Street festivals, music, parades, costumes… when the gay community parties, they certainly do it in style… If you’re wondering where to go on holiday this summer, forget beach resorts or city clubbing; celebrate your LGBT culture at one of these top gay pride events around the world in June and July!
Although gay travel events take place throughout the year, many of the pride events are held around June to mark the anniversary of the Stonewall riots – a defining event in the gay rights movement.
26 – 28 June: San Francisco Pride Parade
Lowdown: Hosting the largest gay pride event in America, California’s famously cosmopolitan city does partying and politics on a massive scale. Hundreds of thousands of visitors flock to San Francisco every June, with more than 200 participants in the parade and 300 exhibitors. 12 different stages and venues host events across the city.
Vibe: There’s something for everyone here. The weekend might start with a big parade (Saturday morning sees marchers gather on Market Street) but it’s also a festival of music, dance, politics, and wild parties that carries on into the early hours.
Stay: In such a tolerant city, you won’t have trouble finding somewhere to rest your weary head. If you’re looking for a San Francisco gay hostel, sociable Elements Hostel has a nightclub and lounge where you can carry on having fun after the day’s events.
Lowdown: New for 2009, Barcelona hope to emanate Madrid’s hugely successful festival. A week of events around Catalonia, such as the LGBT Fire! Film Festival, will culminate in a parade on Barcelona’s Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes and a huge closing party at the Avinguda Maria Cristina, at the foot of the Palau Nacional.
Vibe: Perfect for gay travelers looking for something on a much smaller scale, the first Barcelona gay pride event will have a more alternative feel to the well-established events, with locals buzzing from the excitement.
Stay: Located in Urgell-Gran Via, the city’s famous gay area, Barcelona Rooms is in the perfect spot from which to enjoy the fun.
1 – 5 July: Madrid ‘Orgullo’ Gay Pride and Party
Lowdown: One of biggest events in Europe, it attracted 2 million people to the parade in 2008 and more than 300,000 attended the street parties. The big parade starts at Plaza de la Independencia at 5pm on 4 July, with festivities happening all week around Plaza Chueca, Plaza Vazquez de Mella, Plaza del Ray and Pelayo Street.
Vibe: Loud, vibrant and colorful, the Madrid gay pride festival reflects the city’s insatiable appetite for nightlife and fiestas. Energetic and international, it’s basically one fantastic party with the wonderful backdrop of a cool, cultural city.
Lowdown: The climax of two weeks of “queer culture” events (including theatre, art, debate, film and comedy), London hosts a huge parade on Saturday 4 July, along with an afternoon and evening of entertainment. The streets of gay district Soho will be closed off for five stages of music and dance whilst after parties in the city’s big clubs carry you on until dawn.
Vibe: With its emphasis on culture and celebration, the London gay pride festival is one of Europe’s more arty events – with a healthy dose of partying thrown into the mix. The 500,000 strong crowd is a diverse mix of cosmopolitan locals and international visitors.
Stay:London House Gay Hostel is a well-established retreat for gay travelers in North London and a good place to meet other festival-goers.
31 July – 2 August: Amsterdam Gay Pride
Lowdown: A wide variety of street parties (centred around Rembrantplein) and club events take place all weekend to warm up the city for the spectacular and unique canal parade on Saturday through the Prinsengracht and Amstel river. Hundreds of thousands of visitors head to the city every August, making this one of the biggest public events in the Netherlands.
Vibe: Amsterdam has long been notorious for its liberal values and atmosphere, and the pride festival is as fun and lively as you’d expect from such a city – even the city’s government show their support and openness by taking place in the boat parade.
Stay: The Golden Bear was the first exclusively gay hostel in Amsterdam and it remains a very popular place to stay in the city.
For more information on gay travel, gay pride and gay news, head to Pride Life.
Fancy an even more action-packed break? Adrenaline junkies everywhere will love GayOutdoors.org, with heaps of advice and ideas for gay outdoors and adventure travel.
Avid traveler Kate Cooper backpacked for 4 years before settling in New Zealand to edit online magazine, Mad Travel Mag. The world might have been hit by a recession, but Kate share’s her reasons why now is actually the best time to travel…
There were a few reasons that I postponed my ‘year out’ or ‘gap year’; my first excuse was that I was afraid to go traveling by myself and couldn’t work out if I should travel alone or with friends. But to be honest, if you stay on the main backpacking routes and don’t go to places known to be unsafe then you’re going to be okay if you do choose to travel alone. You just have to be sensible and don’t put yourself in unnecessary danger. Don’t accept that lift from the dodgy looking fella you’ve just met, and it’s probably wise not to hitch-hike! The biggest thing that put me off traveling, though, was money.
