3 Not-to-Miss Desserts in Prague

Cafes across Prague will try to entice your sweet tooth with a local specialty called Rakvička (above). Let them.

Rakvička is a light crispy biscuit, covered with fresh whipped cream and drizzled with a light, sweet sauce. Delicious as it may sound (and is), the most unique feature of this dessert is its shape. Rakvička is styled to look like small coffins. Usually served in pairs, they're even hollow on the inside.

There may be no better tricky treat in all of Prague, but here are two others that demand a taste when in Europe's favorite fairy tale city.

Municipal House Cafeteria
A trip to Prague would be incomplete without a visit to the Municipal House Cafeteria, one of the city's finest examples of Art Noveou architecture and the perfect place for an afternoon espresso, complete with cake, ice cream and the best eggnog you may ever taste. The Municipal House is as renowned for its impeccable formal service and architectural style as it is for its food.

Address:
Náměstí Republiky 5
110 00 Prague 1

Trdelnik
Traditional street foods are a great way to get to know new cultures and there is perhaps no place where this rings truer than in the Czech Republic. When your sweet tooth strikes on the streets of Prague, stop and pick up a trdelnik. The fresh, flaky, cylindrical dough pastries are usually dusted with cinnamon and sugar and always delicious.

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In Prague!

How to See the Vienna State Opera for less than $5

If you've got a little patience, you can see the Vienna State Opera for cheap. There's only one catch: you have to stand.

Standing room tickets are a inexpensive way to catch opera performances around the world. But in this capital of culture, there's an art to getting these "seats." Think of it as the ultimate in old school mosh pits.

Here's what you need to know:
Get to the opera house about two hours before the performance and bring a scarf. Use the entrance near Opengrasse, head toward the box office window and wait in line. Ticket sales start 80 minutes before showtime.

The seasoned opera goers will be the ones with books, snacks and their own pop-up chairs.

Pick your section before your turn in what will become a quickly-moving line. Parterrestehplatz (4 EUR) is downstairs, directly in front of the stage. Balkonstehplatz (3 EUR) are on the sides of the middle level. Galeriestehplatz (3 EUR) is in the center of the top balcony level. If you're among the first 100 people in line, Parterrestehplatz tickets are your best bet.

When you get to the window, buy your tickets and head toward your section, where you'll wait in one more line. This line will allow you to pick your standing spot, but you'll have to move quickly and deliberately the second staff opens the doors. Doors open 45 minutes before showtime with people rushing to good spots. Believe it or not, the competition can get intense.

Once you've found a spot, hang out or tie a scarf to the bar in front of it and head out until showtime. Show your ticket stub to get back in, find your scarf (it'll be there) and stand back for the show.

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Catching a Viennese opera, of course!

Coping With The High Cost of Copenhagen

Everything costs more in Copenhagen. Here in Denmark's capital, don't be surprised to come across $5 sodas, $10 McMeals and $6 happy hour beers. Here are three ways to save a few crowns in this slice of Scandinavian heaven:

1) Seek out free entertainment -- Even in the land of the expensive, some things are free. Check out the changing of the guard and the Danish Royal Palace, a Sandemans walking tour, the iconic Little Mermaid and the National Museum.

2) Take the 11A bus instead of the pricier open top sightseeing tour. The 11A will take you to many of the same sights including Tivoli Gardens, the National Museum, Stroeget and Amalienborg Palace for a small fraction of the price.

3) Take the boat bus instead of a canal cruise - It seems every European city has a river, canal or lake to cruise. This city's canal cruises are particularly pricey for foreign travelers, so skip it and take the significantly cheaper boat bus as you wander instead.


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In Copenhagen

How To Not Get Ripped Off In Marrakech

If you feel like you have a target on your back from the second you land in Marrakech, it’s because you do. Unfortunately, this North African tourist hot spot is filled with cabbies, henna artists and salesmen out to take advantage of tourists.

Here’s five tips for making the most of your Moroccan vacation without spending more dirham than you need to.

1) Take the airport bus or arrange for an airport transfer from your hotel or hostel. The No. 19 airport bus is a bargain at 20 dirham. An airport transfer will cost more, but the price will likely still be less than the cabbies at the airport will charge. And like in Istanbul, there’s a pretty good chance a cabbie off the street – even at the airport -- won’t get you to the correct destination.

