If you know the Bowery Boys award-winning podcast, each episode takes you on a journey through a fascinating topic in the history of The Big Apple. These new walking tours will help bring the city’s bygone days to life on the streets where the stories actually took place.

Each expert guide will be hand-picked to capture the entertaining style and riveting storylines that the Bowery Boys capture on every podcast.

Small-group New York City walking tours

To start things off, the first tour, “Landmarks and Legends of Broadway”, is led by Jeff Dobbins, a New York theater insider and Broadway expert, who knows his way around the scene. He’ll take you on a stroll through the history of Broadway and beyond. Highlights on the tour include:

• Times Square, the “Crossroads of the World” and home to NYC’s Theater District
• Broadway’s landmarked theaters, where legendary shows have played.
• The former home of the Ziegfeld Follies
• Sardi’s Restaurant
• Shubert Alley, the long-time town square of the Broadway community
• Rodgers & Hammerstein Way
• Broadway’s most haunted theater

The first walking tour launches on Sunday, October 7th. There are only a few spaces left, but there are also tours on Saturday, October 13th and Sunday, October 14th.

More walking tours coming soon

Check out the full calendar of tours. Many more will be added in the coming weeks as new tour guides join the Bowery Boys Walks’ team. Future tours will cover a variety of fun topics taken straight from the podcast.

You can also keep up to date on the latest news by becoming a friend of Bowery Boys Walks on Facebook or follow them on Instagram, where you can catch a glimpse of the latest photos from the walk and streets of New York.

The post Take a Stroll through NYC History: Bowery Boys walking tours appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

These sights will be more crowded on the weekend, but for good reason:  well-priced brunches, weekend-only flea markets and Friday and Saturday nightlife make this an attractive destination for residents and visitors from across Berlin.

Start at Ostbahnhof Train Station

Start your tour at Berlin’s Ostbahnhof train station. Over its lifetime this train station has had more name changes than any other in the city—it served as (East) Berlin’s central train station, and was known as “Hauptbahnhof” between 1987 and 1998, when it was renamed “Ostbahnhof”. While the station entrance has undergone major renovation and modernization, erasing most evidence of the periods before under a mall-like facade common to most German train stations, the wide, gritty station hall with numerous platforms and tracks wows with its massive steel and glass construction and eerie quiet.

As with any major train station in the city, it’s easy to grab a quick snack or drink here at one of the many small eateries or from one of the two large supermarkets in the basement. This is also one of the city’s only locations with grocery stores open on Sundays, if you’ve forgotten to stock up in advance.

Swing by the Postbahnhof

To the east of the station lies Postbahnhof am Ostbahnhof. As its name suggests, it was used as a postal sorting and storage facility until the 1990s, at which point mail was transported by trucks and airplanes rather than by train.

It has since become a location for concerts, events, and temporary exhibitions, and houses FritzClub, a nightclub popular with students and younger night owls.

Stroll along the East Side Gallery

Toward the river, you’ll spot your first glimpse of the East Side Gallery, one of Berlin’s longest sections of extant Berlin Wall. This strip owes its existence and popularity to a post-Wall 1989-90 art project that brought together artists from around the world to decorate it in a series of murals, most touching on the historical and social aspects of the Wall’s fall. After years of decay and obfuscation by graffiti, many sections were repainted in 2009.

Related: 10 ways to explore the Fall of the Wall, 25 years later

This borderland area has undergone a tremendous amount of development in the interceding 25 years. This section of the Wall, once obscuring industrial eyesores from the sight of official state visitors traveling the road between Schönefeld airport and Ostbahnhof, now neighbors parks, beach bars, and hotels.

The riverside and East Side Gallery are threatened by development. In 2013 David Hasselhoff made international headlines by appearing alongside Berlin protesters attempting to thwart the removal of sections of the East Side Gallery in the name of long-approved public and private development projects. As you walk eastward, don’t forget to look at the development on the other side of the street as well—everything here has been built since the fall of the Wall, most notably Berlin’s stadium event hall, O2 World.

Take in (but don’t cross) the Oberbaumbrücke

Walking to the end of the Mühlenstr., you’ll reach one of Berlin’s most recognizable landmarks, the Oberbaumbrücke. This double-decker bridge with its two brick towers is a highlight of any Spree boat tour. Visitors may remember it from its appearance in the films “Run Lola Run” or “The Bourne Supremacy.” During German division, U1 subway service into the East was interrupted, and the bridge served as a pedestrian border from West (Kreuzberg) to East (Friedrichshain) Berlin.

Walk up Warschauer Str.

Turn left and walk up Warschauer Str. toward the U- and S-Bahn stations. Directly under the U-Bahn station (and accessed from the rear, or Warschauer Platz, side) is the dance club Matrix. One of Berlin’s largest, Matrix expands over ten “underground” vaults and is open to visitors over 18 years old, seven nights a week from 10 PM.

Across from the U-Bahn station, the gray building you see is the so-called Industriepalast. Built in the early 20th century, the building housed one of the GDR’s most prominent refrigeration and cooling compressor manufacturers. Since renovations in the early 1990s, the landmark-protected building now houses a hotel, a hostel, small shops and eateries, and Monster Ronson’s, one of Berlin’s best karaoke bars.

Cross the bridge over the train tracks (avoid stepping on the punks and their dogs!), pausing to capture an excellent photo of the Alexanderplatz TV tower, another of East Berlin’s icons.

