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travelinglight10-blog · 7 years

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Chiang Mai, Pai, Christmas, New Years and All that Jazz

I was away for the last two weeks of December and the first week of January. I had time off from December 23rd to January 4th and the week before that I was teaching at an “English Camp” retreat for the support staff in the Faculty of Liberal Arts department. The retreat was at a resort about an hour away from campus. We stayed in cute little villas and every meal was a buffet, so besides the long hours of teaching, it was a pretty good deal. We returned home on a Friday afternoon and I started packing for my next trip. On Saturday (Christmas Eve), I went to Bangkok for the night and got dinner and drinks with friends.

Early the next morning, we woke up to begin our 10 hour bus ride to Chiang Mai. So, I spent most of Christmas Day on a bus, but getting to Chiang Mai was totally worth it. That night, we checked into our hostel, grabbed dinner at a delicious vegetarian restaurant and headed to the Sunday market to shop around. My time in Chiang Mai and Pai was the first time since I’ve been in Thailand where I felt like I was really on vacation. I had a full week off from work, which meant I didn’t have to rush to get there or to get home in a short amount of time.

To break this trip up, and to make sure I don’t end up writing a novel, I’m going write little day by day recaps. Here we go!

Chiang Mai

Monday:

We slept in and went out to explore the temples in the area for the day. We signed up to take a cooking class and later in the evening we were picked up at our hostel and taken to a nearby market. At the market, we learned how to identify common ingredients used in traditional Thai cooking. Then it was time to cook! We were able to choose from four dishes: a soup dish, a curry dish, a main course, and a dessert. I chose coconut soup with tofu, Masaman curry, stir-fried vegetables with glass noodles, and sticky rice with young coconut. My favorite part (besides eating) was making my own curry paste with a mortar and pestle. It was such a fun experience and the food was absolutely delicious!

Tuesday:

The day consisted of visiting a butterfly and orchid farm, hiking in the mountains to a beautiful waterfall, and rafting down a river. I believe this was the day I was bit by a baby monkey. I was walking back down from the waterfall and there was a girl with a baby monkey. The monkey was eating and I, stupidly, reached my finger out towards it. Well, it was definitely still hungry. Monkeys are not afraid of humans and they will bite your finger, steal your things, and sometimes attack you in packs.

Wednesday:

Ziplining! We went ziplining at a place with 49 different platforms. I loved it and there was a buffet afterwards. Enough said.That night I went to a Jazz Club, where they weren’t playing jazz, but they were playing the Beatles, so no complaints.

Thursday:

After a long week of adventures, I decided to take the day to relax. I woke up and grabbed a smoothie from the lady across from my hostel (I made friends with this lady by the end of the week and she told me that she was moving her stand in a few months so I would know where it was when I came back) and read by book outside. When I was finished drinking my smoothie, I drifted over to a cozy little café with outdoor seating, where you could sit on cushions on the floor. Later, I got a pedicure and coconut oil massage.

In addition to the day time fun, my friends and I went out in Chiang Mai at night. The night life there is fun and laid back. I loved being in Chiang Mai so much I am considering moving there. The vibe was incredible and I instantly fell in love with the people and the pace of life there.

Pai

Friday:

A van picked us up from our hostel around 11 am and we said goodbye to Chiang Mai. It took about 3 hours of driving up the mountains on some of the curviest roads I’ve ever been on. A wonderful recipe for motion sickness, along with the driver whipping that van around like it was a sports car. The drivers in Thailand can be reckless. I pray for my life when I’m in vans and taxis; even the city bus drivers have no problem weaving those giant things in and out of Bangkok traffic. I digress. We arrived in the wonderland that is Pai around 2:30 p.m. and after checking out the shops on the main road and taking in the beauty around us, we set off in search of our hostel. We had booked Circus Hostel, a hostel and circus school with a beautiful view and a pool, but when we got there we were told something was wrong with our reservation. We had only booked one night, not two, and the next night was New Year’s Eve. It took us a lot of searching to find a hostel or home-stay that had an open room on New Year’s Eve, but we finally found one and quickly booked it. It turns out that the booking mistake was a blessing in disguise because although the Circus Hostel was really fun to hang out at, the rooms were huts with beds that were rumored to have bedbugs and dirty sheets. When the temperature dropped that night, I was an icicle and reluctant to use the sheets and blankets provided. It wasn’t my best night’s sleep, but it wasn’t my worst. Nevertheless, I was thankful we wouldn’t be staying another night there.

