Here’s an excerpt from the latest Rick Steves Article:

A major expense of any European vacation is the cost of accommodations. No matter where you go–whether a bustling city like Madrid or a mid-sized destination like Sevilla–the neighborhood and hotel you choose help shape your experience. But you don’t have to spend a fortune to find a nice, comfortable place to rest your head every night.

While many travelers opt for modern chains or big, business-class hotels, I find that these tend to build a wall between you and the people and culture you traveled so far to experience. Spending less usually gives you a richer experience. I often hear about people coming back from their vacations with bruised and battered pocketbooks, complaining about their $450-a-night room in London. True, you can spend that much, but I never have. That’s three days’ accommodations for me.

Read it all here.