Coffee or beer break at RAW-tempel

At the next intersection, turn right into the Revaler Str. On your right side, you’ll come to the questionable looking entrance of the RAW-tempel. RAW is an acronym for Reichsbahnausbesserungswerkstatt (don’t you love German?), a really long word for a train repair facility—in use here until 1995—which explains both the RAW-tempel’s location as well as its size.

What started (and continues) as a non-profit organization promoting a free space for cultural activities now houses numerous popular clubs and bars, an art gallery, an open-air cinema, a circus school, and a weekend flea market. This expansive creative space definitely warrants a wander or perhaps a coffee/beer break! Come back at another time of day to experience a completely different atmosphere.

Simon-Dach-Str is filled with cafes and bars offering plenty of outdoor seating. Photo: La Citta Vita

Turn left onto Simon-Dach-Strasse

Continue eastward on the Revaler Str., turning left into the Simon-Dach-Str. At this end of the street, you can understand what this residential area felt like before post-Wall development took hold. Starting from the intersection with Kopernikusstr., you’ll discover one of Berlin’s most popular streets for going out, lined on both sides with restaurants and bars offering thousands of outdoor seats.

If you’re looking for something a little quieter, head just a bit further east (literally and figuratively) to Datscha (one of our recommended brunch locales) on the corner of Kopernikusstr. and Gabriel-Max-Str.

Hang out at Boxhagener Platz

Heading northward along the Gabriel-Max-Str. or eastward from the Simon-Dach-Str. along Grünberger Str., you’ll soon hit Boxhagener Platz. A popular neighborhood gathering space, the place comes alive on weekends for its Saturday open-air food market or highly-trafficked Sunday flea market. The square was the focus of a recent German film set in East Berlin in 1968 of the same name.

Walk north to Frankfurter Allee

From here, head northward on the Mainzer Str. until you reach Frankfurter Allee. Mainzer Str. was home to one of Berlin’s most famous post-Wall squats. Houses 2 through 11, 22, and 24 were occupied for seven months before being violently cleared in November 1990. Gentrification remains a central issue in the area. Today, most houses in this street, like those in the surrounding streets, have been renovated, leaving no trace of this alternative history.

Turn left on Frankfurter Allee. During the 1950s, this wide boulevard was renamed “Stalinallee”. Walk toward the Gendarmenmarkt-inspired twin towers marking Frankfurter Tor and the start of the socialist classical developments built by the GDR between here and Alexanderplatz along the Karl-Marx-Allee. The street, with its monumental architectural backdrop, was regularly used for GDR May 1st (Labor) Day parades. It has retained its popularity as a shopping street, albeit with less prestige than in it held the GDR.

Then choose your own adventure!

From here, you’ve got choices! You can:

• head back to the Simon-Dach-Str. or RAW-tempel for some well-earned refreshment.

• head out for a night of techno at the nearby Berghain, one of Berlin’s most legendary clubs, in a former power plant back toward Ostbahnhof (Am Wriezener Bahnhof).

• catch the U5 subway to Alexanderplatz and continue your city sightseeing from there.

Or, catch the M10 tram northbound toward Nordbahnhof:

• getting off after four stops (Paul-Heyse-Str.) to explore Volkspark Friedrichshain.

• getting off after 10 stops (Husemannstr.) to explore the Kollwitzplatz area of Prenzlauer Berg.

• getting off after 12 stops (Friedrich-Ludwig-Jahn Sportpark) to explore Mauerpark, visit the Mauerpark flea market, or enjoy open-air karaoke.

• getting off after 14 stops (U8-Bernauer Str.) to explore the Berlin Wall Memorial, walking along Bernauer Str. to Nordbahnhof.

The post A Walking Tour of former East Berlin: Hanging out in Friedrichshain appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

With the big milestone coming up, we’ve compiled a list of 10 ways to explore the history of the Wall, its construction, dismantling, and the reunification of Germany. And good news for budget travelers, almost all of these are free to visit!

1. Visit the Berlin Wall Memorial

Starting point for any deeper understanding of the Berlin Wall is the Berlin Wall Memorial, near S-Nordbahnhof. Before exiting the station, study the informational displays in the stairwell and station foyer telling the story of the Bahnhof and others like it which became “ghost stations.” (The GDR blocked access for its citizens to certain sections of Berlin’s S-Bahn network which could have served as a direct escape route to West Berlin.)

Above ground, you’ll find indoor and outdoor informational displays, including historical films, original documents and numerous broadcasts and interviews detailing the events leading up to the the Wall’s construction, reactions and dramatic events—including numerous escape attempts—around its construction in August 1963, what the division of the city meant for its residents (especially those in the shadow of the Wall, as here in Bernauer Str.), and what the city looked like in the days and months after the Wall came down.

The Memorial also reflects on the short history of its own existence, including the struggle to maintain the existing section of border strip with original Wall pieces given residents’ animosity, the interference of neighboring parishes and the profit-driven desire to develop as much of this newly open land as possible.

From a specially constructed viewing tower, you can look down into the memorial for a better sense of the entire border complex, view the small chapel constructed from the rubble following the 1986 destruction of a church which stood on the same spot, enveloped by the Wall for nearly three decades and imagine the current memorial park landscape in its former militarized state.

The interpretive park ends at U8-Bernauer Str., but you may choose to extend your walk to Mauerpark, the meeting point of three Berlin districts. On Sundays, this lively strip is host to a popular flea market, chock full of original Berlin souvenirs; in the afternoons, free and friendly karaoke steals the show on the amphitheater stage.

