Boqueria market is busy but worth exploring for local food. Photo: G0Dex

Explore La Boqueria market

Although La Boqueria can be a mob scene, it also a world-class food market with incredible tastes around every corner.  If you push through the crowds, you’ll be rewarded with a more local experience at La Boqueria.

Avoid places with their menu translated into more than three languages

In a popular city like Barcelona, Catalan, Spanish and English are pretty much a given in the city center. If your menu is in more languages than that, scram, because you’re likely in a tourist trap.

Always read the menu and the prices before you go in

Typically places post the prices outside the restaurant, but if not, ask to take a quick glance at the menu just to know what you’re getting into. For a super cheapo meal, head for these five cheap eats under €6.

Go out for lunch

Looking for the best price on freshly prepared food in massive quantities? Go for lunch around 2 to 4 p.m. and grab a menu del día. Multicourse meals including bread, dessert, coffee, and wine start at around €8. For the lowest prices, get away from Plaça Catalunya and La Rambla and head to the side streets. Here are the 8 best lunch deals in Barcelona.

Turn tapas into a meal

Tapas is a beloved tradition in Barcelona. It’s a chance for a quick drink and snack before dinner, but you can also go for a tapas crawl or settle into one spot and fill up on small plates of cheese, ham, and seafood. Read more: Barcelona Tapas Guide: What, where, and when to eat tapas.

The amazing view from Eddy Rooms Barcelona.

Inexpensive accommodations in Barcelona

Compared to Paris, London or even Madrid, Barcelona’s a very reasonable city to sleep in. Basic budget hotels offer private rooms from about €100 per night, and hostels have beds in shared dorms from €35. Apartment vacation rentals start at €80 per night.

Where to stay

It’s important to note that while accommodations out in Barcelona’s outlying neighborhoods like Horta-Guinardó and Clot and sleepier communities like Hospitalet and Santa Coloma may be cheaper, you’re probably better off staying closer to the center. You’ll save time, money and stress! Check out our list of Barcelona neighborhoods to see where to stay. And if you want to stay at our favorite cheapo picks, here are the top budget hotels in Barcelona.

Looking for even more Barcelona hotels? You can browse and book listings in our Barcelona hotel guide.

Safety tips

Generally speaking, Barcelona is a very safe destination and violent crime is very rare. Even political demonstrations tend to be very peaceful. That said, petty theft is very common, so keep valuables close and pay attention to your surroundings, particularly in crowded areas. Here are 10 tips to help you stay safe during your trip to Barcelona.

Your tips for Barcelona

Have you been to Barcelona? We’d love to hear from you. Share your favorite tips for exploring the Catalan Capital on a budget in the comments below.

The post Barcelona Budget Travel Guide: How to save in the Catalan capital appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

You’ve booked your flights, reserved your accommodations, and built yourself an itinerary for your adventure in Iberia. But what about staying in touch? Spain’s a budget traveler’s best friend — but not if you rack up insane roaming charges on your phone. Calling home, finding your way around town with Google Maps, and updating your Instagram can take a big toll on your phone bill.

One option is to turn your phone into a console and only use it in places with free Wi-Fi, but that can get frustrating fast. Want to look up the Prado’s opening times? You better hope the password that comes with your café con leche is on a network that isn’t overloaded and slow.

So, what can Cheapos do to use their phones like they do at home? Buy Sim Cards and use them in unlocked phones! Not sure how to unlock your phone? Check out our articles on buying an unlocked phone and buying a SIM Card in Europe for more details.

So what exactly are you buying with a Spanish SIM card? Essentially, you’re purchasing a small chip with a Spanish phone number on it. When you put it in an unlocked phone and load it up with credits, you’ll be able to make telephone calls, send texts, and use data on your phone just like at home. Most SIM Cards in Spain will also work all over Europe due to European Union regulations about roaming charges across borders. Just remember to ask for a “tarjeta prepago” (prepaid card), unless you happen to want a long-term contract with a Spanish provider.

Finding the best deal for your particular circumstances can be a bit confusing, but don’t worry, we’re here for you. To make this process easier, we’ve spent some time researching the best options for travelers and have come up with three cost-conscious SIM Cards to help you save while you explore Spain.

This article was updated in November 2021 with new information and prices.

 EuroCheapo is supported by our readers. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Thank you!

The best SIM Cards in Spain for your trip

Using SIM Cards in Spain can save you a lot of euros. Photo: zhrefch

1. Orange Holiday Europe Prepaid SIM Card

Cost: €49.90
Pros: The number one option for Cheapos. Great coverage across Europe. Can be purchased in advance.
Cons: Limited to 14 days.

The best bargain for everything a traveler could want is with Orange. The price of €49.90 includes 20GB at 4G+ speed, unlimited calls and SMS within Europe, and 120 minutes of talk time and 1,000 SMS to your home country.

Once you sign up for the €49.90 plan, you have 14 days to use up your balance. If you’ll be traveling for longer, you can renew the prepaid plan for €11 to €40 when your time is up. Orange will send you a reminder. Otherwise, you’re all done.

There are lots of Orange stores in major Spanish cities like Barcelona and Madrid, and for the most part, employees speak enough English to give newbies a hand.

Taking a phone (and smoke) break in Barcelona. Photo: Enric

2. Movistar Prepaid SIM Card

Cost: €19
Pros: Wide coverage in Spain. Stores are located all over the country.
Cons: Only limited data included. Per-minute charges for calls.

Movistar has some of the widest coverage in Spain. If you plan to travel to tiny villages and hike in the middle of nowhere, you may want to go ahead and pay a little extra for a Movistar prepay plan.

