Europe
Best spots to shop in London
London is probably out of the most famous tourist destinations, if not number one in Europe. It has more than 17 million visitors annually, who come to explore and enjoy the varied attractions and activities that the city has to offer. With so many visitors, the city has a diverse choice of hotels to choose from.
A good pay to save money on accommodation costs is to look for the London hotel special offers, which top hotels offer at most parts of the year.
And in terms of location it is best to choose a hotel near Piccadilly Circus station, as it will be very convenient to get to the major attractions as well as top shopping spots, which are a stroll away. The city is renowned as a top destination for shopping that caters to a wide variety of budgets. Whether you want to penny pinch or break the bank, there are plenty of options for wither. The retail therapy on London is quite unlike any other metropolis, with some of the best spots to shop in the city including the following…..
Oxford Street: It has cemented its reputation as being the numero uno spot to shop at in the city. It is focal point of shopping in London. With 4 underground stations, flagship stores of some of the biggest brands and companies and more than 300 shops it is veritable shopper’s paradise. Apart from being the largest shopping district it is also the busiest in the city. Just some of the big names that you will find here include Selfridge’s, H&M, Topshop, Debenham’s etc with the biggest Primark outlet on the world, among numerous other names. From accessories to clothes, souvenirs to shoes you can bet Oxford Street has it all! After you have shopped your heart out there are plenty of options to grab a bite or drink in the area. There are some great dining options in the area, which serve some of the finest treats that are a good way to wind down after a hectic bout of shopping. There are guided tours of the area like the Piccadilly Circus Food Tour, which offers visitors a great opportunity to go on a gastronomic journey through areas. These cover Soho (perfect for British classics and international fare) Chinatown and enjoying sweet treats at Fortnum & Mason’s in the centre of Piccadilly!
Knightsbridge: Another premium shopping area that needs deep pockets! It is where you will find the best in luxury with some of the most well known and prestigious fashion and retail names on the planet. These include fashion heavy weights of the likes of Gucci, Prada, Agent Provocateur, Burberry and Christian Louboutin among many other premium fashion houses. Knightsbridge is synonymous with high fashion and is home to two of the finest department stores in Europe which are Harrod’s and Harvey Nichols. Of the two Harrod’s is a great place to window-shop, even if you do not plan on buying anything with a visit to its fabulous food court is highly recommended.
Bond Street: If you have deep pockets and are a connoisseur of only the finest in luxury, then Bond Street is the place to shop at. You will find the best designer labels at Bond Street, which include names like Michael Kors, Burberry, Tiffany & Co, Louis Vuitton to name just a few. Bond Street also is the only exclusive area in the UK to have Abercrombie & Fitch and Victoria’s Secret official stores. Even if your budget is more limited, taking a stroll down and window shopping on Bond Street offers a wonderful opportunity to see some of the finest window displays in the city.
Carnaby Street: Carnaby Street is located on the outskirts of Soho and has a number of cool shops and bars to hang out. Once upon a time it was the hub of London, in the swinging sixties and still has a good number of quirky and retro shops for one-of-a kind goods and international brands. It is home to more than 150 shops as well as more than 50 restaurants and plenty of bars. If you are tired of shopping on the main streets of the city, Carnaby is a great alternative to shop at. With quaint little alleys and cobbled streets it is a lovely place to shop at and spend a relaxed afternoon having a meal in the area.
Regent Street: One of the most striking features of Regent Street is its design, which was created in the 19th century by John Nash. Its graceful architecture makes it the most visually attractive of all the shopping areas in London. It has classy vistas and is tastefully decorated all through the year (with Christmas being its best) which makes it a great spot to shop and enjoy the magnificent views all around. You will find a wide variety of shopping options from high street brands to more affordable items to choose from. While there, make it a point to head to Hamleys (the largest toy store in the world) that is a popular destination for kids. You will find a range of colourful characters outside the shop ranging from Captain Sparrow to Barbie!
