Ways to Visit Europe and Save Money

10 Ways to Visit Europe and Save Money

There is no question that a holiday in Europe can be expensive. Transportation, accommodation, food and souvenirs add up each day. However, there are a number of ways that you can save money yet still have a wonderful and memorable experience.

1. Travel During the Off-Season. Summer (June – August) and the holiday season (December) are the most popular times to visit Europe and therefore the rates are highest. Choose to travel during the spring and autumn months when crowds are thinner, the weather is nicer and prices on airfare and room rates drop 20 – 50%. It is often less expensive to fly on Tuesdays and Wednesdays to boot.

2. Visit a Country or City Off the Beaten Track. Paris, Rome, London, Prague…if you haven’t visited these cites, one day you certainly need to go. But if traveling on a budget is your current focus then these are not the cities to visit now. Instead, consider dozens of remarkable destinations that are not nearly as expensive such as countries in Eastern Europe (Romania, Hungary) or Portugal. If you prefer to visit Western Europe, simply travel to cities that are less popular and more cost effective. For instance, the Loire Valley just outside of Paris is draped with ancient castles amidst rolling hills of wine country. Or, visit Cesky Krumlov in the Czech Republic, known as a “pocket-sized” Prague with half the tourists and a fraction of the cost.

3. Holiday Apartment Rentals. In lieu of pricey hotels, seek out holiday apartment rentals. The best resources online are Craigslist or Vacation Rentals By Owner (VRBO). Both websites offer photos and information on thousands of independently owned apartments in cities all over Europe. During the off-season, remember to negotiate the price and you’ll be surprised how many rentals owners bite. Think about it: it’s better for them to rent to you for a lower price than have their rental go empty for a week or weekend. Remember that most apartments will have a kitchen, so go to the local supermarket and cook to save even more!

4. Picnic. All over Europe there are thousands of beautiful plazas and parks to relax in with a picnic lunch. Shop at the local markets for bread, cheese, salami, fresh fruit and a bottle of wine. Ask the shopkeepers for the local specialty and try it. The price is right, the taste is delicious and the memory unforgettable.

5. Buy Local Beverages. Each region in every European country is known for a particular wine, beer, liqueur or other specialty beverage. Reference your tour book, an information center or simply read a menu outside a restaurant for an idea of the local indulgences. Armed with these tips, there is no doubt that you can get a delicious mug of beer or bottle of wine for a just a few dollars. Remember that soda is often very expensive. Also, the tap water is fine to drink (and free). Refill and reuse your water bottles.

6. Seek Out Discounts and Free Activities. There are a number of free activities across the pond. During warmer months, there are hundreds of complimentary outdoor festivals and other interactive events. Wine tasting is generally free as well. If you are an outdoor enthusiast, hiking trails are at your fingertips all over the continent. Some cities even offer city tours with the sole expectation of just a few Euros for a tip. For example, museums in London are free. Check museum websites in advance to find out which days and times discounts are offered. Often there are group, student, senior and child discounts and if you don’t see it mentioned, just ask.

7. Package Ticket Purchases. If you love museums, cities such as Paris and Amsterdam offer a “Museum Pass” that allows entry into multiple museums with a discount. You can do the same thing in many cities with a subway and a train. If you are planning to visit multiple countries, check out the Eurail website see if a bundled train tickets are right for you – there is a potential to save you hundreds of dollars!

8. Use Public Transportation. The European Union invests quite a bit of money into its infrastructure. The end result is public transportation that is quick, efficient and cost-effective. We all know how pricey taxis can be. Instead, spend 5 minutes and figure out how take the subway, bus and/or train. It’s much more relaxing, too!

9. Eat and Shop Away From the Main Tourist Trail. There is no doubt that in European cities the shopkeepers know where the tourists go. Just venture off the main streets a block or two and pop your head into a restaurant to see if they are speaking English or the local language. Chances are if you hear locals, the prices will be lower and the food much better. With regards to shopping, you will find better prices on many of the same items if you walk a few blocks away from a main tourist street or attraction. In some areas, bartering is acceptable so if you do not see a price posted, name a price and negotiate down from there.

10. Volunteer or Couch Surf. There are a handful of volunteer organizations that exchange work for room and board. For instance, World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOOF) an organization that promotes organic farming . A traveler works for 4 hours a day on an organic farm in exchange for a place to sleep and eat. Another way to sleep for free (and not work) is Couch Surfing. Check out their website for details.

With these tips in mind, you can thoroughly enjoy a holiday in Europe and save money. Simply create a budget, stick to it and you will have a vacation filled with memorable experiences – and Euros left in your pocket.