The most popular SIM card costs €20. The plan includes 75GB of data and 150 minutes of calls in Spain. International calls are an additional €1.21 per month plus 22 cents per minute (plus EU roaming). SMS is €0.31 each. Since it used to be a part of the Spanish national phone company, Telefónica, Movistar stores are easy to find almost everywhere in Spain.

Finding the next tapas place in Granada on an iPhone. Photo: Manuel

3. Lycamobile SIM Card

Cost: Bundles start at €5
Pros: Affordable for international calls and data.
Cons: Not many stores. Auto-renewal policy can be confusing.

Lycamobile is one of the cheapest options for unlimited international calls and using lots of data. The downside? There are fewer storefronts to sign up, although you can order the SIM card online.

One possibility, if you don’t want to hunt down the nearest shop, is to talk to your accommodation about having it shipped directly there just before your trip. This way, your SIM is waiting for you upon arrival. Just don’t arrange things too far in advance because your SIM comes with a pin that expires in 15 days.

Bundles start as low as €5. If data is your big priority, Lyca Globe 20 is a good option with 35GB for up to 28 days and EU roaming all for €20. If you’re more interested in phoning home, grab the Lyca Globe 15 or Lyca Globe 20, both of which offer unlimited national calls and 1,000 minutes of international calls, plus 20GB to 35GB of data for €15 or €20 for the first 28 days. Just remember to uncheck the auto-renewal box at purchase time unless you’re staying for more than 28 days.

If you’re not sure if you signed up for auto-renewal or just want to double check that you did indeed cancel, dial *190# and follow the instructions to end your service.

More SIM Card tips in Europe

Don’t wait until the last minute before you start researching Sim Cards in Spain (and beyond!). It can be a bit complicated, but we’ve compiled a few articles that will come in handy:

• How to use a SIM card in Europe
• How to set up your American iPhone for a European vacation
• How to keep your iPhone safe in Paris

Have you used SIM cards in Spain or another country in Europe? Let us know your tips for saving on your phone bill.

The post The best SIM Cards in Spain for your trip appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Full of granite edifices with greenery springing out of hidden crevices and decorated with gargoyles, in our opinion, Santiago is one of the most beautiful cities in Spain.

Its maze of streets is packed with quirky shops, ancient churches, monasteries, and charming plazas. The pedestrianized medieval old town has recently been added to UNESCO’s list of World Heritage sites. Add to that a multitude of options to eat and sleep on the cheap, and you’ve got a budget paradise. Let’s explore, Cheapos!

Related:
• 50 Ways to save on your trip to Spain

Visiting Santiago de Compostela on a budget

Getting there and getting around

While there aren’t any direct US flights to Santiago, you can fly on budget airlines from cities around Spain and the rest of Europe. Round-trip flights from Barcelona start at around €30.

That said, depending on your dates, you may want to just spring for a round-trip ticket to Santiago with a stop in a major European hub. At the time of writing, we found a round-trip itinerary with Iberia for €684 with a connection in Madrid.

Most of what you’ll want to see in Santiago is located around the city’s historic medieval core referred to locally as the “zona monumental,” and you can walk from one end to the other in about 15 minutes flat (if you don’t get distracted on the way). Should you want to venture further afield to something in the city’s modern quarter, it’s only a leisurely walk or short bus ride away.

Cheap and free things to do in Santiago de Compostela

One of the best free things to do in Santiago de Compostela is just walking around la zona monumental and getting lost. It seems like no matter how many times you walk around the old town, you always stumble upon something new — maybe a Galician gaitero (or bagpiper), your new favorite dive bar, or even just vendors handing out free samples of Santiago cake.

Another good choice on a budget? One of the city’s parks and a picnic. Start by shopping for some goodies at Santiago’s Mercado de Abastos, and then head to Alameda Park for some nice views of the old town and the cathedral. While you’re there you can pay your respects to a curious local monument known as the Dos Marias, a tribute to two ladies who garnered fame in the 1950s and ’60s for dressing up in wild clothes and flirting with college students.

Looking for a more challenging hike? Take the one-hour climb up Monte Pedroso for a panoramic view of Santiago and surrounding areas.

Museums

If you’re one of those folks who likes to check out a few museums wherever you go, Santiago has a few worth visiting, especially on free days. The Pilgrimage Museum, where you can learn everything you always wanted to know about St. James Way and other pilgrimages from around the world. It is free Saturdays after 2:30 pm and all day on Sundays.

If you’d rather learn about Galician history, try free Sundays at the Museo do Pobo Galego — even if you don’t care about the artifacts, it’s housed in a historic Convent.

Finally, don’t leave without touring the Cathedral. It’s 100% free to check out the relic of Saint John, the Portico de Gloria, and the Corticela chapel (although in spring and summer you may have to wait in line). If you can, plan to catch a mass at noon — you might get to see the famous Botafumeiro, a massive 170-pound-plus incense holder swung around.

For more tips, you can check out the official tourism website for Santiago de Compostela.

Inexpensive Eats in Santiago

Santiago may just be the perfect place to feast on a budget. Great grub and potent alcohol come at very reasonable prices here. Cheapos will also be very happy to hear that the long-held tradition of a free tapa with your drink (alcoholic or otherwise) at a bar is still observed.

That said, as a general rule, if you’re too close to the cathedral, and the menu is in three or more languages, you’re probably in a tourist trap. Most places around town offer up Galicia’s best-known fare — octopus, savory pies, and Santiago cake, but that doesn’t mean what they’re offering is the best quality or price.

For some of Santiago’s best octopus, known locally as pulpo á feira, head to the unassuming Bodegón Os Concheiros (Rúa de Berlin, 3) where the octopus is freshly made, as opposed to the rubbery reheated nonsense you find in some bars around Spain and expect to spend €8 to 10 for a feast of tapas with friends.

