Related: Our 10 favorite independent bookstores in New York City

WORD
126 Franklin Street
Brooklyn, NY 11222
Hours: 11 a.m.-9 p.m. daily
Web site

Situated on certifiably hip Franklin Street in Greenpoint, this cheery store is fully stocked, but somehow not overwhelming—maybe due to the helpful and passionate employees. Browse the latest literary fiction and nonfiction, plus an array of literary journals, and books by small independent presses you’ll be grateful to have discovered.

WORD also hosts a slew of fun literary events several nights per week, including readings by notable authors (past events have featured names like Kate Christensen and Maud Newton), several different book clubs covering everything from Russian literature to David Foster Wallace, and a new series hosted by blogger David Gutowski delving into the influence of music on writing.

Greenlight Bookstore
686 Fulton Street (at South Portland)
Brooklyn, NY 11217
Hours: 10 a.m.-10 p.m. daily
Web site

Fort Greene has no shortage of literary prowess—authors like Colson Whitehead, Jhumpa Lahiri and Richard Wright have called the neighborhood home—and since October 2009, local residents have had a cool and quirky bookstore to call their own.

The shop is located on bustling Fulton Street, and owned by Rebecca Fitting and Jessica Stockton Bagnulo, two friends with decades of publishing and bookstore experience between them. The spacious, well-lit community meeting spot hosts compelling events and readings by local poets and nationally renowned authors every week.

powerHouse Books
37 Main Street
Brooklyn, NY 11201
Hours: Mon-Fri 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sun 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
Web site

Not all bookstores strive for quaint, and in fact, some fly directly in its face. In DUMBO, powerHouse Books occupies an airy and modern space, all white and brightly lit, with sculpture and modern art on display throughout. In addition to a thorough selection of fashion and art titles published by powerHouse Books, the store holds plenty of mainstream and independent fiction and non-fiction, plus an irresistible selection of colorful children’s books. Events like art openings, readings and performances are held in the mezzanine area.

The post Brooklyn Books: 3 independent bookstores to check out appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Ask for the nearest “Rossmann” or “dm” (day-em) store. In Germany, there’s one in practically every neighborhood and almost certainly every train station, from Berlin to Munich.

What you’ll find

The palette of products runs the gamut of typical drugstore suspects: personal hygiene from top to bottom (soaps, toothpastes, lotions, razors, cosmetics, cotton balls, detergents), household products, organic foods, snacks, beverages and babycare items (such as food, pacifiers, and diapers) among others.

There will be plenty of items that are useful to a budget traveler, but perhaps overlooked during packing:

• Basic flip flops for beach, communal shower, or hotel room for just €1!
• Emergency necessities—such as earplugs, headphones, band-aids, batteries, tissues, film, hosiery, condoms, spare underwear or even superglue—at reasonable prices.
• Sponges and soap for hand-washing dishes and corkscrews or resealable lunch bags for self-caterers.
• In case you’ve been invited to dinner, a selection of wines and chocolates as well as gift bags are available.

These stores also generally offer instant photo services. Print your new-found friends a quick souvenir directly from your camera’s memory card!

These chains are a boon to people with dietary restrictions, with a wide variety of organic alternative milks, as well as clearly-marked gluten-free foods and snacks. Lactaid-type tablets are sold as well. This is also the easiest place to pick up distilled water for medical equipment.

What you won’t find

Unlike the U.S., Germany does not sell over-the-counter medications outside of pharmacies. So if you need a basic pain reliever, suppository or cough syrup with active ingredients, you’ll still have to head to an actual Apotheke. Pharmacies, too, are located in nearly every neighborhood, but not in combination with such drugstores (familiar and convenient as that may be).

The post Finding What You Need in Germany’s Discount Drugstores appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

(Target by Missoni’s 1960s Italian film-inspired campaign featuring Margherita Missoni was pretty marvelous, I must say. It definitely caught my eye. Besides, who doesn’t want to be a spy?)

So where to find similar designer collaborations in Paris? Here’s what I’ve discovered, along with a few tips on how to secure the coveted goods.