Ananda Spa Resort – An Excellent Place To Rediscover A New Freshness

Ananda spa in the Himalayas is perhaps one of the magnificence luxury resorts situated in the foothills of the Himalayas. It is the spiritual pathway to the ultimate, discovered through the union of body, mind and soul. The uniqueness of the Ananda Spa approach is contained in the saying “Swastha Jeevan Sandhya”, meaning “healthy lifestyle approach with assistance”. It is very renowned for its extensive Treatment.
Ananda Spa Resort is also one of the best hotels in India and ranked in the top 10 spa hotels of the world. The resort is housed in the refurbished palace that was once the residence of Maharaja of Tehri Garwhal. Ananda in the Himalayas is located at a distance of about 260 kilometers from Delhi. The resort is just a few kilometers away from Rishikesh. Ananda also offers the guest a gamut of fitness activities to bring about a sense of enhanced well being.
It offers harmonious integration of vegetation fresh mountain air and Himalayan spring. It provides extensive menu of over 79 body and beauty treatments. The treatments create a skillful synthesis between age old therapies and modern spa technology. The 20 treatment rooms are designed to meet the needs and health goals of the guests. The rooms provide spectacular view of the valley and the city. The food served in the restaurants is of great taste. Food is an integral part of rejuvenation and forms a quintessential element of Ananda philosophy. The spa’s basic guiding principle says – A spa should not necessarily be looked at as a place to diet and lose weight but should instead be a ‘Way of Life’.
Explore and Experience a renewal of energies, as we guide you on how to maximize your spa experience. After a detailed consultation your personal guide will customize a program to help you achieve your health goals, manage stress, detoxify, cleanse, and lose weight as well as other personal goals. For more detail about Ananda spa Resort in India please click on links provided below:
Ananda Spa resort, Ananda spa resort rishikesh

Frontier Airlines Facing Stiff Competition

Republic Airways Holdings which purchased both Frontier and Midwest last year said that it selected the Frontier name as the brand of the future because it was the airline whose name was more closely associated with low fares. Nevertheless, Republic claimed that Midwest’s influence would be felt going forward.

One example of this influence is that all Frontier flights will be offering its passenger the iconic warm chocolate chip cookie this summer. Republic said that although research showed that while passengers preferred the Frontier brand, they also express a strong loyalty to both brands based on affordability, convenience, destinations and delivery of a unique experience.

Republic has been code sharing between the two airlines since acquiring them in separate transactions last year. Ticket sales under the Frontier name exclusively are projected to start in November. Full integration will take up to another 18 months, resulting in an airline with a single computer system, website, frequent-flyer program, crew uniforms, and aircraft livery.

Both airlines’ unionized workforces are in arbitration to decide on their merged seniority lists.

Republic claims that as a result of this merger Frontier is bigger and stronger, and better positioned to sustain profitable growth in its key markets.

Travel experts believe that Frontier faces significant competitive challenges in both Denver and Milwaukee. United currently has the largest share of the Denver market, with about one third of the inbound traffic to that airport. Southwest, which failed in its attempt to purchase Frontier in ’09, has become a major competitor in both Denver and Milwaukee.

AirTran, who unsuccessfully bid to acquire Midwest in ’06, is the dominant airline in Milwaukee. Delta remains a major competitor in Milwaukee because of its purchase of Northwest.

If they so decide, Frontier’s major competitors can undercut Frontier by adding capacity and cutting pricing. Hopefully travelers are the ones who stand to gain the most while these airlines duke it out.

www.cheapfares.com

Paris, Capital Of France

Situated in the north-central France, the city of Paris is one of the most important tourist destinations in the world with 30,000,000 visitors annually. It is bisected by the River Seine, and with a population of 12,000,000 inhabitants (including suburbs) is the second most populous city of the European Union after London.

Their economic activity is based primarily on financial services and real estate. Also emphasize the production of luxury goods, haute couture, perfumes and jewelry.

The weather is quite rainy, with temperatures not too low during winter and between 25 and 30 degrees during the summer epochal.

In its cuisine emphasizes meat, great pastries, a variety of cheeses and wines typical French.

The capital Paris has three airports: Paris-Orly, Charles De Gaulle Orly and Beauvais Tille, located at a distance of 15, 23 and 26 kilometers respectively.

Highlight areas like the Latin Quarter, a place filled with students due to the proximity of the University of La Sorbonne, the District of Painters located at Place du Tertre, busy place for artists selling their works or pictures to anyone at any time, and the Disneyland Resort Paris, must-see spot, especially for the enjoyment of children, where we can find themed hotels, restaurants, cinemas and shops.

In the sports section, special mention should be the Stade de France, located in the Faubourg Saint-Denis. At this stage took place in the Football Championship Final of 1998, including selections from France and Brazil, with a score of 3-0 in favor of the French team. Likewise also held football, rugby events like music concerts between otros.Tiene a capacity for nearly 80,000 spectators.

Among its museums and monuments stand out:

-The Eiffel Tower with a height of 324 meters: completed in the year 1889, the work was directed by the engineer Gustave Eiffel, and the reason why it was ordered built to serve as input to the Paris Exposition.

-Notre-Dame Cathedral: Gothic style, built between 1163 and 1245.

-Louvre Museum: inaugurated on 8 November 1793. Contains collections of the world’s most important works, such as: the Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci or the Portrait of Rigaud’s Louis XIV.

-Arc de Triomphe: is 49 feet high by 45 wide and is located in the Plaza de Charles de Gaulle.

-Church of the Madeleine: a neoclassical style, was built in 1806.

-The Champs Elysees: the capital’s main avenue in Paris with a length of almost 2 miles.

-Palace of Versailles built by order of Louis XIV.

-Carnavalet Museum: located in the Marais district, shows the history of Paris from its inception to the present day.

-Orsay Museum: displays of realistic and impressionistic paintings by authors such as Gustave Courbet, Claude Monet, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Vincent van Gogh or others.