So here are a few reasons why now is the best time to stop thinking about and just start traveling!
Number 1 – Selflessness With the current global financial crisis, people around the world are either having trouble finding a job, keeping a job or justifying to their boss that they are entitled to a pay rise. So, why not take a year out? You probably won’t make that much money if you work this year anyway so what better excuse to give up the miserable 9 to 5 life, plus you can cheer yourself up by thinking that you’re doing a good deed to the company you work for and your colleagues! They may let you have extended unpaid leave because they’ll be happy that there’s one less person to pay, and your colleagues will be happy because there’s less likelihood of redundancy! Give yourself a pat on the back for being so selfless by being a globe-trotter!
Number 2 – Spread Happiness Everyone at home is miserable because they can’t afford to go out or they’re struggling to pay for all those things they bought on credit, and all they do is whine! Rather than be brought down too, you should surround yourself with happy people. Happy people tend to be those that are on holiday at the beach or doing things they never dreamed of doing. Be one of those happy people and spread the happiness further by lying on a beach as well… and knowing at the same time that you wouldn’t have been this happy at home…
Number 3 – Save $$$$ Flights are getting cheaper, accommodation is getting cheaper, tours and activities are getting cheaper! Why? That financial crisis again… Even better deals can be found in destinations that are currently in their low season. Find out which countries – and fly there asap! Tourism operators need an income, so in off-peak seasons they’ll do everything they can to attract as many people as possible to them. This includes heavy discounts and including lots of free stuff to entice you to their product. You can be safe in the knowledge that by traveling to a country in it’s ‘off season’, in addition to there being a financial crisis, you are in fact saving yourself loads of money!
Number 4 – More Cash Depending on where you’re from, you may find that your currency is still strong against others. In addition to all the savings you’re making by getting loads of discounts and free stuff, your money could actually stretch further. Check with your local bank or exchange bureau for up to the minute news on which country is going to be the cheapest for you to have an adventure in..
Now really is the best time to travel. You can have fun, save money and be smug that you’re sunning yourself while your friends at home are miserably concerned with the credit crunch!
Mad Travel Mag has articles written by Kate (including How to Save Money When Traveling) and other backpackers, for backpackers. The website also has a social network where travelers can meet and ask each other questions in the forum.
There’s more to Scotland’s capital than bagpipes, haggis and kilts flapping in the breeze. Dubbed the “Athens of the North” for its beautiful architecture, Edinburgh’s grand Georgian streets come alive at night- modern day Scots sure know how to party, and when the internationally renowned Edinburgh and Fringe Festival rolls into town, most places are packed out until the wee hours.
A chic and cosmopolitan city, Edinburgh can seem quite pricey, with the top site the Edinburgh Castle costing around £12! Luckily there are plenty of cheap Edinburgh hostels around town, so by saving $10 with Hostelbookers, and following this budget guide, you’ll have more to spend on that traditional Scottish Whiskey.
1. The National Galleries of Scotland
Aside from the historic architecture on the city streets, Edinburgh is blessed with some excellent museums and galleries that will satisfy culture vultures. The National Galleries of Scotland are free to enter, and are housed in five beautiful buildings across the city. The Modern Art Galleries are set in a huge stately home surrounded by parkland dotted with sculptures, and the National Gallery has an extensive collection of fine art from the Reniassance to the nineteenth-century. Special exhibitions are hosted throughout the year and are well worth the £4-6 entry fee – current shows include a retrospective on British Artists and Collectors in Spain.
2. Scottish Eats
Forget Shortbread and Smoked Salmon – the scarier traditional Scottish food may sound (and look) daunting, but ignore the ingredients and you’ll be pleasantly surprised at how delicious the food is. Haggis, Neeps (Turnips) and Tatties (Mashed Potato) is available in most local pubs, but usually costs a little over $10- to stick to your budget buy one from a local deli and take it to your hostel to cook. Macsween’s is the most famous for haggis, and they can be boiled or microwaved – it’ll cost you around £5 for a haggis for 2-3 people.
A cheaper lunch is Cullen Skink, a creamy fish soup, or a haggis pasty – you’ll need to walk to the top of Edinburgh Castle to burn that one off!
