Vondelpark

This is among the most popular places to visit for local residents and tourists alike – and it’s a great area to head to if you’re exploring Amsterdam on a bike.

There’s lots to see as you cycle around Vondelpark, including a rose garden containing 70 varieties of the flower and plenty of quirky street performers.

You could stop for a moment to check out the open air theatre, or swap your bike for rollerskates for another speedy way of getting around the park.

Along The Waterfront

A great way to see just how Amsterdam has changed over the centuries is to cycle along the waterfront.

The southern section in particular offers a fascinating insight into the city’s more modern developments, although you’ll start to see more of a combination of old and new architecture as you head further west.

Look out for the old harbor and buildings made from what looks like lots of brightly-coloured shipping containers, which were designed by local architecture practice MVRDV.

The Nieuwmarkt

The Nieuwmarkt is the place to go for a taste of Amsterdam’s multicultural lifestyle.

This old district is named after the marketplace that was built after the waterways here were filled in during the 17th century, and has seen many fascinating buildings and attractions spring up over the years.

One highlight is the 15th-century De Waag building, which houses a cafe and restaurant and is a superb example of medieval Dutch architecture.

Make sure your cycling route also takes you past the Fo Guang Shan He Hua Temple – or Zeedijk Temple – to see Europe’s biggest Buddhist temple and visit Chinatown to sample some incredible east Asian food.

Want to explore further? The notorious red light district is just next door to the Nieuwmarkt. Contrary to what you might think, it’s not all sex shops and prostitutes here.

In fact, the area is Amsterdam’s oldest district and is home to a wealth of fascinating sights, including independent boutiques, leaning gabled homes and pretty canals.

Waterland District

If you fancy getting out of the city for a while, cycle north to the Waterland district.

Here, you’ll ride past picturesque villages, working fishing towns and large swathes of green land to get a real taste of Dutch country life.

Don’t miss Broek’s wooden houses – which date back to the 17th and 18th centuries – and the yacht harbour at Monnickendam.

You can also take a break from cycling and hop on a boat or scooter for a unique way to see the region.

Westerpark

Yes, another park, but one that is perfect for people-watching. Westerpark is a great place to relax in, especially after it recently underwent regeneration.

Lots of cultural events take place here throughout the year, and you might spot some particularly quirky art exhibits as you cycle around the park (take a closer look at any bodies of water here – you never know what you might find lurking in their depths!).

If all of this has whetted your appetite for a cycling break in Amsterdam, why not seize the moment and book now?

(photo credits: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5)

Top 5 Places To Cycle In Amsterdam - As We Travel - Travel Videos & Travel Blog

Sri Lanka had given us so many contrasting experiences, and the charismatic people we had met along the way had given us different insights into the country and its people.

It was interesting to see how this country has quickly risen from a long time of struggling and hardship, and is today really starting to take shape and create its own identity.

The People

I really enjoyed the people in Sri Lanka, and can honestly say that they were among the friendliest people I’ve met.

We often felt that the people we met were genuinely interested in us, and were happy to share a lot about themselves as well.

Children or adults, they were all easy to talk to and everyone always said hello, waiving from the car or street.

Being invited to a Sri Lankan family’s home was a great example of their open-ness and hospitality, but that wasn’t the only time we experienced this; on the buses and trains, on the streets and in hotels, the people were incredibly friendly and often greeted us with big smiles as soon as you made eye contact.

Many Sri Lankans were very positive about the future, something which you could tell not only in conversations but everywhere around you.

For example, hotels seemed to be built in a way where they could easily add new floors once business was prospering.

The Food

The portions in Sri Lanka are massive – sometimes when we ordered two meals, the waiter would tell us that one would be enough for both of us (some pretty honest people!), which turned out to be very true.

We were expecting the food to be similar to that of India, but found that the Sri Lankan cuisine had a very distinct style of its own.

If you ever travel to Sri Lanka, you have to try their street food! There are Roti (a type of pancake) in an endless variety, lots of pastries, and the very popular buffalo curd, which you will love or hate.