Gedenkstätte Berliner Mauer, Bernauer Str. 119. Outdoor displays accessible at all times, indoor displays 9:30 AM to 7 PM (summer), to 6 PM (winter), closed Mondays, free admission. S-Nordbahnhof, U8-Bernauer Str.

A memorial dedicated to freedom, the East Side Gallery features restored murals that graced the Wall before the fall. Photo: Antonio Campoy

2. Visit other bits of the Wall

Other places to view original segments of the Wall include Berlin’s East Side Gallery (running along the Spree between S-Ostbahnhof and S-Warschauer Str.) or the Topography of Terror (between Potsdamer Platz and Checkpoint Charlie). There are numerous Wall pieces which have now been sprinkled around Potsdamer Platz and Leipziger Platz, generally not in their original location.

3. Explore the German Historical Museum

To understand better the parallel developments in West and East Germany following the end of World War II, including the events leading to reunification, visit the German Historical Museum’s permanent exhibition. An entire floor is dedicated to this period, and visitors to the well-designed display get an excellent sense of the events leading to the division of Germany, as well as the significance of the erection of the Berlin Wall and the inner-German border for the GDR economy and East-West German relations in the mid- to late-20th century.

Deutsches Historisches Museum, Unter den Linden 2. Open 10 AM To 6 PM daily, admission €8/4. S-Friedrichstr., S-Hackescher Markt, S-Alexanderplatz, bus stop Unter den Linden/Staatsoper.

4. Trace the path of the Wall

Where was the Wall located? Well, in the center of Berlin, the former path of the westernmost element of the Berlin Wall security complex is often marked by a cobblestone line, regularly inset with copper plates stating, “Berliner Mauer 1961-1989.” You can easily pick up this line running behind the Reichstag and around the Brandenburg Gate, past the Holocaust Memorial, up to Potsdamer Platz, then past the Topography of Terror and Checkpoint Charlie to points beyond.

It may be difficult to believe it today, but anywhere you’re standing in the Potsdamer Platz area—now home to the Sony Center and numerous other highrise developments—was once entirely empty, fully contained within the Berlin Wall complex.

In other sections of Berlin, the Wall perimeter wasn’t marked with the cobblestone line. The Wall border followed the sector boundaries between West and East Berlin (which typically followed the borough or Bezirk boundaries which even today divide the city into its various districts), which is why one of the city’s most important stretches can be found in the Bernauer Str., the boundary between the districts of Mitte (East) and Wedding (West).

The truly dedicated can study this map carefully in order to understand whether they are in West or East Berlin at any given moment. If you’ve found a boundary but aren’t sure which side you’re on, you can safely guess that the side closest to the Fernsehturm (TV Tower) on Alexanderplatz is probably the “East.”

5. Cross between East and West Berlin at Friedrichstrasse station

If you find yourself confused and lost by the complicated design of the Friedrichstrasse train station, this is not without reason. One of the city’s transportation hubs, the station was redesigned to maintain separate passenger flows for eastern and western travelers after it became an essential border crossing between East and West Berlin following the Wall’s construction. You can see a giant model of this elaborate system in the bright blue Tränenpalast, or Palace of Tears, just outside the station next to the Spree canal.

It was here that many West Berliners exited the GDR; the name refers to the tears that were shed as families affected by German division were forced to say their goodbyes. The building now houses an excellent historical exhibition on border crossings, with eyewitness accounts from those who left East Germany legally and illegally, those who visited and passed through rigorous controls, those who smuggled, and those performing the controls.

Grenzerfahrungen – Tränenpalast at Bahnhof Friedrichstr., Reichstagufer 17. Open 9 AM to 7 PM weekdays (closed Mondays), 10 AM to 6 PM weekends and holidays, free admission.

6. Look away from Checkpoint Charlie

Checkpoint Charlie remains, however, the most infamous of all Berlin crossing points. The third of three around the city nicknamed by Allied soldiers after the first letters of the military’s phonetic alphabet (Alpha, Bravo, Charlie), Charlie was reserved for foreigners and military personnel entering East Berlin and thus played a role in nearly every East-West spy novel or movie set during this period.

To gain an accurate picture of the crossing, don’t gawk at the replica booth flanked with sandbags and men in costume uniforms; stand instead with your back to the spectacle and stare down Friedrichstr. This entire intersection—everything between the Zimmerstr. to where the highrise buildings begin—made up the historical checkpoint; you’ll note this is an area far larger than the tiny booth would lead you to believe. Today, much of this area is surrounded by fencing covered in an informational historical exhibit which is worth reading further.

Checkpoint Charlie, corner of Zimmerstr. and Friedrichstr. Accessible all hours, no admission. U6-Kochstr.

7. Visit an East German apartment

Traveling on the U5 subway line eastward from Alexanderplatz, you will find yourself driving into the deepest heart of GDR Berlin: through the districts of Lichtenberg and Marzahn, buildings take on the characteristic heights and pre-fab construction styles once (and still) ubiquitous across the GDR. Your ride ends in Hellersdorf, at U-Cottbusser Platz, where one of Berlin’s housing management companies has maintained an original—once highly coveted—three-room apartment with authentic furnishings.

The apartment was typical for the area; more than half of the 42,000 apartments built in Hellersdorf, developed quickly to meet the needs of young families with small children, were perfectly identical to the one on display.

Museumswohnung in der Platte, Hellersdorferstr. 179. Open Sundays from 2-4 PM (other times by arrangement), free admission. U5-Cottbusser Platz.

