Mini Travel Guides

In this present economy, spending on vacations can put a heavy hand on your budget. But there are certain tips that can let you enjoy your trip and also save some money. For instance, you can save money on airfare by looking for round trip tickets rather than one way tickets. Booking connecting flights can also help you save a deal.

Another important aspect of travelling is food. Most of us are unaware of good places and end up taking most of the meals in the hotel we stay, which can turn out to pretty expensive. Hence a great way to save money during travel is by planning and having your meals for cheaper price outside the hotel you stay. Cooking for yourself is another option to consider as it not only helps save money, but is also fun as well.

When on vacations, we spend most of our time travelling and spend equally huge amounts on taxis. But by booking for car rentals in advance you can save big bucks.

Steve Perillo, the CEO of Perillo Tours, a travel Company that specializes in trips to Italy, hosts a travel show, where he gives a lot of useful travel trips. Pauline Frommer, an acclaimed travel expert and creator of several travel guidebooks was invited as a guest on the Steve Perillo talk show, where she shared her experiences on budget travel and also gave some tips on travelling cheap. She suggested that tourists can travel for less by trying alternative accommodations, such as private apartments, monasteries, convents, and other religious accommodations. Johnny Jet, a US based expert travel blogger also appeared as a guest on the Perillo Travel Talk Show. He is of the opinion that being friendly to the gate agents and flight attendants can ensure a smooth trip. He also gave viewers tips on how to get cheap business class and first class seats as well as information on hotel booking.

For more information and useful travel tips offered by Johnny Jet and Pauline Frommer on the Steve Perillo Talk Show, check out the episodes on www.perillotv.com.

Tags: Basic, Budget, Enjoy, Friendly, Tips, Travel, Travel Tips, vacation

• Cruise Tanga men’s thong underwear by Gregg Homme.
• 4 Eylets on front pouch.
• Made from super soft micro fiber for the ultimate in comfort.
• 1/4 Inch T string back.
• Famous Gregg Homme Brand.

Product Description
Cruise Tanga men’s thong underwear by Gregg Homme. 4 Eylets on front pouch. Made from super soft micro fiber for the ultimate in comfort. 1/4 Inch T string back. Famous Gregg Homme Brand…. More >>

Cruise Tanga Black Men’s Thong Underwear By Gregg Homme Size Small

Tags: Black, Cruise, Cruises, Gregg, Homme, Men's, Size, Small, Tanga, Thong, Underwear

Located just north of the Italian border (7km) in southern Switzerland, Lugano (the largest Italian-speaking city in Switzerland) is home to lakeside retreats, gourmet eateries, galleries, museums, universities and world-class shopping.

Read more about Lugano, here.

Written By Jen Westmoreland Bouchard for EuropeUpClose.com

Tags: lugano, lugano photo, Switzerland

In London, we have the beloved Gordon’s Wine Bar. We adore Gordon’s, and rightly so. It’s a fabulous little spot, one of my favourites in London, despite it being a victim of its own success (and a well-timed Time Out article). But on a recent trip to Tallinn, I found myself in Gloria on Müürivahe. And it might just have pushed Gordon’s off the top of my ‘favourite wine bar’ list. Or, my favourite bars EVER list. It really is that special and it’s my top tip for visiting Estonia.

Gloria itself is actually all manner of things. It’s a fancy restaurant, with a teeny little guesthouse of only six rooms. There’s also a cigar bar. That’s a strange thing about Tallinn (or Estonia in general? I’m not sure). You can’t smoke in bars, but they do have designated cigar bars for that purpose, which is interesting. But, we were here for the bar. Which means going through the shop in the cellar.

And it’s a fabulous shop. If you didn’t know there was a wine bar behind it, you might never find it. And there’s something exciting about that, isn’t there? But we knew it was there, so we heading right for the little archway, not really sure what to expect.

What you get is rather special. Like finding a secret that no one knows about (we were the only ones in there, save for the waitress). There is not bar as such, well not that we found. Just a little maze of beautifully decorated rooms. Old photos, everywhere, lots of wood, lots of candle light. Tiny tables, little secret corners. Perfect for romancing. Or telling ghost stories.

The wine? Fantastic. Excellent glasses too, as you can see from that photo. The spirit glasses are beautiful. There are pricey options, but you can get a decent glass of red for under a fiver. You can get food here as well, but the menu is small. That said, they do use the same kitchen as the fancy restaurant, and it’s certainly much cheaper. The only downside is that the bar is closed on a Sunday (like a lot of bars in Tallinn), meaning I only got to come here once on my weekend away.

