in a village, high in the Swiss Alps. In this finale, we'll show that in so many ways, you

can actually experience more by spending less.

Our tips this time: finding the best value accommodations, getting around in big cities,

and enjoying Europe's cuisine. This information can help you make the most of your vacation

time and, if you're on a budget, it can cut the cost of your travels in half.

Whether you discover Norway's breath-taking fjords, explore ancient temples in Athens,

hike along a Roman wall in England, sweat with locals in Finland, or enjoy a concert

in Ireland, you'll find the kinds of places and experiences you incorporate into your

itinerary shape the character of your trip.

In this three-part travels-skills special we start in the Netherlands, venture through

Germany, dip into Italy, sweep through Switzerland and France before finishing in England. In

this final episode we start in the Swiss Alps, take a high-speed train to Paris and finish

in London.

When touring Europe, many travelers only visit famous and well-promoted hot spots, like Grindelwald,

here in Switzerland. It's "the" famous Alpine resort in the shadow of the Jungfrau. Europe

energetically markets its top tourist attractions. Alpine resorts like this are geared to large-scale

tourism-helping the masses have fun...spending their money.

But, just one valley over, you can have an entirely different experience. Riding this

gondola, you soar, landing in the sleepy, un-promoted village of Gimmelwald. In 30 years

of researching guidebooks, I've found hidden gems like this in every country. Gimmelwald

would have been developed to the hilt like neighboring towns but the village had its

real estate declared an "avalanche zone" so no one could get new building permits. The

result: a real mountain community-families, farms, and traditional ways.

Choosing places like Gimmelwald and then meeting the people, you become part of the party rather

than just part of the economy. This is a realistic goal for any good traveler. Take a moment

to appreciate the alpine cheese.

Once you're off the tourist track, make a point to connect with the living culture-pitch

in... even if that means getting dirty. Here, Farmer Peter's making hay while the sun shines.

Whether in a big city or a small village, your major expense each day is renting a bed.

You have lots of options. We'll review them from cheapest to most expensive. In rural

settings-like here in Gimmelwald-I like simple, less expensive accommodations. Gimmelwald

has a pension, a bed and breakfast, and a hostel.

Europe has thousands of hostels-like Gimmelwald's Mountain Hostel-offering cheap dorm beds.

While not for everybody, the price is certainly right. Rather than privacy and your own bathroom,

you'll enjoy a convivial camaraderie: a helpful reception desk; a welcoming common room with

lots of information and hiking partners; and the kitchen where hostellers cook for the

price of groceries. It's dinnertime. And after a sunny day of hiking, travelers are sharing

stories.

Today, European hostels come in all shapes and sizes. Modern ones are often big and institutional.

They come with inviting lobbies and modern facilities. Rather than the traditional large

dorms, more and more hostels are offering smaller rooms-family rooms and even doubles

for couples.

In cities or villages, the young at heart-of any age-are entirely welcome. A great thing

about hostelling-especially if you're going solo-is gaining an instant circle of friends.

For me, B&Bs offer an ideal combination of comfort and economy, privacy and cultural

experience. Every country has private rooms for rent. You've just got to know the local

word...Husroom is Norwegian for Chambre d'Hote which is French for Zimmer which is what they

say here in Switzerland for Bed and Breakfast.

B&Bs give you more than just a good night's sleep. Imagine, enjoying a renovated attic

with a view of this small town Czech castle, being a guest in a home rebuilt after a civil

war in Dubrovnik, savoring the salty ambiance in the captain's house on a Danish Isle, or

being a noble for a night with Giorgio in the heart of Tuscany.

Tonight, we're sleeping in the home of Ollie and his wife Maria. They teach in the village

and supplement their income by renting out three rooms in their home.

As is generally the case with B&Bs, the rooms are as comfortable as a hotel but homier.

While you're living in someone else's home, you can be as private as you like-just take

the key and do your own thing. Or you can go downstairs and get to know the family.

Ollie: This yellow cliff over there, that's where the eagle has each year his nest.

Typically, hosts enjoy sharing. Ollie knows the backside of the Jungfrau intimately.