Sri Lankans also seem incredibly fond of their foul smelling “Wood Apple”, which surprisingly tastes delicious as a milkshake.

The Nature

From postcard-perfect beaches with palm trees hanging over the waterfront of a milky turquoise ocean and colorful wooden fishing boats, to lush rain forest, countless of waterfalls and tea plantations – Sri Lanka has some of the most beautiful and diverse nature I’ve ever seen.

There is a little bit of everything for everyone when it comes to the nature in Sri Lanka, surfers and beach bums will love the beaches, hikers will love the mountains and views, and adventurous people will love the wild life and how easy it is to find “unexplored” and “off the beaten path” areas.

You can see a lot of it from the train window, but getting up close with the nature there is a very unique experience!

The Prices

We were actually very surprised, and confused, about the cost of things in Sri Lanka – compared to other countries in South and South East Asia, Sri Lanka is not cheap – you simply get less for what you pay for.

Public transport was insanely cheap, but also incredibly difficult to use – trains often only went twice a day, and at the time we were there they were so overcrowded that even the ticket salesmen often advised us to take a taxi.

To see many of the places and attractions in an area you often need a driver, so hiring one for a week or the entire duration of your stay is actually a really good idea – but naturally, this will also cost you more.

The fees to temples and cultural sites, were often surprisingly high, which put us off a little since we weren’t prepared for that.

So, as a conclusion, Sri Lanka offers a lot to see and do, but to really be able to do it all and get the very most of the country when it comes to attractions, bring a bigger budget than to India and SEA.

Have you been to Sri Lanka? What are your impressions?

Impressions Of Sri Lanka - What You Need To Know! - As We Travel - Travel Videos & Travel Blog

Exploring the hill country of Sri Lanka is a must when visiting the country, and here are some of the best places to start with…

Kandy – Gateway To The Hill-Country

Kandy is the cultural and spiritual capital of Sri Lanka, with some of the country’s most important temples like the Temple of the Tooth, a nice lake, and a bustling local market.

There are lots of restaurants and bakeries in Kandy that are worth exploring, and some great hotels (many of them are perched on top of hills with incredible views), making this city a good base for excursions to the cultural triangle.

The only thing we didn’t like about Kandy was how many people try to hustle you to visit their shops, all with identical routines – so be on your guard!

Ella – Walking Among Nature

Ella is a tiny little village in a large, stunning area which is easy to explore on your own.

Go for a morning walk up to what is locally nicknamed as “Little Adam’s Peak” for the beautiful views, then check out the tea plantation which you walk through on the way back down, visit a waterfall or take a longer hike up to Ella Rock.

Ella is all about the views and being close to nature – everywhere you go in the hill country of Sri Lanka, you’ll see jungles, hills, and tea plantations – while in Malaysia you have to seek them out, here you simply stumble upon these beautiful velvet-looking fields.

When you’re back in the little village again, make sure you try the buffalo curd with treacle at the Curd Shop – a favorite snack in the hill-country region.

Nuwara Eliya – Little England

Nuwara Eliya is a strange place, there is no other way to describe it – with typical British climate and British architecture to top it off, you feel like either you or the town is out of place.

The city center is a boring concrete block, but the outskirts have houses and buildings that are almost more British than Britain itself.

The buildings all give the impression of a glamorous past, one which has faded – and while time has passed and the world has changed, life in and around these buildings are still stuck in the 1920′s England.

Embrace it, have your tea on the porch or in the garden, and then explore the tea plantations surrounding the area.

Pedro’s Tea Estate is close and cheap to get to (800 rupee/6 dollars both ways and the driver will wait for as long a you need). You can pay for a tour around the tea factory if you like, but walking among the cordial-looking hills of tea plants is definitely the highlight.

The plantation has some beautiful views overlooking the lake, and you can watch the workers skillfully picking tea leaves from the bush.