3. The Botanical Gardens
The Royal Botanic Garden is over two centuries old, and makes for a beautiful afternoon stroll. Explore acres of local and exotic plants – highlights include the largest collection of wild-origin Chinese plants outside China, the Scottish Heath Garden, the Rock Garden, and the Queen Mother’s Memorial Garden. Plant Lovers can discover unusual varieties of flora and fauna from across the globe in the quaint Victorian Glass House, browse the oldest Botanical library in Britain or catch an art exhibition at Inverleith House. The Garden is free, the Glasshouses just £3.50 each.
4. See Nessie away from her Loch
You don’t have to venture to the Highlands in search of Scotland’s most famous mythical beast – touristy but hilarious fun, the 3D Loch Ness Experience is based on the work of Loch Ness expert Adrian Shine, with 3D displays and an exhibition on all the facts and myths surrounding the Loch Ness Monster. Entry is £5
5. Explore a Georgian House
Edinburgh is famous for its elegant Georgian architecture, but why not step back in time and see how the well-heeled lived in 18th century Edinburgh. The rooms are accurately restored with Period details and the informative guides will tell you anything you need to know about the city during this period. Entry is £5.
6. Dessert at the Queen’s Deli
Edinburgh is packed with royal heritage, and the Queen herself is a big fan of the city – she orders her cheeses from Valvona and Crolla, a famous artisan deli. The restaurant and cafe upstairs serves dishes made with the top quality produce, with regal prices to match. You may not be able to afford to eat like a Queen, but you can certainly squeeze in dessert – the ‘dolce’ here are to die for, and each dish costs around £4-6. Try the real Italian gelato imported exclusively from Milan, the Torta di Cioccolato – a devilish Chocolate truffle cake made with 70% Valrhona chocolate, and the Limoncello Pannacotta.
7. An Afternoon at The Queen’s Gallery
Carrying on the Royal theme, make like a monarch and visit the Palace of Holyroodhouse, still used by the Queen as an official residence. When she’s back in Blighty, the building is open to the public, and the Queen’s Gallery (entry £5) is filled with a changing programme of exhibitions from the Royal Collection and Library at Windsor Castle.
8. A Dram of Whisky in Greyfriars Bobby
One of Scotland’s most famous exports, you couldn’t leave Edinburgh without sampling a ‘dram’ of malt whiskey. Greyfriar’s Bobby is a legendary watering hole named after the famous dog and city mascot who watched over his master’s grave, and the pub is a cozy place for a drink, if a little crowded in tourist season.
9. A Spooky Drink
Edinburgh’s gothic landscape of spooky catacombs, dungeons and dark alleyways of cobbled streets mean that the city is the setting for many ghost stories. You can fork out for a ghost walk tour around the city, or create your own horror stories by visiting two of Edinburgh’s best themed bars. Frankenstein’s (or ‘Frankie’s) and Jekyll and Hyde are delightfully kitsch bars that are surprisingly slick- with horror movie memorobilia on the walls, huge screens showing old films, and themed cocktails. Splash out on a scary drink for around a fiver – try the ‘Bride of Frankenstein’ at Frankie’s – a ghoulishy girlie mix of Tia Maria, Kahlua, Baileys, milk & chocolate sauce.
10. A Night in a ‘Wee Red Bar’
This achingly hip venue at the Edinburgh College of Art is a refreshing alternative to some of the pricier mainstream clubs. Not as cramped as its named suggests, there’s plenty of room for a good dance. Entry at the Wee Red Bar ranges from £3-5 and club nights are an eclectic mix of art shows, indie, dance and anything slightly offbeat.
LJS – Got any more budget tips for a city break Edinburgh? Comment below!
This week, Iain Haywood of Ooh Blog takes us to Sarajevo for a cheap city break in the unspoiled Bosnian capital…
Sarajevo is the city that constantly surprises. From the shocking tales of the 1990s conflict and the city’s 3-year siege, many expect to see a city still licking its wounds. But this couldn’t be further from the truth, although there are plenty of scars. Sarajevo is a sublimely beautiful and cultured capital; a jewel in the Balkans that is yet to be affected by mass tourism.
Day One
Bašcaršija: The first place to head to (as many do) is Bašcaršija (pr: Barsh-CHAR -shee-ya) – the Old Town. This is the area that looks most prominently to the East and its Ottoman past, with minarets, fountains and traditional architecture. Complete with bustling bazaar, one can meander around the quaint alleys, shop for traditional eastern goods and visit a few interesting sights. According to legend, he who drinks from the Bašcaršija Fountain will return to the city…. So if you’re not so keen, I’d recommend a traditional Turkish coffee from one of the local cafes instead!
