Sa v e money and things to do for free in 20 European Cities.

LONDON Eat for cheap in London's pubs As eating out in London can be expensive at the best of times, if you're with somebody else and are about to get something to eat, keep an eye out for traditional English pubs doing 'two for one' deals. With these promotions you can get two meals for as little as £6.95.

All of Paris' big museums are free on the first Sunday of the month. This includes the Louvre, Museé d'Orsay, Museé Picasso, Museé National d'Art Moderne, Museé de l'Histoire de France and Museé Rodin. Other municipal museums such as Museé de l'Histoire de Paris and Crypte Arhcéologique de Notre Dame are free every Sunday morning between 10am-1pm. PARIS

All of Paris' big museums are free on the first Sunday of the month.

This includes the Louvre, Museé d'Orsay, Museé Picasso, Museé National d'Art

Moderne, Museé de l'Histoire de France and Museé Rodin.

Other municipal museums such as Museé de l'Histoire de Paris and Crypte

Arhcéologique de Notre Dame are free every Sunday morning between 10am-1pm.

Barcelona - Save money on public transport A single journey on Barcelona's metro/bus network costs €1.30. As you may need to use public transport a lot during your stay, rather than paying for single journeys, buy an all day card for €5.50. BARCELONA

Barcelona - Save money on public transport

A single journey on Barcelona's metro/bus network costs €1.30. As you may need to use

public transport a lot during your stay, rather than paying for single journeys, buy an all

day card for €5.50.

Rome - Pay nothing into the Vatican Museum No, we're not trying to instigate a revolt against admission charges into the Vatican's number one tourist attraction! We're just letting you know that if you happen to be in Rome on the last Sunday of the month you can save yourself €13 as this is when one of Rome's number one attractions is free. Get there early though. ROME

Rome - Pay nothing into the Vatican Museum

No, we're not trying to instigate a revolt against admission charges into the Vatican's

number one tourist attraction! We're just letting you know that if you happen to be in Rome

on the last Sunday of the month you can save yourself €13 as this is when one of Rome's

number one attractions is free. Get there early though.

Dublin - Take advantage of 'early bird' specials You may think that eating out in a restaurant is beyond the budget of a backpacker, but thanks to 'early bird' specials, it isn't. You can avail of these specials between 5pm and 8pm (approximately) and, costing anything between €12 and €25, they comprise anything up to four courses. Two of the city's best are in Afsana on Temple Lane in Temple Bar (four courses for €13) and Atlantic on Suffolk St at the bottom of Grafton St (starter and main for €15.95). DUBLIN

Dublin - Take advantage of 'early bird' specials

You may think that eating out in a restaurant is beyond the budget of a backpacker, but

thanks to 'early bird' specials, it isn't. You can avail of these specials between 5pm and

8pm (approximately) and, costing anything between €12 and €25, they comprise anything

up to four courses. Two of the city's best are in Afsana on Temple Lane in Temple Bar

(four courses for €13) and Atlantic on Suffolk St at the bottom of Grafton St (starter and

main for €15.95).

Amsterdam - Catch free concerts The Boekmanzaal, which is part of the Muziektheater (Opera House), hosts free concerts every Tuesday afternoon at 12.30pm (September to May). Performed by either Netherlands Philharmonic Orchestra, the Choir of the Netherlands Opera, or the Netherlands Ballet Orchestra, they shouldn't be missed. And every Wednesday afternoon (Sept-June) you can catch a free concert in Amsterdam's Concertgebouw which is located at Concertgebouwplein 2-6. The concerts take place at 12.30pm and doors open at 12.15pm. AMSTERDAM

Amsterdam - Catch free concerts

The Boekmanzaal, which is part of the Muziektheater (Opera House), hosts free concerts

every Tuesday afternoon at 12.30pm (September to May). Performed by either

Netherlands Philharmonic Orchestra, the Choir of the Netherlands Opera, or the

Netherlands Ballet Orchestra, they shouldn't be missed. And every Wednesday afternoon

(Sept-June) you can catch a free concert in Amsterdam's Concertgebouw which is located

at Concertgebouwplein 2-6. The concerts take place at 12.30pm and doors open at

12.15pm.

Venice - Stock up on cheap wine Due to the amount of walking required from you in Venice, a large bottle of water will be attached to your hand for the most part of each day there. Rather than throw them away, bring them to one of the numerous wine shops around the city where you can get them filled with sumptuous wine for as little as €2.10 per litre. You'll find them on Campo Santa Margherita, Fondamenta dei Ormeisini and Calle de la Bissa, just minutes from Rialto Bridge. VENICE

Venice - Stock up on cheap wine

Due to the amount of walking required from you in Venice, a large bottle of water will be

attached to your hand for the most part of each day there. Rather than throw them away,

bring them to one of the numerous wine shops around the city where you can get them

filled with sumptuous wine for as little as €2.10 per litre. You'll find them on Campo Santa

Margherita, Fondamenta dei Ormeisini and Calle de la Bissa, just minutes from Rialto

Bridge.