Ollie: And the young birds, in early spring, you see them starting to learn to fly.

Pensions are a good value. A pension is a place without many of the services you'd expect

in a hotel. This one is inexpensive...with the toilet and shower down the hall. The bedrooms

are well-worn and traditional. And the place creaks just the way you want it to-and once

again, humbler places seem to foster community.

Continuing our swing through the best of Europe, we're heading for Paris. After a full day

in the Alps, this fast train gets us there in time to cap our day with a view of the

Eiffel Tower.

A big city like Paris is bursting with world-class sights: towering monuments, magnificent boulevards,

and glorious history. In a major city like this you have lots of hotel options. The neighborhood

you choose as well as the hotel shapes your experience.

Many travelers opt for the big, international class hotels outside the historic center.

I find that these, while very comfortable, build a wall between you and the people and

culture you traveled so far to experience.

I prefer a small-scale hotel in a cozy neighborhood. For example, the area around Rue Cler is a

pedestrian-friendly bit of village Paris, a ten-minute walk from the Eiffel Tower.

Accommodations are a classic example of how spending less can actually give you a richer

experience. Europe's big cities still have well-located, characteristic hotels at an

affordable price.

There's a range of categories. Many countries have helpful rating systems. In France, plaques

with stars are posted by the door. In a well-chosen one star place, budget travelers can sleep

well and safely. Rooms are pretty basic...but come at near youth hostel prices.

European cities have lots of night noise, and, especially in cheap hotels, this can

be a problem. Rather than paying a premium for a room with a view, I'll take a quiet

room in the back.

In France, two-star hotels offer, for me, a great balance of price and comfort-still

basic but with good beds, private bathrooms, and often tiny but appreciated elevators.

The more people who share a room, the less expensive it gets per person. A double costs

just a little more than a single. And many hotels are happy

to squeeze in a cheap third bed.

While three-star hotels are more expensive, they can also be a good value. Here, you're

paying for extras like a lounge, room service, and all the comforts.

Hotelier: It's one of our typical rooms, with big TV, mini bar, iPod bays, of course air

conditioning. It can be very useful, especially in August in Paris. Um, bathroom.

Rick: Two sinks. Hotelier: Yes, two sinks. French people like

it. You can be two at the same moment in the bathroom.

Know your priorities. This hotel is great. But those on a budget may need to choose between

these extras-for an additional $50 a night-and a nice dinner, concert or city tour.

Throughout Europe, small family-run hotels offer fine values. This London hotel is plush,

beautifully located, and more affordable than you might expect because it has no elevator.

This historic former monastery in Florence costs no more than a top end chain hotel,

but is bursting with Renaissance character. Here, in Norway, you can enjoy feeling right

at home on a fjord.

And a favorite of mine in Rome-small enough where the owner can go over your sightseeing

plans-provides fine rooms and a breezy conviviality you simply can't find in bigger hotels.

Some travelers love the freedom of just finding hotels as they go. But, to get the best rooms

in the popular places, book in advance.

Smart travelers use a savvy mix of guidebooks and the Internet. Web-based review sites are

popular and powerful. But, while helpful, they can also be misleading. So be careful.

And, by the way, making reservations through a web-based booking service may be convenient,

but it costs your hotel 15 to 20%. I get the best price by booking directly through my

hotel.

Health concerns while traveling through Western Europe are about the same as traveling back

home. While I take extra precautions when traveling beyond Europe, in Europe I drink

the water and eat everything in sight.

If you do get sick, get help right away. Over here, a good first stop for medical advice

is the neighborhood pharmacy. Also, hotels can refer you to a nearby clinic or call a

doctor who makes "house calls"-for far less money than you might expect.

Then, prescription in hand, you can head for the 24-hour pharmacy. Europe generally has

whatever medicine you need. In case you need a refill, bring your prescription from home

with the generic name typed or printed legibly.

My health tips are all about wellness. Being on vacation can be exhausting. Get plenty

of sleep, eat healthy, drink lots of water, and pace yourself. Know your limits.

