Mind the Gap on Hotel Rates - Go South & Save in Istanbul, Athens, Seville and Lisbon

p>Thanks low-cost Carriers, cheap travel is "en(from 10EUR). Tradicional Greek Raki is waiting at the
vogue". Accommodation at discount rates completes"Psira" in the downtown "Psiri" neighbourhood (6EUR).
the deal: Centrally located hotels, hostels, apartmentsSeville welcomes guests throughout the winter months.
and b&bs from 30EUR per person per night are1.5m people live in the Andalusian capital which is the
waiting in Europe's southern cities of Istanbul, Athens,home of Flamenco. Some euros are well invested in a
Sevilla and Lisbon. Compared to the averagesevillian breakfast: "porras" (Spanish "doughnuts") with
Europe-wide rate of 58 euros, every guest saves 28hot chocolate (3EUR). Follow this with a view of the
euros per night...city from the Giralda, the famous cathedral's bell tower
With maximum temperatures of 20ºC in January(entry 7.50EUR). A snackcan be had at the "El
and real big city flair - 11.4m inhabitants make IstanbulTremendo", typically a beer with "tapas" of almonds
one of the biggest cities in the world. It is also the only(almendras) and tuna (atún, 4EUR). Another
one located on two continents. In the European part,Sevilla must - a Flamenco show in the "La Carboneria"
there is the Topkapi Palace, one of Istanbul'swhere free entry leaves travellers with a handful of
emblematic sights (entry 10EUR). Not to be missed is aeuros for Sangria.
boat ride on the Bosphorus which separates EuropeJust as sunny is Lisbon (2.8m inhabitants). The
and Asia (5EUR). With the last bit of your savings youultramodern Expo 1998 area Parque das
could pay a visit to the hip Riddim Bar (12EUR). SayNações (Park of Nations) hosts the
hello - or "Merhaba!" - to Istanbul.Oceanarium, Europe's biggest aquarium (11EUR). The
Athens, the Greek capital with around 4m inhabitants, isTorre de Belém (tower, 3EUR) figures among
another sunny city in Europe. Magnificent sandythe UNESCO's world heritage sights. Unbeatable views
beaches await you almost all year long (up toare offered by the Castelo de São Jorge (castle,
15ºC degrees in January). The undisputed5EUR). What remains of the money saved can be
highlight: the Acropolis (entry 12EUR). Not antique, yetspent on Bacalhau (dried salted cod) and drinks in the
just as timeless: the Maria Callas Museum. Entry to theBairro Alto neighbourhood, known for the best nightlife
exhibition is free. Which leaves the bigger part of thein the Portuguese capital.
savings for a real Greek meal, e.g. in the "To Kafenio"