East to west across Crete

But distances say little about driving times in Crete. This is truly one of Europe’s great drives, a feast of serpentines and mountain passes. Along the way there are magnificent views. The terrain is so fearsome that you’d be hard pushed to do the drive in a day. And in truth only the most foolish of travelers would even consider trying to rush the journey. The drive across Crete deserves at least a week.

Christopher Somerville’s book The Golden Step.

The Golden Step

Or you could follow Christopher Somerville’s example and walk across Crete. Chris set off from the east coast of Greece at Easter, taking 50 days for the hike to Panagia Chrisoskalitissa, where he arrived just in time for Pentecost. His experience is recalled in a very fine book entitled The Golden Step: A Walk through the Heart of Greece (first published as a hardback by Haus in 2007 and now available as a paperback). The book’s title alludes to the monastery at the western end of the trail: Panagia Chrisoskalitissa, in English the Monastery of Our Lady of the Golden Step.

“Blessed is the man that walketh,” was the phrase that Christopher Somerville had in mind as he set out from the east coast early on the morning of Easter Monday. He may not have felt quite so blessed as, over the following weeks, he hiked through fierce mountain gorges and over arid plateaus. Yet only slow travelers encounter the rural Crete that Christopher discovered on his walk.

Make time for the trail

Crete is—by virtue of its size—well suited to taking time out, Somerville-style. If you are tempted, do as Christopher Somerville did, and leave every distracting piece of technology at home. No GPS, no smart phone. Take a few maps and don’t forget The Golden Step. It is a pocket-sized gem. And don’t live just for the moment of arrival. Slow travelers take life one step at a time, savoring each moment of the journey. And there is a glint of gold in each footfall on the pilgrim trail across Crete.

The post Discovering Crete: Exploring Greece’s largest island on foot appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Music

1. Every night, the organ goes wild at the Santa Maria de’ Ricci church on via del Corso. Chillax on a bench and be blown away by the pipes of the God’s favorite keyboard.

2. Or, you can take a stroll to Ponte Vecchio to take in a concert by the sunset. The local buskers will woo you with Italian ballads until you feel the urge to kiss a stranger on your path.

Outdoor Tourism

3. Seeing the inside of a museum is not free. But seeing the outside is! Grab a map from the tourist office and create your own day of outdoor tourism. The very masters who created much of the ornate interiors of Florentine have also contributed to the city’s exterior beauty. Walk and be wowed.

4. Also consider the Loggia dei Lanzi in Piazza della Signora (next to the Uffizi). This impressive collection of sculptures is definitely worth a look. Behold the immensity, the drama, and the beauty of these creations. But don’t have a sandwich in your hand while you’re doing it or Mister Security Guard will kick you back into the Piazza.

5. For those with that certain architectural fortitude, go check out Florence’s recently completed courthouse. Everyone seems to have an opinion on this postmodern behemoth located near the airport.

6. And finally, there’s Piazza Michelangelo which offers that city view supremo – a perfect place to spend some idle time.

Un Bel Farniente

7. Speaking of idle time, the national pastime of “un bel farniente” translates into “a pleasant do nothing.” The art of complete relaxation. Hanging out by the riverbank, frolicking in a meadow, reflecting while seated on a park bench – you get the picture. Florence has several places to do this. Take your pick, this is a wander-friendly city.

8. And then there’s always people-watching. The best spot for this – at the far right on the steps of the Duomo. Not only will you have your very own tourist parade, but there’s also a small corner of shade. Free shade.

Also in our guide: Planning a trip to Florence? Our editors have hunted down the best cheap hotels in Florence, all located in central neighborhoods. Read their reviews and see photographs in our Florence guide.

The post 8 free things to do in Florence appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Certainly, Barcelona has its fair share of city squares. The neighborhood with the most plazas in town is Gracia, where the famous Plaça de Sol is found. In this typical square you’ll find musicians strumming guitars and cool bars with boisterous clientele.

