Travel On The Cheap: European Destinations
Europe may seem faraway, expensive and inacessible to some guys, but not you, you've been dreaming about European travel since you were old enough to carry your own passport, but somehow, the money for a few weeks in expensive European capitals like Paris and London is never there. Never fear, some cities in Europe are cheaper and more guy friendly than others. Flights to these places may not be less expensive than your standard transatlantic fare, but once there, accomodations, food and drink can be a lot more affordable. Take for example, Prague, Czech Republic (a beer-lover's paradise), Granada, Spain (for men who love tapas and wine), Budapest, Hungary (Palinka for everyone), and Istanbul, Turkey (the best lamb ever, hands down).
Enjoy all that Kafka's hometown has to offer and all the beer you can drink.
This is definitely one of those rare yet wonderful places where beer is not only excellent, but often cheaper than water or soft drinks. Combine one of the typical half-liter mugs with a big plate of spicey Czech sausages and you've got a tasty man meal for five euros or less.
See Flamenco performed in a cave and Granada's red fortress, the Alhambra.
Stop off for some fruit-flavored tobacco via hookah and Morroccan mint tea and then while the night away wandering from bar to bar for Granada's famous tapas scene. Buy beer or a glass of wine (we recommend Andalusian specialty sherries, Fino and Manzanilla) and the bar gives you a tasty little snack (for no extra charge usually five euros or less). Sometimes they're olives, still others flaming chorizo sausages, and still others fried "godfather" peppers (pimientos de padrón, so named because sometimes they're hot, sometimes they're not). For larger quantities on the cheap, sit down for a full fixed menu at lunchtime, (between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. in Spain), multiple courses, wine, bread and dessert or coffee often included. Prices are posted outside restaurants.
Stay clean in Hungary's capital city by frequenting the beautiful historic (even some 16th century Turkish) baths fueled by natural hot springs.
Save cash by frequenting public baths and skipping the posher private spas. Sleep cheap and gorge on inexpensive meals made up of multiple meat (goulash and duck, de-lish) courses. Finish off your meals with Hungarian Palinka that burns all the way down.
Use the Turkish Lira to your advantage in the so-called City of the World's Desire, Istanbul.
Take full advantage of more stars and greater comfort for less money at hotels than in other European capitals and enjoy meals, museums and public transport for dirt cheap. On the other hand, skip the bar and club scene to save money and use the savings to spend a day or two on the Turkish Mediterranean coast, for seafood, sun and fun at a fraction of the cost in other European Mediterranean destinations.
Visit the capital of continental Europe's oldest state: Sofia, Bulgaria.
With its combination of historic architecture (mostly churches), ultra-modern stores, amazing and inexpensive food (often $10 or less) and widely available entertainment, Sofia has something for everyone. Save money and burn calories pounding the yellow pavement in one of Europe's most walkable cities. Don't miss the Alexander Nvesky Cathedral, a monument to Orthodox Christianity. Public transportation between Sofia and surrounding areas is cheap but can be unreliable, but even so, getting out of the city (for a day, or two, minimum) is highly recommended because although Bulgaria is a small country, its terrain is highly varied (think mountains, sea coast, Bulgaria's got it all).