1. Monoprix

On Wednesday, September 21, 2011, the French clothing line American Vintage by Michaël Azoulay will launch a limited collection of his signature t-shirts, hoodies and sweaters at Monoprix stores (Target’s French cousin) throughout the city. Pinch yourself. It’s not even listed on Monoprix’s Web site yet. For now, it’s our little secret, so plan to arrive early. Doors usually open around 9 a.m.

Monoprix at 43 avenue Clichy in Pigalle

Depeche mode

Not in Paris? Don’t fret. This is not Monoprix’s first tangle with a designer, and it won’t be its last. Like Target, Monoprix has been working with designers for nearly a decade. Currently Nathalie Lété and “La Cerise sur le Gâteau” by Anne Hubert are both sharing the spotlight.

Other collaborations have featured pin-uppity lingerie by Fifi Chachnil, pop culture-inspired shirts and sweaters by Lucien Pellat-Finet, and handbags by Vincent Sartel, the former creative director at Louis Vuitton Moël Hennessy. Why, it’s a win-sin for all.

So what’s the big deal?

Michaël Azoulay’s American Vintage shirts are super soft and comfy. Made of all-natural fibers, they’re also wickedly expensive. The flagship is located at 10 rue des Francs Bourgeois. Here the t-shirts cost about €80. But at Monoprix, they’ll run about €25 a pop. Charlotte Gainsbourg, Gwyneth Paltrow, Liv Tyler, and Penelope Cruz don the garb. Just saying.

I’ve got my eye on Michaël’s long t-shirts with a scoop neck in taupe, rose, coal and ciel bleu. I’m also crushing on the Bordeaux-colored sweater dress that runs about a third of the normal cost. A “uniform” fanatic (it just makes mornings easier), I think I’ll be able to score my fall wardrobe in one fell swoop. The t-shirts are also available for men, too.

Here’s a historical tidbit for you: The t-shirt became a closet staple after Marlon Brando’s stellar performance as Stanley in “A Street Car Named Desire,” and its popularity is showing no signs of leaving, baby.

Make a new plan

Prior to your shopping spree, take a peek at the collection’s look book, if it’s available online. It will save you time. Create a wish list. Arrive early. Familiarize yourself with the store layout. Monoprix is also a grocery store. Upon your arrival, if you spot groceries on the ground level, quickly hotfoot it down to the clothing level.

If time permits, visit more than one location. Here’s a list of my favorite Monoprix shops. The one on Boulevard Sébastopol, pictured above, is housed in a Félix Potin building (a masterpiece!).

43 Avenue Clichy, 17th arrondissement (Metro: Blanche or Pigalle)
95 Boulevard Sébastopol, 2nd arrondissement (Metro: Réaumur Sébastopol)
56 rue de Caumartin, 9th arrondissement (Metro: Saint-Lazare)
21 Avenue Opéra, 2nd arrondissement (Metro: Opéra)
52 Avenue des Champs-Elysées, 8th arrondissement (Metro: Charles-de-Gaulle-Étoile)
2 rue du Commerce, 15th arrondissement (Metro: La Motte Picquet Grenelle)

H&M on Boulevard Haussmann

2. H&M

H&M is another prime hotspot for designer collaborations. The chain will launch its “Versace by Donatella” collection in Europe on November 17, 2011. Other stores worldwide will receive goods by the end of the fall season. (New Yorkers, the preview party will take place in your hood on November 8. Good for you! Yes, I am very jealous.)

In the past, H&M has collaborated with Roberto Cavalli, Stella McCartney, Jimmy Choo and Lanvin by Alber Elbaz.

Tip: Not all of the H&M shops in Paris receive the designer goods, so kick off your quest at one of the larger stores at either 52 Champs Élysée or the 54 Boulevard Haussmann. It’s sandwiched neatly in-between grand magasins Printemps and Galeries Lafayette. Prior to the sale, check the Web site and create a game plan.

One last high note

Dear window shoppers, the Missoni flagship in Paris is located at 1 Rue Faubourg Saint-Honoré, 8th arrondissement (Metro Saint-Honoré). Here Rosita and Ottavio Missoni started flaunting their flames, waves and zigzags back in 1976.

Your favorite Cheapo collaborations?

Cheapos, do you have a favorite designer collaboration? Did you score a Missoni for Target treasure? Do tell in the comments section below. My sister Wendy has already trapped one of their black and white overnight train bags!