Saturday:

New Year’s Eve (: During the day, we rented motorbikes and rode to Pai Canyon and a nearby waterfall. At night, we went to a music festival called Dark Moon Rising. It was the first year of the festival, organized by locals and held at a farm a few miles away. To get to the festival, we waited with other festival goers to be picked up and taken to the festival grounds in a shuttle (a pickup truck with seats built into the back). The festival had two stages and two big bonfires. At midnight, the sky lit up with hundreds of paper lanterns. It was the best New Year’s Eve of my life.

Sunday:

On New Year’s Day, we decided to relax in the natural hot springs in the area.

Finally, on Monday afternoon, we had to start our journey home and leave the magical wonderland of Northern Thailand. I will be back!

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wikitopx · 5 years

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If you’re planning a visit to Hershey and Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the many excellent restaurants in the area.

Here are a few of my favorites restaurants in Harrisbug and Hershey, Pennsylvania. And if you’re looking for lodging suggestions, read on to the end!

1. Cafe 1500

I had an amazing brunch with friends at Cafe 1500, located in midtown Harrisburg. The delicious food was punctuated by a bright, bustling atmosphere, fantastic cocktails and excellent service.

We stared with mimosas – because how else would you begin brunch? – until a server passed with a tray of Bloody Marys. I’m not a Bloody Mary drinker, but I loved looking at it and my friends told me it was perfectly spicy and savory. When the food was served, we had a lot of variety at our table. I ordered the Egg BLAT: bacon, lettuce, avocado and tomato with a fried egg and jalapeno aioli. It was fresh and tasty with a side of crispy hand-cut fries. I also sampled the Cafe 1500 Benedict, the creamy cheddar grits, the huevos rancheros, and the incredible french toast bread pudding bites with a bourbon-maple glaze. With tons of window light and an industrial-chic décor, Cafe 1500 is open for brunch, lunch and dinner. And I hear they have a great happy hour with some unique cocktails.

2. Tröegs Independent Brewing

Tröegs Independent Brewing is an experience, not just a restaurant. It’s a full production brewery where you can tour, taste, eat, and then shop at their General Store. There’s even a small art gallery to enjoy. Its large, open-industrial eating area is known as the “Tasting Room / Snack Bar.” At first glance, it seems like there’s low emphasis on the food. When you are seated, a server will come for your beer order, but you have to walk back to the snack bar to order your food. You’ll get a beeper so you can pick it up when it’s ready.

But “Snack Bar” is an understatement because the food here is rich and delicious. I had a crispy grilled cheese with a side of luscious tomato soup. Our table of friends ordered several snacks to share and I loved the Spicy Tempura Cauliflower. Their french fries with spicy ketchup were also outstanding. Tröegs offers several in-depth, guided tours of the brewery, or you can follow a self-guided tour path. I found the self-guided tour to be excellent and informative, with details painted playfully on the windows looking into the brewery. While this is a restaurant review, I do need to mention the beer at Tröegs is fantastic. They have so many unique offerings. Their “Scratch Beer” series offers a constantly changing variety of small-batch brews – their way of testing out some of their wildest dreams. If you like beer (even a little), don’t miss Tröegs Independent Brewing.

3. Harvest at The Hotel Hershey

Harvest is a beautiful restaurant with sweeping views and food inspired by local and regional ingredients. Family-friendly, but still perfect for a romantic evening, Harvest offers American cuisine kicked up a notch.

Take, for example, the potato skins. Not your average skins, but treated with braised beef short ribs, monterey jack cheese, and pickled onions. Combine those skins with a blackberry lemon mule cocktail, and I died and went to heaven. For my entree, I had the Pittsburgh Salad. This mesclun mix salad is topped with thin strips of skirt steak and shoestring french fries, and it’s an absolutely perfect meal. I have only seen this salad once before – in Pittsburgh – and I was happy to find it again at Harvest!

4. The Bears Den

Located in the Hershey Lodge, the Bears Den is a sports bar with a hockey-rink atmosphere in honor of the local Hershey Bears team. Sports fans will love the 28 HD TVs and one enormous 7′ x 12′ TV. The night we visited, my son parked himself right in front of that big screen so he could keep an eye on his fantasy football players. He was in heaven.

I was in heaven testing out some of the delicious chocolate martini recipes. It was hard to choose between options like the Frozen Chocolate Buzz Martini and the Hershey’s Special Dark Martini. Ultimately, the Peppermint Patty won out. It was fantastic.

The Bears Den offers classic American fare. Burgers, sandwiches, and salads dominate the menu. We gobbled down nachos for an appetizer and savored juicy burgers for dinner.