8. Consider everyday life

Through traditional and multimedia displays, including original media and recent interviews with former GDR citizens, a museum in the Kulturbrauerei in Prenzlauer Berg highlights the chasm between the Socialist utopia promoted by the GDR government and the everyday realities of life for those on the ground, with a special focus on the way the government exerted control over its citizens. The display includes a large collection of original GDR-designed products, including, of course, a pristine Trabi automobile.

Alltag in der DDR – Museum in der Kulturbrauerei, Knaackstr. 97. Open 10 AM to 6 PM (to 8 PM Thursdays), closed Mondays, free admission. U2-Eberswalder Str.

9. Study the Stasi files

To understand the degree to which the GDR exploited its own citizens in the maintenance of control and the methods used to repress and monitor suspected dissidents, you may appreciate the informative exhibition on the state security apparatus known as the Stasi, housed near Checkpoint Charlie. The information center at BStU-Bildungszentrum is curated by the state agency which maintains the Stasi file archive; here historians, researchers, and citizens can request access to the information painstakingly collected and documented by the SED apparatus.

Stasi Exhibition – Bildungszentrum BStU, Zimmerstr. 90. Open daily 10 AM to 6 PM, free admission. U6-Kochstr.

10. Take a guided tour of the Berlin Wall

Rent Mauerguide, a GPS-guided audio tour providing comprehensive information on the Berlin Wall and nearly every location discussed in this article. €10/day (€8/4 hours), students receive €3 discount. Pick up/drop off at Bernauer Str., Brandenburg Gate, or Checkpoint Charlie.

Berliner Unterwelten e.V. offers a two-hour Under the Berlin Wall (M) underground walking tour for €13/€10. Starts near S-Gesundbrunnen at 3 PM on Fridays and Sundays, with tours every weekday at 3 PM during the summer.

Fat Tire Bikes offers a five-hour Berlin Wall and Cold War tour for €24. Starts from S-/U-Alexanderplatz at 10:30 AM on Mondays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays (summer).

Berlin on Bike offers Berlin Wall or Wall Eyewitness tours—the former €19, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at 11 AM; the latter €25, Saturdays at 10 AM Both 3.5-hour tours start at the Kulturbrauerei (U2-Eberswalder Str.).

The post 10 ways to explore the history of the Berlin Wall appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

While the Irish (and music fans) recognized Glen Hansard from the popular Irish band the Frames, the two main actors were largely unknown to wider audiences. The film was shot for an incredible €130,000 and won an Academy Award in 2007 for Best Original Song, “Falling Slowly.”

In the backdrop of the success of the film and the moving music that the real-life couple (now split up) made together, is Dublin itself. One of the most memorable scenes of the film is Hansard alone, with his guitar, on Grafton Street at night. He is playing seemingly to no one, and then, “girl” (Marketa Irglova) shows up.

The film captures something true about life in Dublin, and at the same time, depicts some of my favorite places in the city. If you want to retrace the footsteps of these two characters, all you have to do is visit a few key sights. In some of them, don’t be surprised to hear musicians, or buskers, playing for a few coins.

1. Grafton Street

The pedestrian shopping area of Dublin’s south side, Grafton Street is often considered the heart of the city. It also has a reputation for quality street performers, and many of the same musicians/bands play at the same time in the same place each day.

In the film, several scenes take place on Grafton Street, both in Glen Hansard playing his songs, and bumping into “girl” later on in the film. Memorably, there’s also the scene where a junkie attempts to steal his guitar case full of coins, resulting in a chase to nearby St. Stephen’s Green.

2. Walton’s

http://www.waltons.ie/

Viewers are introduced to the Academy Award-winning song, “Falling Slowly” in Walton’s, Dublin’s music store. This legendary Dublin music shop on Georges Street is where the two musicians sit down at a piano and discover their shared love of music. This spot also happens to be located on one of the prettiest streets in Dublin’s south side.

3. Killiney Hill

After the all-night recording session that results in some incredible musical collaboration between the two, the musicians all get in the car to listen to their new album. They drive south, to one of Dublin’s most scenic places, Killiney Hill.

In the film, you can see guy and girl looking out to the Irish Sea, with the famous Sugar Loaf Mountain behind them. This is one of my favorite places in Dublin for a picnic or a hike. You don’t need a car to get here – hop on the DART train to Dalkey and it’s a 10-minute walk away. (Read our guide to Dublin day trips for more information.)

4. Mountjoy Square

“Girl” lives in a lovely Georgian square in Dublin with the signature bright color doors. There are several parts of the city known for Georgian architecture, but this specific spot is Mountjoy Square, on the north side of the River Liffey. While it isn’t as immaculately maintained as say Merrion Square on the south side, it is still a beautiful spot to visit.

If you’re planning a trip to Dublin, watch “Once” carefully before you go. Seeing these places with your own eyes might bring new context to a favorite film.

Also in our guide: If you’re planning your trip to Dublin right now, you should swing by our reviews of budget hotels in Dublin at least, well, Once! Our editors have visited, inspected and reviewed affordable hotels all over town and have selected only the very best. Read more in our Dublin guide.

