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

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

1. Museums — but be careful!

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

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

2. Pompidou Center Library

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

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

Related: How to spend three days in Paris

3. Park it at a café

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

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

4. Movies!

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

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

5. Brave it outdoors

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

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

Accessories

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

Your rainy-day activities

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

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

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A Word About A.C.

A movie in a dark room can be a lifesaver on a scorching afternoon, and you have the best chance of decent a.c. at one of the bigger multiplexes, but keep in mind that the temperature will never be as chilly as it would be in the U.S. Same goes for large department stores like Galeries Lafayette, Printemps, Le Bon Marché or the B.H.V., where you can cool down a bit, but possibly not as much as you would like.

Browsing frozen treats–and cooling off–at Picard. Photo: asirap

Browse the Aisles of Picard

You can always duck into a supermarket and hover in the frozen food section or vast dairy aisle of a Monoprix or a G20. Even better? Picard, Paris’ popular frozen food chain, which is a great place to escape for a breather from the hot sun while browsing the aisles full of gourmet French TV dinners.

Go Underground

When Paris gets hot, those seeking cooler temps head for the Paris Catacombs, where the temperature is a cool 57.2 degrees F and you can chill your soul by looking at the bones of six million people that line the walls. The catacombs are open from Tuesday to Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm, and the tour lasts 45 minutes. But keep in mind if you’re feeling worn out from the heat that it’s 130 steps down and 83 steps back up to street level.

Another underground tour where you can escape the heat for an hour or so are the city’s elaborate 19th-century sewers (though be warned that the ambient odor might make this a less desirable place to revive). Closed Thursdays and Fridays.

Take a Swim

You can’t jump into the Seine on a hot day, but Paris has 38 municipal swimming pools if you feel like taking the plunge. Remember that pools are crowded, bathing caps are required and shorts are not allowed.

The city of Paris has created a new free app (available in English) to help you locate the pool nearest you and find out everything you need to know about pool hours and other information.

The post Paris Heat Wave Survival Strategies appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

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

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

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

1. The Dublin Writers’ Museum and Hugh Lane Gallery

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

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

2. Irish Film Institute and the Gallery of Photography

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

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

3. George’s Street Arcade

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

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

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

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

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

However, sometimes the weather may turn so sour that you’ll need to plan for an “inside” day. The following are some of the best things to do in San Francisco when the weather makes a turn for the worst.

1. California Academy of Sciences
55 Music Concourse Drive
Web site

If you get stuck in the rain at Golden Gate Park, this is the best place to spend the rest of your day. The California Academy of Sciences is a multi-faceted museum, one that can be easy to get lost in for the entire day. Not just a natural history museum, it also features an aquarium and planetarium.

If you’re visiting on Thursdays, stick around for the museum’s weekly nightlife, which includes snacks and adult beverages to enjoy while taking in all of its great offerings.

2. Ferry Building Marketplace
1 Ferry Building
Web site

The San Francisco Ferry Building is one of the most recognizable landmarks in the bay area. Dating back over 100 years, the Ferry Building stands today as an indoor market featuring some of the best food that San Francisco has to offer. Plan on going with an empty stomach, as you’ll want to follow the smells coming out of some of the different shops.

This also makes a good stop after lunch for enjoying premium chocolates from Recchiuti Confections or fresh coffee from Blue Bottle.

3. Ghirardelli Square
900 N Point St.
Web site

Just look for the big Ghirardelli sign near Fisherman’s Wharf to find this landmark. The square has a long history that dates back over 100 years as the headquarters for Ghirardelli chocolate. The indoor market features nearly 50 boutique shops and restaurants. If nothing else, let loose with an ice cream cone or some Ghirardelli chocolates.

4. San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA)
151 3rd Street
Web site

Since San Francisco is one of the most creative destinations in the world, it should come as no surprise to see the Museum of Modern Art on this list. Unlike most art museums, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art is devoted exclusively to contemporary art. The collection includes over 25,000 different works of art, including paintings, photographs, statues and multimedia.

In between exhibits, enjoy a coffee served by one of San Francisco’s most popular coffee companies: Blue Bottle.

5. San Francisco Cable Car Museum
1201 Mason Street
Web site

A trip to San Francisco really isn’t complete without a cable car ride. However, before jumping on, learn a little more about their history and significance by visiting the San Francisco Cable Car Museum. The museum features exhibits that include cable cars that date back over 100 years. And did we mention it’s free?

The post San Francisco: 5 things to do when it rains appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Although excited (a bit like a child on Christmas morning), I had no difficulty falling back asleep, lulled by the steady rainfall. At 9 AM, when I went downstairs to breakfast, I headed straight to the hotel’s front door to check out the scene. Sure enough, the water had come, turning my street, the Calle de Botteghe, into a stream.

A metal water guard.

My hotel is the charming, 10-room Locanda Art Deco just off Campo Santo Stefano, in Venice’s San Marco district. Last night before heading to bed, the receptionist had warned me about the water’s expected arrival. “It should start in the morning and peak at 10 AM, when it hits 1.15 meters [above the water table],” he explained. They really have this down to a science.

I’ve been in Venice all week, visiting about 50 hotels for our Venice guide, updating reviews and scouting out new picks. In between rooms, I’ve had a chance to talk water with the hotel owners. Yesterday, one owner showed me a text message she received during the day warning her of today’s expected flooding. They’re high-tech!