Sarajevo’s main mosque is the Ghazi Husrev-beg’s Mosque, usually known as the Beg’s (Bey’s) Mosque. The inscription also notes the date of its construction – 938, which in universal terms translates to 1530/31 CE. Husrev-beg is widely considered Sarajevo’s greatest patron, having financed the construction of much of the old city.
Traditional Lunch: Step back in time in one of the atrium restaurants and enjoy some “mantı” – a sort of Bosnian ravioli.
Vjeèna Vatra, the Eternal flame: This monument on the main street is dedicated to the liberators of Sarajevo in the Second World War, and burns constantly – although this example of Serb and Bosnian co-operation to liberate the capital may feel bitterly ironic to those remembering the events only a decade ago.
Watch a Movie: It might sound like a strange thing to suggest I know, but Bosnia has an extremely active film industry, and holds a huge international film festival annually that’s one of the biggest in Europe (it even started during the siege). If you’re in the city between 12th and 20th August, you could run into the likes of Kevin Spacey…
Go Clubbing: Sarajevo has a reputation as a great destination for nightlife. While away the early evening smoking Shisha in the local cafes, and then hit one of the local clubs.
Stay Central: For a great place to crash on a budget, HCC Sarajevo has an excellent downtown location, great reviews and beds from €11 a night.
Day Two
Take a Tour: If you’re feeling at least semi-respectable after last night, you must take a proper guided tour of the city! Often conducted by guys who were kids or teens during the siege, they’re typically peppered with amazing insight and bittersweet humour about their experiences.
Visit the Tunnel Museum: This tunnel was built secretly under the airport runway by the besieged Bosnians to bring food, supplies and reinforcements into the surrounded city. As UN troops had blocked off the airport, and the only way to get there in the first place was via the infamous “sniper alley”, the Bosnians would have fared much worse had it not been for this miracle piece of engineering. You’ll need a car or taxi to visit, but it’s well worth it.
Snack on Your Feet: A wide variety of local meat dishes are avaialble at street stalls. Recommended are Burek (meat pie) or Cepavi (rolled meat in pita). Whilst there are vegetarian dishes available, it seems the Balkan countries do love their meat…
See Where Archduke Ferdinand was Assassinated: Perhaps the most historically significant spot in the city, there’s a memorial and museum marking where Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife, Sophie Chotek, were shot dead on 28 June 1914 by Bosnian Serb nationalist Gavrilo Princip – a momentous event which sparked WWI.
Sarajevska Pivara: Finish your two days with a touch of class with dinner and a few drinks in the Sarajevo Brewery. Opened in 1864, it operated through the period of Ottoman Empire, the period of Austro-Hungarian Monarchy and even the war. It’s a fantastic place to dine out and try some of the finest beers in the region.
Iain Haywood is a member of the team over at www.ooh.com, launching September 1st. They currently run a blog on the most interesting and unique things to do around the world at Ooh blog.
Summer’s here, and so is festival season, and from SONAR in sunny Barcelona to the rain-drenched fields of Glastonbury in the UK, Europe is home to some of the best music festivals in the world.
But if you’re planning on hitting the festivals this summer, getting your hands on tickets is tricky, with many top events sold out far in advance, and the cost of flights and accommodation already sky-high. Factor in overcrowded dance stages, overpriced souvenirs, and extortionate food (£10 for a greasy burger?!) and some festivals aren’t all they’re cracked up to be.
But if you look beyond the average music-and-mud-fest, Europe is home to some great alternative festivals, from Viking Rituals in Denmark to Highland Flings in Scotland. Pick an alternative festival and you can escape the usual crowds, discover a new destination and score some cheap accommodation in the bargain…with not a soggy tent in sight.
Here’s a guide to our favourite festivals in Europe- perfect for an alternative summer holiday.
Sighisoria Medieval Festival, Romania, 25-27th July
Discover the old-world traditions of Eastern Europe in one of the best-preserved medieval citadels in Europe. 20,000 revelers descend on this UNESCO World Heritage Site every year (and the home of Dracula) for an old medieval fair, with costumed parades, troubadour bands and displays of medieval handicrafts, with body painting thrown in for good measure. Enjoy the gothic chills of wandering through Dracula’s old house and castle, and then retreat to a cosy Sighsoara hostel.