Dalhousie (Adams Peak) – Pilgrimage

There is only one reason to visit the small village hidden deep into the hills and mountains of the hill-country: to climb Adam’s Peak, the most famous pilgrimage site in Sri Lanka.

The 9km long climb up the steps to the top of the hill is not easy, especially not in heavy rain – which we had to climb in – or at 3am in the morning – so make sure you bring good shoes, energy, and clothes to fit the weather (it’s freezing at the top)!

Many people are intrigued to climb the peak to see the amazing sunrise and views from the top, but what is really the most incredible and mindblowing part of the journey is the climb, together with thousands of pilgrims of all ages, struggling to the top.

It’s a sacred site for Buddhists, Christians, Muslims and Hindus, which makes it a very special place.

The area surrounding Dalhousie is very beautiful, with at least a dozen of powerful waterfalls, lush tea plantations and an old stone church on the road from Hatton which is worth checking out.

Have you been to Sri Lanka? Did you enjoy the hill country?

Places To Visit In Sri Lanka - Exploring The Hill Country - As We Travel - Travel Videos & Travel Blog

As the bright red three-wheeler slowly made its way up the steep hill, we left the noisy, bustling city of Kandy behind to stay at Theva Residency - a boutique hotel catering for people looking for pure relaxation and an amazing view.

We were exhausted after climbing Adam’s Peak the day before, so Theva Residency was exactly what we needed – a place to relax and rejuvenate, leaving all our troubles behind and just enjoy.

Overview.

The hotel clings to the hillside, blending in with the surrounding nature, almost as though it was part of it.

When stepping through the door to our suite on the top floor, we were in awe: the view from the spacious windows was spectacular; the city, the nature, the surrounding hill tops and a temple with a huge white sitting buddha on top of a hill, could all be seen from our bedroom - it was the kind of view that makes you feel like you own the world.

The Food

The food served in the restaurant was superb, with an interesting choice of dishes – having a big sweet tooth, the desserts on the menu seemed too good to resist, so I decided for a selection of home made ice creams to have as a pre-course…

The breakfast was delicious and very filling, with a range of cakes and pastries, home made jams, a variety of egg dishes, and a scrumptious fruit salad – the perfect way to start the next day.

Location

The hotel is situated on Hantana mountain, and while it feels like you’re a world away from Kandy, it’s only about 2 km to the city center, making it a wonderful place to be based.

The Hotel

There are 10 rooms in Theva Residency, and we stayed in the Suite on the top floor – our room was spacious and bright, with large panoramic windows, and its very own jacuzzi hot tub.

All the rooms at Theva have high-speed WiFi, TV and DVD player (with loads of movies to watch) and are designed using natural materials like wood, stone, pure cotton and linen. After some time in the hotel’s sauna or sunbathing on the deck,  you can cool off in the infinity pool with the most amazing views.

We would definitely recommend this place for your next stay in Kandy – the unbeatable views, and the wonderful hospitality of the staff  made for a memorable visit to Kandy.

(Our stay in Kandy was sponsored by Theva Residency, but as always our opinions are our own.)

Theva Residency – Perfection In Kandy, Sri Lanka - As We Travel - Travel Videos & Travel Blog

Sri Lanka is famous for being the place where many beach and sunset postcards and ‘desktop screen savers’ are taken - and by visiting the beaches you’ll see why …

The general vibe of the beach towns is very relaxed and laid back, making you feel like there is not a worry in the world – in other words, a perfect vacation destination.

Here are three great places to visit in Sri Lanka along the coast…

Hikkaduwa

Hikkaduwa is a laid back beach town with a lively main road and a beautiful long beach lined with guesthouses and restaurants.

During high season it’s a good beach for beginners who would like to try surfing, while in the off season the waves get quite big, making it a popular place for professional surfers.

There are parts of the beaches where you can swim in calm waters and even go snorkeling (and swim with turtles!) in the reef.

We spent our days in Hikkauwa surfing, swimming and getting acquainted with all the different Sri Lankan food - and before we knew it almost a week had gone past!

