When booking a vacation in Europe don't be put off by the exchange rate or the price tags.
There are many wonderful cities to visit in Europe which make the perfect destination for a vacation. Whether it's quaint villages and coffee shops you are interested in or historical sites and museums Europe has some fantastic and affordable destinations to choose from.
Make an informed choice BEFORE you book so you will have complete peace of mind on your vacation.
You work too hard to throw away your hard earned money on tourist trap cities when taking a vacation. As airline companies and hotels alike hike up their prices during the summer months in what they call "peak season" it is vital that you make sure you are getting value for your money. It's always advisable to book as early as possible and to make sure you know exactly what grade of room you will be getting when you arrive at your hotel.
You can get some great additional information from this article on the usnews.com website.
1: Prague
A city steeped in a rich history, Prague boasts amazing attractions and very affordable prices. As well as being the 5th most visited city in Europe it is also said to be the 20th most affordable destination in the world. Prague is the capital city of the Czech Republic and is home to about 1.3 million people. With over 1000 years of history, wars, fires and floods this resilient city is now a bustling tourist destination. Offering bargain prices on good quality hotel rooms, rental cars and admission to attractions it is well worth considering a visit to this unique destination.
2: Lisbon
The capital of Portugal situated on the glorious southwestern tip of Europe is a wonderful vacation destination and especially great for families. Lisbon is known to offer way lower price tags than it's other European counterparts like Rome and Paris. Whether it's nightlife, sumptuous meals or historic attractions you are looking for this city has it all and it won't break the bank. It is the oldest city in western Europe predating even London and Paris and is now a growing financial center.
3: Budapest
Budapest is not only the capital and largest city in Hungary it is also the seventh biggest city in Europe. With a population of roughly 3.3 million people it is an eclectic mix of the old and the new. Noted for it's stunning and elaborate period architecture and rich history this city has a lot to offer it's visitors. From hikes in beautiful trails to a boat ride on the River Danube there is never a dull moment in Budapest and entry to the sites and attractions are significantly cheaper than those most other cities in Europe.
4: Barcelona
As well as being the 6th most populated urban area in Europe it is also the largest metropolis on the Mediterranean sea. The lively nightlife scene is renowned in Barcelona as are the numerous museums art galleries and outdoor markets. Unfortunately the cities prices have become inflated more recently mainly due to it's increased popularity among tourists, nevertheless food and travel are still significantly more reasonable than other European cities of it's size.
5: Istanbul
Istanbul in Turkey is one of the most unique cities in Europe. It's vast area makes it one of the largest cities in the world. Istanbul is situated in Europe but a third of turkey and the population live in the continent of Asia. As you can already tell this is not so much a quaint little middle European city. Istanbul is a heavily middle eastern influenced city with numerous massive "Souks" or outdoor markets. One of the main advantages of visiting this city is the price factor with accommodation, food and entertainments costing only a fraction of other popular European destinations. Getting around the place is a bit of a pain and you need to fork out cash for taxis to get anywhere. Nevertheless you can afford to stay for a few extra days as the money you save on most things here make it very affordable.
6: Crete
The island of Crete is one of the 13 administrative regions of Greece. Situated in the southern part of the Aegean Sea it is an idilic setting and one of the most stunning cities in Europe. Although it's not cheap to get there, you more than make up for your money in the low cost accommodations available there. The best deals are to be had in the urban areas, the food is sumptuous and the local hospitality second to none. There is plenty to do on the island from relaxing in the sun to excursions and tours so you will have plenty to do.