Plaça de Sol is fun, and well worth a coffee or beer in the afternoon. But you already know it. Here are three more must-see squares to visit in Barcelona:

1. Plaça Neri: Square of the Dead
Barri Gotic

I’d lived in Barcelona four streets over from this square for a two years and never came across Neri. Unless you’re looking for it or staying at Boutique Hotel Neri, a fabulous luxury hotel, then you won’t probably see this sweet cobblestone plaza in the Gothic Quarter. With a fountain in the middle and ancient buildings surrounding it on all sides, Plaça Neri has a peaceful vibe to it.

As soothing and quiet as Plaça Neri is, I can’t help but wonder if it’s not haunted. This lovely plaza has a gruesome history. First of all, it was once the graveyard for Barcelona criminals. In the olden days bodies were buried inside the city walls around churches. No one wanted to be buried next to a murderer, so there was a special cemetery for these undesirables, and that graveyard is Plaça Neri. Lots of bones and ghosts here, and what’s more, bad ones!

That’s not all, it gets worse. During the Civil War Mussolini’s air force lent Franco a hand and dropped bombs on Barcelona. Some of these where dropped on Plaça Neri, killing around 40 school children who were hiding in a school (there’s still a working school there today, but not in the same place) on the plaza. You’ll hear tell that all the pock marks in the walls containing Plaça Neri are from bullets, but it’s not so. The marks are from the second bomb dropped when people came to try and save the dead children.

Grisly history aside, Plaça Neri is beautiful, and well worth a visit. Have a glass of wine at the outdoor terrace of Hotel Neri, or take a look in the quirky Shoe Museum in the corner of the square.

2. Plaça de la Font: Square of the Living
Barceloneta

This is an excellent square to visit any sunny morning of the week for a coffee, croissant and some fun people-watching. The center of the fishermen’s barri, La Barceloneta, this plaza is large with a few cafes, a playground, benches, a newsagent, and a market.

I like this plaza because of its buzz and the fact that’s it’s a “real” plaza still very much used by residents (unlike Plaça Neri). Check out the Senoras buying fresh shrimp in the market and then pick up some bread at one of Barcelona’s best bakeries, Baluard, also on the square. Seafood restaurants and traditional tapas bars line the skinny streets ringing this lively square.

3. Plaça de Sant Pere: Square of the Hungry
Born/Ribera

Here’s another plaza that is very much used by locals of La Ribera. Plaça de Sant Pere is off the tourist beat of El Born, one of Barcelona’s hippest areas, but still in the heart of the old city. Surrounding this cobblestone plaza are elegant old apartment buildings and a few boutiques and cafes. I adore all the flowering trees on Plaça Sant Pere as wall as the old-school street lamps which cast a golden glow over the square when night comes.

One of my preferred Barcelona restaurants happens to be on Plaça Sant Pere, too, La Candela, which serves innovative, international, inexpensive meals. La Candela has terrace seating on Plaça Sant Pere, making it a stellar summer spot to have dinner.

Also in our Barcelona Guide

Visiting Barcelona soon? Check out our reviews of the best cheap hotels in Barcelona, all inspected, reviewed and photographed—and all located in central neighborhoods (within walking distance of each of these plazas). We recommend 38 budget-friendly hotels in our guide, plus offer additional euro-saving tips in our Barcelona articles.

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After all, despite enjoying all the sights and experiencing all the “must-do’s” of a foreign city, it’s those special moments you have along the way – stumbling upon a striking statue, turning the corner and discovering the beautiful façade of a building or being taken aback by yet another astounding view – that remain in your mind when you reflect on your travels.

Here are three walks in Prague that I’ve taken many a time. Each step along their paths still satisfies.

Walk 1: Below the bridge, into the park and along the river

On the west side of the Charles Bridge, take a set of stairs down and into the lovely square Na Kampe. Walk straight ahead through the square and into one of the city center’s most lovely parks, also called Kampa. Keep to the side closest to the river.

Most likely you’ll come upon a number of kids playing around three massive statues of children crawling through the park made by Czech artist David Cerny. The statues are just outside the Kampa Museum of Modern Art. For free, you can walk through the outside entryway of the museum where there are several installations. There’s also an area on the ground where you walk over water that flows through a crack in the building that provides a view of the river. Once through the area, and out by the river, walk along the path that borders the water.

You can keep strolling or take a seat on one of the benches and look out at the island just across the way, the boats and the bridges.

