Europe On A Budget
For some time now a number of the European airlines have been involved in a fight to offer the cheapest fares to many European cities.
It’s not unusual to read that one of the low cost airlines such as Easyjet or Ryanair is offering flights from the UK to France, Germany or Spain for £1 (approx $1.50). You have to add taxes and airport landing fees on to that, but it’s still a great deal if you’re looking to visit other parts of Europe. The one big drawback about these flights is that they tend to fly to the smaller municipal airports rather than the more popular international ones. On occasions this means that a flight that is advertised to a well known city actually lands some 50 miles away. Public transport from these airports can be scrappy at best and the most popular option is to hire a car from the airport. These are some of the great cities that we have visited using cheap flights. We’re confident that you’d enjoy visiting any of these fine areas, but would always advise US citizens to check with the Advice to Travellers website before undertaking international travel.
GLASGOW, SCOTLAND
Glasgow, once a rather unattractive industrial monster but now undergoing a Renaissance, is a grandiose, architecturally divine city supporting a huge tourist influx throughout the year. The trendy West end houses the fourth oldest university in the United Kingdom. Set upon the hill amidst the Medieval district of Glasgow, students contribute greatly to the fun loving, vibrant and cosmopolitan atmosphere here. The low cost airlines use Prestwick Airport which is approximately 51km (35 miles) north east of the city centre and is easily navigable by road. It’s a popular sightseeing area, so you are advised to book a hire car in advance of your trip. A congestion free 30 minute drive from the city centre on the M77 motorway brings you to the airport terminal. Glasgow is very well situated for a trip out to the Trossachs National Park. A mere twenty km journey out of Glasgow and you could find yourself exploring sensational countryside aback a pony, whilst a 50 km drive east along an excellent motorway will bring you to Edinburgh, the city of festivals complete with castle, palace, Princes Street shopping and the seaside.
Florence, Italy
Surely one of Europe’s most stunningly beautiful cities, Florence is served by the airport at Pisa, some 84km west of Florence. Rent a car at Pisa airport and you will be able to explore Pisa with its leaning tower, the wonders of historic Florence and some of Europe’s most stunning countryside, that of the laid back disturbingly beautiful Tuscany. Not surprising therefore that Florence is one of the most visited historic cities in Europe. Once you have actually arrived at the city, most of Florence is pedestrianized protecting its many ancient architectural treasures and statues from the pollution and vibrations caused by busy roads. As a result an atmosphere of tranquillity greets you as you walk from one monument to another. You don't have to wander too far though, to experience the ferocious ear splitting roar of Florence's many scooter riders. All of the bridges (apart from the Ponte Vecchio) are noisy, polluted places, which provides added incentive to keep to the narrow alleyways and peaceful inner sanctums of Florence's piazzas.
Tours, France
Tours, the place to go for chateau hunting with not a single chateau to its name! Ideal for touring the Loire Valley famed for its generous array of palatial residences, Tours has a number of charms of its own. Although the airport is only a few miles out of town, you need to rent a car in the Loire Valley in order to explore the location of some of the most stunning villages in France. Along the Loire between Sully-sur-Loire and Chalonnes, a myriad of cultural treasures greet the hungry tourist eye. A UNESCO site, the Loire Valley offers stunning countryside, historic villages and flamboyant ca stles, lots and lots of them. Once the “Retreat of Kings”, back in the days of the Renaissance and the middle ages, the Loire was a favourite haunt of the French monarchy. What were once working fortified castles were transformed into elegant and palatial trophy residences that are the region’s main tourist attractions. The historic towns here that tourists flock to throughout the year include Orleans, Blois, Tours and Chinon while arguably the most popular chateau is that on the estate of Chambord. Throughout the region you will find small vineyards selling wonderful wine at cheap prices. Look out for the word “degustation” which means sampling I guess, you will be made very welcome and the winemaker will be more than happy to lead you through a tasting of all his wines. Of course, it is strongly advised that you take a non-drinker as your driver, some of these sessions can get very serious!
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