5. The Millworks

Located in midtown Harrisburg, The Millworks is a restaurant, brewery, and art space. Much of the interior has been built from reclaimed wood and brick, giving it a warm, historic vibe. Their menu changes seasonally and is largely based on what local farmers have to offer. I enjoyed my chicken sandwich lunch, but the real highlight was walking through the art galleries where local artists can be found creating and selling their work. You’ll find paintings, jewelry, soap and more.

The Millworks has a rooftop beirgarten, a great bar, and an outdoor courtyard when the weather is nice. I’m not a huge beer fan, but I loved their Cherry Berry Gose and bought some to take home.

6. Greystone Public House

The original stone building at Greystone Public House was built in 1798 by Godfrey Fritchey, one of Harrisburg’s earliest settlers. Fritchey designed the house to resemble his former home in Bavaria. In 1805, Fritchey obtained a liquor license to operate Fritchey Tavern.

While some of the smaller rooms characteristic of this type of tavern have been opened up to provide large spaces, the restaurant still keeps much of its history and feels like a “house.” My friends and I ate upstairs in a small room that gave us privacy and a very intimate feel.

The food at Greystone is excellent. My group shared raw oysters and a unique vegetable platter. My entree was a rich, tender braised short rib. For dessert I savored the Double Fudge Cast Iron Brownie with white chocolate peppermint ice cream.

Greystone Public House is open for lunch and dinner and also offer a Sunday brunch.

One thing I’ve noticed about eating in the Hershey-Harrisburg area is that almost every restaurant looks to local sources for their food. With such rich farming land all around, it’s so nice to know the chefs take advantage of it.

7. Char’s at Tracy Mansion

If you are looking for a cozy, intimate, incredible meal with your significant other or group of friends, Char’s Restaurant at Tracy Mansion is the place. For ambiance, Char’s gets 100% in my book. Tracy Mansion was built in 1913 and has been a home, a hospital, a mental health facility, and now a fine dining establishment. It is located on North Front Street in Harrisburg with beautiful views of the Susquehanna River. It’s many rooms – the bar, the gallery, the library, and the dining room – showcase the mansion’s beauty along with murals, sculpture art and Char’s handmade jewelry.

Again, my friends and I shared a variety of appetizers before our main entrees. Char’s General Tso Cauliflower with fried rice was one of my favorite bites of the weekend. I also enjoyed their pomme frites with truffle oil and roasted garlic aioli. For my entree, I had a bacon-wrapped beef entree that was so delicious, I didn’t even photograph it. And I don’t remember an exact description of what it was. Though that might have something to do with the two very strong lemon drop martinis I drank…

8. Bricco

My experience at Bricco in Harrisburg was out of the ordinary. Thanks to Visit Hershey & Harrisburg, my friends and I were treated to a chef’s table experience with six courses and wine pairings. Seated directly in front of the kitchen, we watched Chef Jared Upperman prepare and present six courses:

Madhouse oysters with smoked serrano butter

Boston Bibb lettuce with candied walnuts, apples, and gorgonzola cheese

Spinach, red pepper, and parmesan ravioli

Antarctic salmon with fennel, leek, and potato brodie

Sous vide lamb rack with cherry glaze, broccoli rabe and delicata squash

Candied walnuts, quince paste, and local cheese

Bricco was probably my favorite meal in Harrisburg. The food was exquisite. The spinach, red pepper and parmesan ravioli was one of the best things I’ve ever tasted and I wanted a huge bowl of it! My only disappointment was the final course. I really wanted to top that meal off with a sweet dessert that included chocolate.

You can reserve your Table at Bricco experience here. But if you’re just looking for a nice night out with fantastic Mediterranean-Italian cuisine (and I hear they make a mean pizza!), check out Bricco.

8. Hershey Lodge

The Hershey Lodge goes all-on on its chocolate theme. We were greeted with Hershey Kisses on our pillows and bedside table. In the bathroom, we found more Kisses on the wallpaper and imprinted in the soap. And the cocoa-infused shampoo, conditioner, and lotion made me feel like I was bathing in fudge – in a good way.

The lobby and huge fireplace provide a warm, rustic, lodge feeling. And there are several restaurants in the hotel, as well as activities for the kids Hershey Lodge is just minutes from Hershey attractions. We could see the Hersheypark roller coasters from our room! They also offer a free shuttle to help you get around town if you don’t want to drive.

9. Best Western Premier – The Central Hotel & Conference Center

The Best Western Premier Central is a good location if you’ll be visiting Hershey and Harrisburg. We had a suite with two queen beds, a king bed in a separate room, and a large bathroom/dressing area. It was a great size for my family of four and gave my two teenagers space to themselves.

The large lobby is nicely decorated and accented with Hershey Kisses. My family also enjoyed dinner and a great buffet breakfast at the attached restaurant, O’Reilly’s.