Galle

There is a quiet calm over the streets in Galle Fort – locals half sitting, half lying down in chairs under ceiling fans, children playing cricket on the porches – there is not a sign of stress anywhere to be seen.

We joined the rest of the locals in the little area, and sat for hours in cafes with a pot of tea, talking to our table neighbors and the waiter, feeling no need to leave any time soon.

A light ocean breeze sweeps through the streets every now and then, making it possible to explore the town without fainting from the heat.

Old colonial European-style houses line the streets, painted in bright colors with Hibiscus flowers hanging over the walls and from the balconies of the long and narrow buildings.

In the old days you had to pay tax on the width of your home, which resulted in people building narrow homes and instead extending in length – these houses remain to this day.

Quaint little tea houses and art galleries are scattered around the town, next to gem boutiques and antique shops - Galle is also a good base to explore the nearly beaches by bus or three-wheeler during the day.

Unnawatuna

Unnawatuna is a more quiet beach town without the hectic main road of Hikkaduwa, where the water is calm and clear, and where your hotel is located quite literally in the water.

This is a place for pure relaxation, with palm trees hanging over the waterfront providing a nice shade, and three-wheeler drivers waiting to take you on day excursions to turtle sanctuaries and spice gardens.

Having breakfast at the beach with the waves touching your feet is a lovely way to start the day.

Have you been to any of Sri Lanka’s amazing beaches? Which did you enjoy the most?

Places To Visit In Sri Lanka - Exploring The Coast - As We Travel - Travel Videos & Travel Blog

“Are you shaking the bed?” Nathan suddenly asked me- I wasn’t, but I could feel the whole ground slightly shaking under me – as I looked around the room I noticed that the mirrors were shaking too.

Thousands of miles across the ocean, we could feel the vibrations from the massive earthquake which had just struck the coast of Indonesia.

We didn’t think much more of it at the time, until one of the local travel agents asked Nathan if he had heard anything about a tsunami coming.

At first we thought it was some kind of bad joke, but as we checked out Twitter Search, the newsfeed was going crazy.

Nobody really knew what to think, believe or do – Hikkaduwa had been badly damaged from the tsunami in 2006, so this warning was not something people there took lightly.

We had two options:to risk it and stay, or to evacuate and seek higher ground – ten minutes later we had packed a small bag of the most necessary things, and walked out on the street.

The laid back main street had suddenly turned into a ghost town, the shops were closed and the streets empty from people – most of the locals had already left.

We didn’t want to waste any time, and so we simply looked on a map for a village that seemed far away enough in-land and told the driver to take us there.

At first the driver laughed when we told him where we wanted to go, but then he suddenly got a serious look on his face and agreed to take us there for almost nothing, perhaps he had realized the danger and wanted to get out of there as well.

Shortly after we left, the whole town was forced to evacuate.

Once he had dropped us off we realized why he had laughed - we found ourselves in the middle of nowhere in a tiny country village which probably no tourists ever visited as there was no reason to go there - I’ve never been stared at so much in my life! :p

We walked up and down the main road (the only road there), trying to find somewhere we could wait and follow the news – but there were no restaurants or hotels to be found anywhere.

We finally found a tiny eatery with a small TV that was hardly working, and sat down to wait, we asked the boy serving us if there was a hotel around, but he shook his head apologetically.

Having no idea what to do next, we started walking again …

Five minutes later the boy from the restaurant caught up with us on his bicycle, and with a low and slightly shy voice said that if we wanted to we could stay the night with him and his family.

It was only our second day in Sri Lanka, and already we were experiencing the kind-ness and hospitality that the Sri Lankan people are so famous for.

The boy’s family took us in with open arms, arranged a bed for us to sleep in and made a huge effort to make us feel at home in their house, serving us a wonderful dinner in their lounge.

In the evening, the tsunami warning was cancelled – but with the warm hospitality coming from this family we ended up staying the night and spent the rest of the evening hanging out with them – talking about everything and nothing, watching movies and getting an amazing insight into the lives of the people of the country.