The post Paris Fashion: Finding high-end designers at cheapo prices appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Recently one of our Cheapo readers asked us for a few shopping tips. Emily plans to visit Paris with her teenage daughter in July, which is the parfait time because “Les soldes d’été 2011” (the big summer sales) kick off on Wednesday, June 22, 2011 and last through Tuesday, July 26, 2011. Now that’s planning.

So in celebration, I’ve fashioned a special day tour for the voguish mother-daughter team. This week, let’s visit one of my favorite shopping districts, the always hustling, bustling rue de Rennes. Tick tock, tick tock, tick tock!

The Zara location in the Félix Potin building

Getting there

Make your entrance at the Métro Rennes (line 12) sortie. Don’t forget your flats, sunscreen and sunglasses, too.

Thanks to Haussmann, this super-wide boulevard was made for non-stop walking, gawking and talking. Stealing from Capote, just like at Tiffany & Co., nothing ever “very bad” could happen to you here, but do keep a tight grip on your bags. Pickpockets like to promenade, too.

Layout of the land

Rue de Rennes stretches from the Montparnasse Tower to Boulevard Saint-Germain. Truth be bold, rue de Rennes has always been one of my favorite hot spots for window-shopping. Cheapos, I dig the mix. For the love of juxtaposition, here the trendy chains and boutiques coolly mesh with classic Parisian shops.

Documentary photographer Eugène Atget would have had a field day. Wait. Stop the presses. Actually, Atget shot a dragon here ’round 1900 at 50 rue de Rennes. Today the façade has dramatically changed, but the dragon still frolics in a land called “Paree.” Look for the perfect blue door.

Plastiques (103 rue de Rennes)

Where else in this world is it possible to fall madly for a spectacular turban window display after trying on gorgeous maillots de bain (bathing suits) at Etam? And yes, feeling all pin-uppity, I bought both (in noir, of course, Mr. Wilder. How could I not?).

Cinematic buffs, Billy Wilder made his directorial debut in Paris. Can you name the film? Hint: It wasn’t “Sabrina.” Guess again!

Designs on you

Here you’ll also find affordable chains like Etam (135-139 rue de Rennes), Zara (two boutiques, at 45 and 140), and Naf-Naf (143-145), along with Kookaï (155) and Darjeeling (152).

Zara zealots! The Zara location in the Félix Potin building is a personal favorite because it usually serves as one of last stops for the chain’s closeout clothing sales. Also, the fair sight of the stunning Art Nouveau dome topping off the bargains inside is heaven. So gaze up, but do look both ways before crossing!

Need a soda pop or a sturdy bag for your purchases? There’s a Franprix grocery store (71), along with a Fnac (136). Pronounced “fuh-nack,” the largest French entertainment retail chain discounts their inventory of books, including the latest exhibition catalogues.

Boutique Jacques Darcel

Fnac also carries cameras, camera chips and batteries (not to mention DVDs, CDs, and tons of French comic books, an art form all their own). For the love of Julia Child, three other practical and whimsical shops definitely worth a pop-by are La Vaissellerie (85), Culinarion (99), and Plastiques (103), where the umbrellas are the cat’s meow.

Here’s your hat

After strolling your heart out up and down the rue de Renne, make a beeline to Saint-Germain-des-Prés for some high-ticket boutique browsing.

Need a special gift for an equally special garçon? Check out the splurge-worthy cotton hats at the très cool agnès b shop on 6 rue Vieux-Colombier. Now in lavender, olive and black, they’re hard to find outside of France and terribly expensive online. Designer/founder Agnès Bourgois Troublé has also created inexpensive unisex red scarves (€15). Available in cotton during the summertime and wool during the winter, the profits go to various humanitarian causes, including the fight against AIDS.

Cafe de la Mairie

La vie en pêche

Afterwards, grab a café and a fromage Cantal sandwich at the Café de la Mairie at Place Saint-Sulpice.

Next door to this famous but reasonably priced café (with a view!), you’ll find one of the Annick Goutal perfume shops. Again, difficult to find outside of France, Mimosa (with a hint of peach) is this year’s featured scent. A fan for a decade, I usually buy the body cream because it’s less expensive and the scent isn’t as strong but still possesses staying power. Ask for their carte de fidélité. Return visits are rewarded!