I do suggest requesting an outside room, though. Our suite overlooked the indoor pool and our room had a pretty strong chlorine smell.

10. Crowne Plaza Harrisburg

The Crowne Plaza Harrisburg is in a great downtown location. It’s within walking distance of the Susquehanna River, the State Capitol Complex and restaurants Bricco and Char’s. The hotel is also just a few minutes drive to The Millworks, Cafe 1500, Riverfront Park, and more.

I had a comfortable, quiet room and enjoyed the Starbucks in the lobby.

These restaurant and hotel suggestions should help you get started on planning your own visit to Hershey-Harrisburg.

Here are a few more ideas for what to do in the area: Top 10 things to do in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

From : https://wikitopx.com/food/top-10-best-restaurants-in-harrisburg-pa-and-hershey-pa-700720.html

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dawningasalenna · 7 years

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Having more days left for spring break, Tainan would be the perfect city to stay in for the rest of the days I have left without classes. There’s so much more left to see. Finally, I crossed out my other plans.

Anping District (04/06)

As a new day started, I woke up with the sun shining brightly. It was another perfect day for a bike ride. As Dennis recommended, I should head off to Anping District to see the treehouses. I immediately looked it up online and saw that the area is surrounded with a lot of attractions. I swiftly got out of bed, grabbed breakfast, and hopped on a bike.

Using Maps.Me for bike rides, I journeyed through the city for a 9KM cycle. It was not as fascinating as expected it to be since there were just plain buildings that looked the same. However, the dismay died down and my excitement rose upon the sight of the river. I went biking at the riverside until I reached the Zhahamuyuanzhumin Park (札哈木原住民公園). It was just across the Lin Mo-Niang Memorial Park (林默娘公園) which sat beside the scenic Fishermen’s Wharf (安亿桥下河底观景步道).

Walking past the bridge, one can easily spot the Anping Customs which is quite an interesting establishment.

Just a few steps away, the Anping Old Street is quite interesting to wander around. Filled with mini stands that sells various kinds of knickknacks, key chains, and other interesting items, the vendors stand by their booths with smiles reaching their ears.

As I’ve mentioned before, everything is close to each other. Walking was the best way to just see everything. I stumbled upon Fort Zeelandia, Zeelandia Museum, and Anping Old Fort who were side by side each other. All of these spots were touristy, but the walk and sightseeing experience throughout the fortresses was great.

Searching for more food, I found a little shop that sells fried vegetable pockets. I actually thought they were huge dumplings! They were tasty. (I had 3 of them!) Before heading further, I grabbed some shrimp rolls from a restaurant along the street near Anping Old Fort. They were so yummy! I went on for a walk to the Old Tait & Co. Merchant House since it’s where the Anping Treehouse was located. I was fascinated by how natured fused with man-made structures. It was not your typical treehouse. It took the definition of a treehouse to a whole new level. After long walks and going in and out of the museums, I eventually was tired out and napped in one of the parks.

Making my way back to West Central District, Dennis was having his Chinese Class at Cheffresh. It was great since I couldn’t pedal more to the east district, 6KM was enough. Getting enough rest, I came along to watch his basketball game with his Taiwanese teammates. Watching the game was so much fun! Goofy music, announcers, multiple courts, simultaneous games, and crazy players – it was very similar to the local basketball games in the Philippine provinces. We ended the night with a beers with the team. They actually won, unexpectedly – last-minute luck!

Chimei Museum (04/07)

FriYAY: last day of the weekday! Hearing great things about this museum, I decided to go on another 8KM bike ride. The great thing about the day was its weather. It was a bit cloudy, not too much sunshine. The guide led me to a path that was so refreshing. Rural vibe all over – bustling poultry areas, stretches of farmlands, abandoned streets, hidden forests; these were the sights that I’ve been surrounded about during biking. It made me really happy to be around nature rather than taking the highway fighting roads with scooters and cars.

After less than half an hour, I was at the Tainan Metro Park. I sat down for a while and started walking. I went up the viewing deck first to catch an overview of the whole area. It was huge: green fields, a stretch of lake, and the museum grounds were perfectly laid down on this whole space.

I first stopped at 觀景平台 which is the best spot to take a photo of the museum combined with the lake scenery. Seeing this view, I was reminded of Sun Moon Lake in Taichung. It gave off the similar aura due to its setting.

To enter the museum, I followed the signs that led to 丘比特橋 which bridged the path to the museum. Welcoming visitors is the Cherub Fountain where tourists flocked for photos.

