European countries are considered the most comfortable for travel: they are not as noisy and polluted as Asia, and not as life-threatening as the Middle East.
On trips to Europe, there is always something to be surprised about - not only cathedrals, art galleries and clean narrow streets. Much more surprise brings the ever-growing euro rate, which automatically raises the cost of travel. This dependence is true - of course, if you do not know a few lifesthaks for cheap holidays in the countries of the European continent.
1. Volunteering
Reserves, educational centers, small organic farms, archaeological excavations and botanical gardens are in most cases 12 months a year glad to accept all possible help from enthusiasts who are ready to work for free. However, the concept of "free" in this case is relative to: volunteers pay for the trip, provide food, housing and clothing, help with the issuance of a visa. In her free time (she takes several hours a day), volunteers communicate with local residents, inspect the sights and entertain all possible. What is not free rest?
2. Refusal of intermediary services
Contextual advertising services are provided by every Internet search engine today. As soon as a potential tourist begins to be interested in the country in which he would like to go, he encounters obsessive banners promising help in everything regarding the trip.
Consultations on the selection of the route, airfare packages, assistance in obtaining documents for obtaining a visa are the most popular ways to earn money on tourists. They can be called beneficial with great exaggeration: intermediaries will help fill out a visa application in a foreign language, but do not guarantee 100% confidence in its receipt. Flights, if it is supposed to be transplanted, it is generally easier to choose independently, focusing on a convenient time interval.
3. Season Selection
Any hotelier, air carrier or travel agent knows when a "hot season" begins in one or another part of Europe. Santorini and Ibiza are filled to capacity in July and August, and Prague and Berlin are experiencing an influx each year before Christmas. Along with the increase in attendance, the appetites of those who set the prices for tickets and accommodation also grow: after all, if one tourist finds the price of a room or tickets overpriced, the second will gladly agree to it.
To protect yourself from this injustice, you can use only one method: selecting dates of the trip that do not coincide with the high season in a particular city. During this period, prices are down and there are all kinds of package services and bonuses at bargain prices.
4. Early booking
For those who travel often, it is extremely advantageous to be subscribed to the distribution of sites that aggregate ticket sales and hotel reservations. This gives a unique opportunity to regularly receive the latest information about promotions, discounts and special offers. The newsletter reports the start of ticket sales for 4-6 months before departure at prices that are understated by 20-30% of the original cost.
5. Lowcosters
Airlines-loukostery - a real find for avid travelers. They regularly hold discounts and promotions, during which you can buy a ticket to another country for 10-20 euros. The constant price tag also favorably differs from the usual carriers. To achieve a low price is possible at the expense of less comfortable conditions: installation of an additional row of seats, the cancellation of power in the cabin or restrictions on the transportation of baggage. A significant disadvantage of loukosterov can be considered rigid return conditions.
6. Bus Tours
The most economical mode of transport for traveling in Europe is the long distance bus. The European continent has advantages over island exotic states: almost to any city can be reached by bus. In the agency you can buy a ready tour with several transplants or make a route yourself. Buses are also convenient because they call in even small provincial cities of European countries.
7. Search for fellow travelers
It's not just about finding fellow travelers, with whom you can share the payment of a taxi from the airport or moving from one city to another. Through the Internet you can find like-minded people for a discount on the hotel, a subscription to museums or a collective excursion. In large cities, you can rent one car for two or three to quickly and inexpensively inspect all the sights.
8. Cancellation of the hotel
The need for a hotel reservation when visiting European cities is justified in case of a business trip or a romantic getaway. Travelers alone, young people and those who want to save money should not be wasted on a luxury number. Depending on the expected level of comfort, it is much cheaper to look at flats renting and hostels. Pros of the latter will be the opportunity to tighten the knowledge of foreign languages.
9. CouchSurfing
Couch-surfing is called a completely new kind of tourism, in which the traveler is only spent on tickets and small personal purchases. Through a special website, he negotiates with the resident of the country of destination and receives free housing, and sometimes city tours, meeting new people and other unusual experiences. The guest is not obligated to the host party - except respect, fascinating communication and decency.
10. Meals with local
Restaurants increase the cost of meals, including a service charge and a beautiful interior. If you look at the locals, you can quickly determine the points of catering, where the price corresponds to the quality. In addition, this is the best way to get acquainted with the authentic cuisine of the country without risk to health. Europe in this regard is significantly different from Asia, in which control over the safety of street food is practically not carried out.
11. Savings on water
In European countries, water costs at least 2-3 euros for 500 ml, so spending on it during a long holiday is visible for a modest purse. If you buy once a bottle, you can get a container for a set of liquids. In any city in the central streets are fountains with drinking water, thanks to which you can make the necessary supply of liquid for several hours. In principle, tap water is also safe, if there is no sign over it with a crossed-out glass or "not for drinking".