Prague - Visit a museum for free Some of Prague's main museums are free on certain days. This includes the National Museum on the first Monday of every month, most of the main galleries on the first Tuesday of every month, and the Prague City Museum on the first Thursday of every month. PRAGUE

Prague - Visit a museum for free

Some of Prague's main museums are free on certain days. This includes the National

Museum on the first Monday of every month, most of the main galleries on the first

Tuesday of every month, and the Prague City Museum on the first Thursday of every

month.

Visit two of Madrid's top museums for free If you are visiting Madrid on the weekend and you plan on visiting both the Reina Sofia and Prado art galleries, good news - the Reina Sofia gallery is free on Saturdays after 2.30pm and all day Sunday, while the Prado is free all day Sunday also. MADRID

Visit two of Madrid's top museums for free

If you are visiting Madrid on the weekend and you plan on visiting both the Reina Sofia and

Prado art galleries, good news - the Reina Sofia gallery is free on Saturdays after 2.30pm

and all day Sunday, while the Prado is free all day Sunday also.

Berlin - Save money on Museuminsel If you plan on visiting any of Berlin's National Museums, leave your visit until Thursday evenings (after 2pm) when they are all free. There are 16 in total. This includes all the museums on Museumsinsel, the Museum of Decorative Arts in Tiergarten, and the Museum of Indian Art on Taku Strasse. BERLIN

Berlin - Save money on Museuminsel

If you plan on visiting any of Berlin's National Museums, leave your visit until Thursday

evenings (after 2pm) when they are all free. There are 16 in total. This includes all the

museums on Museumsinsel, the Museum of Decorative Arts in Tiergarten, and the

Museum of Indian Art on Taku Strasse.

Florence - Enjoy the best view in Florence Located just 20 minutes walk from the Ponte Vecchio, Piazzale Michelangelo affords visitors the best views of Tuscany's capital. Every day hundreds converge on this large square to take in the vistas. The sunsets are unforgettable. Siena – Catch the Palio July 2 & August 16 Piazza del Campo changes into a medieval horse race track, and you will be swept away by the celebrations and festivities. Do not miss out on the Palio if you are in the area. We mean it. This is a must see and be. FLORENCE - SIENA

Florence - Enjoy the best view in Florence

Located just 20 minutes walk from the Ponte Vecchio, Piazzale Michelangelo affords

visitors the best views of Tuscany's capital. Every day hundreds converge on this large

square to take in the vistas. The sunsets are unforgettable.

Siena – Catch the Palio July 2 & August 16

Piazza del Campo changes into a medieval horse race track, and you will be swept away

by the celebrations and festivities. Do not miss out on the Palio if you are in the area. We

mean it. This is a must see and be.

Vienna - Get cheap tickets for the opera You don't need to be a member of Vienna's elite to enjoy a night at the opera. The hoi polloi can enjoy such masterpieces as 'La Traviata' also for as little as €3.50 (if you don't mind standing). To get these tickets, line up at the opera house about two hours before the performance at the 'standing tickets' sign on the right side of the building. The Opera house is closed in July and August for the summer season. Check out the Rathausplatz and their free open-air film festival Enjoy the full programme, a splendorous celebration of tradition and the contemporary, of opera, operetta, classical and modern dance, jazz, pop and world music as well as an enchanting kids-special. (End of June to the end of August) VIENNA

Vienna - Get cheap tickets for the opera

You don't need to be a member of Vienna's elite to enjoy a night at the opera. The hoi

polloi can enjoy such masterpieces as 'La Traviata' also for as little as €3.50 (if you don't

mind standing). To get these tickets, line up at the opera house about two hours before

the performance at the 'standing tickets' sign on the right side of the building. The Opera

house is closed in July and August for the summer season.

Check out the Rathausplatz and their free open-air film festival

Enjoy the full programme, a splendorous celebration of tradition and the contemporary, of

opera, operetta, classical and modern dance, jazz, pop and world music as well as an enchanting kids-special. (End of June to the end of August)

Munich - Catch the 'Glockenspiel' Every day at 11am and 12 noon, hundreds gather in Munich's illustrious Marienplatz and gaze at the New Town Hall to catch the 'Glockenspiel,' a 15-minute show where 32 life- sized figures perform the traditional 'Cooper's Dance.' After five minutes, you'll wonder what all the fuss is about, but it's nice to catch it if you're in the vicinity at the time MUNICH

Munich - Catch the 'Glockenspiel'

Every day at 11am and 12 noon, hundreds gather in Munich's illustrious Marienplatz and

gaze at the New Town Hall to catch the 'Glockenspiel,' a 15-minute show where 32 life-

sized figures perform the traditional 'Cooper's Dance.' After five minutes, you'll wonder what

all the fuss is about, but it's nice to catch it if you're in the vicinity at the time

Edinburgh - Enjoy cheaper food, just for being a backpacker! The proprietors of 'The Last Drop' pub in the Grassmarket must have been backpackers in a previous life: To help those travelling on a budget they have been kind enough to slash all main courses on their menu costing £6.50 to a mere £3.50. These include haggis and pasta dishes. To avail yourself of this offer simply arrive before 9pm and prove to them that you're a backpacker. Your hostel key/card should do it. EDINBURGH

Edinburgh - Enjoy cheaper food, just for being a backpacker!