Filled with excitement, I walked quickly to the museum’s main entrance. Upon entering this architectural fascination, I was lost for words in enchantment of how beautiful the interior is. The outside appearance was justified by its inner contents. The collection housed by the museum was definitely worth viewing. I easily spent about three hours inside by just walking and observing their displays.

As I exited the building, I was greeted by the Muse Plaza which was connected to the Olympus Bridge leading to the Apollo Fountain Plaza. Filled with the gods and goddesses we all know from Greek mythology, I sighted Athena. (Fun fact: My mom was supposed to name me Athena!) I sat beside her and took out the book entitled Everything and More by David Foster Wallace. (Check it out!)

Having the sun rise again, I went back the grass fields to look for a spot to lay down and read. Some of the visitors were having a picnic around the area. I grabbed some food from one of the stalls and the Taiwanese vendor exclaimed, “You’re Filipina!” That made my day even brighter, it was actually refreshing to be recognized as a Filipino while traveling. Finding the perfect spot, I sat down below a tree which was situated by the lake where the ducks were all hanging out. I was able to read the book peacefully while enjoying the view. I even found time to take a nap. Chimei Museum easily became my favorite in Tainan.

Once again (I never learn.), my phone battery was about to die. I asked Dennis if he could pick me up from the Tbike station at the Baoan bus stop. The bus stop was actually a nice place to just sit down and read a book at. It has an interesting tree growth on a wall, similar to the treehouse.

After a few minutes, I hopped on the motorbike! Searching for Costco, Google Maps led us to the rural road. What a refreshing ride! The cool thing about riding at the rural area of Tainan is knowing that its vicinity to the city is so near. We did some grocery shopping for the traditional dinner since it was a Friday. For Jews, it was called Shabbat. (Both Dennis and Noah are Jews.) For the first time, I witnessed a Jewish tradition which was astonishing. They sang a few songs while the candles were lit firsthand. After the tradition, we ate some of the Challah (bread) with hummus then ravioli was served for dinner. Geshmak! Bringing people together, they played a couple of songs with their ukuleles as we drank beers and wine. The night passed swiftly. Indeed, another great day in Tainan.

Chiao Tou Beach Park (04/08)

For the lovely Saturday morning, we headed for brunch after lazing around the early morning. The Artful Dodger was a nice breakfast place where they serve great food. A few minutes after we arrived, Addy and Tina came to join us. Eggs, toast, salad, bacon, coffee, tea, and even fries – everyone had a great brunch in this cozy place that has good atmosphere. Bidding goodbye, we agreed to meet at the beach in the late afternoon.

Rest up! It was a chill Saturday. After napping, we headed off to Anping Beach. It was about a 15 minute motorbike ride from the city to the beach. With only a few people walking around, we sat down to enjoy some beers with the scenery. People were relaxing through the afternoon in the ocean by kitesurfing and kiteboarding too. The beach might not have white sand, swaying palm trees, and pristine water, but it’s a nice spot to watch the sunset. It wasn’t bad at all. Dipping into the ocean, the beach was nice to swim at as well.

As the sun went down, we had dinner at a Taiwanese restaurant. Once again, I had a taste of Taiwanese food that I’ve never tried before! My favourite was specifically the shrimp with sprinkles on top. It was heavenly. Finishing off, we went back to prepare for the night. The destination: Legends Sports Bar. It was the night before Noah‘s birthday, so it was a time to celebrate! 小case – 樂團 was the band name of Dennis’ friends. This band is specifically different because they have a trombone player! It was quite interesting. As they started to play their music, the crowd gathered up near the stage to jam with them. Growing up listening to live bands, I personally enjoyed watching them and listening to their music. The vibe that they gave off influenced the crowd’s mood of having a good time. Great job!

For my last day in Tainan, we had brunch at Dennis and Noah’s place. (It was Noah‘s birthday!) Some band members of Xiao Case came over. Coffee, french toast, bacon, mushrooms and peppers, fruits – it was a nice meal. The whole noon till early afternoon was spent on chatting. Before everyone had to head to Taipei, we dropped by Mary B’s. It’s a cupcake shop owned by Dennis’ friend, Mary! She’s a really pretty woman with nice blonde hair and a great personality. Her cupcake shop was superb! As cuteness was overloading the atmosphere, there were food shaped pillows on the colourful sofa, random paintings of creative figures pinned against the wall, and the best part: bite sized cupcakes! We had coffee to wake us up and most had cupcakes. I wish I tried some, but my stomach was sickly the whole afternoon till the evening. Definitely would go visit Mary B’s again to eat a dozen or more of those cute yummy tiny cupcakes! (Check out Noah’s birthday video.)