Still in the mood to shop ’til you drop?

Well then, jump on the “95” bus line and take it to any of several other lively shopping meccas along its route, like the Carrousel du Louvre or the ’hood surrounding the Opéra (wannabe Black Swans, Répetto is just a hop, skip and a pirouette from the Opéra Garnier!), or the grand magasins along Boulevard Haussmann, or the funky boutiques, vintage shops and bargain bins in the Montmartre-Abbesses area. Pinch yourself! ALL these happy-hunting-grounds are on the scenic “95” bus line. It’s another “win-spin.”

Keep asking!

Emily, thanks for a great question! So, Cheapos, do you have other Paris shopping questions? Ask away in the comments section!

The post Paris Shopping Spree: The wonderful rue de Rennes appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

During the years of the Celtic Tiger boom, it was just about impossible for a Cheapo to do any shopping in Dublin. Sure, it’s fun to marvel at the gorgeous window displays at Brown Thomas department store on Grafton Street, but buying anything? Not in the cards, especially not with the exchange rate.

That is unless you know where to look for vintage stores. These stores have been offering affordable shopping since the boom, and have survived even as many of the glitzier stores have closed in recent years.

Seek out the following shops and you can afford to bring home some gifts for friends and family–and maybe a little something for yourself, too.

The Harlequin
13 Castle Market, Dublin 2
Web site (Facebook)

Besides being located smack in the middle of one of my favorite areas of Dublin, this shop has everything you could want in a vintage store: racks and racks of well-organized, interesting clothes, bags, and jewelry–without even a trace of that musty vintage smell. Some parts of the store are organized by decade, other parts by item.

If you love handbags–beware–this store has an incredible selection of gently-used bags. And belts. And even hats, too.

The Loft at Powerscourt Townhouse
59 South William Street, Dublin 2
Web site

Cheapos walking into the indoor shopping center that is the Powerscourt Townhouse might think at first that they’ll never find anything affordable. Yet if you’re visiting on a Friday, Saturday, or Sunday–climb the stairs to the very top floor where you’ll find a space called “the Loft.”

Here, independent designers and vintage enthusiasts set up a little rack of their items. Handmade jewelry, bath products, affordable little dresses and vintage belts are all on offer here. You can shop happily knowing your purchase will support small businesses.

A Store is Born
34 Clarendon Street, Dublin 2

Only open on Saturday from 11 a.m.–6 p.m., you could walk by this space any other time of the week and barely notice it. It is the size of a garage, and is packed with interesting sweaters, scarves and jackets. If the Dublin weather has you wishing you packed something heavier, stop into this store on a Saturday to stock up on warm items.

If possible, arrive early as the small space gets crowded by mid-afternoon. The earlier you arrive, the better the selection.

All three of these vintage stores are located within a 5-minute walk of each other, making a manageable day of shopping. There are other vintage shops in Dublin that specialize in gowns or silk blouses–but Cheapos will be best served by sticking to this list.

The post Dublin: Vintage shopping with Cheapo prices appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Two seasons of sales

The summer sales are held at the beginning of July and last through mid-August. This is when shopkeepers lure in shoppers to snatch up those deeply-discounted sandals and swimsuits, just before the summer ends.

In the winter, the sales start around the beginning of January and last until mid-February. Smart shoppers hold out until after Christmas to grab up the good buys during the winter sales. This year, the sales run through February 16, 2011.

Boy oh boy, can one find some great stivali (boots) on sale! Yep. During the winter sales, Italians all over the country come out and bombard mom-and-pop shops, outlets and even mega-shopping malls. And believe me, the bargains abound.

Making the most of the “saldi”

Before you hit the stores, there are a few things you should keep in mind. Here are my shopping tips:

1. Not all discounts are real.

Unfortunately, some shops dishonestly jack up their “regular” prices during this period and tack on a “deep discount” (“sconti”) sign next to them. This is to make you believe that you’re getting a good deal, when actually you’re not. Therefore it’s best to shop around and compare prices.