There is no doubt that uncertain events like these bring people together, and as we parted the next day we had made some great new friends and exchanged email with a promise to visit again next time we traveled to Sri Lanka …

How A Tsunami Evacuation Connected Us With The Locals - As We Travel - Travel Videos & Travel Blog

There are many all inclusive vacations that are really amazing experiences, it’s just about finding them, and finding what works for you.

Here are my tips on how to find the best all inclusive vacations…

Step 1: Find The Popular & Awarded Resorts

One of the best ways to make sure that you get a good all inclusive vacation is to find the most popular resorts – it is true that just because they’re popular it doesn’t mean that they are the best, but it’s a good place to start.

Also make sure to see what types of resorts these are, whether they’re focused on families, singles, couples or seniors.

Step 2: Search For Photos & Reviews

After you’ve found some popular resorts, google the resort and add “review” after the name, to see what pops up.

TripAdvisor and VirtualTourist will likely have many pages of reviews from people who have taken all inclusive vacations to these resorts, so you can read about their experiences.

Then check out the photos and compare them with the “perfect ones” shown on their own website or in the brochure.

Step 3: Choose Your Destination Carefully

When looking for the best all inclusive vacations, keep in mind that most of them are beach-oriented destinations and often count on you not leaving the resort – so a beautiful area makes a big difference.

If you want to do other things than just have fun in the sun by the beach, make sure you find out where it is and how easy it is to get around.

Find out what a taxi would cost from the resort to different attractions (do this by finding out the price per kilometer in the country), and if there are any bus stops nearby.

There are of course all inclusive resorts in the cities or close to them as well, so you will definitely find something – but location is everything!

Step 4: Compare Prices

Sometimes booking with an agent can turn out cheaper, other times not – don’t go for the first place you find, but compare the prices to see which one can offer you the best value.

Last minute vacations is another good option to find cheaper deals, so sign up for news-letters and stay updated.

Things To Ask Yourself…

Will You Use What’s Included?

The meaning of “all inclusive” seems to vary between hotels, and some might include less than others and still call it “all inclusive”.

Ask yourself if you really are going to use what’s included? My sister went on an all inclusive vacation last month, and ate at other restaurants every day – not using the free food at the hotel.

Will You Want What’s Not Included?

Say you stay at an all inclusive resort in Orlando, but want to spend all day every day at Disneyland and have to pay for taxi there, entrance ticket and food there – maybe it would have been cheaper to stay in the theme park instead?

Also remember to count the flight there and back – taking all inclusive vacations from Toronto down to Brazil might look cheaper on the price of the resort than one in Florida, but the flight ticket might cost you a lot more.

Look For Your Likes

Does the resort have other things to do?

Does it offer sport facilities like tennis courts, golf course, kayaks etc?

What are some of the excursions you can take from there, and do they seem like something you would like to do?

Remember that even beach bums want a change of pace, so make sure your resort can offer something to do.

Is It Worth It?

See what really is included in the price, what kind of food is offered – if you’re not a drinker you might not find the “free alcohol” very appealing, and the days of the buffet dinners are long gone, many resorts offer better dining options today.

Also find out if you could have gotten it cheaper by arranging food and accommodation on your own for the same quality.

Do you take all inclusive vacations? If so, what’s the best all inclusive vacation you’ve taken?

(photo credits: 1 - 2 -  3)

How To Find The Best All Inclusive Vacations - As We Travel - Travel Videos & Travel Blog

There are so many things to see, but the only problem with traveling around China is the distance between all the must-see places.

The best way to see a lot in a short time is probably to take a few China tours, so you can spend more time at the attractions than getting to them - I can’t wait to explore China, and these are the reasons why…

Wonders Of The World 

China’s long history has left behind some amazing works of art, culture and architecture.

From the army of 8000 Terracotta warriors to the 1000 year old Leshan Buddha – the largest Buddha statue in the world, there are many world famous wonders in China.

However, the number one wonder to see is of course the Great Wall of China.

