Sheilas blog about travel and adventure

The city of Rome is visited for many reasons – it could be business, it could be a romantic getaway, or it could be a honeymoon or a family vacation with the kids. There is however a group of travelers that come to Rome as they find it a fantastic place for shopping and they are right. The city has fantastic designer outlets and big department stores and they are placed all over the city. If you are one of them, book one of the available Rome apartments for short-term letting and once settled, go outside to make most of the shopping opportunities in the city. I will present here several districts in the Italian capital, which are among the most popular shopping zones in Rome.

The first area that comes straight into my mind is the street Via dei Condotti near Piazza di Spagna or the so called Spanish Steps. Actually, this street is not only among the richest in Rome, but also one of the best shopping streets in Italy as a whole. On this street are situated the stores of famous designers such as Armani and Versace, Prada, Gucci, Dolce and Gabbana, and so on. In the past if you enter one of these shops to look at the goods but do not buy anything, you were charged, but this is not so these days and everyone can just enter and look at the clothes and accessories. Another nice area for shopping in Rome in the one near Piazza Navona on Via del Governo Vecchio, which is a place for those who love art. On Piazza Navona and the area around it there are many art galleries and shops full of antiques, as well as many street artists and painters. Some great stores are also available on Via del Corso street, that goes from Piazza del Popolo to Piazza Venezia and this place is very popular with the locals.

Great place for the younger generation that is in search for some trendy items is the area Viale Marconi. It is located outside the city center and could be reached with metro line B. The trip from the Coliseum is approximately a quarter of an hour. Those, who are looking for some outdoor markets and bargain prices should check the Trastevere area with its narrow winding streets, food markets, small cafes and restaurants. Another interesting place is Porta Portese, which is a Roman flea market, which is organized each Sunday from 8 until 14 o’clock. Another interesting market is the one on Piazza Vittorio. This is a great food market, where one can buy fresh fruits and vegetables, but also meat. The place is run by people that come from many and different parts of the world and the experience to make a bargain here and to buy good things to eat is very pleasant. Basically one can find everything in Rome when it comes to shopping, just he or she has to look around.

Another city in Italy that you can visit is Milan where you can stay in apartments Milan. Lisbon is also a popular shopping destination and you can find cheap accommodation in apartments Lisbon.

 The city of Paris, often called the city of light, romance and love, is among the most desired destinations for travelers. It is not a cheap place to visit, but even so, if you know a few tips you can still visit Paris and have fun, even if you are on a budget. Like every tourist place, the city of Paris has many ways to make you pay money for something that you do not need. In case that you how to stay out of these tourist traps, if you know when is best to visit the city and if you choose from the affordable Paris apartments, then you will have no problems seeing the wonders of Paris without destroying your budget. It is better to travel with a group or with your family and to share your expenses. Another good tip to keep in mind is to buy a good map of Paris, where all the attractions are pointed.

 If you want to visit Paris but you are on a budget, it is important to decide when to go. If you are not pressed by the money factor you can go to Paris in spring or in summer, but since your funds are limited, better go off season or in the period from November until April. Then you will get better prices on the Paris apartments, great discounts on the airplane tickets and no long queues on the museums and landmarks. Since many of the attractions are indoors like museums and galleries, as well as boutiques and restaurants, visiting Paris in the colder winter months is not a bad idea.

This photo of Chateau de Versailles

This photo of Tour Montparnasse

 Of course, there are many other good tips too, like for example if you do not have the money to go on the top of the Eiffel Tower, you can go to the Sacre Coeur place and enjoy that great view that you are looking for. There is a basilica next to it that should also be seen. In this way you will pay less for the view and will save yourself the time standing on several lines on the different levels of the Eiffel Tower. In case that you want to see the Louvre with its fantastic art collections or the impressive cathedral Notre Dame, you should go on the mornings or evenings of the weekdays, when the lines are not as long.  Note that you will also save money and time if you buy the Paris Pass, which offers free entry to more than 60 museums, galleries, different monuments and attractions. This pass includes metro usage, a guidebook and one could enter such places as Arc de Triomphe, Montparnasse Towers, Louvre Museum, and Palace of Versailles, etc.  As you will be in Paris, you should definitely try some of the French specialties. There are certain areas where you can go and have great meals at a reasonable price, like for example the Latin Quarter, the Montparnasse area and Montmartre area, etc. 

 There are other destinations in Europe that you can visit on a tight budget. You can rent apartments London or apartment New York.