| sts in Europe can easily spend fifty bucks a day just | | | | 6. If you’re picking from a set menu make |
| on food. After the cost of flights and a hotel that | | | | sure you don't wander off it. You can be stung if |
| may not leave much for enjoying the holiday | | | | you’re not careful – a ten euro set |
| – seeing the sights, taking a tour or doing | | | | meal can easily become thirty euros if you start |
| some shopping. | | | | picking and choosing. Make sure, too, that you don't |
| But it’s easy to find good, inexpensive places | | | | economise on the set menu and then give the |
| to eat, if you look around. A few simple rules will help. | | | | money back on extras – more drinks, coffee, |
| 1. Head away from the tourist traps! In Venice, you | | | | extra bread. Know what’s included and stick |
| can get a whole meal in Cannaregio for what a | | | | to it – and make sure the waiter knows |
| coffee would cost on Piazza San Marco. Even just a | | | | you’re on the set menu to start with. |
| few streets can make a big difference; off the main | | | | 7. Ask the locals. This might not work in a real tourist |
| drag, you’re more likely to find a good price. | | | | trap, but in small towns local people will often know a |
| 2. Head for the business district. Wherever there are | | | | good value bar or restaurant. If you’re |
| lots of office workers, you should be able to find a | | | | chatting with locals – or other travellers |
| good value lunch. That may mean eating in a bar or | | | | – in the bar, ask them where they enjoyed |
| sandwich joint instead of a restaurant – but | | | | eating. |
| many small restaurants also do a good trade, often | | | | 8. Follow the old guys. When you see two local |
| with a relatively cheap set menu. | | | | pensioners at a table they’re probably not |
| 3. Look for the market and buy yourselves a picnic | | | | pushing the boat out – they tend to go for |
| instead of having a big lunch. Fresh fruit, ham, cheese | | | | places they know will serve them a good meal at an |
| and a good hunk of bread can cost little – and | | | | affordable price. |
| be fun to eat. You may find good fast food too; | | | | 9. In some countries, such as Spain, hotel breakfasts |
| many markets do couscous, sauerkraut, sausages, | | | | are usually charged extra and are often poor value |
| and other local snacks. | | | | – just a couple of slices of toast and a cup of |
| 4. If you’re at the market but you don't | | | | coffee. Instead, head for a bar and grab a croissant |
| fancy a picnic or eating in the street, then you may | | | | and coffee at half the price. |
| still strike lucky. You’re likely to find a few | | | | 10. Don't neglect local media. Many hostels and budget |
| good restaurants near the market, cooking fresh | | | | hotels have small and up to date guidebooks aimed |
| produce. The menu may be limited but the food is | | | | at their clientele and it can be worth taking their tips |
| good, and often inexpensive. The stall holders need | | | | on local food. |
| to eat somewhere, after all – and | | | | 11. Be adventurous with your tastes. While you can |
| they’re thrifty. | | | | tour Europe on MacDonald’s, or eat in a five |
| 5. In the city, eating your main meal at lunchtime will | | | | star hotel every night, it’s more fun and |
| allow you to take advantage of set lunch offers. | | | | cheaper to try local food. After all, if you wanted to |
| Dinner is always the most expensive meal of the day | | | | eat the same stuff all the time, why would you be |
| and often there’s no set price option. | | | | travelling at all? |