This 2000 year old wall that stretches over 5000 km across the country, is one of the most popular attractions in China.

I would like to take Great Wall of China tours to the more remote sections of the wall, and maybe stay overnight nearby to see the golden color of the wall at dawn.

Another fascinating place I would love to explore is Mount Wudang with its temples, palaces and bridges, and Nathan wants to go there for its world famous martial arts – both Tai Chi and Wudang Kung Fu were first practiced on this mountain.

Ancient Cities

China has the third largest number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites (after Italy and Spain), and due to its long history there are many ancient beautiful cities and temples.

The Forbidden City is one of the ancient cities that interests me the most.

The city got its name from being off-limits to the world for 500 years, it wasn’t until the 20th century that the public was allowed in.

Perhaps because of this, the city has the best preserved ancient buildings in China, and is home to the largest ancient palace in the world.

Enchanting Landscape & Wildlife 

While China’s cities seem crazy and fun to visit, it’s the landscape and nature on the country side that attracts me the most to this country.

Ancient rivers and lakes, sacred mountains and limestone hills, the diverse nature that has inspired artists and poets or centuries would be a beautiful sight.

Aside from the tranquil nature, China also has one of the greatest diversity of wildlife in the world, including the Giant Panda, South China tiger, golden-haired monkey, white flag dolphin among many others.

I would love to visit the Chengdu Research base of Giant Panda Breeding, to see – and maybe even hold, a panda.

Great Shopping

Shanghai, Beijing and Hong Kong are often referred to as shopping meccas of the world.

From huge street markets and gigantic shopping malls, to tiny boutiques and corner shops, along with massive sale seasons – these cities are made for serious shoppers.

I get the feeling that the shopping malls that amazed me in Kuala Lumpur would be nothing compared to the ones in Hong Kong, where some have over 700 stores..!

Have you been to China? If so, what was your best experience?

(photo credit: 1 - 2 -  3 -  4)

4 Reasons China Is On My Travel Wish List - As We Travel - Travel Videos & Travel Blog

Many of the people I know have either never gone on holidays to Thailand, or they have gone at least twice.

There is something captivating about the country that makes people go back again and again, some even make a habit of it when they travel – and fly to bangkok for that little kick, that spark, before moving on.

Why do people love going back to Thailand? We all have our own reasons – here are some of mine…

The Beaches

You only need to look at Tripadvisor’s latest “award” for the best beach destinations in Asia 2012, and you’ll get my point.

7 beach destinations out of 10 on the top list were located in Thailand – if you want long, white beaches, clear turquoise water, coral reefs and cheap bungalows right on the sand – Thailand has it.

Many people have been going on Phuket holidays year after year, but are now starting to look around for more options – which there’s plenty of (and yes, there are still many secluded beaches!).

Personally, I wish there were a few beaches with good surfing, but I guess you can’t have everything …

The Easiness

It almost seems like every new place I travel to reconfirms the fact of just how easy traveling around Thailand is.

In many of the cheaper countries we’ve been to, getting around has been a huge hassle and very limited – in some places you can only choose between private taxis or taking horrific overcrowded and slow public transport.

I don’t expect it to always be easy and smooth, but from our experience you have a good range of options in Thailand.

You can go third class if you like, but the VIP First class buses are cheap and awesome as well, and knowing that you have the option makes things so easy.

Things like Wi-fi connection is another thing that hotels in Thailand seem to really get, where in other countries in Asia it’s near impossible to find.

The Food

I won’t say that I enjoyed all the food in Thailand, but there are a few favorites that I have longed for many times during the past year; the curries in northern Thailand, the banana pancakes, the typical fruit shakes, the fresh warm corn waffles from local street vendors, pad thai, mango sticky rice etc … :p

The Prices

I was often surprised by how much cheaper accommodation was in Thailand compared to many of its neighboring countries, and the wide range of street stalls everywhere makes it super easy to grab a cheap snack or meal.