2. Pay close attention to return policies.

In Italy, you can almost never return an item you’ve purchased and get your money back. It’s just not part of their consumer culture. Some shops don’t even let you return anything, period. When permitted, stores will allow you to exchange items or receive a store credit to be used within a limited period of time. Therefore, when in doubt, ask about a store’s return policy.

3. Try asking for an additional sconto (“discount”).

Most big stores won’t honor your request. However, some of the smaller shops will lower the price even further, especially if they’re desperate to sell. It never hurts to ask.

4. Beware of the signs that say “Non si prova.”

“Non si prova” means that you can’t try it on. In some stores and with certain items, this is the policy. There must be a good reason for this. Honestly, however, to me it sounds a bit sketchy. If I can’t try it on, then I’m not buying it.

5. Know where to buy.

There are several shopping districts in Rome. Listed below are some of the most popular shopping streets and malls.

Shopping Streets:

Via Cola di Rienzo (Prati)
Via Nazionale (Centro Storico)
Via del Corso (Centro Storico)

Shopping Malls:

EUROMA 2
230 stores + restaurants
Via Cristoforo Colombo angolo Viale dell’Oceano Pacifico
Tel.: 06 /5262161
Web site

GALLERIA PORTA DI ROMA
220 stores + restaurants + movie theater
Via Alberto Lionello, 201
Tel.: 06/87074217
Web site

ROMA EST
210 stores + restaurants + movie theater
Via Collatina
Tel.: 06/ 22511377
Web site

PARCO LEONARDO
210 + restaurants + movie theater
Via Bramante, 31 & 65 (Fiumicino)
Tel.: 06/45422448
Web site

The post Rome Winter Sales: 5 things to know before you shop appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

If shopping is on the agenda while you’re in Madrid, you’ll surely come across price tags that will make you scratch your head. The good news is that although most trendy stores will drain your funds, there are some spots that won’t.

Clothing: Lefties
Multiple locations, including:
Calle Carretas, 10
Calle Princesa, 63
Calle Conde de Peñalver, 16

In Madrid Lefties is pretty much the Spanish equivalent of H&M. The store has multiple locations around the city and all of them have a large selection of inventory. Even though the price tag is super cheap – the clothes are made well and outlast the latest fads.

A quick tip: Because this is such a popular spot, sometimes you’ll have to go searching through disorganized racks and shoes here and there to find that perfect item. The checkout line can also be brutal. Go during the week and don’t expect it to be a quick trip.

Sales: February and July

Unlike in the United States, where sales happen all year long, in Madrid there are only two sale seasons. February and July are when the rebajas come to the city. The best time to hit up the racks is at the beginning of the month, because by the end there’s almost nothing left on the hangers.

Essentials: El Chino

All around town you’ll find stores that locals call “los chinos.” These tend to be stocked with everything one would need: adapters, slippers, coffee makers, notebooks, shower curtains, kids stuff, plates and more at unbelievably low prices. Even if you don’t need anything, they’re a fun place to explore–it’s almost like entering a Bazaar. Really, these stores have it all.

Food: Order a drink and get free food

If you’ve been to bars in the south of Spain, you know how amazing tapas can be: you order a small beer and you get a large plate of food “on the house.” Well, in Madrid, if you know where to go, you can get the same treatment. Some suggestions:

España Cani
Plaza Angel 14, 28012 Madrid
67 644 5808

Off of Plaza Santa Ana is local bar that serves up a large bowl of potato chips, chorizo and jamon with any drink you order. Best of all, once you’ve finished you’re first drink and order another one, you get a whole new basket of goodies.

La Buena Mezcla
Calle Redondilla, 9, 28005 Madrid
62 940 6776

In the neighborhood of La Latina, which is known for its tapas bars, this little spot is hidden off the main strip. Enter this cozy locale and sit at the two tables on the main floor that’s adorned with old photos, phones, dishes and pans, or walk downstairs and lounge on bean bags. Order a glass of wine or caña and choose from homemade dishes like tortilla española, lentil soup or paella. The options change weekly and the portions are large.

The post 5 Ways to Save on Shopping and Food in Madrid appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Here are my favorite hot spots for picking up kitchenware, guaranteed to make you the toast of the town! So shop to it, Cheapos!