I’m already planning my next trip to Tallinn. Gloria wine bar has a lot to do with that. It’s nothing short of amazing. If you’re in this European city, go here.

Tags: Cuisine, Estonia, Gloria Tallin, Tallin attractions, Tallin wine bars, wine

Follow me as I journey from the southern tip of Italy’s Puglia region all the way up to the Trento Alps. I’ll be focusing on budget-friendly travel, and I’ll rarely use a car. Along the way I’ll sample traditional foods, visit lesser-known ruins and cities, sample excellent wines, and visit local cooking schools, the entire two months living out of a backpack…

Day 39
Last night, to celebrate the dollar’s dramatic comeback against the euro, Kristin and I scoured Florence for the famous bistecca alla fiorentina. Made from a unique breed of cow, Chianina, the steak is served in huge slabs of between 1.5 lbs and 3 lbs, and traditionally cooked al sangue, which means “bloody.” I say “scoured” because the prices of bistecca alla fiorentina vary, and I was looking for the best combination of price and quality. I discovered that most restaurants charge 45 euros per kilo (2.2 lbs); the cheapest I found the steak for was 30/kilo, and the most expensive was 55/kilo.

We ate at Gusta Osteria, and the meal was excellent. The house-made pastas are authentic and inspired. The bistecca alla fiorentina was excellently simple: a very, very thin cut of beef, cooked to a succulent crisp on the outside, barely warm on the inside. I’ve only eaten raw beef that tender once before, and that was a porcini carpaccio in Puglia. Gusta Osteria is an impressive restaurant. During the day it operates a panino bar that serves cheap and delicious panini (3-4 euro) to go. It’s called Gustapanino. Right across from Chiesa di San Spirito, it’s a good way to grab lunch on the go.

Another traditional Tuscany dish is a soup called ribollita. So far I’ve sampled it at two restaurants. It is a rustic soup composed of bread, fava beans, black cabbage, and other vegetables. The bread makes the soup very light. Certainly a good example of a dish from Italy’s culinary past that’s still alive today. I highly suggest sampling it for yourself.

I’ll leave you with a tip for finding cheap accommodations in Florence. Online booking sites do not include many of the cheaper hotels in Florence. This means that, if you’re willing to roll the dice, you can shop around upon arrival. There are probably 30 hotels just around the train station, most of which are respectable, offer free WiFi, and cheap. Go door to door and get the best price. We found ours for 40 euros/night with WiFi. Not bad for peak season. However, I don’t recommend trying your luck during July or August.

Tomorrow I’m renting a car and heading for Tuscany’s wine country, where I’ll taste the latest Chianti wines. I can’t wait to hit the road.
Gusta Osteria
Via De’ Michelozzi 13/r
Florence, Italy

Written by and photos by Mattie Bamman for EuropeUpCLose.com

Tags: bistecca alla fiorentina, From The Road, Gusta Osteria, italy travelogue, Tuscany

Whether you’ve traveled a lot in your life – or have hardly really ventured out much at all – it never hurts to brush up on a few top travel tips. Although different advice may apply depending on where you’ll be going, there is a core set of tips that make sense no matter where you’re heading. These tips will help keep you safe, save you money – and have the absolute best time possible. Learn more by reading on below.

1. Don’t Over-Pack

One of the most common mistakes that people make when traveling is bringing too many things. You don’t really need to bring a fresh change of clothes for each day – there should be laundromats, for example. Contending with a massive, bulging suitcase at each stop is never any fun. Pare your belongings down to as few as possible to have the easiest time.

2. Notify Your Embassy

If you’ll be traveling out of the country, it never hurts to notify your embassy. Give them your basic travel itinerary and contact information. That way, if an emergency arises back home they’ll be able to get a hold of you easily. It’s just one more way to gain peace of mind when overseas.

3. Obey All Local Laws

Different countries have different laws. Research what the laws of the country you’ll be going to are, and make sure to follow them. Nothing ruins travel plans more quickly than getting in trouble with the local authorities. Be conscientious about obeying their rules and you will have no trouble whatsoever during your holiday.

4. Check Travel Sites For Advice

Once you’ve decided on a particular destination, sign up with a travel website and keep an eye on the tips and advice being posted there. Things can change in the blink of an eye, so monitoring those discussion boards and other websites is a smart move. You’ll keep abreast of how things are in the place you’ll be going, keeping ahead of current events and other issues.