Walk 2: Behind the castle, through the park and down into Lesser Town

For this walk, your starting point is the Prazsky Hrad (Prague Castle) tram stop on the street Marianske Hradby. Take a right at this back entrance to the castle, onto U Prasneho mostu and then a left into one of the Castle’s gardens – Kralovska Zahrada (The Royal Garden).

Inside you’ll find several lovely buildings and some stunning views of the city below. At the end of the Garden, where Queen Anne’s Summer Palace rests, you’ll go out the open gate (back onto Marianske Hradby) and make a right. Just a few steps away and on the right, you’ll walk into a park – Chotkovy sady. Here you’ll see some hidden sculptures and be immersed in the foliage of several big, beautiful trees.

Walking straight, you’ll cross over a small bridge and then you can either keep going straight ahead and into Letna park or walk to the left and around the corner (onto the larger street Chotkova) and down a set of stairs into the charming Mala Strana or Lesser Town.

Walk 3: Along the riverfront and back up to view a cubist gem

Starting at Palackeho Namesti (just look for the tram stop of the same name on a map) cross over the street toward the river. Walk down a nearby set of stairs that will take you to the promenade along the water (walk in the direction that will have Prague Castle at your back.).

You’ll pass bikers, see boaters, and have a full view of the cityscape of Prague’s fifth district across the way. At Vyton, which is near a bridge that trains cross over (there is also a tram stop called “Vyton” that you can look for as a marker) go back up on the street and keep walking in the same direction.

Just after passing under the train track bridge, look on your left for the Kovarovic Villa – a house built in the Cubist style by architect Josef Chochol between 1912-13. On the same side of the street, you’ll also pass by the Neo-Classical house by Emil Kralicek and the Sequens Villa (named after the family that constructed it) by Otakar Novotny in a Modernist Rationalist style.

The post Prague: 3 do-it-yourself walking tours appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Which is why Umbria–the central Italian region famed for its undulating landscape, historic hilltowns, and rustic cuisine—is the place to be for anyone wanting to visit the Bel Paese without having to compromise on the creme della creme. Here are several ways guaranteed to keep your costs low while visiting Umbria:

Art and Architecture
Basilica of Saint Francis in Assisi

Umbria hasn’t yet jumped on the “charging admission for churches” bandwagon—unlike Florence and Venice—so the region’s most iconic architectural monument (and one of the most important fresco cycles in the history of art) is still free.

The imposing 13th-century Basilica of Saint Francis in Assisi is a breathtaking example of both Romanesque and Gothic architecture and home to works by Cimabue and, most famously, Giotto. A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000 and one of the most visited monuments in Italy, the Basilica is best enjoyed in the relative peace of the early morning or late afternoon, when day trippers and busloads of pilgrims aren’t crowding the chapels.

For opening hours and events, visit http://www.sanfrancescoassisi.org/.

Music and General Merry-Making
Umbria Jazz Festival (July)

Umbria hosts over 20 music festivals each year–an astonishing number given this region’s tiny size and population—and Umbria Jazz is the uncontested king. Held each July in Perugia, this juggernaut of an international event stretches over two weeks and attracts some of the biggest names in jazz (and beyond—I’ve seen R.E.M., Alicia Keys, and Eric Clapton here, as well).

Sure, the headlining concerts may be out of your travel budget, but take a stroll down Perugia’s main Corso to enjoy the irresistable festive vibe and pop in at one of the many free outdoor concerts in the piazze downtown. For a complete schedule: http://www.umbriajazz.com/

History and Culture
Mercato delle Gaite (Bevagna, late June)

There is nothing like an Umbrian town during its annual festival when banners flutter under each window, taverne (temporary outdoor eating areas) sprout overnight in the squares, and street musicians, costumed processions, medieval markets, and crossbow tournaments are center stage.

Almost every town has its own historic festival and a perennial favorite is Bevagna’s Mercato delle Gaite held in late June. Each town district–or gaite—accurately reconstructs functioning artisan workshops using both the techniques and technology of the 1300s to produce items that include silk (from silkworm to cloth), paper, bronze bells, beeswax candles, and religious icons. For a program, see http://www.ilmercatodellegaite.it/ (a €6 ticket buys you a visit the ten workshops)

Wine (and, if you’re lucky, Food)
“Open Cellars” (May)

One of the most anticipated days of the year is the last Sunday in May when wineries across Umbria open their doors to the public for Cantine Aperte (Open Cellars).