1. Let’s dish at La Vaissellerie

La Vaissellerie is a Cheapo’s cup of tea.

Beloved chain La Vaissellerie has five locations peppered throughout the city. For your bargain shopping pleasure, may I suggest starting out at the shop at 85 rue de Rennes (Metro Saint-Sulpice). Here you’ll find baskets of porcelain tableware, wedged in between towering stacks of dinner plates.

Slashed prices are usually hand-written in thick black dry marker across each dish in a Zorro-like fashion. Keep your eyes peeled for iconic French beauties such as ramekins, espresso cups, soufflé dishes, brightly colored café saucers, soup bowls, tarte and quiche pans, all costing just a few euros!

2. Get your kitsch-on at Porte de Vanves flea market

If you, too, believe that minor scratches and dents add value (for love of mana!), the Porte de Vanves flea market is definitely the hunting ground for you. Cheapos, the selection is beyond belief. Several stalls are even dedicated to cookware and table settings gone just to name a few. (Arrive early, though, because this flea market starts to shut down at noon.)

3. What would Julia Child do?

For culinary sakes, she’d haunt the aisles of kitchen-equipment specialist E. Dehillerin! “Thunderstruck!” was her description of the heated encounter. The attraction was instant, mutual, and long lasting.

Located at 18 Rue Coquillière (Metro: Les Halles), the centuries-old shop’s gleam has not dulled the least bit. Though not a Cheapo haven in the price tag sense, you’ll find the shop’s stock possesses all the right ingredients for dreamy window-shopping. So take in its vast collection of cookware in bright copper, cast iron, and glossy enamel, too, while mulling slowly over endless gastronomical possibilities.

Also, check out Julia’s photograph behind the cash register. Julia’s own kitchen, along with the actual culinary tools she purchased at Dehillerin, is now on display at Smithsonian!

Forever pinching from my favorite French Chef, this has been Theadora Brack! Bon appétit, Cheapos!

(And bravo Meryl Streep!!!)

The post Paris Shopping: Buy French kitchenware with the locals appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Check out the atrium.

Now sporting a chic modern look that nevertheless manages to pay homage to her expansive Belle Époque days, Printemps’ new three-level atrium is finally open to the public. Window lickers (as the French call window shoppers—”lèche-vitrine”) of the world, unite.

Heads up, Cheapos! A special unveiling of the store’s newly-restored façade, along with its notorious holiday window displays, happens on November 12, 2009. And there are still more wonders are yet to come!

Équipe (“team”) effort

On the case is the Canadian architectural firm Yabu Pushelberg. (Toronto duo George Yabu and Glenn Pushelberg were also responsible for New York City’s Tiffany & Co. Wall Street, Neiman Marcus, and Bergdorf Goodman’s impressive good looks.) No holds were barred, as roughly €70 million have been poured into Printemps’ extensive interior and exterior revamping. The rest of the project’s completion is slated for spring 2010.

A rather large bag.

Like a dream

Meanwhile you’ll be dazzled by the recently installed super-cool (and eco-friendly) LED lighting system that illuminates and opens up the heart of the store: the center atrium. Resembling an oversized Lucite box, this pleasing eye candy is decked out in slick marble, sleek bands of iced chrome, and live trees that sprout multi-colored handbags. Ma joie!

Jutting out between the bustling, zigzagging escalators are towering cubbyholes (three stories high) stuffed with shiny fab accessories, just enough out of reach to tantalize. But one can always dream, can’t one?

Don’t skip the loo, my darlings

Check out “the first luxury public toilets” by Point WC (as touted on their website). One euro buys you private seating in a water closet lit by rose-colored lights, and handsomely stocked with shocking fluorescent toilet tissues in pinks, greens, and blues.

Skip to the loo!

You can’t miss the €1800 price tag for the commode, but happily you don’t have to buy it to experience it! Cosmetics for touch-ups, souvenir rolls of toilet tissue, and even beverages are available at the Point WC welcome desk.

Yes, I know, life is good–and with flattering lighting to boot. So make a beeline! Stopping by the loo has never been more fun or stylish! (BTW, you’ll also find a Point WC at the Carrousel du Louvre.)

The post Paris: A tour of the remodeled Printemps department store appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.