Traveling is a time to relax and not to worry, especially not about money.

In time of financial turmoil and a perpetually weak US Dollar, this seems to all but eliminate travel to Europe.

"Not necessarily" says Karen Brown, who has been traveling to Europe for over 30 years and is best known as the author of Karen Brown's travel guides.  We asked Karen to share some of her travel secrets and how to find bargains.

She chose the 10 Best Bargains in Salzburg, a favorite tourist destination in Europe.

1.  The Glockenspiel atop the Residenz Neubau (New Residence)

Its 36 bells play Mozart tunes at 7 am, 11 am, and 6 pm is not to be missed.

Cost: $0

2.  Salzburg Cathedral

With its three massive bronze doors was built about 1630 and modeled after St. Peter's in Rome.   There are over 4,000 pipes in its organ. The three massive bronze doors represent Faith, Love and Hope.

Cost: $0

3.  Concerts at Five

Daily concerts and recitals of works by Johann Michael Haydn, younger brother of Joseph.

Concerts are from May through October for a real bargain price of Euro 2 concerts or free with a Salzburg card.

4.  Universitaet Mozarteum Salzburg

Concerts by graduating students

Cost: $0

5.  The Gaisberg

Provides the best view over Salzburg.  Sit in the beer garden and enjoy the sun like a local or stay overnight at the Romantik Hotel Die Gersberg Alm, and enjoy the best breakfast in Salzburg.

Cost: Double room with breakfast and all taxes approximately 137 Euros.

6.  Fuerst Original Salzburger Mozartkugeln

The real and authentic Mozart Kugel makes a perfect souvenir as it can only be bought in Salzburg. Watch for the silver paper with blue print.

Cost: about 15 Euros for 12 pieces.

7.  Café Tomaselli

Austria's oldest coffee house.

With your coffee the café provides a wide selection of newspapers, including the International Herald Tribune, for you to read and stay as long as you like.

8.  "Die Weisse" Brewery

Serves the best wheat beer in Salzburg and is popular with locals, especially students because of its extremely affordable menu options.

9.  Fraeulein Maria's Bicycle Tour

Fraeulein Maria's Bicycle Tour takes you through Salzburg and to the locations of The Sound of Music. What could be more charming then a tour by bicycle through Salzburg.

Cost: 22 Euros

10.  Salzburg Card

Purchase the Salzburg Card for free public transportation including boat and seilbahn as well as free entrance to all museums.

Cost: approx. 21 Euros for 24 hours

About Karen Brown

Karen Brown, the author of Karen Brown's travel guides began researching and writing her first travel guide during her college years at UC Berkeley. Karen Brown's guides now include seventeen titles for countries in Western Europe, regions of the United States and Mexico.

Karen Brown's books can be found at Amazon.com by Clicking Here,
or in any bookstore and on her website www.karenbrown.com.

The Karen Brown website is an interactive travel companion where you can research your destination, create custom itineraries, book accommodations and much more. When Karen is not traveling and researching for her books, she lives with her husband Rick and her dog Merlin in San Mateo, California.

Karen Brown's website can be found at www.karenbrown.com

The Salzburg tourist office website can be found at www.salzburg.info

London's May Fair Hotel Rocks
World's Fare By Anne Z. Cooke

I wish I'd stayed in the penthouse suite, at the five-star May Fair Hotel in London, but my budget refused to stretch. I did get a leisurely tour and a glass of cabernet, however, long enough to admire the very large bed and marvel at the pink and gold clouds that framed the city's skyline at sunset.

Taller than its neighbors here in the Mayfair district, the nine-story May Fair Hotel's terrace actually enjoys 360-degree views, a rare highlight of any stay in this posh retreat.

Plan Ahead for a Memorable Roman Holiday
World's Fare By Margaret M. Johnson

Rome, Italy's capital, and largest city, has nearly 3 million inhabitants in an area of 580 square miles.

With more churches than there are days in the year; monuments dating back to the 1st century; ancient, medieval, renaissance, and baroque art and architecture; some of the richest museums and galleries in the world; breathtaking fountains and obelisks; and Vatican City, the center of Christianity. Rome is one of the world's most popular tourist destinations.

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