Food Lover’s Guide to Paris

Just because it's called the City of Kings doesn't mean you have to spend like one! Lima has plenty to offer the broke backpacker and savvy traveler, from gourmet meals to free galleries and events. Here's how you can enjoy a budget-friendly holiday in Lima and save your money for other adventures around Peru. Take the MetroWhen most newcomers first arrive in Lima, they rely solely on taxis to get around, which can cost upwards of ten soles (about four dollars) for a short trip. To give you some perspective, that's the same price as a full meal here in Lima. Taking taxis is also a time-waster because the traffic in Lima is unpredictable and you can end up spending a lot of time stuck in gridlock if you get caught traveling at the wrong time. Instead, save time and money by taking the Metropolitano, a system of buses that can get you from one end of the city to another for a flat rate of two soles. If you're staying in Miraflores, for instance, and you want to explore the historic city center, you can take the Metro from the stop called Benavides—where you can buy a card for as little as five soles and reload as necessary—to the stop called Estacion Central. The A, B, and C buses will get you there from the platform marked "Norte," usually in about twenty minutes tops. Meanwhile, the same trip via taxi would end up costing at least 12 soles one way, and if you go during rush hour, could last up to an hour.  Stick to Sites with Free AdmissionIn the center of Lima, you can visit two free museums, the Palacio de Gobierno in the Plaza Mayor and the Museo de Congreso y la Inquisicion (Jr. Junín 548). At the first site, you can take a free tour of the presidential palace. In the second, you can take a gruesome tour of the site where the Spanish Inquisition tried accused heretics and exacted punishments. All materials are in Spanish, but the displays definitely get the point across. If you are going to be traveling to Lima during the summer months of January to March, you can enjoy the sunshine on the beaches in Barranco, a district just south of Miraflores. To get there, just hike down from the Parque de Barranco and cross the highway called Circuito de Playas. While you're in Barranco, you can check out the Galeria Delbarrio (Bernardino Cruz 148), just a fifteen minute walk south in nearby Chorrillos. It's a gallery set in a beautiful old mansion and serves as a showcase for independent artists' work and community art. The best part: it's free! Enjoy a Walk Along the MalecónWith 43 unique districts, Lima is a massive urban sprawl. Some areas are definitely safer than others, but certain spots such as Miraflores, Barranco, San Isidro, and parts of the center are quite pleasant and nice for walking. One particularly breathtaking walk is along the Malecón, which snakes along the cliff tops of Miraflores and offers stunning views of the Pacific Ocean. Gourmet Eats on a Backpacker's BudgetLima has been making a name for itself as a gastronomic destination, with world class restaurants and fine dining options just about everywhere you look. But you don't have to break the bank to have a nice meal. On just about every street corner, you can find set-menu restaurants for 7-10 soles offering a range of traditional meals and everything from Andean stews to fresh ceviche. Walk along the street and take your pick of the chalkboard signs advertising the day's offerings. This article was written by Sophia Guida, who has been living in Lima, Peru, on and off since the beginning of 2012, where she works as a freelance writer/photojournalist and takes every opportunity to explore the areas left out of the guidebooks. You can find her on Twitter, Instagram and Tumblr. She wrote this article on behalf of Peru for Less, experts in providing tours to Lima and all over Peru.