European Balloon Festival, Spain, 8-12th July
The sleepy Catalonian town of Igualada comes alive with a colourful display of hot-air balloons from around the world. Watch the balloons take to the skies, take a ride up and away, or keep your feet firmly on the ground and enjoy the market stalls and local cuisine down below. Igualada is easy to reach from a Barcelona hostel.
Ollesummer, Estonia, 8-12th July
If you can’t wait until Oktoberfest, escape the pint-swilling crowds in Munich and check out the biggest beer festival in the Baltics. In a scenic park in the historic capital Tallinn, beer is the main attraction here, but it’s hard not to be distracted by the skate park, jazz and wine garden, ‘mini-festival’ for kids and huge range of live music, from Estonian National Bands to rock and reggae. If you ‘sample’ one too many of the national brews, it’s easy to find a hostel in Tallinn within stumbling distance.
Ghent Festival, Belgium, 18-27th July
More like a super-festival than one big event, the Ghent Festival is the largest open-air festival in Europe, and has been running for 166 years. Combining a Jazz, Street Theatre, Dance and ‘Puppet-Busker’ festival, Ghent is an eclectic mix of comedy, theatre, music, exhibitions, boat trips on the river Lys and stalls of fine Belgian food and wine. Choose a picturesque hostel in Ghent and you’ll be in the heart of all the action.
La Pourcailhade, France, Mid-August
Indulge your inner porker in the Midee Pyrénées, in the town of Trie-sur-Baise. The ‘festival of the pig’ celebrates all things swine-related with sausage and black-pudding eating contests, pig outfit competitions, piglet races and squealing contests. Trie-sur-Baïse is one of the largest pig-raising areas in France and home to one of the last remaining traditional pig markets. Foodies will love tucking in to French hot dogs, sampling the charcuterie, with a soundtrack of live music and bands in the evening. Stay in a hostel in Tarbes, the nearest major town.
Please note – Event Dates can change! Please check dates online before you travel!
Here in London, summer has well and truly arrived, with sunshine all around (not forgetting the odd obligatory rain shower, of course) and, even more amazingly, there’s a good forecast for the next few months too..
When we were looking for things to do on a nice day and cheap weekend breaks recently, HostelBloggers found ourselves being drawn back to the best of Britain – why splash out on a plane ticket when we can enjoy what our home country has to offer?
1. The Budget City Break
If you want to get more weekend for your money, avoid London as far as possible – instead, check into one of Britain’s great university towns. Both easily accessible from the capital and its railway links (and compact enough to explore on foot once you’ve arrived), Oxford and Cambridge make the perfect spot for a weekend away.
With their ancient architecture, quaint rivers, heaps of culture and more than enough space for a picnic, 48 hours in Cambridge or a cheap weekend in Oxford can definitely live up to those popular cities on the continent.
2. The Day at the Seaside
When the temperatures start to soar (fingers crossed!), ditch the city and head down to the coast. Britain may not be the best known European country for its beaches but from surfing in Cornwall to sand dunes in Norfolk and unspoiled Scottish islands, it has a lot more to offer than you might think.
Young people should head to Newquay for great surfing, with plenty of Newquay hostels a board’s throw away from the killer waves. Things also heat up in Newquay town once the sun sets, with wannabe surfers and party animals packing out the bars and clubs. Brighton may be known as ‘London by the Sea’, but this quirky city is way cooler than its inland cousin, with legendary nightlife and clubs that spill out onto the seafront. Stay in a Brighton hostel in cosmopolitan Kemp Town and you can easily stumble home at night.
Norfolk’s beaches are best for families, with acres of safe, unspoilt sand and salt marshes to explore. Appreciate this area of outstanding natural beauty and holiday with a conscience at an eco-hostel and campsite on the Northern coast. Gentle bike rides, trips to nature reserves and lazy pub lunches are the perfect ingredients for a relaxing family break.
Britain’s seaside resorts are the perfect place to sample that old British classic – Fish and Chips. There are hundreds of places to find this greasy grub, but for the freshest fish and crispiest batter – stick to the seaside. Blackpool is famed for its delicious fish and chips – The Cottage has been a foodie landmark since 1946, recommended by fish guru Rick Stein in his ‘Fish Lover’s Guide’ with celebrity photos on the walls.
