Europe on a Shoestring

June 30th, 2009 | admin | Travel, Vacation

For quite a few years now a group of the so-called “budget airlines” in Europe have been taking part in a price war attempting to offer the cheapest fares to a huge number of European cities. It’s quite normal to hear that one of the leading low cost carriers such as Easyjet or Ryanair has an offer of return flights from Britain to France, Germany or Spain for £1 (approx $1.45). There might be airport landing fees and taxes to be added to that, but it’s still an absolute bargain if you’re looking to visit a variety of cities throughout Europe. The downside of these cheap flights is that they often fly to the smaller local airports instead of the better known majorinternational ones. This can mean that a flight that is supposed to be flying to a big European city actually lands up to 50 miles away. There can be some advantages with this arrangement, the municipal airports will always provide a much slicker service on luggage and check-in because they are catering for a lot less flights. The disadvantage is that public transport to and from these airports can be patchy at best and a very popular alternative is to hire a car buy cialis online from the airport. Here are some of the beautiful cities that we’ve visited using cheap flights. We’re confident that you’d enjoy a visit to any of these great, they certainly have plenty to offer to visitors to their country.

Glasgow, buy Benemid online Scotland

Glasgow was once a particularly unattractive industrial monster but the city has seen a Renaissance and has become a fascinating, architecturally diverse city attracting a vast number of tourists throughout the year. The chic West part of the city is the home of one of the oldest universities in the U.K.. Situated on a hill amidst the Medieval region of the city, the students bring a cosmopolitan, fun loving atmosphere to the city. The low cost carriers use Prestwick Airport which is approximately 51 km (35 miles) to the north east of the centre of Glasgow and there is a good road between the airport and the city centre. This is a popular area for sightseeing, so the best idea is to hire a car at Prestwick Airport before setting out on your journey. An uncrowded 30 minute journey from the airport terminal on the M77 motorway brings you to the centre of the city. Glasgow is an ideal base for a trip out to the Trossachs National Park. Just 20 km (13 mile) journey out of Glasgow and you could discover stunning countryside seated upon a pony, whilst a 50 km (30 mile) drive east using another excellent motorway will find you in Edinburgh together with its ever popular festivals, Princes Street shopping, the historic Castle and Holyrood Palace.

Florence, Italy

Without doubt one of the most stunningly beautiful locations in Europe, Florence is served by the airport at Pisa, which is 50 miles (84 km) west of Florence. Hire what is cialis professional a car at Florence airport and you will be in position to take in Pisa’s leaning tower, the wonders of historic Florence and a selection of Europe’s most picturesque countryside, that of the disturbingly beautiful Tuscany. It therefore will not come as a huge surprise that Florence is high in the popularity stakes when looking at European cities. When you arrive in Florence you will discover that most of the centre of the city is traffic free protecting its many ancient architectural treasures and statues from the pollution and vibrations caused by heavy traffic. As a result you are overtaken by a sense of peace and quiet as you wander from one monument to the next. You don’t have to stray too far before experiencing the evil, ear splitting roar from the scooter riders of Florence. Other than the Ponte Vecchio the remainder of the bridges into the city centre are polluted, noisy places, thus providing a further reason to keep to the narrow alleyways and tranquil sanctuaries of Florence’s beautiful piazzas.

Tours, France

Tours is the ideal centre for touring France’s wonderful Loire valley and its majestic chateaux The ideal centre for discovering the Loire Valley renowned for its wonderful array of palatial residences, the city has a few charms of its own. Although the little airport is but a few miles out of town, it’s pretty much essential that you hire a car in the Loire Valley in order to explore a selection of the most picturesque towns and villages in the whole of France. A host of cultural treasures can be found along the banks of the Loire. A UNESCO site, the Loire Valley offers beautiful countryside, historic villages and lots of flamboyant castles. Formerly the “Retreat of Kings” back in the days of the Renaissance and the middle ages, the Loire Valley was a firm savourite of the French monarchy. Former working fortified castles were converted into palatial and elegant trophy residences and these are now the main tourist attractions of the region. Tourists from around the world are attracted to the historic towns that are situated along the banks of the Loire. Towns such as Blois, Chinon and Tours have so much to see and do whilst the most popular chateau is maybe that on the Chambord Estate. Throughout the area you will discover small, family owned vineyards offering a variety of great wines at budget prices. Look out for the word “degustation”, which means sampling I guess, and provided that ‘Le Patron’ is not enjoying a long leisurely lunch you will be offered a warm welcome and he will be more than willing to lead you through a tasting of his complete selection of wines. Naturally, it is vital that you take a non-drinker as your chauffer, some of these tasting sessions can become extremely alcoholic!.

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