As Sundays go, it was time to unwind. We visited a park and sat down to relax. I spotted a lot of Filipinos in the park! They were actually numerous. It was a nice afternoon. Saying our farewells, the band headed out to catch their trains going to Taipei. I decided to stay and just leave in the morning since my classes don’t start till the afternoon. Hanging out with Dennis and Noah for the rest of the night, we watched a couple episodes of Rick and Morty. A weirdly addictive show, it’s a good watch for when you want to have a good laugh while having your mind messed up. It’s absolutely hilarious. My sickly self enjoyed it a lot.

Concluding my spring break, I took a train back to Zhongli for three hours. Undoubtedly, I had a blast during my stay in this beautiful city. Immersing myself in culture, tradition, art, and music – it was a rejuvenating experience for me. It has been a long time since I acted as a “touristy traveler,” I surely liked being one for that whole week. If ever one visits Taiwan, Tainan is a city that must be on the list!

#DawningInTaiwan: Knowing Tainan Better Having more days left for spring break, Tainan would be the perfect city to stay in for the rest of the days I have left without classes.

#Asia #backpacking #Biking #College #Culture #Cycling #Food #Friends #Local #Nature #Taiwan #Travel #Traveling #Weather

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edgysocial · 7 years

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New Post has been published on http://edgysocial.com/10-affordable-and-truly-beautiful-cities-in-europe-that-you-can-go-right-now/

10 Affordable (And Truly Beautiful) Cities in Europe That You Can Go Right Now

Scrolling down your Instagram and you see your friends swimming at the beautiful beaches in Spain, visiting the Eiffel Tower in Paris or sipping their cup of coffee at a cafe in Italy while you are still sitting at home dreaming about going to Europe, but think you can’t?

Think again, because the euro just hits a 20-month low, making it a perfect time for your Europe dream.[1]

As an avid and frequent traveler, I’ve always loved Europe.

European know how to enjoy life and there’re a lot of amazing places to explore in Europe. From the beautiful harbors in Southern France, to the incredible architecture in Spain, the amazing castles in Germany and the stunning alps in Switzerland and more; there’s just so much you can see there. And not to mention the food there, just try to think about how persistent Italian are when it comes to the quality of food including the pasta, pizza and even just a cup of coffee.

Having studied in Madrid for half a year, I’d like to suggest you some of the most affordable cities to visit in Europe. You really don’t need to spend a lot to have a memorable trip in Europe, here we go:

1. Seville, Spain

▲ Plaza de España

Seville is the birthplace of Flamenco and a day in this passionate city with a double-sized bed will cost you $ 30 on Airbnb.

Instead of paying to watch Flamenco dancing in the US or your hometown, watch it for free at bars like the famous El Palacio Andaluz or La Carbonería at the birthplace of this hot and passionate dance. If you make it in time in April, you could also go to the festival ‘Feria de Abril’ in Seville to see the passion and hospitality of Spaniards.

Visit the Plaza de España, Metropol Parasol and Palace of San Telmo to enjoy the not-to-be-missed architecture in this cultural hub of southern Spain. Save your Sunday morning before 2:30pm to visit the Seville Cathedral because it is free!

Do not forget to try out all different kinds of tapas there! (And usually if you order a beer at the bar, you’ll get tapas for free!)

2. Porto, Portugal

▲ The port in Porto

Accommodations in Porto are affordable as most of them are priced locally. A decent double bedroom costs you less than $ 20.

Traveling in this second largest city in Portugal and a world heritage listed by the UNESCO in 1996, you will be able to explore the historical sides of the Europe by visiting the Porto Cathedrals, the beautifully painted São Bento Railway Station which inaugurated in 191 and the Ponte de Dom Luis I bridge that allow you to get the best views over Porto.

The awesome part is, they are all free. If you are up for some wine in this world’s top wine destination, pay $ 3USD to try their the local port wine.

3. Berlin, Germany

▲ Berlin Cathedral

While you might not believe, but it’s actually not expensive to travel in the capital of Germany.

A comfy two-person bedroom costs less than $ 25 on Airbnb and a dinner out in beer halls or average restaurants would be around $ 8-16.

Being one of the most multicultural cities, not only will you be able to experience the energetic vibes of the Berliners’, but also get to try out different kinds of food, be it kebab or currywurst can go as cheap as less than $ 3. If you are on a budget but still wanna drink, go to those beer halls or bars only in happy hours.

Berlin has many world-class museums which offer student discount for entry, so make sure you bring your student cards when visiting the museums like the Checkpoint Charlie Museum. The Berlin Wall is also a must-go spot — an important symbol of the German unification.