Our friends over at AirFastTickets.com, a brand new online travel booking site aimed at uncovering the best prices, recently conducted a survey to find out how women around the country really feel about Valentine's Day travel. According to the survey, 78 percent of women would rather take a romantic vacation anywhere in the U.S. than receive diamond earrings, a brand new designer purse, or have a private dinner cooked and arranged by a top chef. Out of a head-to-toe makeover by a famous makeup artist, a sweet serenade by Adam Sandler on guitar a la The Wedding Singer, or puppies to play with at every seat, which do you think women would rather have while flying? You guessed it, puppies. (Who wouldn't?) The most surprising responses were centered around communication, something that seems to be a lost art nowadays. While 95 percent of women polled said they'd never met a person they ended up dating while on a plane or on a cruise, 42 percent did say they would be willing to at least give out their phone numbers if they were single. (So, guys, take a chance, because, hey, you never know!) The final question offered a more depressing response: almost half of the women polled said getting a text message at the airport from your date saying that the trip was cancelled and it's time for a break would be the worst thing that could possibly happen to them on Valentine's Day. Those polled were also asked whether or not they would accept a free trip to Australia on Valentine's Day if they had to spend the entire 16-hour flight seated next to either Arnold Schwarzenegger, Eliot Spitzer or Anthony Weiner. One out of three women said no. In case you're suddenly in need of a little vacation inspiration, our friends at Room77.com have a list of getaway deals created especially for this Valentine's Day—you can score hotel discounts in Washington D.C., Seattle, Pittsburgh, Minneapolis, Long Beach, Ft. Lauderdale, and New York City—and have a nifty list of chairlift pick up lines available, you know, just in case the opportune moment strikes on the ski slopes. Whether you're planning a last-minute romantic getaway with your significant other or celebrating being single, we want to wish everyone a Happy Valentine's Day. We want to know: will you be traveling at all this V-Day? What romantic place would you like to be in this Valentine's Day weekend? Tell us about it below.

Sophie Gackowski writes for HomeAway UK For most tourists, the United Kingdom's best visited in spring, summer or autumn—after all, who wants to risk its tempestuous winter weather? But the truth is, things can only look up after the winter solstice in December: days are longer, the sunshine makes an overdue appearance, and light frosts make forests sparkle in white. Come winter, there's much more to our fair isle than pretty scenery, though it certainly takes pride of place: festivals, winter sports, shopping opportunities and celebration days make up the exciting agenda. Where will you find your winter wonderland? Pick up skills in Snowdonia, North Wales. Make no mistake: come winter, Snowdonia's an icy mistress, and not one to be underestimated. As challenging as the Welsh National Park can be during winter, however, it's a beautiful place for a holiday—there's plenty to do amidst the blanket of snow. Take your pick of ice-climbing operators in the area, and you could learn to use ice-axes and crampons, finally making your way up its majestic, snow-capped mountains. Enjoy winter walks and wildlife, Cornwall. It doesn't usually get as cold in Cornwall as the rest of the U.K., and snow isn't nearly as common—for this reason, it's a fantastic spot for those looking to get outdoors and explore. Thousands of wintering birds can be found as the Tamar Estuary, while Bodmin's Cabilla and Redrice Reserve is home to hundreds of roe deer. Walking amidst the patches of newly bloomed snowdrops has to be one of winter's simplest pleasures. Ski the Nevis Range, Scottish Highlands. When there's a great shower of snow in Scotland, head for the hills. Even seasoned skiers know the Highlands offer some of the world's best winter sports opportunities—when conditions are right. Glenshee, the Cairngorms and Glencoe are all great options, but the Nevis Range is by far the most spectacular. Enjoy coastal vistas from slopes over 3,800 ft, and some incredible off-piste terrain—all just a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Glasgow. Hit the High Street, London. Hit up any of the United Kingdom's major cities in winter, and you're sure to find one thing: sales, sales, sales! In London, shopping's taken to a whole new level: everything from High Street brands to luxury designer labels are slashed dramatically in price following Christmas, so if you're brave enough to join the crowds, bag yourself a bargain at one of the capital's most famous stores like Selfridges, Liberty, Harrods or Harvey Nichols. Follow Sophie Gackowski on Google+