Britain is home to some beautiful countryside that was made for rambling country walks. Head north to the Peak District or rolling hills of Cumbria that inspired Romantic poets such as Wordsworth, or discover the rugged beauty of the Scottish Highlands, with fields of heather and peaceful Lochs. The Wye valley in Wales is another beautiful spot – for the perfect remote weekend, go for long walk, warm up with lunch in the local pub with a few drinks, stay over in a hostel, and potter back the next day after a Sunday Roast or idyllic picnic.
4. The Family Day Out
If you’ve got a family of tiny tearaways who can’t sit still, treat them to an action packed day out at one of Britain’s top attractions. Theme Parks can cost a packet, but there are several fantastic 2 for 1 deals on top attractions here on Money Saving Expert. You can save even more by avoiding pricey theme park hotels and staying in a family friendly hostel in Windsor for Legoland, and Derby, Nottingham or Chester for Alton Towers.
New York, New York - one of the world’s must exciting, bustling, multicultural metropolises…but also one of the expensive.
By the time you’ve paid for pricey flights and accommodation, a trip to New York can seem out of reach for budget travelers. But with hostels in New York offering a bed for a decent price (Ed. – don’t forget HostelBookers can save you an extra $10 or so – find out more here) and our thrifty guide to the sights, a weekend in New York could work out perfectly affordable…
1.Take the Subway to P.S.1 Contemporary Art Center An affiliate of the MoMa (Museum of modern Art), but with a suggested donation of just $5 to enter, the PS1 manages to stand out from the crowd of New York museums. The former school has been transformed into a radical exhibition space for contemporary and conceptual art.
2. Drink Fresh-Squeezed Lime Margaritas Mole Mexican Bar & Grill on Allen Street has a $5 happy hour between 4 and 7pm every day. This family-run Mexican bar in East Houston serves excellent cocktails, but you can add nachos, quesadillas and guacamole (also $5 at this time) or a $3 draft beer to your order.
3. Browse the Chelsea Art Galleries Manhattan’s upmarket West Side is one of the cultural centers for New York’s art scene – Chelsea is home to around 200 galleries which exhibit both new and established artists’ work from Tuesday to Sunday. Best of all, they’re free to explore…
4. Walk the High Line New York’s old elevated train platform has just re-opened as an imaginative public park – and a wonderful place to relax, high up above the city streets. More information on the High Line opening can be found at National Geographic.
5. Chinatown, Canal and Mott Streets
Explore this multicultural city’s thriving Chinatown district of exotic shops and restaurants along Canal and Mott Streets and stop off for a bowl of $5 noodles on the way.
6. Enjoy Bryant Park Central Park might be New York’s best known green space, but Bryant Park in midtown (between 5th and 6th Avenue, from 4o to 42nd Street) is the place to head for free outdoor concerts, film showings and other events.
7. See the City Like a Local Forget ferry rides and city tours – the best way to get a feel for and a look at the city is on a scenic bus route through the streets for $1.50. Try the M5 from Greenwich Village to Riverside Drive, which passes Chelsea, Rockefeller Center, Lincoln Center and Central Park South, or the M4 from Madison Avenue through Harlem to the Cloisters.
8. Free Pizza at Croccodile Lounge It may not be the world’s best hang out, but cheap drinks and a free cheese pizza with every order means hungry backpackers really can’t go wrong at this New York bar at 325 E 14th St.
9. The Peanut Butter Co, Greenwich Village Freshly ground Peanut Butter is made on site, and the whole menu is full of weird and wonderful peanut butter sandwiches – like the ‘Elvis’ ( a heart stopping combo of bacon, banana, honey and peanut butter), and the ‘Sampler Platter’ where you can try crazy flavours like Cinnamon and Dark Chocolate… For real kitsch appeal, the sandwiches come with a side of carrot sticks and potato chips. There’s even some wacky desserts like PB Tiramasu, and you can buy jars of the gourmet stuff to take home if you have any change! (Ed. – thanks to Lauren Smith for her recommendation – sounds great)
10.Tip-top cupcakes Stop at Crumbs Cupcake Store on the Upper West Side, you can’t visit NYC without cupcakes on the menu… (Ed. – thanks to Alexandra O’Connor for this one, we couldn’t agree more!)
For more up-to-date tips on events and New York news, check out NewYorkology before you go!
AW – Have you got a budget tip to share for New York? Get in touch… Or if you’d like your advice to be included in HostelBloggers’ next cheap travel guide, join our Facebook group, Travel the World for $10,for more information!
One of the world’s most exciting dates on the travel calendar, the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, has released the full programme of events for 2009.