The proprietors of 'The Last Drop' pub in the Grassmarket must have been backpackers in

a previous life: To help those travelling on a budget they have been kind enough to slash

all main courses on their menu costing £6.50 to a mere £3.50. These include haggis and

pasta dishes. To avail yourself of this offer simply arrive before 9pm and prove to them

that you're a backpacker. Your hostel key/card should do it.

Budapest - Get money back when you leave the baths Entrance to Budapest's baths can cost anything up to 2,500HUF. But in many baths (namely the Gellert Baths and Szechenyi Baths) you receive money back if you leave within a certain amount of time. So if you pay 2,300HUF into the Szechenyi Baths, leave within 2 hours and you will receive 700HUF on the way out. Simple! BUDAPEST

Budapest - Get money back when you leave the baths

Entrance to Budapest's baths can cost anything up to 2,500HUF. But in many baths (namely the Gellert Baths and Szechenyi Baths) you receive money back if you leave within a certain amount of time. So if you pay 2,300HUF into the Szechenyi Baths, leave within 2 hours and you will receive 700HUF on the way out. Simple!

Athens - Buy the 'Acropolis ticket' Entrance to Athens' number one attraction the Acropolis is €12. But the price of the Acropolis Ticket is €12 also. The difference between the two? The Acropolis Ticket also grants you entrance to the Temple of Olympian Zeus, the Ancient and Roman Agoras and Keramikos Cemetery. Worth investing in, obviously. ATHENS

Athens - Buy the 'Acropolis ticket'

Entrance to Athens' number one attraction the Acropolis is €12. But the price of the

Acropolis Ticket is €12 also. The difference between the two? The Acropolis Ticket also

grants you entrance to the Temple of Olympian Zeus, the Ancient and Roman Agoras and

Keramikos Cemetery. Worth investing in, obviously.

Nice - Stroll along Promenade des Anglais In 1822 a group of people from Nice's English colony pooled together to make a seaside path to stroll along. As a result, Promenade des Anglais was born. Today, Nice's famous path is the perfect place to weave in and out of joggers, rollerbladers, tourists and sunworshippers either coming or going to the beach. NICE

Nice - Stroll along Promenade des Anglais

In 1822 a group of people from Nice's English colony pooled together to make a seaside

path to stroll along. As a result, Promenade des Anglais was born. Today, Nice's famous

path is the perfect place to weave in and out of joggers, rollerbladers, tourists and

sunworshippers either coming or going to the beach.

Milan - Visit Milan's modern art gallery Housed in a building where Napoleon once lived, Milan's Galleria d'Arte Moderna on Via Palestro is one of the city's most intriguing galleries and, since it's free to get in, is well worth visiting. Located at the foot of Giardini Pubblici, it is home to some of Italy's best modern art. MILAN

Milan - Visit Milan's modern art gallery

Housed in a building where Napoleon once lived, Milan's Galleria d'Arte Moderna on Via

Palestro is one of the city's most intriguing galleries and, since it's free to get in, is well

worth visiting. Located at the foot of Giardini Pubblici, it is home to some of Italy's best

modern art.

Brussels - Embark on city walks Brussels' city centre streets are where you will find two of its best attributes - comic art and Art Nouveau buildings. Visit the city's tourist office at Hotel de Ville in the Grand Place and request either the comic art walk or Art Nouveau walk. Then simply lose yourself for the afternoon, admiring the sights along the way at no cost whatsoever. BRUSSELS

Brussels - Embark on city walks

Brussels' city centre streets are where you will find two of its best attributes - comic art and

Art Nouveau buildings. Visit the city's tourist office at Hotel de Ville in the Grand Place and

request either the comic art walk or Art Nouveau walk. Then simply lose yourself for the

afternoon, admiring the sights along the way at no cost whatsoever.

Valencia - Visit Valencia's free attractions If you're broke, take note of Valencia's free attractions. These include Museo de Ciencias Naturales, a science museum in Jardines del Real, La Lonja across from Mercado Central which is a Unesco World Heritage site, and Museo de Bella Artes, Valencia's fine arts museum on Calle San Pío. VALENCIA

Valencia - Visit Valencia's free attractions

If you're broke, take note of Valencia's free attractions. These include Museo de Ciencias

Naturales, a science museum in Jardines del Real, La Lonja across from Mercado Central

which is a Unesco World Heritage site, and Museo de Bella Artes, Valencia's fine arts

museum on Calle San Pío.

Tips about studying, working, volunteering and travelling in Canada or abroad. http://www.canadianstudentmagazine.com http:// www.gostudy.ca Contributed by www.hostelworld.com May 2009 – Information Subject to change

Tips about studying, working, volunteering

and travelling in Canada or abroad.