All eyes will be on the Tri-state area this weekend thanks to Super Bowl XLVIII, happening Sunday, Feb. 2nd, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Whether you're in town for the big game—The Denver Broncos take on the Seattle Seahawks this year—or planning your next trip to the Big Apple, we've rounded up some fun attractions you won't want to miss! ManhattanIf you're in Manhattan Friday or Saturday, stop by Times Square, aka. Super Bowl Boulevard, an interactive football-themed playground set up from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Broadway between 34th and 47th Streets. Kick a football through goalposts set up between 45th and 46th Streets, visit the Vince Lombardi Trophy (between 43rd and 44th Streets), take a souvenir photo with giant Super Bowl XLVIII roman numerals (between 42nd and 43rd Streets), watch 10-minute videos of NFL footage projected on the outside of Macy's at Herald Square, take a ride down the giant Tobaggan slide (tickets are $5; between 40th and 41st Streets), and stop by the Autograph and Concert Stage between 39th and 40th Streets to meet former NFL players and see a performance by Blondie at 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 1st. Stop by the NYC & Company Welcome Center, located on Broadway between 43rd and 44th Streets, to find out about more Super Bowl events happening around the five boroughs. If football isn't your forte, take in a Broadway show—you can save money this weekend with 2-For-1 tickets during Broadway Week. And mark your calendars: NYC Restaurant Week is coming up from Feb. 17th thru Mar. 7th and will feature three-course lunches for $25 and $38 three-course dinners at some of the Big Apple's best restaurants. While you're in the neighborhood, visit NYC's other boroughs—Queens, Brooklyn, Staten Island, and the Bronx. QueensI'm a Queens girl—born in Floral Park, raised in Hawaii and Florida, and now back in Bayside. There's a lot going on in Queens, New York City's most ethnically diverse borough, and if you have time, take a $2.50 ride on the 7 train from Times Square for a chance to visit Astoria (you'll need to switch to the N or Q train at the Queensborough Plaza station), Long Island City, Jackson Heights, and Flushing. In Astoria, the Bohemian Hall and Beer Garden is worth a visit, as are the Museum of the Moving Image, The Noguchi Museum, and any number of restaurants and bars in the area—stop by Cronin & Phelan's Saturday nights at 11 p.m.for Starlight Karaoke, a legendary experience involving the Irish bartender who runs karaoke while performing stand up comedy and magic tricks in between sets. If you're a foodie, don't miss the opportunity to explore Jackson Heights—the epitome of the phrase "melting pot," where you can find Indian, Middle Eastern, Himalayan, and Peruvian food all within a few blocks—and Flushing, home to NYC's largest Chinatown. If you're short on time, Vayable.com offers several Queens Food Tours to choose from—I took the Queens Tastes of the World tour last summer, a three-hour guided walking tour for $59 per person that includes all your food samples and non-alcoholic beverages; truly a delicious way to spend a day. Tours can be booked online and usually take place Monday thru Friday around 1:30 p.m. BrooklynWe've already written about why Brooklyn is worth checking out, but it bears repeating. Roam the hip and trendy Williamsburg and Greenpoint neighborhoods, a great spot to find indie bookstores and boutiques; see a concert or a game at the Barclays Center; get some culture at the Brooklyn Academy of Music and Brooklyn Museum; picnic or go for a walk in Prospect Park—kids will love the Prospect Park Zoo!—treat yourself to a tasty lobster roll in Red Hook; spend the day along the Atlantic at Coney Island; or explore scenic Brooklyn Bridge Park for great views of Lower Manhattan. If you're short on time, Brooklyn Bike Tours is a great option with several themed, guided trips to help you get a taste of this fascinating borough. The BronxThe northernmost borough is home to Yankee Stadium (guided tours are available during the off-season), Fordham University, the Bronx Zoo, The New York Botanical Garden, Edgar Allen Poe Cottage, Bronx Museum of the Arts, and Arthur Avenue, a Little Italy-esque area where you can find delicious Italian food along East 187th Street. There's also a free Bronx Culture Trolley that stops along the South Bronx Cultural Corridor, home to many artsy venues, galleries, theaters, and museums. For amazing seafood and views of Manhattan, visit City Island, a historic seaside village that feels more like something you'd expect to find in Key West rather than in New York City. Bring your appetite and be ready to eat your weight in crab, lobster, and clams at any of these restaurants. Staten IslandTreat yourself to a free ride on the Staten Island Ferry from the bottom of Manhattan (take the R train to Whitehall St. or the 1 train to South Ferry) for gorgeous views of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, and visit St. George neighborhood, one of New York City's hidden gems and home to the historic St. George Theatre, the Staten Island September 11th Memorial, the Staten Island Museum, and starting in 2016, it will feature the New York Wheel. For an interesting day trip, stop by the Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden to explore 23 historic buildings, nine botanical gardens, and 10 acres of natural wetlands. You can also take the Staten Island Ferry and transfer to the Staten Island Railway for a day trip to Tompkinsville, otherwise known as Little Sri Lanka, for a chance to explore this rich culture and its delicious cuisine.