Five Recommended Value Destinations In Europe

City breaks in Europe are a popular type of holiday for those on a tight budget and many cities off the beaten track have lots to offer travelers.

Eastern Europe is particularly affordable and a long weekend in countries such as Bulgaria, Poland and Croatia definitely does not have to break the bank.

Here are five of the best for an affordable city break:

Budapest

Historic Hungarian capital Budapest is one of the most beautiful cities in the whole of Europe. Famous for its thermal spas and gourmet pastries, Budapest is a city that is definitely on the up.

Condé Nast Traveler has named Budapest the world's second best city and it boasts an extensive World Heritage Site, which takes in locations such as the banks of the River Danube and Heroes' Square.

Budapest is also renowned for its unique cuisine and strong café culture, while visitors should visit some of the Danube's seven islands, the best of which is perhaps Margaret Island, with its lovely park.

Prague

Prague may well be the cheapest city in Europe for food and drink, so a long weekend in the capital of the Czech Republic can be easily done on a small budget.

The city has countless top cultural attractions to explore too - there is too much to fit into one trip - but must-see sights include Old Town Square and the Prague astronomical clock, Prague Castle and Charles Bridge.

With very diverse nightlife options, city breaks in Prague are particularly suited to younger travellers but there are lots of museums, galleries and theatres to enjoy for the older crowd too. Czech beer is famous around the world and Prague is undoubtedly the best place to sample it.

Sofia

Sofia is the second oldest city in all of Europe but is enjoying a sudden boost in popularity. The National Literature Museum and the Museum of Socialist Art are two of the most important cultural locations in the city, which also hosts the National Opera and Ballet of Bulgaria.

Among Sofia's UNESCO World Heritage sites are the Boyana Church, while those interested in religious buildings should also take time to visit Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, which can hold as many as 10,000 people.

Sofia also has a completely unique atmosphere and its location at the foot of the Vitosha mountain gives the city a very special feel.

Zagreb

Croatia's capital city has a rich history and its museums are the envy of the whole of Europe. Zagreb is also famous for its INmusic festival, which takes place in the middle of the summer and attracts some of the biggest names in music each year.

Among the best tourist attractions the city has to offer is the Maksimir Park & Zoo, which is just a ten-minute tram ride out of the centre. Seals, sea lions and otters are among the zoo's many animals, while this part of the city is also home to Croatia's national football stadium, where Dinamo Zagreb play their home matches.

Warsaw

Warsaw has long been one of the most popular affordable city breaks in Europe.

The Polish city is known around the world for its unique nightlife, with countless pubs and bars to choose from. Revellers are advised to head to the courtyard in Listopada, which is where the amazing alternative club Hydrozagadka can be found.

Warsaw has lots to offer during the day too, with royal art collections and a series of fascinating museums to explore. A walking tour through Warsaw's historic Old Town is also a great way to get a feel for the city and learn about its past.

Travelore Tips: Africa, Southeast Asia, Europe: 3 Things To Consider When Crossing International Borders

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As much as we love travel, no one loves the red-tape-filled process of getting a new visa. Here are a few helpful tips for securing your travel documents in a few specific places around the world — namely, in East Africa, Southeast Asia, and Europe. We chose these areas because you’re more likely to cross a border while you’re traveling there, and/or because there are some new developments around visa laws in these countries. Our tips below (including a new multi-country visa program in East Africa) ought to make the process a little less cumbersome next time you embark on a multi-leg trip…

East Africa
Earlier this month, a new single joint visa was launched facilitating travel between Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda, all of which converge in the continent’s central eastern section. The news is particularly well-timed, as Rwanda recently made the cut as a  “Destination to Watch In 2014″ by both Conde Nast Traveller (UK) and National Geographic Traveler. The single-pass visa is valid for 90 days, can be obtained by any of the three participating countries, and costs $100.

Southeast Asia
When you fly into Thailand, all U.S. citizens are required to have a free 30-day tourist visa. From here, you have a choice of five neighboring countries which you could pass into directly from Thailand, by air or land. In Vietnam, visitors must apply for their visa before actually traveling to the country. A similar restriction, though less rigid, is in effect in Myanmar. Meanwhile, in Malaysia, Cambodia, and Laos, it is possible to simply obtain your visa at the border. Just be sure to bring $25-$40 per person in cash, and have a passport that’s valid for at least another six months.

Europe
Though tourists with a U.S. passport are free to travel within Europe without a visa, some have encountered problems when attempting to cross into Turkey from neighboring Greece or Bulgaria. A visa is required, which can be obtained at the airport or during the border crossing for $20. However, the Financial Times is reporting there could be new laws allowing visa-free travel between the E.U. and Turkey within the next few years. (An exception to Turkey’s visa requirements are cruise passengers, who are allowed to disembark without a visa for period of up to 72 hours).

For more information on visa regulations for US citizens, click here.

For more information on southeast Asia border crossings, click here.

Contributed by Alex Schechter,  http://blog.shermanstravel.com/

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