Some other good budget options are A Moa on Rúa de San Pedro and O Cabalo Branco at Praza da Pescadería Vella.

For a nice cup of coffee or tea with a slice of rich almondy Santiago cake, or thick Spanish chocolate with churros fried in house, head to Café Iacobus (Rúa da Senra, 24).

Or for a heartier snack, stop by Colmado Victoria (Rúa do Hórreo, 53) and pick up a slice (or a whole pie to share) of Galician empanada with codfish and raisins.

Hotel Alda Algalia is a charming boutique hotel just a few minutes from the cathedral. Photo: EuroCheapo/Booking.com

Cheap hotels in Santiago de Compostele

Lodging is very affordable in Santiago de Compostela, although rooms can fill up far in advance. Pilgrims who make the trek tend to plan ahead, so you should do the same.

If you don’t mind hostels, bunks start at around €12 per person per night.

One of our favorite hotels is the cozy Hotel Alda Algalia, located right in Santiago’s old town. Ancient stone walls and exposed wood beams add character to this highly-rated stay where rooms with private bathrooms start at around $100 per night.

If you’re traveling with family or in a group, a triple or quadruple room would be a good bet —centrally located digs start at around €95 for rooms with four beds.

Know your dates? Search for affordable rooms at more than 200 hotels in Santiago de Compostela.

Your budget tips for Santiago de Compostele

Have you been to Santiago de Compostela? Share your tips in the comments below!

The post Spain: A Budget travel guide to Santiago de Compostela appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Popular come winter and summer with Catalans and folks from around Spain, this striking mountain playground offers many of the thrills (striking scenery, hiking, biking, snow sports, and charming villages) to be found in the Swiss and Italian Alps at a fraction of the cost. And food and drink, while heavier than Barcelona’s more Mediterranean fare, is equally tasty, not to mention easy on the wallet.

Related
• 10 Rookie mistakes to avoid when traveling in Spain
• 25 Do’s & don’ts that will improve your trip to Barcelona
• 8 Overlooked destinations for budget travelers in Spain

A Spanish Pyrenees Travel Guide for Budget Travelers

How to get there and getting around

Unfortunately for Cheapos who don’t like to drive, this is a part of Spain that has very limited public transportation. While you can reach the area via bus or train or a combination of both, getting around can be tricky, as bus service between villages is infrequent at best.

Explore with a rental car

Hands down, the best way to get around this part of Spain is in a rental car. It will shave hours (literally, hours) off the time it takes to arrive in the region and offers flexibility when it comes to getting around and where you stay. Fortunately, car rentals are reasonable (think €100 or less for three days) for a small economy rental.

Related: 10 Tips for renting a car in Spain

When you book your rental car, keep in mind that you want something small enough to get around narrow village streets and park in tight spots but also with some power to get up the mountain roads. To get the best price, do a search on EuroCheapo and compare rates between agencies carefully.

Book as far in advance as possible, select a manual transmission (automatic will be pricier), and pick up your vehicle at the Barcelona airport — in-city pick-up is usually an added fee and means driving in traffic.

To save on getting to and from Barcelona airport, take the train. It’ll get you to the T2 terminal and from there you can grab a shuttle to your rental company’s offices. If you’ve got a TMB 10-pass, the ride only costs you about €1, or even if you have to spring for a single ticket, at €2.25, it’s still cheaper than the Aerobus.  Another cheap way to get to the rental office? Book a Bla Bla Car.

Taking the bus

Even though it won’t make for the easiest trip, it is possible to explore this part of Spain without a car. From about €25, you can hop an Alsa bus and six hours and one transfer (in Llavorsi) later, you’ll arrive in Espot, an ideal jumping-off point from which to explore.

However, bus service between the area villages is infrequent, so be sure to pack walking shoes, or consider renting or borrowing a bike from your accommodations where available.

When to go

Whatever you do, don’t go in November, it’s the one month of the year when pretty much everything is closed. It’s too chilly for hiking and rafting, and there’s not enough snow for winter sports yet. Business owners make the most of it and take some well-deserved time off.

That said, when to go depends on your priorities. If you prefer your mountains with snow but want to keep your expenses down, think late January through the week before Holy Week (Easter). Try to go Tuesday through Thursday, as opposed to Friday through Sunday when rooms and slopes are in higher demand. If you prefer hiking, biking and rafting to cross-country skiing and snow-shoeing, you should consider the shoulder seasons — late spring and early fall, when locals aren’t willing to risk getting caught out in the rain or wind.

Hiking is a popular (and cheap) activity in the Pyrenees. Photo: Manel

Free and cheap things to do in the Spanish Pyrenees

This part of Catalonia is well known for its high concentration of well-preserved Romanesque churches, gorgeous medieval mountain villages and beautiful scenery. The Pyrenees are a perfect place for long walks or bike rides with a friend. Just be sure to always have a charged phone, a flashlight, a map, and provisions in case you get lost or stuck.

Aigüestortes I Estany de Sant Maurici National Park
Get some fresh air in Catalonia’s only national park. Striking mountain peaks and the massive Sant Maurici Lake make for gorgeous summer and winter hikes. Come winter, err on the side of caution and either make every effort to stay on marked trails or book your expedition with a park ranger. Winter walks with snowshoes start at €16 and guided hikes in the summer start at €12.

Explore Gerri de la Sal
A historic salt-mining town, Gerri de la Sal, has a beautiful medieval monastery on the river and a city museum dedicated in large part to the town’s historic salt industry. Tragically, the industry that supported the town was also its downfall as the salt produced here was deficient in iodine and caused serious thyroid problems in residents.

