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Explore Alternative Accommodation Options

Hostels have become the go-to crash pad for millions of students and young travelers making their way through the streets of Europe, but there is no question many of these lodgings leave something to be desired. Instead of sleeping on a dirty pillow or sharing a room with a stranger, there are quite a few alternatives that remain less expensive than a hotel. Exploring these options could make the difference between the trip of a lifetime and a nightmare vacation.

Apartment rentals have become increasingly popular in recent years, allowing travelers to take up residency in a typical apartment wherever they might be staying. Most apartment rentals are offered through an agency that works directly with the landlord, and rates are incredibly affordable. This option is likely best explored when traveling with friends, as the cost can be split between several different people. In addition to being more comfortable than a hostel, an apartment will likely have a kitchen that can be utilized to make inexpensive meals.

Take a Look at Transportation

Ground transport is often one of the most important aspects of a vacation, allowing travelers to get around in the city they visit. Unfortunately, many tourists end up spending way too much money on tickets that could otherwise be less expensive. It pays to thoroughly research transportation options before departing, getting information about how different tickets work. Some European cities offer tourist tickets that include discounts to local museums and destinations, but they do not always offer the best bang for the buck.

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Engage with the Locals

Regardless of whether travelers speak the local language, engaging in conversation with the locals is often one of the best ways to learn about restaurants, cafes, and other local attractions. Guidebooks often include tourist traps or expensive dining options. Locals will not only share knowledge about more affordable options, but they can help open tourists’ eyes to an entirely different side of the city being visited. When it comes to exploring Europe, it’s easy to be tempted to spend a small fortune. Armed with these helpful tactics, travelers should find themselves more than able to stay on a tight budget, yet nevertheless experience a truly unforgettable journey. With all of that money saved, another trip to Europe might even be a possibility in the near future!

Sarah writes for Reserve Apartments, the serviced accommodation specialists who have hundreds of apartments throughout London, Edinburgh and Glasgow. Reserve Apartments can help you find fully serviced Glasgow, London or Edinburgh Holiday Apartments quickly and easily.

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Fort of Paphos / Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by simon.hedge

Many of us are looking for ways to tighten our belts and make sure not a penny is wasted, without sacrificing our annual holiday. Choosing a destination that has lots of low-cost attractions is therefore a good choice, and holidays to Paphos certainly fall into this category.

Indeed, while there are plenty of luxurious hotels in the city – which you should be able to find some great deals for online – this does not mean it is lacking in affordable activities. From awe-inspiring historical sites to glorious beaches, some of the destination’s best attractions can be enjoyed without breaking the bank.

Seek out the best harbour views at the Fort of Paphos

One of the simplest ways to make the most of your break is to take a walk and soak up the excellent views. Among Paphos’s most scenic spots is its harbour; to see it at its best, head to the Fort of Paphos.

Kids will especially love going here, because to reach it you have to cross a stone bridge perched over a moat. Once you’re at the fort itself, which is home to cannons pointing out in several directions, you’ll enjoy the finest views of the harbour to be had in the city.

Hit Municipal Beach

Another easy way to get the most out of your Paphos break for less is to hit the beach. Indeed, many of us visit destinations such as Cyprus purely for the warm weather, so heading to the coast is bound to feature on your to-do list.

Many of the local stretches of sand have Blue Flag status, making them great for family holidays. The Municipal Beach, which is perfect for swimming, is a particular favourite.

Paphos hotels, Cyprus / Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Verity Cridland

Explore the Tombs of the Kings and other archaeological sites

The city’s most famous attractions are its archaeological sites and, fortunately, they do not cost a lot to visit. So, even if you are on a tight budget, you should be able to explore them fully.

Among the best places to see are the Tombs of the Kings, which are spread out over a fairly large area. This series of chambers and tombs was used to bury residents belonging to the higher classes – but not, as its name suggests, kings – between the 3rd century BC and the 3rd century AD.

What draws many visitors is their impressive interiors, the Doric pillars of which earned the Tombs of the Kings its regal name, as well as their peristyle court structure inspired by Egyptian architecture. While the tombs are certainly impressive, you should not expect to see many treasures and artifacts inside, simply because over the years they were stolen by grave robbers.

If you’re keen to explore the local history a little further, head to the House of Dionysus, where you can see a splendid, well-preserved mosaic laid out on the floor. There are several old houses which have this kind of mosaic flooring – often depicting myths – but the House of Dionysus is the most famous.

By choosing to visit low-cost – yet still very exciting – attractions such as these, you can really make the most of your getaway without blowing your budget.

Author Bio: As a fan of Greek history and architecture, Matt has travelled much of the region. This summer he’s looking to escape the chaos in London and has arranged his Sani holidays

View Easy ways to enjoy Paphos for less Cyprus in a larger map

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In France, “le camping” is something of a religion. Families take everything but the kitchen sink to their favourite destinations – often setting up for a whole month of alfresco living.
Almost every commune has a “camping municipal” a publicly provided campsite – which are cheaper than the private ones and usually have excellent facilities. These can be particularly useful if you’re only staying for one or two nights as you travel around. A couple of good Vango sleeping bags and a cheap tent are all you’ll need any time between May and September.

Where you decide to go camping in France is entirely dependent on what you most love to do. France is a very diverse country with varied landscapes.

In the north, the coastline is rugged, while the south coast offers classic Mediterranean stretches of golden beaches.

Inland, the landscape is lush with landscapes carved by famous rivers such as the Loire and the Dordogne, whilst the Alps offer a mountainous landscape beloved by outdoor sports enthusiasts in every season for different reasons. You’ll need you best Merrell gear during any season here.

Also, the Vendée, Royan and the South-West along the Atlantic coast are perfect for family holidays camping in France. There are huge stretches of open sandy beach and the sea is perfect for swimming and water sports during the summer. Be warned, though, it can be exposed in these regions during the hottest months as the beaches are so open and the landscape generally flat.

Wherever you decide to camp in this magnificent and hugely varied country – you won’t be disappointed by the camping facilities.

Bon voyage!

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Fireline of the Rotterdam, commemoration of the May 1940 bombardement by Nazi Germany by Trebaxus

The port of Rotterdam has 105km2 and stretches over a distance of 40km. The largest ocean-going ships have unrestricted access to the port for 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. A sea depth in the port is 24 meters, which allow access to any ship.

More than 500 regular shipping lines connect Rotterdam with over a thousand ports around the world. For many smaller European ports serves as a container transshipment.

Goods coming into Rotterdam in the morning, may be, for example in Germany, Belgium, France or Great Britain on the same afternoon. One of the main advantages of Rotterdam is its location at the mouth of the rivers Rhine and Maas. The result is efficient and economical use of transport by rivers and canals deep into the heart of Europe.

Rotterdam, Netherlands by M.M.Minderhoud

The metropolis is surprisingly quite different from other cities in the Netherlands. The port of Rotterdam was very important already during the World War II and therefore it was totally destroyed. The city was not renewed again like lots of other Holland cities, but it was built from the scratch. Rotterdam is now a city of skyscrapers.

When you go to Rotterdam, you will be surprised by the transport system. The density of highways is unbelievable, have many lanes, there are a large number of highway intersections. Roads are built on bridges and raids in several levels. If you saw the transportation system of the Japanese and North American cities, so it is exactly here. Moreover, everything is illuminated at night. Tunnels are not an exception.

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