Participating vineyards—there were more than 50 this year–organize wine tastings, cellar tours, vineyard walks, live music, and (in some cases) food. At the entrance to the vineyard, each visitor purchases a souvenir glass in a pouch (which you hang from your neck to keep your hands free for the buffet!) for €5, which is good for filling at any participating vineyard all day.

Each winery has its own procedure, but generally their house wines are free (in your official glass), their higher-end wines may be available for tasting for a small charge, and food can be either free or available for a small fee. You can find a list of participating vineyards here.

Nature and the Great Outdoors
Sibilline National Park

There’s a reason Umbria is known as Italy’s “green heart”, and not just because it’s a catchy hook. This region is dotted with natural parks and reserves and offers some dramatic hikes.

One of my favorites is the trail up Mount Vettore in the Sibilline National Park. Climbing from the Piano Grande plateau near the tiny hamlet of Castelluccio, the path leads to Lago di Pilato (Pilate’s Lake) famed for its tiny prehistoric crustacean, and for the legend that Pontius Pilates bones lay in its depths.

Fact or fiction? You can take your time to mull it over while you picnic near its shores, soak in the view, and rest up for the hike back down to the plain–all this for the price of the CAI Monte Sibillini trail map. For more information about this National Park, check out their Web site.

About the author: Rebecca Winke moved to Italy from Chicago in 1993 and shortly thereafter opened an agriturismo in her husband’s renovated family farmhouse at the foot of Mount Subasio near Assisi, Umbria. She spends her time taking care of guests at Brigolante, blogging about the lovely region she now calls home at Rebecca’s Ruminations, and wondering about what strange winds blew an urban vegetarian to a farm in Umbria.

The post Umbria: 5 ways to explore Umbria à la cheapo appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

The Danger Duomo

The first area to go completely car-free was the ring around the Duomo. It seems ludicrous in retrospect, but just two years ago the snaking lines of church-goers ran the risk of “attack by speeding car.” But not anymore. The entire Duomo ring is now carless and harmless. But do keep an eye out for the bicycles, horses and determined stroller-pushing nonnas.

Okay, that’s great. But what about the rest of the monuments (or monumental walking hazards)? Well, it’s just been announced that as of June 24, 2011, the following parts of the city will be completely car free! (Click here for a map of the city’s new pedestrian zones.)

Palazzo [“it’s a”] Pitti there are so many cars

Remember the good old days of getting clipped by the mirrors of passing vehicles while walking from Ponte Vecchio to Palazzo Pitti? Ah, the nostalgia of injuries past.

Okay, it never happened but now it surely never will because the entire Piazza de’ Pitti area will soon be traffic free. That includes that congested 5 inch-wide deathtrap of a sidewalk all the way from Ponte Vecchio to Palazzo Pitti. (But please, hold your applause until the end.)

Shopping Sanctuary

Florence, city of fashion, has a street called Via Tornabuoni where you’ll find the shops of style sultans such as Gucci, Prada and Emporio Armani.

And soon, that little strip of garment pedigree just off Palazzo Strozzi will be – wait for it, wait for it – traffic free! Just imagine meandering with a gelato in your hand and gazing through the windows of fashion greatness with only the sounds of ringing cash registers echoing through the street. Sounds about right, doesn’t it?

Be the best pedestrian you can be

In Italy, two pedestrians per day are killed by cars. This is a place where even motorcyclists use their mobile phones when they drive. Be careful!

Sidewalks are notoriously narrow which makes walking in the street a common habit. Italian drivers may be very good at slalom but still, make use of your peripheral vision!

The post Florence’s New Pedestrian Zones: Where you can put your foot down appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Walking leaves the discovery to you, and one of the best ways to get your bearings is to tag along on a walking tour. Paris has no shortage of private tour guides, and all sorts of themed tours are available (including the French Revolution-themed walking tour offered by “Paris Walks”, shown in the photo above).