A Medieval village in the Pyrenees. Photo: Les Haines

Get on the water in Sort
Sort is a great place to get on the water in the Pyrenees with multiple companies offering rafting, canoeing and kayaking from about €45. For the best deal possible, get together a group and request a discount or book through a third-party deal site like atrapalo.com — savings are usually 20% or more of the list price, but be advised that just like with Groupon, these deals sometimes result in overbooking (which means if you have a limited availability, you may not be able to use your voucher).

Ski on the cheap
Generally speaking, snow sports are an expensive pastime. Fortunately, there are budget-friendly deals aplenty to be had in the Spanish Pyrenees. If you can book ahead with a voucher site like groupon.com, you may be able to get a day pass for area slopes for as little as €14.

Visit a Medieval walled city 
In Escaló, visit a villa closa, a medieval village where the houses are built together to form an exterior wall around the inside streets.

How to Save on Food

As elsewhere in Spain and Southern Europe, eating and drinking is inexpensive. For the best possible value for your money, eat out weekdays at lunch when there are fixed price menus available.

Note: In this part of Spain, young horse meat is considered a delicacy. If you’re not into it, avoid anything marked “potre”. You’ll also find plenty of wild game (deer, boar, etc.) on the menu.

Sleeping cheap in the Pyrenees

In rural parts of Spain, “casas rurales” are often the most inexpensive choice, especially for folks traveling in a group. Pensiones are another good budget-friendly option for comfortable but basic accommodations. Hostels aren’t as widely available as in bigger cities, but there are a few worth checking out, especially if you just want to be as close to the slopes as possible. Private rooms start at around €50 a night.

We particularly like the chalets and bungalows at Aigüestortes Camping Resort — fully outfitted with kitchenettes and private toilets for €65 a night (low season). These rustic accommodations can sleep up to six people. The grounds feature an outdoor pool and a terrace with free Wi-Fi. Note that there are surcharges for bedding and heat.

Other choices nearby include Hostal Trainera with a spa and affordable rooms and Hotel Vall d’ Aneu that features mountain views from select balconies.

Looking for more hotel options? Search in the Pyrenees and across Europe with EuroCheapo.

The post A budget travel guide to the Spanish Pyrenees appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

On top of that list, you can add friendly locals, beautiful architecture, natural scenery, and more UNESCO World Heritage Sites than you can possibly experience on any one trip. And if you need any extra convincing, just compare prices in Spain to other popular destinations in Europe, and you’ve got a can’t-miss vacation that’s easy on your pocketbook.

10 reasons to visit Spain in 2017

Still need more reasons? Here are 10 more reasons to visit Spain in 2017.

1. The favorable Dollar to Euro exchange rate

Spain has always been a budget traveler’s paradise. The country’s inexpensive wine, food, and public transportation are even more wallet-friendly when the Euro takes a nose-dive, and since 2016, it’s started a downward trend that looks like it’ll last well into 2017.

At the time of writing, $1 buys €0.96, which means you can now estimate prices at a 1 to 1 ratio. Score!

2. Cheaper flights to Spain courtesy of new providers

Now you can fly to Spain from the US cheaper than ever with Norwegian Air. Starting in June 2017, the budget air carrier is adding flights from the U.S. cities of Fort Lauderdale, Los Angeles, Newark Liberty, and Oakland to Barcelona with fares starting at $179 each way.

Related: 10 Tips for flying Norwegian to Europe

And if you can’t wait until June, you can always grab a budget fare to another European hub city and add a Spanish city to your European itinerary with bargain fares from low-cost airlines like Vueling, RyanAir, easyJet, and Air Berlin. For the cheapest fares, book as far in advance as possible (or gamble on a last-minute fare days before departure) between two major destinations – think London and Barcelona, Paris and Madrid, etc.

Fly the Cheapo skies within Spain on Ryanair. Photo: magnus_d

3. Competitively priced air travel within Spain

While the increased competition in transatlantic flights is bound to lower the price of fares to Spain from abroad, it’s also important to note that the growing number of low-cost providers flying between Spain’s regional airports have made it cheaper than ever to fly inside the country.

Flying from Madrid or Barcelona to amazing cities in Spain like Granada, Santiago, and Malaga would cost you a pretty penny before this year. For the most part, you were limited to full-service airlines like Iberia, however, now budget carriers Ryanair and Vueling offer bargain fares booked year-round by savvy locals and travelers alike.

Start planning your 2017 trip! Search for budget flights in Europe.

4. World-famous musicians in Barcelona and Madrid

Who says you can’t build your trip to the Iberian Peninsula around a musical event? Beyond major music festivals like Primavera Sound in Barcelona (May 31- June 4) and the Mad Cool Festival in Madrid (July 6-8), concert halls in Spain’s two largest cities will host quite a few world-famous acts for 2017.

Related: Affordable hotels in Barcelona near top attractions

Barcelona will feature Lana Del Rey on February 1, Sting on March 21, Macy Gray April 1, and Suzanne Vega on June 10.

Madrid: Beginning in April and continuing through early summer, some big names in music will stop in Madrid: Bruno Mars (April 3rd), Guns N’ Roses (June 4), Aerosmith (June 29), Food Fighters with Belle and Sebastian (July 6th), Green Day (July 7th), and Kings of Leon with Wilco (July 8th).

To find more musical events, search by city and genre of music, and for discounted concert tickets, try atrapalo.com.

5. Midsummer festivities in Alicante

Every year in Spain, locals and visitors alike welcome warm weather with St. John’s Eve celebrations. The most famous of these take place in Alicante, a beautiful port city located on the Costa Blanca, where locals combine the more widespread midsummer tradition of bonfires with the burning of large-scale sculptures and effigies like those used in Valencia’s renowned Las Fallas festival.