The post Once in Dublin: Movie locations from the movie “Once” appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

To avoid hearing me groan when you tell me what you paid for your sandwich, here’s a list of suggested “price ceilings” for some Parisian basics. It’s a good list to keep handy to save a few euros or, you know, if you’re ever a contestant on a French version of “The Price is Right”…

1. Glass of wine

While beer and cocktails can dent the wallet pretty quickly, wine should never be too expensive in a standard café or bar. Avoid the more specialized wine shops and wine bars and opt for a glass of red or white at a more low-key joint. Limit: €4

2. Steak frites

Most cafés and bistrots serve traditional yet affordable French fare. From the well-traveled but enjoyable Chartier to the classic Les Philosophes in the Marais, a cut of meat and frites shouldn’t be a splurge. Limit: €18

3. Walking/bike tour

With multiple free walking tour options, some tourists prefer a private tour to explore the city more intimately. With dozens of choices out there, it’s hard to pick. A walking tour with Oui Paris Tours or a bike tour with Fat Tire is a great, affordable way to get to know the city. Limit: €30

4. Electronics adapter

Many a traveler forgets that outlets and plugs are different in Europe. Souvenir and electronic stores sell adapters to make your chargers fit into the wall outlets, but the cheapest ones can be found at BHV, the all-purpose department store in the Marais. Limit: €10

5. Crepe/Sandwich

Street food can be found everywhere, so prices are competitive. At lunchtime, the choice often comes down to a sandwich or a crepe. For a gooey ham and cheese crepe or a chicken and veggie sandwich, I never worry about having enough money. Limit: €5

6. Clothing

With wintertime approaching, having appropriate socks (ones without holes) seems important. Unprepared visitors often wonder where to get the latest Parisian fashion as they shiver in their tee shirts. Do like the Parisians do and head to the closest H&M or, better yet, to Japanese department store Uniqlo by the Opera Garnier for some good shopping and great site-seeing. Limit: €40 pants, €40 sweater, €3 socks

7. Café

Instead of 7-11 and Dunkin’ Donuts, the French head to the café for a pick-me-up that won’t break the bank. A café (an espresso) may leave some tourists longing for a cup of Joe, but for mere euros you can squat a seat for as long as you’d like. (Tip: Stand at the cafe’s bar for cheaper prices.) Limit: €2

8. Theatre/Opera tickets

If you packed a top hat or a ball gown anticipating a night at the theatre, there is hope. Last minute “rush” tickets for the Opera Garnier and Bastille are extremely affordable if you are patient enough to line up 2-3 hours before the show. Théâtre du Châtelet, which often hosts musicals like Les Misérables and Sweeney Todd, offers rush tickets up until the minute before curtain. Limit: €30

9. Pastry

Unless you’re going to try the trendiest macaron or a French-style cupcake, pastries are a steal in Paris. Bakeries all over the city will serve up the best flaky croissants, lemon tarts, or apple pastries for mere coins. Limit: €3

10. Entrance to a bar/club

If you choose to go to a bar or club on the Champs-Elysées, good luck to you. Personally, I’d never enter a place that made me pay a cover. There are plenty of nightspots on rue de Lappe by the Bastille or in the winding streets of Montmartre that will keep the budget-conscious partier happy.  Limit: €0

What do you think, Cheapos?  What other price limits can you imagine in Paris? Share your own “price ceilings” in our comments section.

Also in our guide: Planning a trip to Paris? Our editors have inspected, reviewed and photographed Paris’ best inexpensive accommodations. We’ve got picks all over town, in the Latin Quarter, near the Louvre, in the Marais and more central neighborhoods.

The post Paris Prices: The maximum we’d pay for everyday items appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Toots, I did it again. I fell head over heels in love with Paris all over de nouveau.

Setting the scene, I had just finished inspecting a slew of hotels in the Latin Quarter, and was headed to meet friends at the wine bar 5ème CRU. This Cheapo haven is located at 7 rue du Cardinal Lemoine, so I decided to trek it there by way of the River Seine.

And there she was. As I turned the corner at the river, there was no mistaking the Cathédrale Notre Dame, glowing like an over-sized Lucite jewelry box. I got all smitten. Tears were shed, which caught me off guard (because I tend not to find inspiration at touristic hotspots), but on this bewitching night—there was nary a soul in sight. It was summertime and the swooning was easy.

For the love of Quasimodo and Esmeralda, let’s take a sentimental journey, shall we?

Stop one: Cathédrale Notre Dame de Paris
6 Place Parvis Notre Dame
5th arrondissement (Métro: Saint Michel)
Web site

Queen of the French cathedrals

This iconic darling has had its share of monumental ups and downs throughout the centuries. Maurice de Sully (that’s “Bishop” to you) set the project in motion back in 1163. It was a very good year, but as time marched on, it took a toll on the cathedral’s interior and exterior. Well, we’ve all been there. Touché!

Thank writer and historic preservation activist Victor Hugo for jump-starting a sensational sightseeing frenzy, along with the much-needed renovation that followed the publication of his very first novel, Notre-Dame de Paris, in 1831 (released in English in 1833 as The Hunchback of Notre Dame much to the author’s dismay). A “vast symphony in stone” is how the eloquent and passionate Hugo described Notre Dame.

Word quickly spread, making Hugo a literary superstar, and inspiring beaucoup de visitors to pay homage with copies of the book in hand. However, at the time Notre Dame was pretty much in ruins because of the French Revolution and general lack of routine maintenance. Cheapos, it was high time for an extreme makeover: cathedral edition!

Paved paradise

Enter architect Viollet-le-Duc in 1841. Contributing his own interpretive gothic revival twist, he added a fantastical spire, and gargoyles to keep the evil spirits at bay, along with a good cleaning and various other minor changes.

Shortly (bare)after, 19th-century urban renewalist Baron Haussmann completed the redo by demolishing the medieval houses surrounding the church and creating a public square. Times are always a-changing.