5. Buy Travel Insurance

Travel insurance isn’t always necessary, but in some cases it makes sense. If you’re not in top notch health, rely on prescription medications or will be traveling to a tumultuous part of the world, consider investing in a bit of travel insurance for protection.

6. Invest In A Decent Backpack

Being at the mercy of tourist traps selling overpriced drinks and snacks can cost you a lot of money. Invest in a high quality backpack and bring along your own snacks and drinks to tide you over throughout the day. You’ll save a bundle of cash, and you’ll keep body and soul together as you tour the area.

7. Learn The Local Lingo

Another great thing about the Internet is that it allows you to learn a bit of the local lingo of wherever you’ll be visiting. Find out a few key phrases if a different language is spoken, or find out a few popular slang terms so you’re not surprised on arrival. Learning new words is fun!

8. Talk To Others About Their Experiences

If you know someone else who has visited the same place you’re going, talk to them and find out if they have any tips about what you should absolutely see – and what you should avoid. It can be tremendously helpful to get a good friend or family member’s take on a particular area, especially since you know them so well and can trust their opinion.

9. Make A Packing Checklist

In the weeks leading up to your departure, write up a thorough packing checklist so you know everything you absolutely must have. This should include all of the necessary documentation, as well as maps and other important travel information. You don’t want to arrive empty handed!

10. Bring Along The Essentials

Most of the time, it is far cheaper to bring along your own batteries, film and toiletries, if possible. Therefore, stock up before leaving and pack them along. Although you want to pack lightly, you don’t don’t want to spend a small fortune on these things upon arriving at your vacation destination. Plan ahead and you’ll save money and can avoid wasting time looking for these things.

Tags: Tips, Travel, Travel Tips

After years of living in Italy, I can honestly say that it is filled with some of the best European destinations. My European travel tip this week  is the lovely, perched seaside town of Vieste, located in the Gargano peninsula (the spur of the Italian boot) in the region of Puglia.

The area has ancient origins, evidenced by the 3rd century tombs and Ancient Greek vases discovered around the town. The town and the entire coastline suffered numerous attacks by Saracen and Ottoman invaders in the 16^th and 17^th centuries. Dotting the coastline are the impressive watchtowers, which once served to warn the population of invaders arriving by sea.

More recently, this little fishing village has developed as a popular tourist site. Vieste is a wonderful holiday spot. The town itself is filled with picturesque streets and lovely views over the sea.

There are many restaurants in the old town center and a colourful daily market off of Via dei XXIV maggio, in the new town. Stock up on the fresh pasta, local cheeses, wines, olive oil, fresh olives and peperoncino.

Vieste serves as a wonderful base for exploring the interesting Gargano region, with its beautiful Umbra Forest, the Gargano National Park, pretty coastal towns, dramatic coastlines, long stretches of sandy beaches and wonderful coves with pebble beaches, carved into the white cliffs.

There’s also a colourful local legend about the creation of the Pizzomunno rock formation, located on the long sandy beach just at the edge of Vieste. Long ago, a poor fisherman named Pizzomunno lived in the village and he and a local girl, Cristalda, were deeply  in love.

Pizzomunno was extremely handsome and each day the sirens would follow his fishing boat and try to capture his heart, but the faithful Pizzomunno was never tempted. One evening, as the young couple watched the sunset from the Vieste  beach, the jealous sirens snatched Cristalda from her beloved and dragged her down to the depths of the sea.

The next morning, the local fisherman found a white rock formation on the beach and they knew it was Pizzomunno, who had been petrified by his overwhelming grief and chose to stand silent watch on the beach where he had lost his Cristalda. Legend has it that every one hundred years, Cristalda returns from the depths of the ocean to be reunited – just for one night- with her Pizzomunno.

Perhaps Cristalda’s return will coincide with your visit to this beautiful town. Be sure to keep your eyes peeled and you might catch a glimpse of the innamorati in this spectacular seaside destination.

If you are looking for other wonderful Puglia destinations, consider Gallipoli and Trani.

Tags: gargano, gargano peninsula, Italy, Puglia attractions, Viesta sightseeing, vieste

Portugal is one of my favourite European countries; it has such wonderful food, stunning beaches, cities full of culture.  It also has some incredible countryside.  But did you know that Europe’s westernmost point (well, one of several disputed westernmost points) can be found here?  It’s called Cabo da Roca, or Cape Roca.  And it’s beautiful.  See for yourself:

Cabo da Roca is the perfect daytrip from Lisbon; actually, if you’re driving and going to see my suggested daytrip from Lisbon, Sintra, then my Europe travel tip is to  come a little further to visit the coast.