Related: Find a budget hotel in Alicante

Beyond the wild festivities, there are street parties with live music as well as traditional dancing, parades, and beauty contests. Of course, you’ll also find very affordable food and drink on every corner of the city.

6. New Year’s  and Three Kings celebrations in Barcelona

New Year’s (December 31  – January 1) in Barcelona is a fun affair for visitors of all ages. Beyond the widespread Spanish custom of eating 12 grapes, one with each chime at the stroke of midnight for good luck, the locals have some interesting New Year’s traditions of their own.

Come New Year’s Eve day, l’home dels nassos, or the “nose-man”, a character that has as many noses as days are left in the year, that children are encouraged to spot for good luck every year on December 31st (the only day of the year that he looks like everyone else).  Closer to midnight, you can take in fireworks and the colorful waters of Montjuïc’s magic fountain dancing to holiday music.

After ringing in the New Year like a local,  you’d be best advised to stay in the city until at least January 5th and see the always entertaining menagerie of performers and whimsical floats in the Three Kings Parade through the city center.

Carnival in Sitges is a festive and colorful event. Photo Joan. G.

7. Carnival in Sitges

While Venice’s masquerades and the Canary Island’s Brazilian-style celebrations get most of the hype in Europe, the Carnival parades and events in Sitges, known as “Carnestoltes“, are a generous dose of fun to add to your European itinerary.

Related: A Budget guide to visiting Sitges, Spain

The 2017 festivities kick off on Fat Thursday (February 23rd) with the arrival of King Carnestoltes and the presentation of his queen. The fun continues through Ash Wednesday (March 1st) when a sardine is paraded around town with plenty of mock seriousness and then “laid to rest” in a surprisingly cheerful ceremony symbolic of burying the past in the hopes of creating a better future.

Looking for an affordable place to stay? Search over 300 hotels in Sitges, Spain. 

8. The Wine-Throwing Festival in Rioja

Another good reason to come to Spain in 2017? For the famous San Vino Wine Festival in Haro in La Rioja on June 28-30. Hike up a mountain with thirsty locals for the epic Wine Battle on St. Peter’s Feast Day.

On the mountaintop, there are water trucks and buckets full of wine that you can make use of to douse anyone and everyone around you before heading back down the mountain to Haro for a night of dancing and wine drinking. Just be sure to pack a set of clothes you don’t care about much for this event. A pair of (wine) goggles wouldn’t be a bad idea, either.

Related: See our list of 12 hotels in Haro, Spain

Santo Toribio de Liébana monastery was founded in 1125. Photo: Guillén Pérez

9. A Jubilee Pilgrimage on the Lebaniego Way

This lesser-known pilgrimage route in Cantabria (northern Spain) is always an interesting and less-crowded alternative to the more popular St. James Way. With a length of 72 km, the Lebaniego Way is also a great starter’s route — the whole route can be walked in three days.

2017 is an especially attractive year to follow the red arrow that signals the route. Starting on April 16, Santo Toribio Monastery (where the route ends) enters a jubilee year. Even if you’re not particularly interested in viewing the largest surviving fragment of the cross, known as the Lignum Crucis at the way’s end, the spectacular scenery and the special religious and cultural events to celebrate the jubilee year will make all that walking worth your while.

Cheapo tip: Besides, all things considered, walking is way cheaper than renting a car, and you won’t have to worry about finding budget accommodations with a gym to keep up with your workout schedule.

10. The Barcelona Marathon

Whether you’re a regular runner or just need a fitness goal to look forward to, why not make a resolution to start running and sign up for Barcelona’s 2017 marathon on March 12th, sponsored by Zurich Insurance Group.

You’ll have to register before March 6th, and the sooner the better, as the price goes up with the number of participants. That said, even at the max price of €84, it’s a bargain compared to some other big-name marathons stateside such as the Boston Marathon ($150) and the New York Marathon ($255). Besides, it’s the perfect excuse for an early spring escape to the Catalan capital.

Plan ahead!

And remember, whatever your reasons are for visiting Spain in 2017, be sure to book ahead for the best deals, especially if you plan to arrange your visit around a popular event or fiesta. Book those hotels, cars, flights and train tickets as early as possible for the best rates.

The post 10 great reasons to visit Spain in 2017 appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

¡Ningún problema! No problem — you don’t have to spend a ton of money to make the most of your time in Madrid. Here are some of our favorite cheapo tips for the Spanish capital so you can stay on budget, even with the occasional splurge on a nicer meal out, or a fancy cocktail in a club or on a rooftop terrace.

Flea markets

El Rastro Flea Market: Like the food markets, Madrid’s flea markets will give you an insight to how local people live (and shop). Held Sundays and on public holidays from 9 am until 3 pm in Plaza de Cascorro, Ribera de Curtidores street and the surrounding area, El Rastro Flea Market is a spectacle worth braving the crowds for. Barter for the best deal on old books, antiques, and artisan wares or just elbow your way through the masses and take in the show at what’s said to be Europe’s largest flea market.

Rave Market: For a trendier experience on the cheap, spend an afternoon shopping to live music and DJ sessions at the Rave Market, which promotes the recycling and exchange of second-hand goods (once a month, usually the last Sunday of the month).

“Free Store”: An interesting flea market alternative is the tienda gratis or free store at Centro Cultural La Piluka (Plaza Corcubión 16).  Lighten your luggage donating clothes or shoes you don’t like or trade ‘em for something better Wednesdays and Fridays between 7 pm and 9 pm.