Shakespeare & Company

Second stop: Shakespeare and Company
37 Rue Bûcherie
5th arrondissement (Métro Saint Michel)
Web site

To read or not to read, daddy-o

Yearning for your own copy of Notre-Dame de Paris? After getting an eyeful of the real thing, stop by the English bookshop Shakespeare and Company, located across the street in a former 16th-century monastery. Both paperback and hardcopies of the book are available.

A favorite Beat Generation haunt, George Whitman (Walt Whitman’s nephew) opened the rue Bûcherie location in 1951, under the name of “Le Mistral.” He changed its name to Shakespeare and Company as a tribute to his friend Sylvia Beach after she closed up the original shop by the same name, which had been a few blocks away. And yes, film buffs, here on rue Bûcherie is where the opening scene in the film Before Sunset was shot!

Stop Three: 5ème CRU Cave à Vin
7 rue du Cardinal Lemoine
5th arrondissement (Métro Cardinal Lemoine)

Are you ready for a break? Keep walking along Quai de la Tournelle until you reach Cardinal Lemoine, and then make a right. The wine cave and bar is located a few doors up on the left. A perfect place for quiet reflection on our mad, mad world, the wine is inexpensive, and their charcuterie and fromage platters are divine.

My favorite passage

I’ve decided to end this week’s post with one of my favorite passages from Notre Dame de Paris. Enjoy and keep on ringing the bells, Cheapos!

On that day the air was so fresh and clear that Quasimodo felt his affection for his bells returning. Clapping his hands, he ran to and fro from one rope to another, awakening his six songsters by this voice and his gestures, as a maestro leads his skilled musicians.

“Go on! Go on, Gabrielle!” he said, “Pour all your music into the square. Today’s a feast day. Thibauld, don’t be lazy. You’re slowing down! Go, go on! Are you becoming rusty, loafer? That’s it. Quick! Quick! Don’t let the clapper be seen. Make them all deaf like me. That’s it, bravo! Thibauld! Guillaume! Guillaume! You’re the biggest, but Pasquier’s the smallest, and Pasquier swings better than you! Those who can hear, I’ll wager you, hear him better than you! Well done! Gabrielle! Louder, louder! Hey! You up there, you sparrows! I don’t see you making any noise. What’s the matter with those brazen beaks of yours, that seems to be yawning when they ought to be singing? Come on, work! Sing! There’s beautiful sunshine; we have to have beautiful music!

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Prague is home to about 30 cemeteries that are maintained by the city. Two into which I recommend venturing are located nearly side-by-side in Prague’s third district. Both are free to enter, and hours are posted outside of each.

Olsany Cemetery (Olsanske Hrbitovy)
Vinohradska 1835/153
Praha 3 – Zizkov

Olsany has several entrances. The easiest to locate is the one just to the right of Palac Flora mall. I know it sounds weird having a mall next to a cemetery—and it is—but once down the stairs, through the gate and inside the walls, the mall melts away and is replaced by singing birds, lush trees and ivy growing everywhere.

Founded in 1680, Olsany is the oldest burial ground outside of Prague’s old city walls and the city’s largest, with nearly 1.5 million people buried within it. Comprised of 46 hectares, it was started to accommodate the increased deaths during a plague epidemic at the end of the 17th century.

The cemetery is notable for its many art nouveau monuments. Its oldest stones can be found in the northwestern corner, close to the 17th-century Chapel of St. Roch (“kaple sv Rocha”). Final resting place to actors, writers, artists, politicians and many others, a few of Olsany’s most famous inhabitants include artist and writer Josef Lada, Klement Gottwald (communist president of Czechoslovakia) and Jan Palach (a student who committed self-immolation on Wenceslas Square in 1969 in protest against the Soviet invasion).

The New Jewish Cemetery (Novy zidovsky hrbitov)
Izraelska 712/1
Praha 3 – Zizkov

Located on the same street, just a short walk west and across the busy intersection at Jana Zelivskeho street, the New Jewish Cemetery was built in 1891 when the Old Jewish Cemetery (located in the city center and the more familiar of the two) ran out of space. The New Jewish Cemetery is still in use today.

Home to some 100,000 graves, the New Jewish Cemetery houses tombstones in a wide range of styles including Neo-Gothic, Neo-Renaissance, Art Nouveau, Classicism, Purism and Constructivism. Many monuments were designed by the country’s best-known artists, architects and sculptors.

For example, renowned architect Jan Kotera designed two art-nouveau monuments for members of the Perutz family. Sculptor Josef Vaclav–creator of the famous St. Wenceslas statue on Wenceslas Square–created two busts that adorn one of the cemetery’s most elaborate tombs belonging to the Waldes family.

The cemetery’s most famous inhabitant is world-renowned writer Franz Kafka. When you walk into the cemetery you’ll see a sign directing you to the grave, just a short walk to the right. Designed by architect L. Ehrmann, the tomb’s shape is a hexahedral, truncated crystal. Kafka shares the burial with his parents. Just across from him on the wall is a memorial plaque to Kafka’s friend and promoter, Max Brod.

Other cemeteries

Another cemetery worth having a look at is located in the Vysehrad neighborhood. Here you will find the tombs of author Jan Neruda, writer Karel Capek, poet Karel Hynek Macha and composer Antonin Dvorak. Read more here.

Do you have a favorite cemetery in Prague? Tell us about it in our comments section.

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Most locals consider Trastevere, which literally means “across the Tiber,” to be the most authentic and charming part of Rome. This despite the neighborhood’s gentrification, due to its increasing popularity with American and international students and tourists.