At the end of the road, as you would expect, there is a (somewhat touristy) lighthouse.  It is a picture-postcard perfect place, for sure.

If you have a car, I’d spend some time exploring the coast; Guincho is a popular beach with great views of Cabo da Roca, though other options exist, such as points in and around the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park – which runs basically from Sintra to the coast.  I’m sure there are endless places to find the perfect spot for sunset.

Other places that also call themselves westernly points in Europe include Land’s End (England), Cape Finisterre (Spain), Finistère (France), and then of course the non-continental points in the Azores.

Photo by geolauco, ceiling, Nelson D

Tags: Cabo da Roca, Cape Roca, Lisbon day trips, Portugal

The Louvre Museum is almost certainly the most well-known of all the World’s museums, it is the most visited museum in the world and definitely one of the largest. The Museum ‘owns’ over 35 000 objects that range from prehistory to the nineteenth century. The Louvre started out as a fort in the twelfth century – remains of which can still be seen today. It then became a Royal Palace, but in 1682 when Louis XIV chose the Palace of Versailles as his residence the Louvre was used to display the royal collections, which included a collection of antique sculptures.

Some of these early sculptures today make up the Classical Greek collection. And it is the Greek displays in the Louvre that at the beginning of July were re-opened to the public after extensive renovation and redesign.

With the opening in 1989 of the Pyramid, and the use of the Pyramid as the new entrance, the flow of visitors into and around the museum changed quite dramatically. In particular it was the displays of Greek objects that were effected the most. For the last few years then, this impressive collection of vases, jewellery, sculpture and various architectural features such as the Caryatids from the Parthenon, has been reorganised into new displays that lead the visitor through a more ordered collection that ends with one of the most famous of all sculptures in the Museum’s collection of Greek art, and that is the Venus de Milo.

For anyone with an interest in the art of the Ancient Greek and Hellenic cultures, the Louvre with its new displays of Greek art is one of the best places to visit in Europe, outside of Greece itself. You could also take Sian’s Europe travel tip and visit Cafe Marly at the edge of the Louvre courtyard.

If you enjoy art museums then the Musee Rodin and Musee d’Orsay should be on your Paris sightseeing itinerary

Tags: culture, France, Louvre, Paris art musems, Paris Attractions, Paris museums

Although there are so many things to do in London, some of which are highlighted in our Best of London Travel Tips post, you may want to get out of the city on day trip from London to some of the best places to visit in Europe. Here are five of the best London day trip suggestions from the Europe a la Carte blogging team.

Brighton

Sian gives 7 reason to visit Brighton including the pier, the Pavilion and the lively music scene. It takes under an hour to reach Brighton by train from London.

Brighton Beach by roberthunt1987

Windsor

Andy Hayes enjoyed his visit to Windsor especially the tour of Windsor Castle, one of the homes of the British Queen Elizabeth 11.  He recommends trying the local dessert “Eton Mess” a delicious meringue, strawberry and cream concoction.

Eton Mess by angusf

Bath

Bath attracts many “Janeites”, lovers of the novels of Jane Austen, including Kimberly of the Europe a la Carte blogging team who went on the Jane Austen Walking Tour which covered locations mentioned in the author’s books.  Neha explains that the Jane Austen Centre is a mock up of the author’s home in Bath.  There are plenty of other Bath attractions such as the Roman baths and Bath Abbey.

Roman baths in Bath by Nigel Europe

Oxford

Kimberly’s Oxford Day Trip with kids certainly kept her children amused with visits to Oxford Museum of Natural History, Harry Potter’s Dining Room at Hogwart’s (aka as Christ Church College) and a treasure hunt at Christ Church Abbey.

Harry Potter’s Dining Room at Hogwart’s by Kimberly Sullivan

York

Although it’s a fair distance from London, you can reach the historic city of York in a couple of hours on the main East Coast railway line. The beauty of York is that once you get off the train most York attractions are within walking distance in the fairly compact city centre.  It’s one of my favourite English cities.

York Minster

I hope that you’ve enjoyed our five of the best London day trips. Do you have a favourite London day trip?

Tags: best London day trips, Day trips, day trips from London, England, London day trip suggestions, London day trips, United Kingdom