Parks and outdoor attractions

Madrid may be a massive metropolis, but it has green spaces aplenty where you can escape the crowds with a picnic or a good book. Without venturing far from the center, spend an afternoon in Madrid’s glorious central park, the Parque del Retiro, once a retreat for the Spanish Monarchy.

Highlights here include the sparkling glass atrium, El Palacio de Cristal, the sculpture-lined Paseo de la Argentina, and the Fallen Angel statue and fountain, rumored to be the only monument in the world dedicated to the devil.

Or head to Capricho Park, another former noble property to find your way to the middle of the bay tree maze and soak up the sun in the manicured gardens afterward.

Looking for something historic but more unusual? Snap sunset or sunrise shots at the 2,000-year-old Templo de Debod (Parque del Oeste), a gift from Egypt to Spain, sent to Madrid after Spanish engineers helped the Egyptian government move historic monuments at risk of being ruined after a new dam caused serious flooding.

If exercise is what you’re truly after, try Parque Juan Carlos where you can bike eight miles of trails with 19 outdoor art installations on a free loaner bike (bring an I.D. to leave as a deposit). When you’re worn out, hop the free tourist train that departs on the hour from the exit to get a leisurely look at the park.

Architecture aficionados will want to stroll the length of the striking modern Arganzuela Footbridge designed by Dominique Perrault at Madrid’s Rio Park. On cold or wet days, stroll among leafy green plants at the tropical garden in Atocha Railway Station.

The two-star Hotel Plaza Mayor is located next to the famous square and regularly has rates under $100.

Save big on hotels

We’re always hunting down the best hotel values in Europe’s capital cities. Check out our guide to the best budget hotels in Madrid for our top picks (including the Hotel Plaza Mayor, above).

Remember that Madrid is easy to get around with excellent neighborhoods and incredibly walker-friendly, so staying anywhere near the center of the city will prove to be convenient for heading out and coming home at night without the need for expensive taxis or cars.

Related: 10 First-time mistakes to avoid on a trip to Spain

Free museums in Madrid

Some of the capital’s biggest attractions are its awe-inspiring art museums and monuments where lines tend to be long, and entry is expensive. Depending on the time of year, the lines are hard to avoid, but Madrid’s most important art and culture attractions are free of charge afternoons, evenings, one day a week, or even better, all of the above.

Here’s how to save at the city’s top cultural attractions:

Palacio Real
Mondays through Thursdays, European residents and citizens can explore the Spanish royal palace (no longer the royal residence) between April and September from 6 to 8 pm, and October to March from 4 to 6 pm. Come with a book or a friend — the line is long — although if you come on a rainy or cold day you just might miss the line. On Wednesdays, catch the Changing of the Guard at the Bailen Street entry, every 20 minutes between 11 am and 2 pm.

Museo Arqueológico Nacional
Get a glimpse of Spain’s prehistoric art scene and see the see the Altamira cave paintings free on Saturdays from 2 to 8 pm and all day on Sundays. Check out an astrolabe from 11th century Islamic Spain before you go.

The Changing of the Guard at Palacio Real. Photo Elentir

El Prado
Take in five centuries of art, classics by Goya, Velásques, and El Greco for free at Madrid’s most famous art museum from 6 to 8 pm Monday through Saturday and 5 to 7 pm on Sundays and holidays. Expect long lines.

Reina Sofia
Get an eyeful of Picasso’s Guernica and other more modern masterpieces in a 16th-century hospital free of charge from 7 to 9 pm Monday to Saturday (closed Tuesdays) and 1:30 pm to 7 pm on Sundays.

Thyssen Bornemisza
Admire great works by European masters at this museum that completes Madrid’s golden triangle with one of the largest private collections in the world for free Mondays from 12 to 4 pm.

Andén O
Delve into the history of Madrid’s metro in this unusual underground museum. Free Tuesday to Friday from 11 am to 7 pm and from 11 am to 3pm on weekends. Trains circulating between the city’s Iglesia and Bilbao stops still come through on the rails, even though there’s no stop here.

Caixaforum
Catch a free concert, exhibit, or just gawk at the modern architecture at this former electric power station with a striking living plant wall.

Visit modern masters like Picasso at the Reina Sofia. Photo Ricardo

Centro Cultural Conde Duque
Browse the books at the artisan press and stick around for a contemporary art exhibit or performance. Most shows are free.

Museo Taurino
Channeling Hemingway? Follow the history of bullfighting in Spain from ancient times to the present at this free Madrid attraction. Don’t miss the collection of gory objects, including famous fighter Manolete’s sparkly traje de luces that he wore when gored to death at age 30.

Museo de Arte Público
Lurking underneath a bypass, this free outdoor museum features abstract sculptures by Miró and Chillida among others.

Museo de América
Examine historic artifacts at exhibitions tracing Spain’s dramatic relationship with the American continent from its “discovery” to the present. Free on Sundays.

Museo Tiflológico
At Madrid’s Blind Museum, you can learn about the experience of being blind from a historic point of view. It’s always free but it is closed Sundays and Mondays.

Planetario
Learning about the stars in the exhibitions, interactive displays, and videos at Madrid’s planetarium is always free. However, to see the stars in the projection hall, you’ll need to buy a ticket.

Dining: Free tapas

While not exactly free, at many local bars, small tapas or snacks are served as a gift when you order a glass of wine, beer, or a cocktail. Depending on the bar, the tapa could be anything from something light, like popcorn, chips, or the ubiquitous olives, to something more substantial like little sausages, meatballs, or a scoop of Russian salad on toast.

Tapas tip: For the biggest portions for the lowest prices, get away from the city center and busy tourist attractions and zero in on busy neighborhood bars.