It’s no wonder that everyone wants a piece of this picturesque part of the city. You’ll find yourself charmed by its winding alleyways and cobblestone streets, many of which are pedestrian only. And you’ll be delighted by its traditional mom-and-pop trattorias and the abundant array of restaurants and cafés from which to choose.

Here’s my guide to spending the perfect day in Trastevere. Get started early!

9 a.m. Piazza Santa Maria in Trastevere

Start off your day at the Piazza Santa Maria in Trastevere by having a cappuccino and cornetto (croissant) at any one of the cafés that surround the square. If you start off early, before the commuter crowd gets off to school and work, you may just have the piazza to yourself.

It’s not hard to guess what makes this piazza so wonderful. By day, you’ll witness locals and tourists alike gazing up at the golden mosaics of the Santa Maria in Trastevere church glimmering in the sun. The Basilica, dedicated to the Virgin Mary, is also one of the oldest churches in Rome.

By night, this piazza is a totally different scene. The piazza livens up with its street performers, vendors, diners and a whole lot of people watching!

10:00 a.m. Piazza San Calisto

Next, head on down to Piazza San Callisto where you can witness locals shopping for fresh fruits and vegetables at the mercato. It’d be a good idea to pick up some fruit for yourself here to take with you on your tour.

10:30 a.m. Shopping or church

If it’s a Sunday, you’ll definitely want to hit up Rome’s largest mercato delle pulci (“flea market”) at Porta Portese (Via di Porta Portese). There’s nothing like spending a few hours scouring this street market for deals. Bat those pretty eyelashes of yours and ask the vendor for a “piccolo sconto” (a small discount) and you’re bound to get him to slash his prices by a euro or two. The street market feels miles long, with stalls and stalls of second-hand clothes, accessories, antiques, paintings and furniture. Just be mindful of your wallet and purse, as the later it gets, the more popular it becomes with pick-pockets.

If it’s not Sunday, you’ll want to head over to the Santa Cecilia in Trastevere Church (Piazza Santa Cecilia in Trastevere, 22) for some great frescoes. In particular, pay close attention to the Last Judgment fresco painted by Pietro Cavallini. Another striking thing to marvel is the sculpture of Saint Cecilia, after whom the church is named. The white marble statue shows the saint with her head half-severed and lies just below the main altar.

Noon. Lunch at Da Enzo

Da Enzo (Via dei Vascellari, 29) is a hole-in-the-wall restaurant with only about 10 tables or so. But that’s what makes it so good. A definite must-try for appetizers are the carciofi alla giudia (Jewish-style fried artichokes). For pasta, try one of their classics: arrabbiata (spicy tomato), amatriciana (tomato, onion and pancetta) or carbonara (egg and pancetta). Throw in a bottle of their house wine and some tiramisù, and you’ll come out paying roughly €25 per person. Not bad for such a great meal!

3 p.m. Museum of Rome in Trastevere

After lunch, whip back around to the other side of Viale Trastevere to visit the Museum of Rome in Trastevere (Piazza Sant’Egidio). The museum dates back to 1601 and is located in a historic building that was once a convent. In 1970, the building became a place for preserving and showcasing Roman folklore, poetry, dialect and traditions. Later it underwent a facelift and reopened in 2000 as the Musuem of Rome in Trastevere, which today hosts exhibitions (many dedicated to photography), shows and conferences.

6 p.m. Window shopping

Spend an hour strolling and gazing at the boutiques around the Santa Maria in Trastevere area.

7 p.m. Aperitivo

When 7 p.m. rolls around, Romans head for the bars that offer “aperitivo.” Aperitivo is sort of like an American “happy hour” without the 2-for-1 drink specials. Instead, with the purchase of a drink (usually around €7-10), there’s a buffet of finger food for you to feast your appetite on.

My pick for Aperitivo, Freni e Frizioni (“Shocks and Brakes”), located at Via del Politeama, 4, is a mechanic shop-turned trendy aperitivo hangout. Just around the corner is another good spot, Friends (Piazza Trilussa) where hipsters tend to hang out at night in the piazza.

9 p.m. Dinner

My pick for dinner is Dar Poeta, located at Vicolo del Bologna, 45. Some of the best wood-oven pizza can be found here. The amatriciana and fior di zucca pizzas are a must try!

Have extra time?

In case you have more time in the neighborhood, some other places to check out are: Villa Farnesina, Gianicolo Hill, the Church of San Pietro in Montorio and the Church of San Francesco a Ripa.

Your favorite spots in Trastevere?

What did we miss? Have a favorite place to visit in Trastevere? Tell us about it in the comments section.

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North African nations of the once-mighty French empire, including present-day Morocco, Tunisia and Algeria, still maintain important links with France, especially concerning immigration and cultural exchange. Today these communities are an integral part of the Parisian scene. Unfortunately, however, it’s cultural tensions with these groups that receive most of the media attention.

Food for thought

For better or worse, cultures often become defined by their food, and the Maghreb countries are no exception. While there could be a magic carpet hidden amongst the fabric stores of the Barbès neighborhood, let’s focus on the couscous, mint tea, and orange blossom pastries that await Paris-bound travelers.

Here’s my Cheapo-friendly tour of where to experience the tastes of North Africa in Paris:

Mint tea

Mosquée de Paris
2 bis, Place du Puits de l’Ermite, 75005
Web site

For the best mint tea in Paris, head to the Mosquée de Paris in the Latin Quarter. The building was inaugurated in 1926 and is the third-largest mosque in Europe. While most non-Muslims cannot enter the building freely, the café connected to the religious monument offers a taste of the Maghreb.

