Many airlines are now offering cut price flights all over Europe, and this has opened up lots of new destinations to the budget traveller allowing them to enjoy some of Europe’s most stunning and historic locations at very little cost.

Here are just a few of the top budget destinations on offer in Europe:
· Prague, Czech Republic – Prague has a lot to offer visitors, from historic buildings through to a vibrant and exciting nightlife, and the costs of accommodation, dining out and shopping are quite low, which makes this an attractive choice for budget travellers. You can also easily travel around the main attractions of Prague by foot as it is a small, compact city and the public transport system is also cheap and efficient and this combined with low cost flights to the area means that you can keep your travelling costs to a minimum.
· Budapest, Hungary – this is another historic European city and like Prague it offers good value for money when it comes to sightseeing, accommodation, dining out and shopping. The transport system is also cheap and there are plenty of things to see and do.
· Rome, Italy – Rome often has a reputation for being an expensive destination, but budget travellers can find much cheaper options if they take the time to look around, and there are some excellent small family run hotels, guesthouses, restaurants and bars which can offer good value for money, often right in the heart of the city so that you will be able to walk to most of the main attractions. Budget flights tend to serve airports just outside the city, but transfer options are often provided by the airlines which will take you into the main city at a relatively low cost.
· Barcelona, Spain – this is a vibrant, bustling city which offers both historic splendour and the latest modern conveniences, and has recently become very popular for stag and hen weekends as accommodation, shopping and nights out are very cheap, and there are plenty of excellent budget hotels, restaurants, bars and nightclubs. There are also a wide number of low cost airlines servicing this city so you should be able to get a cheap flight nearly all year round.

Europe can offer some of the most iconic tourist attractions in the world, and is a historic and beautiful continent to visit from the cooler, rugged forests and fjords of the north through to the warm golden beaches of the south. There are so many different things to see and do, and so many diverse cultures in Europe you will be spoilt for choice when it comes to choosing a holiday destination, but to help you decide where to go here are just of few of the most iconic ‘must see’ tourist attractions on offer:

Leaning Tower of Pisa (Torre Pendente di Pisa)
This amazing piece of architecture was constructed in 1174, in the heart of Pisa’s Campo dei Miracoli (Field of Miracles) and is famous not just for its attractive design, but also its peculiar geometry. The tower was built on soft, swampy soil, and has gradually sunk down causing the whole tower to lean over to one side, so that one side is now 5 metres closer to the ground than the other. This unique structure is an amazing sight, and a testament to the skill of the craftsmanship of its builders as although the tower leans it is still a solid structure.

Eiffel Tower (Tour Eiffel)
The Eiffel Tower was created in 1889, as a centrepiece to the Paris Exposition Universelle, which commemorated the French Revolution. The tower is made completely from iron, held together by thousands of rivets and at its time it was the tallest structure in the world (324m). Today the Eiffel Tower has become a centrepiece to the whole city, and a symbol of Paris itself and is one of the most iconic tourist attractions in the world receiving hundreds of thousands of visitors every year.

Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament
London has many historic buildings but the neo-Gothic Palace of Westminster, sitting right on the River Thames, is one of the most stunning and iconic buildings in the world, and like the Eiffel Tower this and the adjoining clock tower St Stephens’ which houses the famous bell ‘Big Ben’ has become the centrepiece of London. The original Palace of Westminster was used as a royal residence, but after a fire in the early 1600’s it became the seat of the British Government, which it has remained to this day.

Cruises around Europe are very popular, and can be a relaxing and comfortable way to visit some of the world’s most amazing cities and coastal resorts and there are a number of ways in which you can get cheap, affordable European cruises even if you are on a tight budget.
· Pick Your Time – with cruises timing is crucial when it comes to cost, and booking in the off-season and shoulder seasons (October through to May) can save you a lot of money, and often the weather is still good on the shoulder seasons. It is also a good idea to book as far in advance as you can, as the best discounts offered by cruise operators are almost exclusively on very early bookings, or if you are flexible about when you can travel you could also try booking as late as possible as cruise liners will be keen to fill up empty rooms and will be offering some good discounts for last minute bookers.
· Repositioning Cruises – if you are not fussy about your destination or the length of your European cruise then you could look out for repositioning deals, which is when a ship is moving from one seasonal route to another. Rooms can be booked at cost price during these journeys, to help offset the costs of moving the ship to its new destination, but remember that these are likely to be longer journeys with a lot of time at sea between port calls, and there may not be as many onboard activities on offer during these trips.
· Hidden Costs – you must make sure you examine each cruise booking carefully before you make any commitments, as what may seem like a cheap deal at the time could end up costing you a lot of money in terms of fees and surcharges. Check what meals and onboard activities will be included in your ticket price, and also how much the offshore excursions will cost. It can be a good idea to book and pay for a number of activities and excursions before you depart, and this will help you to avoid getting carried away and running up any expensive charges whilst you are away.

Europe is the birthplace of modern civilisation and a diverse continent which spans a vast range of different landscapes and cultures, and is a wonderful place to visit which combines the latest modern conveniences with some of the most historic and iconic sights in the world.

History
From the ancient ruins of Greece and Rome through to the poignant World War battles fields of Normandy there is a wealth of history on offer all across Europe, and if you are interested in particular periods such as medieval, renaissance or regency then you will find a vast number of historic buildings and monuments of interest spread all this vast and diverse continent. Europe also has a number of significant religious buildings, including several of the worlds most beautiful and iconic churches and cathedrals, and the centre of the Catholic faith the Vatican is also situated in the heart of Italy.

Shopping
Europe has some of the most modern and cutting edge cities in the world, and if you are interested in shopping then there is a great deal of choice on offer from the upscale traditional tailors of Saville Row in London through to the stunning haute couture of Paris and Milan. You will find most of the big name brands in major European cities, alongside smaller independent shops and boutiques selling everything from designer shoes and handbags through to gourmet food and fine wines.

Dining
Europe is renowned for the diversity and quality of its cuisines, from the famous gourmet restaurants of France through to the delicious fresh produce of the Mediterranean, and there are also plenty of fine wines and liquors on offer from countries such as Switzerland, Portugal and Austria.

Attractions
Europe has some stunning coastlines, and golden beaches of the French Riviera, Greece and Italy are great places to relax and have some fun. There are a number of excellent attractions on offer including themes parks, world class museums and art galleries, theatres and live music events and there is also a wide range of outdoor activities from sailing through to winter sports such as skiing and snowboarding.