how to save money on european transportation

I've been to Europe twice now, each time trying to fit in as many countries as humanly possible. The only downside of hopping between countries is the cost of transportation can really add up. But, i'm going to share with you a few different things to consider to keep your transportation costs low.

1. Don't just stick to train travel.

Europe has plenty of budget airlines and/ or bus services that end up costing less than the train would. I once found a flight from Rome to Barcelona for $.01. I'm not kidding. The penny flight turned out to cost more around $50 with taxes and baggage fees, but even at $50, I wasn't complaining. One of the best sites i've found for comparing train, flights, and bus travel in Europe is GoEuro. Unfortunately, it is only optimized in three countries so far, but judging by the name, they definitely seem to have much bigger ambitions.  I only wish I had known about GoEuro sooner!

2. Don't take taxis.

This is generally my rule of thumb whenever I travel (unless i'm terribly late for a flight). Taxis are so expensive and limiting. By taking local transportation like buses or subways, you save a lot more money and get to experience the city like a local.

3. Try alternative rental car services.

Seattle has had an influx of little white and blue smart cars called Car2Go.  Brian and I recently became members when we were visiting Austin because we thought it would be a great way to see the city without having to pay rental car prices. The amazing thing about Car2Go is it is expanding in Europe. Right now they are in Munich, Vienna, and Berlin. Basically with Car2Go you pay a one time $35 initiation fee and then pay $.41 cents a minute. That's it. You can  pick up cars closest to you  or reserve them on your phone,  then you drive to your destination,  and just leave your car. You don't even have to pay for parking or gas. It is pretty much amazing.

4. Sleeper trains are the best.

One of my favorite things about Europe are the sleeper trains. Not only do you save a night in a hotel room, you also get to wake up in a new place. We took an overnight train from Switzerland to Paris and it was lovely to be able to walk around, eat in the meal cart, and watch the scenery fly by.

5. Consider open jaw flights.

An open jaw flight allows you to select a stop over for as few or as many days as you would like. I particularly love open jaw flights because the price doesn't drastically increase, but you are able to squeeze in another location. I use this little travel hack almost every time I travel. Just look for an option on your booking site that lets you select "multiple cities."

What tricks do you have for saving money in Europe?

Travel Tip Tuesday: How to Find the Best Airfare in 2012

Ahh airfare. It is a traveler's worst enemy...the huge chunk of change eating away at your hard earned savings,  but staying at home is not an option, so you (wince) book the flight and forget about the sticker shock. 

For me,  flight booking time comes with an unhealthy obsession with finding the best price. I spend hours scoring every site online, battling all those tiny pop-up windows in search of that illusive deal. 

Well, thanks to travel expert Jim Cochran, those flight deals just became a lot easier to attain!

How to find the best airfare deals in 2012:

Words via here

Find Incleborough House in Norfolk, Here!

I still have no idea what campbling or glamping is but I assume it is glamorous camping?  Any ideas?

Travel Tip #2: Argentina

Travel Tip #2

When in Argentina, eat membrillo and cheese. Seriously you must try this, even outside of Argentina, it will change your life.

When we were in Argentina a few years back we stumbled upon this red jelly-esque substance in the grocery store.  We were later informed that Argentinians eat it with a bit of cheese as a dessert or a sweet snack. Once we tried it, we were hooked and continued to eat the stuff, day and night, throughout our whole trip. 

Membrillo (pronounced MEM-BRI-JO, the Argentinian way or MEM-BRI-YO, the Spanish way) is a paste made out of quinces, which are small apple like fruit, but way more tart.

To make membrillo, you simply need to combine quinces (if available), sugar, lemon, and water.  You can find detailed instructions here, or take the lazy way out and buy some (which is what I do).  Membrillo is usually in the cheese aisle at any Whole Foods, or specialty foods store. I pare slices of membillo with manchego cheese for a perfect and easy dessert.

Photos via here

*Side note: when in South America, you must also share Mate with a local!

Travel Tip Tuesday! How not to get mugged...

I've decided to start a new post topic for Tuesdays, dedicated to things I've learned on the "road."

Tip #1

How not to get mugged on a train in Italy

I'll start this tip off with a story. I've lived in Europe, traveled throughout twice and never really felt threatened, despite my occasional run-ins with gypsies and undercover cops (that's another story). 

But, on the last week we spent in Italy, my mom and I took a train from Florence to the Cinque Terre. I sat and read in the booth, oblivious to the world around me, until my mom started screaming "No,""No!" She also started doing that "I see you" hand thing, pointing to her eyes and then to the gypsies, so I knew something serious was going on... I looked up to find four big gypsy women centering in on us, and that's when I realized we were the only ones left in that section of the train! 

The gypsy women would circle us and ask for money and then go back to their booths and stuff baby slings with newspaper. Rick Steve's told me that this little trick usually ends in a live baby being thrown at you.  

Anyway, they got too close for comfort after they blatantly kept pointing at our suitcases and plotting how to beat us up. So we did what any rational person would have...we pushed our way up out of the seat, swung our far too heavy of suitcases into the gypsies and took off running.  We eventually spotted a nice Italian man and sat next to him. He immediately informed us to be careful because there are a lot of gypsies on the train. 

So lesson learned...when in Italy and traveling by train, make sure you are not sitting in an empty train car.

*I have no problem with gypsies on a whole, just the ones on that train!

Leaving Florence...

We made it to Vernazza!