Highlights for this year will include lightning-speed sketch show Pappy’s Fun Club, acclaimed comedienne Jo Caufield and tv star Alistar McGowan, as well as a new, recession-friendly “Five Pound Fringe” section (still to be announced) which will, as the name suggests, be just £5 a ticket.
Taking place in August each year (2009 dates are 7 to 31 August), the Fringe’s thousands of performances and month of partying attract record crowds from around the world.
Looking to get in on the action? Accommodation tends to fill up fast, but there are still some hostels in Edinburgh with beds availble…
In this short film, Steve of Bus Station Backpackers shares his advice for backpackers heading to the Fringe in 2008:
Next on the trail of the perfect budget weekend break, Ryan Bennett shares his top tips for exploring his former home of Prague…
The Czech Koruna is already one of the strongest growing currencies in the world and they’re on course to switch to the Euro soon, which will make Prague even more expensive… So before the face of this fantastic city changes completely under a sea of tourism, head to this kitsch, compact city now and enjoy a ‘Central European’ gem.
Day One
Stay in the area of Zizkov… Prague center is small and this area is on the city fringe. Clown and Bard Hostel is highly recommended here, and great value. The main draw of this part of the city, however, is that there are more bars per square meter here than in Dublin! It’s also home to the Prague TV Tower, a modern take on Cubist design with a permanent installation of huge black sculpted babies climbing the tower – so kitsch, so Czech…!
From here, head to the squares… First there’s Wenceslav, which has seen many revolutions, celebrations and riots, and then the Old Town Square where you will find an amazing set of church spires and the Astronomical Clock. To the back of this lies the historical Jewish Quarter.
Meandering across cobblestoned alleys, you’ll come to find Prague’s main draw, the Charles Bridge. This is a highly picturesque setting with Prague Castle and St.Vitus Cathedral gracing the skyline. Crossing the bridge, head left until you come to the Funicular Railway which will take you to the top of Petrin Hill. Climb Petrin Tower or simply wander and enjoy the atmosphere.
After dark... Stay local in Zizkov and check out bars Akropolis and Blind Eye where you’ll find a crowd of expats up for a good party. If mainstream is more your thing, you can head back to Wenselav Square and where it intersects you’ll find Duplex and Lucerna, which feature live DJs most nights of the week. Gay? Head to Termix or Valentyno for some serious fun…
Day Two
Breakfast… After your big night out, head to the beautifully restored Imperial Hotel Café for a strong coffee and the deluxe surrounds. Next, jump on a tram to Prague Market and enjoy a hangover breakfast of the biggest, freshest and best Bramborak (potato cake) you will find in the city, washed down with a pivo (beer)!
Great views for lunch... After satisfying your hunger, head up to Letna Park to enjoy sweeping views across Prague. The Giant Metronome sits here and the bottom of the Castle Gardens. Beyond lie Prague Castle, ancient ‘Golden Lane’ and the striking St.Vitus Cathedral.
Walk down from these iconic sights through the Medieval Mala Strana and enjoy a traditional Goulash from one of many restaurants. In the afternoon, stumble down to Charles Bridge and its art vendors and entertainers again; relax, soak up the atmosphere and be charmed!
Cultural evenings.. Later, enjoy some of Prague’s wonderful culture – there are many shows on in the city, ranging from Black Light Theatre to Marionette performances of ‘Don Giovanni’! Alternatively, simply enjoy more of Prague’s drinking culture highlights and find a bar for some pickled hermelin (camembert)m washed down with absinthe! And you should be ready for another big night out…
Thanks to Ryan for sharing the lowdown on his old Prague haunts! Have you got advice on how to spend a cheap weekend in your favourite city? Get in touch…
In the second of her guest posts, TripAtlas travel girl Gizelle Lau takes us on a tour of Rome’s top sights to coincide with the new adaptation of Dan Brown’s best selling novel, Angels & Demons…
In this adventure, Robert Langdon (played by Tom Hanks) teams up with his female counterpart, Vittoria Vetra (played by Ayelet Zurer), to investigate and uncover the conspiracy secretly wreaking havoc in the Vatican and threatening the eternal city of Rome with destruction… On the way, though, they encounter some of Rome’s most iconic and spectacular monuments!
Santa Maria del Popolo was built in 1099 by the Pope and later renovated in the early 1400’s. At the Santa Maria del Popolo, you’ll see Raphael’s “Creation Of The World” mosaic on the dome of the chapel which plays a significant part in the movie Angels & Demons. The Santa Maria del Popolo is the first church in the movie and was actually used twice as a set – once as the church itself, another as a building opposite to a police station.