King’s Road: It is located in the centre of Chelsea and is one long stretch of an eclectic array of shops, boutiques, restaurants and bars. There are plenty of high-end fashion shops to choose from along with antiques at its famous antiques market. The area is popular with tourists, locals as well as celebrities that make shopping in Chelsea a terrific experience. It also is a great spot for literary enthusiasts, as it has plenty of areas that have links to some of the greatest writers of all time. Literary greats like George Eliot, Bram Stoker, Oscar Wilde and George Eliot to name some of them.
Europe
What is the best casino cashback bonus Ireland has to offer?
Europe
Paris on a Budget: Best Cheap Eats in Paris
While Paris used to be regarded as an expensive city, you can now enjoy Paris on a Budget. Use our guide to find the Best Cheap Eats in Paris.
Although Paris has a reputation for being one of the most expensive cities globally, the rumors are now unfounded. In 2012, Paris dropped ten places in the Mercer cost of living survey. And with the Euro looking weak, now is probably a good time to find cheap flights and discover the city of love on a budget.
Eating in Paris can catch a lot of tourists out. Avoid the expensive restaurants serving fancy dishes like salmon wellington and snooty maître d’s on the Champs Elysees and follow our guide for the best cheap eats in Paris. Spend less on food and possibly splurge on friendly hotels in Paris instead!
Girl eating croissant in Paris
Best Cheap Eats in Paris
Head to the Marais
Famous for its selection of ethnic eateries, the trendy Marais area of Paris is perfect for picking up a quick snack.
Check out L’As du Falafel, where you can grab a flatbread bursting with golden fried balls of falafel, smothered in hummus and accompanied with red cabbage. For €4 to take away, you can’t argue with that. Simply head to Chez Hanna down the street for equally tasty food at similarly low prices if it’s too busy.
Enjoy an Oriental baguette.
Vietnamese food is popular in France, and nowhere can you see the fusion of two cultures more clearly than at Saigon Sandwich in the Belleville district of Paris. Their specialty, banh mi, is light and crusty French baguette filled with flavors of South East Asia.
There are only a few options (poulet, boeuf, Maison, and unique), but for €3 ago, you could happily sample them all.
Find French food on the cheap.
Believe it or not, there are some restaurants specializing in French cuisine that won’t see you stumbling into your overdraft. Les Temps des Cerises is one of them.
Described by Yelp as a “Dive Bar,” nothing could be further from the truth. Run by a cooperative, it attracts a distinctly bohemian crowd. The menu is small, but the food is prepared from ingredients that sing with freshness and high quality.
Eat like a local celebrity …
Rumour has it that Pierre Herme, one of Paris’s most celebrated pastry chefs, visits the Belleville restaurant Le Baratin. The prices are surprisingly low for the delicious Argentinian fare.
Time Out Magazine recommends the tuna carpaccio with cherries or the spicy basque lamb. Pop in at lunchtime for the prixe fix menu. At €18 for three courses it’s hard to complain.
… or eat like a local office worker
Bistro Victoires is a favorite amongst Paris’s locals. It doesn’t look like much from the outside, and the wine list leaves a lot to be desired, but when you sit down to enjoy some of the best steak frites in Paris, all else will be forgiven.
Portion sizes are enormous, and the waiters often remind patrons that if they order a starter, they won’t be able to tackle the main course. Despite being a famous location steps away from the Palais Royal, it still manages to be a hidden gem.
What are your tips for finding the best cheap eats in Paris?
Europe
Travel Tip: Train to Pisa from Florence
Whether you spend a half-day or full day in Pisa, we recommend that you Train to Pisa from Florence. It’s the fastest and cheapest way to get there.
Traveling by train is one of the best ways to see the beautiful countryside of Italy. The train from Florence to Pisa takes about an hour, and the journey is stunning. The route takes you past vineyards and medieval villages, through tunnels and over bridges, with breathtaking views of the Tuscan hillsides. You can even see the Leaning Tower of Pisa as the train approaches the station.