Luckily for Cheapos, there are several companies that offer free walking tours, in which the guides work solely for tips. (Although it may seem odd not to tip a waiter in Paris but to leave money for a tour guide, that’s how these tours work.)

Here are three companies that organize well-known free walking tours in Paris:

City Free Tours

Duration: 2 hours
Reserve in advance: Yes
Website

City Free Tour has been offering a variety of two-hour tours in Paris since 2009. The knowledgeable English-speaking and expat guides cover the big sights like the Marais, Montmartre and Notre Dame. You’ll get acquainted with certain neighborhoods and you’ll have the expertise of your guide to point you on your way after the tour. Space is limited, so it’s best to secure a spot through advance reservations.

Sandemans New Paris

Duration: 3.5 hours
Reserve in advance: No
Website

Sandemans New Paris has been running their famous 3.5-hour free tour just about every day since 2004. The guides are known for adding a lot of personality to their tours, combining entertainment with history and culture. The tour is a great overview of the entire city, starting at the fountain of Saint Michel and ending by the Champs-Elysées.

No reservations are required, just show up at the meeting spot at the appointed time. The tours are free and, again, guides work on tips, but the company also offers several inexpensive paid tours, including a Versailles tour and one of Paris’ only pub crawls. English and Spanish are available for all tours.

Discover Walks

Reservation needed: No
Website

Still another company, Discover Walks, offers themed walks through Paris including a landmark tour and a Left Bank tour, all in English. They also offer a tour along the river that is ideal for lovers or those looking for love. Their array of native tour guides pride themselves on their local perspectives.

No reservations are needed unless you are coming with a group of eight or more. Just check the site for information, show up at the designated time and remember, again, that the guides work on tips.

Walking Tour Tips

Ask away: All of these tours offer great introductions to Paris’ biggest sights and most famous neighborhoods. You’ll get the layout of the land and, armed with plenty of information and know-how, you’ll be able to explore Paris like a local. In case anything doesn’t make sense, however, ask. The guides are there to answer questions and share information with you.

Dress comfortably: Remember to wear comfortable shoes and bring an umbrella. Tour guides expect you to stick with them, rain or shine, and stopping halfway through the guide’s speech on the French Revolution because your feet hurt is not appreciated.

Drink water: Also, make sure you hydrate, especially in the summer. Tours are usually not strenuous, but it can get hot in Paris, especially in the midday sun. Don’t be afraid to buy bottles of water for one euro from the men selling them out of buckets in the street. (Support the local economy, I say!)

Prepare for the sun: Finally, avoid burning by putting on some sunscreen and wearing sunglasses. There’s no real need to try to “fit in” by dressing fashionable when you’re on a tour. Be a tourist, be comfortable and worry about introducing your stilettos to the cobblestones later that night.

Your thoughts on walking tours in Paris

Have you tried any of Paris’ free tours? Do you know of any others? Share your thoughts and tips in our comments section.

The post Free Walking Tours in Paris: 3 tours for Cheapos appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

1. Walk aimlessly

I’m a walker, and one of the many reasons I like living in Prague is because it’s a great city to get lost in. Just pick a starting point, start walking and see where the path takes you. It’s a great way to explore the city and stumble upon any of Prague’s myriad treasures.

2. Drink a beer outside

After walking for a while, you’ll naturally get thirsty. Of course there aren’t as many outdoor beer gardens open now as there will be in the summer, but I just passed one yesterday and the people looked like they were in Czech beer heaven. Sipping a brew outside is one of the country’s greatest pleasures; if you don’t do it, well, you just haven’t experienced the Czech Republic. Na zdraví! (That’s “cheers!” in Czech.)

3. Find a park bench

Prague has a number of parks, squares and even little corners with benches to relax, and from which you can watch the world go by. When the temperatures warm up residents emerge from their apartments and take in the sun on their favorite park bench. It’s great people watching!

4. Head to the farmer’s market

Last year a host of farmer’s markets popped up in various locations in the city. They were so popular that they’re doing it again this year, and the season has just begun. At the markets you can find cheeses, breads, fruits, veggies and a variety of Czech specialties. Check out the official Web site (in Czech, but you can translate it online) for info about when and where to find the markets.

