5.Prague, Czech Republic
A literary town with a giant fairytale castle
Why it's so cheap: The secret is out on Prague, so prices have been slowly increasing along with the crowds of tourists. But despite its popularity, it still won’t break your budget. For just $40 a night you can rent an Airbnb near the Old Town center. The city is small so you don’t have to worry about paying for transportation; you can see basically everything on foot -- unless you’ve had a little too much beer, which I won’t fault you for because it bangs out some of the best drafts in Europe for under $2.
Why you should go: Walk through the early morning fog on the Charles Bridge (emphasis on early morning, before the hordes arrive) and you’ll feel like you’re the star of your own spy movie. Prague is almost ineffably stunning, with winding cobblestone alleys, ornate Gothic and Baroque churches, and a fascinating mix of medieval and Communist history (the Museum of Communism, comically located next to a McDonald’s, is an absolute must). It has the largest castle complex in the world, replete with torture chambers, as well as some of the oldest pubs and beer halls in all of Europe. Wandering off the tourist track will reward you here. Explore Malá Strana and take in the full glorious view of the city from the top of Petřín Hill. Make sure you order some late-night smažený sýr (breaded fried cheese) off a food cart. If you’re looking for a unique and admittedly creepy place to have a pint, visit Bunkr Parukarka and drink inside a nuclear fallout shelter. Kafka would’ve bugged out for it.
6.Brussels, Belgium
All the chocowafflemusselbeerfries you can handle
Why it's so cheap: Even if Brussels doesn't crack the top of your European vacation list, you're gonna need to check it out at least once in your life. Why not now? Brussels is the venerable Second Continental City of the Eurostar, reachable by train from London for as little as $59. Once you get there, you'll find it's a more cost-effective alternative to Paris with tons of Airbnbs and hotels for less than a Benjamin a night. If you want to head straight to Chocolate Town, airfares from all over the States this spring can be had for just over $400.
Why you should go: The city's main square, the Grand Place, is so breathtaking that it'd be well worth the day trip alone. What might make you want to stay a little longer? The gastronomic delights of Belgium. Chocolatiers are ubiquitous: Skip the overly expensive and touristy Godiva and Neuhaus to head for locally favored (and much cheaper) Leonidas. Buy a waffle on the street. And fries, too: served in a cone so piping-hot they double as an economic stimulus at the local burn units. A bowl of mussels is a must and can be had everywhere from Michelin-starred restaurants to fast-food purveyors alike. And, yep, the beer is the best in the world. Drink as much as will make you mimic the Manneken-Pis for the foreseeable future. Guilty on the gorge? Head to the Magritte Museum for works from the Belgian surrealist in an altered state.
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