Ah, Europe. Many travelers daydream about
grabbing a beer in Munich, or eating dinner next to the canals of Rome.
Unfortunately, for many of these would-be-explorers, Europe seems unaffordable.
While it’s true that Europe is more expensive than other popular travel
destinations, like South America or Asia, you don’t have to break
the bank to go there. Actually, it’s possible to travel all over Europe
relatively cheaply, as long as you know how to do it. Read the below for five
tips that will save you money on your next European adventure:
Avoid tourist traps
This rule holds true for a wide range of
services, from restaurants and hotels to entertainment venues and tours.
Locally-owned businesses run for locals will almost always be cheaper and
better than the more tourist-focused alternatives. How to find them? Just look
for signs written only in the native language of the country.
Don’t go in summer
Summer is the prime tourist season all
across Europe, which means everything will be more expensive. Additionally, all
the locals will be out of town. Why? Because it’s their summer holidays during
this time.Try to visit between October and April, and absolutely avoid July and
August. If you really can’t avoid going or being there in the summer, then you
need to know where to go to escape the crowds.
Eat seasonal
Europe is very passionate about eating food
that is seasonal. If you find yourself in a German Gasthaus or Italian
trattoria, ask what the seasonal menu items are. By doing so, you’ll save a lot
and get tastier food as well.
Picnic
Eating at restaurants your entire stay will
quickly drain your finances. You can get a great picnic lunch for about ten
dollars, and stocking your room with snacks and drinks will help you save money
in the long run. Besides, there are almost unlimited places around Europe to
put your blanket down and eat your food under the shadow of a historical
building or monument. What more could you ask for?
Europe doesn’t have to be expensive, and
with a little planning, even the most cash-strapped backpacker can afford it.
If in doubt, just take a little time to search the internet. There are
literally hundreds of sites that offer money-saving travel tips that you can
implement in order to have the vacation of your dreams.
Hang
out with Locals
One of the best things you can do to save
money is go where the locals go and do as the locals do. The touristy landmarks
you might visit will be surrounded by expensive shops and food, but when you start
going off the beaten path to shop and
eat where locals go, then you’ll start saving money.
To meet locals, try Citysurfing.com. There
you’ll find thousands of locals from around the world ready to show you the
best places to shop, eat, and have fun. You’ll meet locals that will be your
activity partner for a day. You’ll also meet locals that are tour guides
ready to guide you around their city.
0 Comments