The water hits the city unevenly, depending on elevation. The Piazza San Marco is one of the lowest points in the city, and is thus constantly flooded. I took the photo at the top of this post yesterday in the piazza, while hardly any other streets were flooded. Note the pedestrian walkways the city constructs to help tourists cross the most heavily-trafficked areas.

This morning, I approached the hotel’s front door to find a metal guard secured in the doorway, locked against the front of the building to keep the stream at bay.

The Calle de Botteghe, this morning.

The morning receptionist explained that, in fact, the water wasn’t as bad as expected. “They told us to expect 1.15, but it turns out it will only be 1.05,” she told me, with a bit of a smile and a shrug. That’s nothing, in fact. If it goes over 1.2 meters, the water will enter the hotel’s lobby, forcing them to move all of the furniture (and there’s quite a bit!) up a staircase to the second landing.

Meanwhile, outside on the Calle de Botthege, Venetians sloshed by in their rubber boots, unfazed. A delivery man pushed a cart past the hotel stacked with boxes headed for the wine shop next door. Life goes on.

The water is set to peak at 10 AM (which is, by the way, right now as I write this in my room), and then subside over the next hour. The rain stopped about two hours ago, but it will take that long for Venice’s drainage system to do its work.

As for the city’s tourists, you either stay put and wait, or shove off. A British couple sitting at the breakfast table next to me decided to go for it. With the rest of us watching from our tables, they stood a bit apprehensively at the door, behind the metal guard, “Lonely Planet” in hand, sporting their heaviest shoes (decidedly not rubber boots). And then they took the plunge. The water went up over their feet, and they pushed off down the street.

As for me, I’ll give it a few minutes to drain before I set sail. But alas, the rain just picked up again.

Hmmm. Which pair of shoes do you think…

The post Venice: Postcard from a city under water appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Make it rain

“Never carry an umbrella in Paris! There’s a law,” says moon-eyed Audrey Hepburn to Humphrey Bogart in Billy Wilder’s 1954 classic, “Sabrina.”

Well, Sabrina, that’s not quite true. In fact, it was the French who invented the folding parapluie (literally, “rain protector”).

Soon it’s gonna rain.

Though umbrellas have been around since the time of the pharaohs, they originally served as protection from sun, not rain (“umbrella,” after all, means “little shadow”). The folding waterproof umbrella didn’t make its splashy debut until 1709. Jean Marius, a master purse maker (“maitre boursier,” who also happened to invent the portable harpsichord), came up with a design that was water-resistant, lightweight, and practically overnight, terribly chic.

Made in France

It’s probably no surprise that it was “Sun King” Louis XIV who issued one of the first Royal Patents for the parapluie—as protection for his wigs, according to palace gossip at Versailles.

Marius quickly launched history’s first publicity campaign for a fashion accessory, landing product endorsements from other notable bigwigs, including Ben Franklin (who even hated hair pieces). Soon it became one of the most highly sought-after French souvenirs.

But what would an 18th-century Cheapo do?

Those early parapluies were indeed stylish and sturdy, but hideously expensive. Ah, but rest assured, the Cheapos-of-the-day weren’t left empty-handed. Like today’s Vélib’ Bike Program, umbrellas could be rented by the hour at tourist hot spots and bridge crossings throughout Paris.

Catherine Deneuve in “Les Parapluies de Cherbourg.”

Don’t leave home without it

And you won’t either, dear Cheapo, if you pay attention to some famous Paris films before you pack.

For example, in “The Last Time I Saw Paris,” heroine Helen (Elizabeth Taylor) loses her umbrella not once, but twice, before finally succumbing to pneumonia. Not you!

Les parapluies also loom large in “Les Parapluies de Cherbourg,” where Catherine Deneuve really knows how to sell an umbrella. They’re even featured in “Le fabuleux destin d’Amélie Poulain.”

By the way, bringing a “little shade” with you can be a lifesaver on those hot summer days, too.

Shopping Tip

If you forgot to pack an umbrella, you can pick up a relatively cheap (and pretty) one at Monoprix. Selling everything from groceries and wine for your picnic, to sunglasses, band-aids, and cute skirts, it’s one-stop shopping for all your strolling needs.

If your umbrella goes bust

Thierry Millet, umbrella doctor.

Umbrella broken? Don’t throw it out! Instead, stop by PEP’S (223, rue Saint-Martin, Passage de l’Ancre in the Marais), one of the last surviving umbrella repair shops in Paris.

This atelier is worth a visit even if your umbrella is in fine working condition. Repairing up to 10,000 umbrellas a year, PEP’S won’t stick it to you. An average repair costs just 10 to 15 euros, less than an umbrella. Good for the planet and your pocketbook.

“Petit ou grand, we’ll fix it. We’re not snobs,” said the resident “docteur des parapluies,” Thierry Millet, with a wink. “Elegant women always have beautiful umbrellas.”

About the author and photographer: Theadora Brack is a writer working in Paris. Her fiction has appeared in more than 30 literary publications, including 3AM International, The Smoking Poet, Beloit Fiction Journal, Mid-American Review, and the Haight-Ashbury Literary Journal.

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