As the world is starting to get back to normal after the chaos of COVID-19, more and more countries open up their borders to tourists. This is especially great news to those who cannot imagine their lives without traveling across the world and absorbing new experiences!
What Is Gastro-Tourism?
There is a whole branch of getting to know other cultures, which is gastro-tourism. In essence, people visit other countries to taste their national dishes. What could be better than a croissant in Paris, or a mug of beer in a small German village? Of course, you would still see a lot of landmarks and popular attractions, but food is the primary destination for gastro-tourists.
Today, a lot of low-cost airlines offer affordable fairs. Even a student with a small budget can now experience beautiful foreign dishes as they are meant to be eaten! So, don’t hesitate to get help from an EssayWritingService and hop on a plane instead of doing homework! The good news is that this type of traveling doesn’t need to be very expensive.
Some say that the cheapest and the most delicious countries in Europe are in the Eastern regions. You will find out if this is true after reading this article. So, here is a list of the top 7 destinations in Europe for gastro-tourists living on a budget!
Hungary
Hungary is a beautiful rural Eastern-European country with lots of wine and meat. If you want to experience some authentic wine-tasting with goulash, try taking a tour of the countryside. And if you love an amazing view of a modern city, there are plenty of restaurants in Budapest that serve national dishes as well.
Famous dishes:
- gulyás, national meat stew;
- lángos, a deep-fried flatbread that is usually sold by street vendors;
- halászlé, national fish soup.
Bulgaria
Another very cheap country that is affordable even for a student is Bulgaria with lots of quality farm vegetables, unique spices, and dairy products. You can also find anything to your taste in the national cuisine, including pork, chicken, seafood, veal, and even great vegetarian options.
Famous dishes:
- banitsa, sour pastry with feta and vegetables;
- kebapche, a version of meat kebab;
- musaka, a dish made of pork, eggs, and potatoes mixed together.
Greece
Words cannot express how tasty your vacation in Greece is going to be! Apart from the amazing views, cheap prices, and very generous people, this country also offers incredibly delicious food. You can experience life in a big city in Athens or go vacationing to one of many islands along the coast.
Famous dishes:
- papoutsakia, baked eggplants with any vegetable or meat stuffing;
- souvlaki, a version of a shawarma with yogurt sauce;
- any dish with seafood.
Czech Republic
Even though Prague is a beautiful European city with a lot of tourist attractions, it’s still rather cheap. Of course, you would want to try local beer in a pub, but remember to drink responsibly! Also, Czech Republic offers a lot of delicious food if you don’t like alcohol.
Famous dishes:
- česnečka, garlic soup with sausages, cheese, and croutons;
- svíčková na smetaně, marinated beef with a side of vegetables and cranberry sauce;
- uzené, smoked meat with berries and peppers.
Poland
Get ready for a carb-loaded vacation in Poland, which is the motherland of famous pierogies. Tourists and locals love them so much that they hold an annual pierogi festival in Krakow every summer. Don’t be discouraged though, Poland has many things to offer in winter too!
Famous dishes:
- pierogi, a version of dumplings;
- bigos, sauerkraut with vegetables and meat or sausage;
- zurek, potato soup with meat, vegetables, and a hard-boiled egg.
Austria
Okay, so the last two destinations on this list are a little bit more expensive. But they are still considered budget-friendly compared to the rest of European countries. For example, Vienna is famous for its coffee and the beautiful cathedral. So, why not combine these two experiences?
Famous dishes:
- Viennese Apfelstrudel, a sweet apple pie with cinnamon and raisins;
- Wiener Schnitzel, fried meat with a side of mashed potatoes;
- Knödel, a version of sour or sweet dumplings.
Germany
What could be better than having a cold German beer and a sausage? The cuisine of this country is very similar to Austrian dishes, but with a little twist. And don’t forget about Oktoberfest where you can enjoy non-alcoholic beer and plenty of national food.
Famous dishes:
- Brot & Brötchen, a type of rye bread;
- Currywurst, a sausage that is usually sold by street vendors;
- Kartoffelpuffer, a big potato pancake.
To Sum Up
So, are you ready to embark on a gastro journey yet? Even if you can’t afford an expensive vacation, you still can enjoy yourself in these cheap European countries. Some say that you can learn more about a nation through its cuisine. So, when you are eating out at a restaurant, maybe read up the history of the place as well to add to your experience!
Photo by Aleksandar Pasaric from Pexels