Favorite tapas joints include:

• El Tigre: A centrally located favorite for hefty tapas with drinks is El Tigre (Calle de las Infantas, 30) — just don’t look down, the floor is not exactly clean.
• El Respiro: If El Tigre is too full, try El Respiro next door.
• El Rincón Abulense: Near Puerta de Sol, El Rincón Abulense (Caballero de Gracia, 18) is also well known for its generous portion sizes.
• Índalo Tapas: There’s also the popular chain, Índalo Tapas that offers a good selection of free tapas with inexpensive drinks.
  

  Shopping for ham (jamón) at a Madrid market. Samples are free! Photo binderdonedat

Food markets

Browsing Madrid’s food markets is the best way to learn about the city’s foodie culture —and it’s free to boot! For the city’s best street food stands, head to San Ildefonso, or for a more traditional market experience make your way to Mercado de Maravillas, or Mercado de San Antón, right in the city center in a shiny modern building.

Don’t be shy, if you’re interested in making a purchase, but not sure if you’ll like something, ask for a sample (nicely, of course). Although San Miguel market is popular, it can get crowded and can feel a bit too touristy at times with prices to match.

Related: 10 Spanish phrases every traveler should know

Free Wi-fi

If you’re a relaxed traveler that likes to pull up a park bench, people watch, and browse the Internet for facts about your destination, Madrid might just be your spirit city. The local government offers free Wi-Fi hotspots in the airport, at libraries, newspaper stands, buses, plazas, local shops, and cafés.

On rainy days, hang out and read the local press while surfing the web in the chillout space at CentroCentro at Palacio de Cibeles or browse the collection at the majestic 18th century Biblioteca Nacional de España, the largest library in Spain (Paseo de Recoletos, 20-22).

Renting a car?

If you’re starting your journey in Madrid, we’d recommend starting your car rental on the day that you’re leaving Madrid, not the day you arrive. Most of Madrid’s big attractions are centrally located, meaning that you will not need (or want!) to mess around with a car. Parking garages in the center city are expensive — expect to pay at least €30 a day to park your car (and even that’s pretty cheap). Thus, rent it on your way out of town!

Also, rent your car well in advance for the best deals. Find a better deal closer to your travel date? Cancel and rebook — almost all agencies allow free cancellation. Search car rental companies here for the best deal.

More tips

Read more articles about saving in Madrid in EuroCheapo’s Madrid guide.

The post How to save on your trip to Madrid, Spain appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

An industrial center since the Roman era, Bilbao (Bilbo in Basque) is a combination of ancient roots and ultra-modern architecture that’s certainly worth exploring. When you tire of wandering around, laze on a beach on the outskirts of the city, or pop into a one of the cozy restaurants or bars for a break.

Due to the level of quality that Basques demand when it comes to food and drink, dining out can be slightly more expensive here than in some Spanish cities, but there are plenty of affordable options to be had, even in Bilbao’s popular old town.

Here are our favorite tips to stretch your Euros further without missing out on anything important.

Getting to Bilbao

From all around Europe, fly budget airlines like easyJet, Ryanair, and Vueling directly into the Bilbao airport starting around €100 for round-trip flights. Make your plans as far in advance as you can manage, and go carry-on only for the best deals. SYou can search for affordable flights on EuroCheapo. If you’re already in Spain, there are also plenty of trains and buses from the big cities. The train trip takes under 5 hours from Madrid and around 6.5 hours from Barcelona.

Wandering the streets of the Old Town in Bilbao. Photo: dbaron

Free entertainment and attractions

Treat yourself to a self-guided tour

Stroll the city, getting to know Bilbao’s eclectic mixture of old and new when it comes to architecture. If you prefer historic buildings, roam the old town in search of the elegant Arriaga Theatre, statues of Hercules guarding the renaissance style Arana Palace, the gothic city cathedral, and the art nouveau Ribera Market. Prefer the sleekly modern? Snap shots of the Guggenheim and the large-scale outdoor sculptures that surround it (there’s no charge for gawking at it from the outside). Then follow the Rio Nervión riverwalk to the soaring Isozaki Atea skyscrapers and the glass-bottomed Zubizuri Bridge.

Spend time in nature

Make your way to Doña Caslida Iturrizar Park and wander in the shade of hundred-year-old trees and feed the ducks. Or pack a picnic and a towel and hop the metro to Las Arenas or Barinatxe-La Salvaje beaches, easily reached via Bilbao’s metro system.

Free museums

The Guggenheim is never free, but a fair number of the city’s other institutions are free at least once a week. On Wednesdays, you can admire masterpieces by great artists like El Greco, Gauguin, and Goya in the second largest museum in Basque country, the Museo de Bellas Artes without paying the €7 admission fee. On Thursdays, choose between exploring Bilbao’s seafaring and industrial history at the Museo Maritimo, housed in a former shipyard and learning about Basque culture and traditions at the Euskal Museoa Bilbao free of charge.

Related: Five tips for visiting Bilbao on a budget

Cheap food & drink

Basque country is known throughout Spain — and the world — as an amazing place to eat. This reputation comes from Basque’s focus on the purity and freshness of ingredients used in cuisine, which doesn’t always translate to low prices. Even so, there are still inexpensive eats to be had around Bilbao.

Pintxos: The Basque version of tapas

Want to try local cuisine without breaking the bank? Opt for pintxos, the local version of tapas, small bites served on toast  and speared through with toothpicks, typical in bars and cafeterias around Basque country. Most often, pintxos are served on the honor system where you make your selection at the counter, and pay by presenting the toothpicks from the pintxos you ate before you leave. The best place to snack on a wide selection of pintxos on the cheap is El Figon (c/Obispo Orueta, 1) where all pintxos are priced at the same unbelievable price — €1.