Mint tea (€2) flows plentifully while an assortment of North African pastries awaits you. Sitting in the blue-and-white tiled courtyard, watching the sparrows flit among the foliage, you forget that you’re in the heart of Paris, or even in Europe for that matter.

Art and cultural exhibits

Institut du Monde Arabe
1, rue des Fossés-Saint-Bernard 75005
Web site

To experience some more culture, head to the Institut du Monde Arabe, which since 1987 has been hosting art, photography and cultural exhibits stemming from Arab nations. For just €6 (€4, reduced), the exhibits are yours to roam. If money is an issue, the rooftop terrace and café offers sublime views of the city and the Seine–and access via the elevator is absolutely free.

Algerian couscous

Les 4 Frères
7, Boulevard de la Villette 75010
Web site

When hunger hits, a steaming plate of fluffy couscous and stewed vegetables is a sure-fire cure. Restaurants all over the city propose the North African specialty. My favorite is Les 4 Frères, located just up the street from the Belleville Metro station. The restaurant offers some of the cheapest and tastiest traditional Algerian fare in the city. A plate of couscous with either chicken, beef, or lamb is only €7.20–a small price to pay for a veritable feast. Don’t hesitate to try a pastry or two – they’ll bring the platter to the table and let you decide.

North African pastries

Bague de Kenza
Various locations
Web site

If we’re going to talk pastries, there is definitely a one-stop must-see for any serious sweet tooth. The Bague de Kenza chain offers some of the best Algerian pastries in the city. Feast on flaky pastries rife with almonds, orange blossom, honey and pistachio. There are six locations in Paris, so there’s no reason to miss out on one of their fig-glazed or honey-enrobed delights.

Outdoor market

Barbès market
Boulevard de la Chapelle
Open: Wednesday and Saturday

Since picnic season is upon us, a trip to an outdoor market is always helpful when shopping for affordable fruits and veggies. One of the most exotic (and least expensive) is the Barbès market situated just south of the Montmartre district and open every Wednesday and Saturday. As with most Parisian markets, after noon the vendors start unloading their goods at much lower prices, often selling baskets of produce for just a euro or two.

The crushing crowds along the Boulevard de la Chapelle will transport you out of Paris and into a Moroccon souq, with shouting vendors hawking their produce to a diverse crowd of North African Parisians. Be warned, it’s not for the agoraphobic.

Your suggestions?

Even if you’re still planning that North African adventure, let us know where in Paris you find your inspiration. Where is the best place to find tastes from across the Mediterranean? Share your advice in the comments section.

The post Paris meets North Africa: Tastes of Morocco and Tunisia appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

This final neighborhood post brings us to Prague’s Holesovice district. Located on the other side of the river from Zizkov and Vinohrady, Holesovice is home to two of the city’s best parks (Stromovka and Letna), lots of cafes and tea houses (including one in a tower). Over the past few years it’s been shifting into one of the city’s best art areas, as many of the neighborhood’s old warehouses have been turned into galleries and exhibition spaces.

Here are some specific spots to check out to give you a full day’s worth of activities in Holesovice:

Something to start the day

Ouky Douky café and bookshop
Janovského 1118/14, Prague 7, 170 00
Tel: +420 266 711 531

With great coffee and a relaxing vibe, Ouky Douky will start your day on the right foot. Besides good coffee they offer a full menu of breakfast options (as well as lunch and dinner). And after you’re finished, you can slip into the next room to peruse their equally atmospheric bookshop. Offering second-hand books, you’re sure to find a cheapo deal on their decent selection of English-language books. Internet is available, too.

Something to see

National Technical Museum
Kostelní 1320/42, Prague 7, 17078
Tel: +420 220 399 111
Web site

Recently reopened after a four-year renovation, the museum is the Czech Republic’s impressive nod to its proud industrial tradition. The museum includes over 50,000 items in its five permanent exhibitions covering transport, photography, printing, astronomy and architecture.

Something to eat

Fraktal
Smeralova 1, Prague 7, 170 00 Prague 7
Tel: +420 777 794 094
Web site

Fraktal serves great food in a comfortable, laid-back atmosphere. The eclectic menu features a variety of sandwiches, burgers (including veggie), quesadillas, chicken and fish, salads, soups and some interesting smaller dishes. They also have lots of great drinks, as Fraktal is one of the area’s best bars. To top it all of, the prices are cheapo friendly.

Something to buy

Designshop DOX
Dox Centre for Contemporary Art
Poupetova 1, Prague 7, 170 00
Tel: +420 774 145 434
Web site

Okay, maybe it’s not the cheapest option, but you can go home with something truly Czech. This excellent shop – housed inside Dox Centre for Contemporary Art – features items designed by the country’s best artists and artisans, both established and emerging. You’ll find glass, porcelain, jewelry and quirky little objects that show off an excellent sense of Czech humor. The Designshop DOX also carries a great selection of design books.

Something to drink

Cross-club
Plynarni 1096/23, Prague 7, 170 00
Tel: +420 736 535 053
Web site

Although this club is a bit off the beaten path, you can’t miss it. Outside there is an insane (in a good way) huge metal sculpture that looks like a carnival of hubcaps. Inside is just as visually stirring. The club offers music from around the world on two stages, experimental theater, exhibitions and poetry readings. Grab something to eat or drink at the club’s café or grab pizza on the first floor and enjoy it on the outside seating area for a breather before going back inside for more.

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