Upon arrival in Pisa, you can explore the historic center and visit the famous cathedral, before enjoying a leisurely lunch overlooking the River Arno. With its stunning scenery and convenient location, a train trip from Florence to Pisa is a great way to spend a day in Italy.
How to get to Pisa from Florence
You have a couple of different options for your own half-day trip to Pisa from Florence depending on how you like to travel. But if you are like us and enjoy travelling around Italy by public transport, then you will definitely want to train to Pisa from Florence.
Train to Pisa from Florence
Florence and Pisa are less than 100 km apart and the easiest way is to train to Pisa from Florence. The entire trip one-way takes approximately an hour depending on your route with no transfers.
Trains leave from Florence S.M.Novella for Pisa Centrale a few times every hour. The closest train station to the leaning tower of Pisa is Pisa San Rossore, but it’s not worth the extra time or transfer required. Pisa itself is small and it takes less than 30 minutes to walk to the leaning tower from Pisa Centrale.
Plus you get to explore more of the city such as the River Arno lined with beautiful stately homes.
If you want to book online then a one-way ticket by train to Pisa from Florence will cost from €7.80 (US$10.40) in 2nd class. It is important to make sure that when you are searching online via the Italian train booking site, Trenitalia, you search for “Firenze” rather than Florence.
The train schedules are very easy to understand so we recommend booking your ticket from the self-service machines on the train platform. The return journey is just as easy in reverse. Just watch that you don’t miss the last train around 10pm most days and carry cash with you for the ticket.
Finally, validate your ticket before boarding the train. We forgot a couple of times but used the typical “I’m a stupid tourist” line to get out of any fines.
Bus to Pisa from Florence
Another option is to catch the bus to Pisa from Florence.
There are two main bus companies, Terravision and Autostradale, run regular buses to and from Pisa Airport and Florence Airport into the Florence city centre, they don’t actually go into Pisa itself. The train to Pisa from Florence is so reliable, fast, and cheap, that you may not want to consider this option.
However, there are some advantages to taking the bus. You will see a lot more scenery from the window of the bus, and it’s definitely cheaper; sometimes you can find fares as low as 4 Euros, especially on Fridays.
Driving to Pisa from Florence
If you have hired a car or scooter in Tuscany then you might look at driving to Pisa from Florence. However, even though the distance is less than 100km, the trip will still take approximately 1 hour.
Aside from the fact that the train to Pisa from Florence typically takes less time than driving, you also have to avoid the crazy Italian drivers. Not to mention trying to find a carpark in two of the most popular cities in Italy. Impossible.
Guided Tour to Pisa from Florence
If you have been enjoying the sunset in Florence and all the city has to offer then you might want to take in a guided tour to Pisa from Florence. Not only do you get a great guide to learn all about the history of the area, you also don’t have to worry about getting to Pisa from Florence.
You might want to check out this guided tour around Pisa or get a little bit more adventurous and try out a segway tour in Pisa. Perfect for the family and it will keep the kids entertained between stops.
If you have a whole day, and haven’t managed to fit in a hike around Cinque Terre, then we recommend looking into the Pisa and Cinque Terre day tour. Lasting roughly 12 hours, you will travel from Florence to Cinque Terre, with a 2 hour stop in Pisa to see all the main sights.
We also reckon guides help you get the best photos, as they have seen all the poses.
Tell us below if you have taken any funny photos in Pisa!
We have been wearing out our jandals (Kiwi for flip-flops) on our travel adventures around the world since 2009. We think our blog is thought provoking and a little witty. But we have been proven wrong before. Find out more about us here...
-
Travel Tips2 months agoHow Gaming Inspires Real-World Adventure
-
City Guides2 months agoThe Ultimate Staycation – Exploring The 8 Best Accommodations in Jindabyne
-
Travel Tips1 month agoExploring Equatorial Guinea: A Journey through the Heart of Africa
-
Travel Tips1 month agoVisiting the UK for the First Time? 10 Things to Consider Doing (2024)