Filling fare for less

For more filling fare there are sandwiches and fixed price menus. If you’re willing to wait in line for it, at Bar EME (c/Concha Jeneralare, 5), there’s a wide selection of filling sandwiches to be had for €4 or less or head to The Bite (c/Buenos Aires, 15) for set daily menus starting at €5.99, including two courses with a drink, not to mention Bilbao’s cheapest beer pitchers!

For a more formal Basque meal, up your budget just a bit with a weekday menu of one or two courses with dessert and drinks for €10-15 at Restaurant Pentxo (c/Belostikale, 20).

Related: A Trip through the Basque region 

The view from a room with a balcony at Hotel Casual Curea. Photo: Courtesy of the hote

Affordable accommodations

Bilbao, like many Spanish cities, has a good selection of budget hotels and guesthouses on offer with private rooms starting around €50 per night. Stick to centrally located lodging to save money and time on transit and getting around the city. For extra savings, try staying at hostels, where prices start around €10 per person for a bed in a shared room.

We recommend budget-friendly options that don’t sacrifice on location or creature comforts like private bathrooms such as Ibis Bilbao Center, Casual Gurea, and Hotel Sirimiri.

Search over 75 hotels in Bilbao on EuroCheapo.

The post A Budget guide to Bilbao, Spain appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Spaniards age 30 and under have had plenty of English language lessons at school—generally more than enough to help you order lunch or find your size at local shops.

Even so, the following key Spanish phrases will come in handy and could even save you some cash on your next trip to Spain. More often than not, a little Spanish will get a smile and better service than babbling in English from the get-go.

For maximum politeness, all verbs are conjugated using “usted”, Spanish’s more formal you.

Related: 7 Phrases to help you save in Barcelona

1. ¿Habla inglés?: Do you speak English?

It’s best to ask, and not assume that someone will understand English. Nine times out of ten, people in shops and restaurants will do what it takes to reach an understanding, even if their English is limited to the basics. In Barcelona’s famous La Boquería Market, I know a fishmonger who gets called away from her stand to help other vendors with English-speaking clientele.

2. Perdón/Perdone: Excuse me.

This is a biggie. This will save you from all kinds of dirty looks, and the occasional scene when you accidentally bump into someone or need to elbow your way out of a crowded bus or subway wagon. It works especially nicely when paired with #1, as in, “Perdone ¿Habla inglés?” Translation: “Excuse, me, but do you speak English?”

Knowing a little Spanish can go a long way with a waiter in Madrid. Photo: rafa_luque

3. Por favor and gracias: Please and thank you

Just like everywhere else in the world, add a please and thank you to your sentence, a pleasant tone of voice, and a smile, and you’ll be on your way to a much friendlier encounter.

Related: When (and when not) to tip in Barcelona

4. ¿Dónde está? + name of place or attraction: Where is it?

If your Spanish isn’t great and the place you’re looking for isn’t nearby, it’s best to use this phrase with a map out, so the person can physically point you in the right direction.

Two of my most used combinations with this one are “¿Dónde está el metro?” And “¿Dónde está el lavabo?” Respectively “where’s the subway?” and “where’s the bathroom?”

5. ¿Cuánto cuesta?: How much does it cost?

This is one you don’t have to ask as often in Spain, as prices are generally posted for everyone to see outside restaurants and inside shops and markets. Still, on the odd occasion, you’re not sure, it’s best to know before you find yourself shelling out far more euros than you expected at the register.

6. ¿Tenéis alguna oferta?: Do you have any sales or special deals?

It never hurts to ask if something’s on offer — some shop attendants are cagey and won’t volunteer this information on their own while others are busy and may forget. Either way, it’s a question that may save you money — maybe your café con leche and your friend’s croissant can be rung up as the breakfast special for €2, as opposed to separately for €3.40.

7. Entrada libre y gratuita: Free/Open Entrance

This sign on doors of galleries and museums means you can come in and have a look around at your leisure — for free. Keep an eye out for these words at several attractions around Spain including Madrid and Barcelona.

8. Tarifa reducida: Reduced price

This one is usually divided into groups — Jóvenes (young people) usually under a specific set age of 15 or 18, Mayores de 60 (over sixty), and Estudiantes (students, with a valid student ID), just be aware that in some museums only International Student IDs are accepted.

You can ask for a sample but just do it very politely. Photo: binderdonedat

9. ¿Se puede probar?: Can I try it on/out?

This is an important phrase. In specialty food stores, chances are you should sample that expensive cheese before you cart a big chunk of it home. However, it’s still not typical in Spain to leave out trays of samples. If you want to try something, you have to ask very nicely first.

The same goes for that trendy shop with locally designed threads — there’s a dressing room, we promise. It just might be tricky to find, and besides, local culture dictates asking first. It works in both circumstances by asking and pointing at what you want to try out or on.

10.  ¿Se acepta tarjetas?: Do you take credit cards?

Believe it or not, lots of establishments, even in big Spanish cities like Madrid and Barcelona won’t allow you to pay with your trusty Visa or MasterCard. You’re best off always having a little cash on hand, but for the times you don’t, or would prefer to use your card, it’s always better to ask. Also, forget about paying with American Express or Discover pretty much everywhere in Spain.

Bonus Tip: Don’t forget Hola and Adiós.

Hello and goodbye are in a lot of traveler’s arsenal of Spanish, but aren’t always used when they should be. In Spain, common courtesy dictates greeting staff when you come in, and when you leave — courteous customers always get the best deals and friendliest service.

The post 10 Spanish phrases every traveler should know appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.