5. See what’s in bloom at the Botanical Gardens

Head on up to Prague Botanical Gardens. Open throughout the year, the area includes a Japanese Garden, the Fata Morgana greenhouse and St. Claire’s Vineyard, where you can sample local wines in a lovely wine bar. The gardens are located in a residential area above the city center called Troja, which is an area you might otherwise miss. While there, why not stop by the nearby Zoo and Troja Chateau. Bonus: From March 18- 27, 2011, the Fata Morgana greenhouse is hosting an orchid exhibit.

The post Prague Spring: 5 outdoor activities to celebrate the season appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Then, of course, there is the holiday extravaganza that is 5th Avenue. And Macy’s. And, well, any department store that is worth its salt in window displays. But where to go? And how to fight the crowds and actually enjoy the festival of lights without losing your mind? We’ve got your holiday window walking tour right here.

Stop 1: Macy’s
34th Street between Broadway and 6th Avenue
Subway: N/Q/R/B/D/F to Herald Square

Click to see these windows on a map.

Let’s start at the very beginning. Macy’s kicked off the holiday season with that little parade it held on Thanksgiving Day. Santa made his first appearance of the season and the holidays were off to a rip-roaring start. Enter 34th Street, home not only to Macy’s but to that magical holiday story, “Miracle on 34th Street,” which is retold in adorable animatronics nodding their heads and flying their reindeer legs in the Macy’s windows on 34th.

Stop 2: Lord & Taylor
424 5th Ave at 39th St

From Macy’s, head east to 5th Avenue and north to 39th Street to check out Lord & Taylor’s incredible, and historic, panes. In 1938, this upscale department store displayed the first ever animated holiday windows. To this day the trendsetting store does it up right. To maintain the unadulterated Christmas spirit, windows are simply the festive animated scenes, no merchandise allowed.

Detour: For a fun treat, and a quick bout of warmth, make a pit stop on the way to Lord & Taylor. At 36th Street, head an extra block east to Madison Avenue to the Morgan Library. Yes, you’ll have to pay an admission price here ($15), but you’ll see the original manuscript of a quintessential bit of Christmas: Charles Dickens’s Christmas Carol, all bound in lovely leather as once gifted to his solicitor.

Stop 3: Saks Fifth Avenue
611 5th Ave between 49th and 50th

From Lord & Taylor, you have a bit of a stroll along 5th Avenue (stop into the New York Public Library at 42nd Street to see their giant tree) to the next set of windows. But once you reach Saks Fifth Avenue you’ve got lights galore for miles—or at least several blocks.

But we’ll start with Saks, where the windows are grand but the highlight is the glorious light show which has snowflakes dancing across the 10-story building. Arrive here after dark to partake in the full spectacle, and since you’re in the neighborhood, make a pilgrammage across the street to Rockefeller Center and its famous tree.

Fun fact: The snowflakes, inspired by William “Snowflake” Bentley’s snowflake photos from the 1920’s, are made from more than 40 LED modules (that’s 2.5 miles of lights) but consume only 2600W, the energy equivalent of three toaster ovens. Go Saks! Out of town Cheapos can see the snowflake dance here.

Stop 3: Fifth Avenue
50th Street to 59th Street

After gaping at the at the snowflake show, which takes place every 15 minutes, it’s a slow stroll up Fifth Avenue for some incredible windows and gorgeous lights. Highlights include the gleaming UNICEF snowflake which hovers over 5th Avenue at 57th Street, the red bow of lights that wraps the Cartier building at 52nd (we’ll unwrap that!) and, of course, the classy and captivating displays at a certain store whose signature bows (and boxes) are not red but blue. Not sure what we’re talking about? You’ll happen upon this little shop of Audrey Hepburn fame at 727 Fifth Ave between 56th and 57th.

Also in the hood are Henri Bendel (712 Fifth Avenue at 56th Street), where the windows this year celebrate scenes from The Nutcracker, and Bergdorf Goodman (754 Fifth Avenue at 58th Street), with its futuristic “Wish You Were Here” travel theme.

Stop 4: FAO Schwarz
767 5th Avenue at 58th Street

When you hit 58th Street, take a detour into FAO Schwarz, toyland itself, where you can warm up in the cafe or pounce on the giant piano a la Tom Hanks in Big. Nothing says Christmas like being a kid again.