One of the great joys of travel is eating. Each country in Europe has its own distinct

cuisine. Leave the tourist zones. Find places filled with locals enjoying seasonal and regional

specialties. The variety of food is endless and if you know how to choose a good place

you don't need to spend a fortune. A few basic rules for eating your way through Europe:

go for the local specialties-you'll get better quality and price. Eat seasonally...don't

miss truffles on your pasta in the Fall or fresh berries in Norway in Summer.

The location can make the meal. Bosnia may not be famous for its food, but dining under

the bridge in Mostar makes a lifelong memory. Most of all eat fearlessly try things you've

never had in places you've never been. There are eateries to fit every budget. And while

I recommend an occasional gourmet splurge especially in countries famous for their high

end cuisine like France and Italy, you'll save money and improve your experience with

Europe's countless budget options.

Some of the most affordable and enjoyable food in Europe can be found, not while seated

at a table but while standing in the street or the market. Every country has its own beloved

street food. It's fast, cheap, and delicious. In Greece try the corner souvlaki stand, and

in Istanbul on the Golden Horn grab a fish sandwich fresh from the guys who caught it

at one of the venerable and very tipsy fish boats. For a step up and a seat, there are

lots of casual bars and bistros; home town hangouts where you can enjoy local cuisine

in comfort without going broke.

One of the best examples of this is in Spain. Every town tempts you with tapas bars where

you belly up to the bar and just point at things you'd like to try. In Denmark, I love

the open-faced sandwiches which manage to be both simple and elegant at the same time.

You can munch the best pizza ever, for the price of a fast-food hamburger in Naples where

pizza was invented. The rustic simplicity of sausages and fondue feels just perfect

high in the Swiss Alps.

And these days, pubs are more than friends just gathering for a beer-they can come with

tasty meals too. By the way, interiors in Europe-from restaurants to hotels to pubs-are

now essentially smoke free.

Especially in France, consider the cuisine sightseeing for your palate. And when you

know the budget options, eating at the corner cafe or bistro costs only a little more than

lunch at a fast food joint.

Most countries have a plate of the day-that's a plat du jour here. A hand-written menu-in

the local language only, with a small selection indicates a good value. And the house salad

makes a quick and healthy meal. In France, bread is free. [svp]. Just hold up your basket

to ask.

In France, a free carafe of tap water is either on the table or will be quickly if you ask.

When it comes to drinking-I go local: in Bavaria, it's a liter of lager; Tuscany- a robust red

wine; Provence-a nice rose; Ireland-a hearty Guinness; Spain-a rich Rioja; in Denmark-a

fiery acquavite [..."yes"] And in Greece- it's ouzo with a sunset.

Adapt to the culture you're visting. Over here, dining is not rushed. Slow service is

often good service. In a nice restaurant, the table is yours for the entire evening.

To get the bill you need to ask for it. As service is often included and waiters are

generally paid a living wage, tipping is less expected and often unnecessary. This varies

from country to country. Get advice from locals.

Picnics are fast and fun-and give you a purpose in Europe's colorful markets and shops. When

picnicking, you can buy whatever looks good regardless of price.

Choose an atmospheric place to make your picnic memorable. We've put together a cheap and

healthy meal for two; delightful cheese, a tiny quiche, strawberries, grapes, wine...a

little something for dessert...and...a reasonable view.

Traditionally, on the Continent, breakfast is small. In France, locals just grab a croissant

and coffee on the way to work. But these days, most hotels are offering hearty breakfasts

buffets-complete with cheese, meat, yogurt, and fruit.

We're speeding-at nearly 200 miles per hour-to London, the final stop on our best of Europe

loop.

Europe is continuing to unite-both politically and physically. From the start, the wealthier

countries of the European Union have helped their less affluent neighbors catch up. And,

after a generation of huge investments, its transportation infrastructure keeps European

commerce and trade moving faster than ever. And that includes us tourists.

The Eurostar train, which speeds under the English Channel in 20 minutes, is just one

example. From Italy to Norway, great bridges, tunnels, and bullet trains are making this