4. Tallinn, Estonia

▲ Tallinn Immagini Credit: visitestonia

Tallinn is able to offer everything in a much lower price than you find in Western Europe. A double-sized bed costs $ 20 per day on Airbnb, double if near the old-town center and a budget dinner would cost around $ 7-14.

The Sõõrikukohvik Donut Cafe is the place to be for a budgeted meal with salads, pancakes, Estonian-styled donuts etc.

Instead of going to towers or hotels to enjoy the views of Tallinn, you can simply go up to the Toompea Hill and enjoy the beauty of Tallinn for free.

Remember to visit the world heritage – the Old Town of Tallinn, join a free tour there to get the most out of it.

5. Prague, Czech Republic

▲ Charles Bridge Credit: Prague.eu

One should not be unfamiliar with the word – Prague when doing budgeted travel. Although the Czech currency has been rising over the years, you could still find cheap, decent and cozy double-bed bedroom for less than $ 20 per night on airbnb. And it would cost around $ 6-10 to dine out in Prague.

Make sure you go to see the huge Prague Castle which offer some free parts to enter, a short visit would cost you for only $ 10.

Also visit The Prague National Gallery which holds the country’s most treasured art pieces after 4pm because it would be cheaper. You might also want to try drinking inside a nuclear fallout center in Bunkr Parukarka.[2]

6. Krakow, Poland

▲ Main Market Square Credit: inyourpocket

Krakow has a lower costs of living than those in Western Europe. Just like Prague, Krakow is listed as the one of the best-valued destination in Europe in 2017.

Visit the known historical monument and world heritage – the Old Town where you can see the historical european monuments and churches showing you the classic Europe.

There are also free walking tours available daily leaving from the main square and one should visit the Auschwitz Concentration Camps for one to understand the painful memories of war for the Pole and the entrance fee is free.

7. Brussels, Belgium

▲ Grand Place Credit: LonelyPlanet

You could get cozy accommodation for two in Brussels for $ 20 on Airbnb, and a dinner at an average restaurant would cost you from $ 9 to $ 17.

Do visit the oldest Musées Royaux Art et Histoire to see the most important art pieces in the world. The Grand Place and Palais de Justice are what you should see too if you’re fond on the European architecture. There are also free walking tours available on sites like New Europe Tours.

Do try the locally-made Belgium chocolate at Leonidas too!

8. Granada, Spain

▲ Alhambra Palace

It would cost you $ 9-16 to dine out in Granada and you could easily find room for two to stay overnight for less than $ 20.

You must not miss the historical Alhambra Palace, a palace and fortress complex with Arabic architectural style. The tickets get sold out easily, so it’s better for you to book your tickets in advance, or you’ll have to queue for the tickets at the door very early in the morning.

Remember to visit the Cathedral of Granada as it is the second largest cathedral in Spain and the Royal Chapel to see the historical sides of Spain. They are all under $ 5.

Go dine at some local restaurants and bars that give you free tapas upon a beer order to save some money!

9. Split, Croatia

Credit: VisitSplit

Splits in Croatia is known for its blue coastlines and beaches. The accommodations here are in good value, a room with sea views for two costs you less than $ 30 per day.

Visit the Campanile Bell Tower to walk up to the tower and enjoy the views of Split. Also visit the gallaries there like the Meštrović Gallery and Gallery of Fine Arts for less than $ 5.

Dinner is ranged from $ 7-14, at a rather cheap price comparing with dining in the other parts of Europe. Make sure you get seafood from the local restaurants.

10. Naples, Italy

In one of the oldest continuos inhabited cities in the world, Naples has plenty of historical museums and architectures that are worth visiting.

Although you cannot get hotels or hostels as cheap as those in Eastern Europe, it is relatively cheap compared with the northern sides of Italy with less tan $ 20 for a day in a hostel and less than $ 40 for a three-started hotel with convenient transportations nearby.

Visit the National Museum of Capodimonte which opened in 1957 for some of the finest Italian paintings .

Food and drinks here are just like the accommodation, reasonable and cheaper than in the cities in the south of Italy.

Now you are ready to go, time to pack your bag, buy your tickets and explore Europe!

Reference

[1] ^ The Guardian: Euro falls to 20-month low after Italy government’s referendum defeat [2] ^ Thrillist: 16 BEAUTIFUL EUROPEAN CITIES YOU CAN ACTUALLY AFFORD TO VISIT RIGHT NOW

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New Post has been published on http://www.lifehacker.guru/10-affordable-and-truly-beautiful-cities-in-europe-that-you-can-go-right-now/

10 Affordable (And Truly Beautiful) Cities in Europe That You Can Go Right Now

Think again, because the euro just hits a 20-month low, making it a perfect time for your Europe dream.[1]

As an avid and frequent traveler, I’ve always loved Europe.