The Sistine Chapel was built by Pope Sixtus IV (hence the name, ‘Sistine’) in the 14th century and its walls are the most famous in the world. Painted by the greatest artists of its time (Michelangelo, Raphael, Bernini and Botticelli), it is nonetheless known as Michelangelo’s masterpiece. It is here that the selection of new Popes is carried out by the Papal Conclave, as is seen in the movie. A full-sized set was built for filming, from the mosaic floors to massive and intricate wall paintings. To put the set together, the production designers visited the Sistine Chapel and tried to take as many photos as the could before they were asked to stop – a well-known “no-no” in the Sistine Chapel, as is speaking or making too much noise.
St. Peter’s Square and St. Peter’s Basilica is known as the centre of the Roman Catholic Church. The best time to visit is on Sunday morning to hear a mass and get a glimpse of the Pope himself. It is in St. Peter’s Square that a large part of the story unfolds, in the midst of the crowds waiting for the election of a new pope. Today, when you step into St. Peter’s Basilica, you can’t help but be amazed and stunned at the grandeur of the church.
Santa Maria Vittoria is known for the intricate and glorious sculpture of Bernini that resides within its marble walls: The Ecstasy of St. Teresa, finished in 1646. The statue features St. Teresa being pierced in the heart with a golden shaft, causing both pain and joy for the saint. The church was actually recreated for the movie filming but since Brown’s novel, has become a popular tourist site in Rome.
The Pantheon is one of the most stunning and breathtaking buildings in the world and has stood at the centre of Rome for almost 2,000 years. Its current version was built by Emperor Hadrian in 125 A.D. The most unique feature of the Pantheon is its 7.8-metre hole in its ceiling which floods light throughout the edifice and acts as an ancient sundial. Here you’ll find the tomb of the modern kings of Italy and of Raphael. Filming was done outside the Pantheon but the whole interior was recreated as a set for the film, right down to Raphael’s tomb.
Piazza Navona is known as one of the most artistic and dramatic piazzas in Rome, with its colourful buildings and three prominent baroque statues. A popular place for travelers and locals to visit during festivals and celebrations, it has tons of cafes, shops and entertainers looking to make a dollar at night. At it’s center, Bernini’s Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi (Fountain of the Four Rivers) statue is an important clue on Langdon’s adventure.
Castel Sant’Angelo or “Castle of Angels” is an ancient fortressed castle that was built in 139 A.D. as a mausoleum for Emperor Hadrian, re-builder of the Pantheon. Just metres from Vatican City, the fortress has also been used as a home to the Pope during difficult political times as well as a prison. Today, the castle serves as a historic museum and tourist attraction.
Ed. – One of the best things about many of these attractions for backpackers in Europe, however, is that they’re free to explore! Looking for more info on visiting Rome on a budget? Check out our top 10 things to do for under $10, plus browse hostels in Rome for a cheap accommodation solution.
Vibe: There’s something for everyone here. The weekend might start with a big parade (Saturday morning sees marchers gather on Market Street) but it’s also a festival of music, dance, politics, and wild parties that carries on into the early hours.
Lowdown: The climax of two weeks of “queer culture” events (including theatre, art, debate, film and comedy), London hosts a huge parade on Saturday 4 July, along with an afternoon and evening of entertainment. The streets of gay district Soho will be closed off for five stages of music and dance whilst after parties in the city’s big clubs carry you on until dawn. 
Lowdown: A wide variety of street parties (centred around Rembrantplein) and club events take place all weekend to warm up the city for the spectacular and unique canal parade on Saturday through the Prinsengracht and Amstel river. Hundreds of thousands of visitors head to the city every August, making this one of the biggest public events in the Netherlands.
By the time you’ve paid for pricey flights and accommodation, a trip to New York can seem out of reach for budget travelers. But with 
The Pantheon is one of the most stunning and breathtaking buildings in the world and has stood at the centre of Rome for almost 2,000 years. Its current version was built by Emperor Hadrian in 125 A.D. The most unique feature of the Pantheon is its 7.8-metre hole in its ceiling which floods light throughout the edifice and acts as an ancient sundial. Here you’ll find the tomb of the modern kings of Italy and of Raphael. Filming was done outside the Pantheon but the whole interior was recreated as a set for the film, right down to Raphael’s tomb.