Stop 5: Bloomingdale’s and Dylan’s Candy Bar
59th Street and Lexington Avenue

If you’ve still got energy after all that, head east on 58th Street to Bloomingdale’s (59th Street and Lexington Avenue), where the digital screens give a more modern, techie holiday feel. Then replenish your energy with a pit stop at the colorful Dylan’s Candy Bar (1011 Third Avenue at 60th Street).

Cheapos take note: This last stop, a candy heaven founded by Dylan Lauren (daughter of Ralph) is certainly sweet with its 5,000-plus types of candy, but it’s sensory overload, especially at this time of year. Be prepared to fight crowds for your candy fix. And please refrain from shoving small children—there are plenty of chocolate-covered gummy bears to go around.

For a quieter respite, you might instead head over to the iconic Serendipity (225 East 60th Street between 2nd and 3rd Avenues) to, er, warm up over a heaping glass of their famous frozen hot chocolate ($8.75). Sound coutnerintuitive? It may be cold, but it’ll warm the heart!

Browsing Tips:

Here’s the thing Cheapos: You’re going to run into crowds on this gazing excursion. There may even be lines to see some windows. To minimize the headaches, try going later in the evening.

Stores close between 8 p.m. and 9 p.m., so have dinner, maybe a drink (or two) and then make your way out to check out the lights. You’ll still run into fellow light-gawkers, but at least the shopping throngs will have dispersed by then.

Did Ya Know?

A few fun facts about holiday windows…

1) The holiday window tradition started in the 1840s, when stores displayed wrapped gifts and evergreens. Then in the 1870s the public was fascinated by the toy trains in the windows of L.P. Tibbals’ toy store.

2) Macy’s took decorating up a notch in 1874, when it displayed $10,000 worth of dolls, effectively setting the window-watching trend—and the annual “What if my toy is sold out?” panic.

3) In 2010 Bergdorf spent nearly $300,000 on real antiques and quartz crystal bling for its windows, themed “Wish You Were Here.”

The post Secrets to Seeing New York’s Best Christmas Windows appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

There’s not much you can do, but there is some hope. Try these five tips to help ease the spending:

1. Your best food friend: Coop

The dominating Swiss supermarket chain is Coop (pronounced “cope”). Unlike many European grocery stores, Coop stores are quite large and offer lots of variety. It’s the perfect place to peruse an assortment of fine local chocolates (about two bucks a bar), not to mention the ideal spot to shop for meals to go.

2. Buy the ZurichCARD: Save on transportation, food, museums

I’m not usually one to recommend these touristy offers, but the ZurichCARD is your ticket to a cheap weekend in the city. Buy the 72-hour card for $40 or the 24-hour card for $20 and enjoy care-free, unlimited public transportation anywhere in and around Zurich. Not only that, but the card also gives discounts on nightlife admission, free drinks at restaurants and free entrance to all the museums in Zurich. As the Zurich tourism site says, “So much pleasure for so little money.”

3. Eating out? Shop around

I found meals purchased in department store cafes to be freshly prepared and reasonably priced. From coffees and cakes to salads and warm meals, it’s a Euro thing that’s quite enjoyable and tasty. Department store cafes usually have three to five stations offering the five food groups (complete with spice shakers and fresh herb offerings) at a lower price than nearby restaurants.

4. Continuing on to neighboring countries? Save up

Interestingly, Switzerland is surrounded by countries that offer dramatically cheaper prices for many of the things tourists are interested in. Germany, Austria and Italy carry similar mountain and seasonal souvenirs, while France offers even better food at a lower price (Paris excluded). Thus, while in Switzerland, be frugal with spending francs and wait to enjoy a satisfying splurge with a Swiss neighbor on shopping, dining and sightseeing.

5. Wander

Sure, it’s the oldest tip in the cheapo book, but strolling through this walkable city won’t cost a franc. Take in the amazing scenery. The mountains, lake, and old city quarters are best admired out in the fresh alpine air. Winters can bring crisp, clear and sunny days. Bundle up, slap on some shades and get out there! (Just watch for those patches of ice.)

The post Zurich: 5 Budget Tips for Saving Some Serious Francs appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.