2) Always, always bargain with salesman in the markets.Storekeepers in Jemaa el-Fnaa, the city's main square, may not cut you a deal but walk a little further into Marrakech’s markets and you’ll likely find better deals on the exact same items. Most shopkeepers start with a ridiculously high price for whatever it is they’re selling, expecting you to bargain with them. Many items can actually be had for one-half or one-fifth of the first quoted price. The key to bargaining here is being unafraid to walk away. You’ll be surprised how often a salesman will follow you, and come down to a more reasonable price.


3) Never ever take what you’re told at face value. If a salesman says something is real leather, ask him to prove it to you by burning it. Real leather won’t burn, but much of what’s sold as leather in the souks will.

4) Beware of anyone who tries to dance with you in the streets or tries to dress you in local clothing for photographs – such entertainment is never free. Also, expect to be asked for money if you take photos of snake charmers and other animal toting entertainers in famous Jemaa el-Fnaa square.

5) Waiters and storekeepers will often claim not to have change, instead asking you to leave a ridiculously large tip for them. Avoid this by carrying small bills and being forceful with anyone trying to gouge you for a tips that may cost up to 50% of your meal or service.

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In Marrakech

Where to Get a Good Margarita in Madrid

Madrid may be best known for its Sangria and wine, but it’s one place whose margaritas even traveling Texans can appreciate.

Naturally, I was skeptical when I walked into El Chaparrito. But it’s been awhile since I’ve been in Texas, and Mexican food and a margarita sounded delicious after several days of Spanish tapas and Sangria.

Unfortunately, the food was nothing worth writing about (I ordered the enchiladas), but the margarita was surprisingly good. That's even though it wasn’t quite frozen when served. It had a familiar Texas taste and a nice ring of salt around the rim of the glass – not bad for about 5 euro.

Where to go:

El Chaparrito
Calle Mayor 68
Madrid, Spain 28013
+34 915 42 46 81 ‎
www.elchaparrito.com

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In Madrid (inside the guard tower at the royal palace)

Four Free Things To Do In Barcelona

Want to have some fun abroad without draining your bank account? Head to Barcelona where several days of entertainment can be had without forking over a fistful of euros.

Here are four of your best options for free fun along the Spanish Riviera:

1) Festivals – Barcelona knows how to throw a street party, and its festivals are among the world’s best. During Fiesta de Gracia, for example, residents of this historically working class neighborhood compete to create the best festival art of the year. Local musicians put on free concerts; flamenco dancers perform in the streets and makeshift bars spring up across the neighborhood. There’s even a human castle building competition. Fiesta de Gracia is held in late August each year, but it’s just one of many in Barcelona. Check festival schedules online to coordinate your travel dates around one of these legendary celebrations.

2) Beaches – Thanks to the 1992 summer Olympics, Barcelona has become a beach bum’s paradise. Stretching 4.5 kilometers from Port Olimpic in the north to Barceloneta in the south, these beaches are a man made paradise along the Mediterranean. Once a simple port, imported Egyptian sand and Hawaiian palm trees have made this stretch an oasis for sunbathers, beach volleyball players and tourists and locals alike looking to cool off in the idyllic blue water.

3) La Rambla – This 1.2 kilometer pedestrian walkway stretching from Catalunya in the north to Port Vell in the south is perhaps Barcelona’s top tourist attraction. Souvenir stands, artists, street performers and vendors line this strip day and night, hawking their wares and putting on shows for passers-by.

4) Free Walking Tour - You won’t find Sandeman’s legendary New Europe free tours here, but head to the Travel Bar, located at Boqueria 27, for an English language tour that’s just as good. Barcelona-based guides will walk through the city's gothic quarter, pointing out Picasso’s favorite absinthe bar, one of the two oldest synagogues in the world and several other pieces of history you may otherwise miss. Tours depart at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. daily. You'll have the option of buying a 1 EUR Sangria or beer at one of the Travel Bar's sister properties at the end of the tour.

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At Fiesta de Gracia in Barcelona

When in Lisbon, Hostels Top Hotels

If you're a hostelling backpacker, there's a haven for you at the edge of Europe: Lisbon, Portugal.

Lisbon is home to the world's top three hostels, and Lisbon hostels occupy the top spots on Hostelworld.com's rankings of large and small hostels.

Most hostellers will tell you Lisbon offers the best accommodations a backpacker's budget can buy. And they're right. For prices similar to those at lesser European hostels, expect perks like free pub crawls and walking tours and cheap chef prepared dinners, complete with wine.

Why are Lisbon's hostels so great? Tough competition among highly ranked properties, local hostel operators say.

Which brings me to, where in the world is (was) Meena??


In Lisbon!

Wall mural in a room at the Living Lounge, the world's No. 3 hostel.