The cheap prices is one of the main reasons why Thailand has become a good base for digital nomads, where you can live cheaply and have more money left over to spend on building up your company.

Besides, when we looked for an apartment in different places around the world, we often found that you got more for your money in Thailand – maybe you spend the same, but you live a lifestyle impossible for that same price in Europe.

Have you been to Thailand? If so, what makes you want to go back there again?

Why People Visit Thailand Again & Again - As We Travel - Travel Videos & Travel Blog

After having traveled extensively through Europe in the last few years we have found that prices vary highly between every country, and depending on where you go you can either make or break your budget.

Also remember that it’s not just the destination that decides the price of your trip – to make sure you stay on budget, don’t be cheap with your travel insurance. It’s better to be safe than sorry, and to spend a little extra money on getting travel insurance with medical conditions (if you have them) – since if you risk it and something bad happens, your trip will certainly be one of the most expensive you’ve taken..!

A General Rule For Cheap European Vacations

As a general rule, countries in Eastern Europe tend to be cheaper – there are some great places to visit in the Balkans and Baltics.

A few exceptions in Eastern Europe is Turkey and Greece, which from our experience are quite expensive to travel in.

Here are some great destinations for those looking for cheap European vacations this summer…

Bosnia

Bosnia is a true gem in the Balkans, with some fascinating cities, beautiful nature and charismatic people.

Traveling by bus around the country is cheap, and a great way of seeing the countryside.

Eating local food and in local restaurants (i.e not the touristy ones) is very cheap; a coffee and Borek (a traditional savory pastry) is about €2, and you can get a descent meal with drink for €5.

Sarajevo and Mostar are two great places we recommend to check out, but there are many other places to see and things to do – like white water rafting in Neretva river.

Portugal

Portugal is one of my favorite destinations in western Europe, with charming cities, lovely people and fascinating food.

There is a great variety of things to do in Portugal, from surfing in the south, to exploring the Fado restaurants in Lisbon, or wander the narrow streets of the picturesque town Porto in the north.

There are some great deals to find in Portugal, especially in Porto.

There are plenty of cheap snacks to buy in the corner shops, and there are hostels offering amazing value.

Croatia

Croatia isn’t as cheap as many other Eastern European countries, but for a beach destination, Croatia is the perfect alternative to Greece (which for the record, doesn’t seem to have gotten any cheaper despite the economic crisis).

The coastline is incredibly beautiful, with quaint fishing villages and islands with awesome nightlife.

Food, accommodation and drinks come relatively cheap, and you can travel cheap both on the mainland as well as go island hopping between the islands.

The capital city Zagreb (which generally seems a bit cheaper) and the historic city Dubrovnik offer amazing culture and history for when you’ve had enough of the beach life.

Estonia

Estonia is our favorite among the Baltic countries – the capital city Tallinn is adorable, with charming cobble stoned streets, interesting attractions and friendly people.

Don’t miss out on trying the huge delicious pancakes at Kompressor (Rataskaevu Tänav 3, in the Old Town) which at €1-5 is a steal!

Berlin (Germany)

I say Berlin instead of Germany because the rest of Germany isn’t as cheap as Berlin.

Summers in Berlin don’t get as hot and unbearable as in many other cosmopolitan cities in Europe, so if you are looking for a shopping weekend getaway, you will find summer a perfect time to visit and get the best of the city.

You can find some great value on accommodation, and there are cheap restaurants, bakeries and bars everywhere.

Czech Republic

Some people might complain about how Czech republic isn’t as cheap as it used to be, but in the big picture it’s still cheap.

You can get a nice hotel room in the city center for the same price as a hostel in other countries in Europe, their famous beer can be enjoyed for €1,5 and you get large portions of their hearty cuisine for well under €10.

The country itself is beautiful and has some interesting places to visit, Prague being the most popular, nicknamed the “city of a thousand spires”.

What is you favorite cheap destination in Europe?

(photo credit: 1 -  2 -  3)

Cheap European Vacations – Where To Go This Summer - As We Travel - Travel Videos & Travel Blog