1. Seville, Spain

▲ Plaza de España

Seville is the birthplace of Flamenco and a day in this passionate city with a double-sized bed will cost you $30 on Airbnb.

Do not forget to try out all different kinds of tapas there! (And usually if you order a beer at the bar, you’ll get tapas for free!)

2. Porto, Portugal

▲ The port in Porto

Accommodations in Porto are affordable as most of them are priced locally. A decent double bedroom costs you less than $20.

The awesome part is, they are all free. If you are up for some wine in this world’s top wine destination, pay $3USD to try their the local port wine.

3. Berlin, Germany

▲ Berlin Cathedral

While you might not believe, but it’s actually not expensive to travel in the capital of Germany.

A comfy two-person bedroom costs less than $25 on Airbnb and a dinner out in beer halls or average restaurants would be around $8-16.

Being one of the most multicultural cities, not only will you be able to experience the energetic vibes of the Berliners’, but also get to try out different kinds of food, be it kebab or currywurst can go as cheap as less than $3. If you are on a budget but still wanna drink, go to those beer halls or bars only in happy hours.

4. Tallinn, Estonia

▲ Tallinn Immagini Credit: visitestonia

Tallinn is able to offer everything in a much lower price than you find in Western Europe. A double-sized bed costs $20 per day on Airbnb, double if near the old-town center and a budget dinner would cost around $7-14.

The Sõõrikukohvik Donut Cafe is the place to be for a budgeted meal with salads, pancakes, Estonian-styled donuts etc.

Instead of going to towers or hotels to enjoy the views of Tallinn, you can simply go up to the Toompea Hill and enjoy the beauty of Tallinn for free.

Remember to visit the world heritage – the Old Town of Tallinn, join a free tour there to get the most out of it.

5. Prague, Czech Republic

▲ Charles Bridge Credit: Prague.eu

One should not be unfamiliar with the word – Prague when doing budgeted travel. Although the Czech currency has been rising over the years, you could still find cheap, decent and cozy double-bed bedroom for less than $20 per night on airbnb. And it would cost around $6-10 to dine out in Prague.

Make sure you go to see the huge Prague Castle which offer some free parts to enter, a short visit would cost you for only $10.

6. Krakow, Poland

▲ Main Market Square Credit: inyourpocket

Krakow has a lower costs of living than those in Western Europe. Just like Prague, Krakow is listed as the one of the best-valued destination in Europe in 2017.

Visit the known historical monument and world heritage – the Old Town where you can see the historical european monuments and churches showing you the classic Europe.

7. Brussels, Belgium

▲ Grand Place Credit: LonelyPlanet

You could get cozy accommodation for two in Brussels for $20 on Airbnb, and a dinner at an average restaurant would cost you from $9 to $17.

Do try the locally-made Belgium chocolate at Leonidas too!

8. Granada, Spain

▲ Alhambra Palace

It would cost you $9-16 to dine out in Granada and you could easily find room for two to stay overnight for less than $20.

Remember to visit the Cathedral of Granada as it is the second largest cathedral in Spain and the Royal Chapel to see the historical sides of Spain. They are all under $5.

Go dine at some local restaurants and bars that give you free tapas upon a beer order to save some money!

9. Split, Croatia

Credit: VisitSplit

Splits in Croatia is known for its blue coastlines and beaches. The accommodations here are in good value, a room with sea views for two costs you less than $30 per day.

Visit the Campanile Bell Tower to walk up to the tower and enjoy the views of Split. Also visit the gallaries there like the Meštrović Gallery and Gallery of Fine Arts for less than $5.

Dinner is ranged from $7-14, at a rather cheap price comparing with dining in the other parts of Europe. Make sure you get seafood from the local restaurants.

10. Naples, Italy

In one of the oldest continuos inhabited cities in the world, Naples has plenty of historical museums and architectures that are worth visiting.

Although you cannot get hotels or hostels as cheap as those in Eastern Europe, it is relatively cheap compared with the northern sides of Italy with less tan $20 for a day in a hostel and less than $40 for a three-started hotel with convenient transportations nearby.

Visit the National Museum of Capodimonte which opened in 1957 for some of the finest Italian paintings .

Food and drinks here are just like the accommodation, reasonable and cheaper than in the cities in the south of Italy.

Now you are ready to go, time to pack your bag, buy your tickets and explore Europe!

Reference

[1] ^ The Guardian: Euro falls to 20-month low after Italy government’s referendum defeat [2] ^ Thrillist: 16 BEAUTIFUL EUROPEAN CITIES YOU CAN ACTUALLY AFFORD TO VISIT RIGHT NOW

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