NY Times (Sunday, Sept. 25) Travel Section had a wonderful article on Moravia in Czech Republic. Looks to be a very easy drive or train ride from Vienna, and not far from Prague. Enjoy your travels!

I'm sorry I offended you. I'm sorry I posted.

To cut expenses, I sometimes stay in the city for 3 nights where the hotel prices are higher, but then I'll move to a smaller town where I usually stay CHEAP! My examples are Munich then on to Mittenwald. Overall I average a very reasonable rate. But I also travel solo for most of my trips.

I think Poland should be high on your list. Especially Krakow and Zakopane in the mountains. Altho Nov. might be late for Zakopane. We were there last year in early October and it was very pleasant.

I must say that I didn't find Budapest that cheap. I was there 2 years ago (we stayed in an apt) and I thought admissions to attraction were on par with most European cities. And I also didn't find restaurants particularly cheap, except for one hole-in-the-wall place we went to that was in a residential area near our apt.

I'll just throw this out there, recognizing that you stated you wanted to go to Europe...but have you considered Morocco? Once you get there, it's ridiculously cheap.

Germany's been the cheapest place, by far, out of our past several European trips.

In Germany (recent stays in Bavaria, Saxony, Alsace), we've stayed in simple, but comfy guesthouses or hotels and have never spent more than 50 euros/night, including breakfast.

Berlin was the cheapest place yet -- we had an amazing 1 BR apartment in a hip building in the heart of Prenzlauerberg for about 42 euros/night.

I know you just got back from Deutschland, but maybe revisit some of the more off the beaten path places in Germany? Or head to Berlin? Or a combo of both -- Berlin and the Harz mountain towns?

I've also heard Portugal is reasonable. Turkey was dirt cheap when I was there several years ago, but I know prices have risen since then.

We also had a very inexpensive stay in Naples, Italy this winter -- paid 50 euros for a nice little B&B in the heart of town and ate very cheaply, used a 3-day regional card for trains and buses, etc.

Also meant to add... if the Istanbul mosques lit your fire, maybe you'd also like Bosnia?

We're headed there soon. I've been able to find some good, inexpensive lodging, mostly 50 euros/night or less, except for Sarajevo, where we're spending 62 euros. Food seems to be pretty cheap, too, along with buses and trains.

From there, we're going to Croatia, where prices are a bit higher, but, again, we've been able to find some inexpensive guesthouses that get rave reviews for about $60-75 USD per night.

Let us know what you decide!

Why not drive around the Czech Republic and Hungary?

I, too, am not that taken with Budapest. Big city, not all that friendly as all big cities usually are, but the Hungarian countryside is lovely.

Look into driving around the big bend of the Danube, going up from Budapest to Szetendre and then around to Esztergom.

You could also visit some of the castles in the countryside of the Czech Republic, there seems to be tons of castles sprinkled all over the CR.

And then, there's the beer...

Germany and in particular Eastern Germany outside Berlin is very cheap
Hungary
Czech Rep outside Prague
Southern Italy
French countryside
Portugal outside Algarve (though when you want to go Algarve is negotiable)
Morocco (oh yes)

If you go to France, go to the local tourist office where ever you are and before 7:00 pm and ask them to show you their list of 'Chambre D'Hote' (ie Bed and Breakfast). It is a great way to stay with the locals and they range from an simple modern house to a Chateux. I have one: http://automaxionltd.com/brochures/ChambreDHote.pdf (not a chateux)

If you want to be really cheap try http://www.couchsurfing.org/

If you go to Poland do not miss Poznan and Wroclaw; both beautiful small cities with very friendly people and good food.

november_moon, the essential issues in you list are "hotel" and I'd bet "downtown". There aren't that many inexpensive hotels in major city centres. If you have to book over the internet, first try www.hrs.de and checkfelix.com

Any "Pension" is not only cheaper but better. The rooms are cleaner, the landord friendlier and the breakfast tastier.
Why would you want to stay with the masses of international travellers that don't seem to care for money and pay more for less quality. Places without business people with lots of German clients is what you should look for. There are plenty. The local tourist info has many more alternatives than the internet. All you need is to remember to say "Good Morning" when you enter the breakfast room.

I didn't see France in your OP, but if your FF miles will take you to Paris, then I would also suggest Dijon or perhaps Alsace (probably best to base yourselves in Strasbourg although we prefer Nancy). Both are beautiful at that time of year. Rent an apartment and gorge yourself on tasty food from the charcuteries, markets etc, plus little restaurants (go to the residential or business neighborhoods and get one of the cheap lunch specials most restaurants offer - usually very good and filling and moderately priced). From Dijon, daytrip to Beaune and maybe Lyon. In Strasbourg, day trip to Nancy, Colmar, Metz, even Baden-Baden for a few hours lolling around a spa. None of those day trip options require a car.
If you're able to snag a cheap ticket, you could even have a day trip to Paris if so inclined.

Lastly, there's also Belgium. Holiday flats abound in both Brussels and Bruges. If you haven't been to Bruges, it's beautiful and can be especially captivating at night when the daytrippers have gone. From either city, you have lots of day trip options: Ghent, Leuven, Ieper, Antwerp, Delft, The Hague, or Paris, etc. Some people find it too cold and dark that time of year (November especially), but we hate summer so the temps are right up our alley.

Have fun travel planning and even more fun on your trip!

I know what you mean november_moon, we have looked for cheaper places too recently.

I highly recommend Portugal. It is VERY cheap compared to other European countries and we ate like kings. In Lisbon we had a 10 course tasting menu for €35 each! Wine is also VERY cheap! November will be off season and you can definitely find some cheap accomodation (like say €35 in a B&B) in places like Evora or Sintra. The Algarve will be more expensive.

Enjoy your planning!

"I'm sorry I offended you. I'm sorry I posted"

Oh hell Pavot - this is Fodors. I am not offended by your post and you should not be offended by mine. But, I accept your appology if you insist

Morrocco is definitely on our list - not the Europe list, but definitely the general list.

Bosina and Croatia are good ideas too - I hadn't really though much about the Balkans, but they seem like they would fit the bill nicely.

Regarding Pensions and 'Chambre D'Hote' - are these usually places where you stay in a spare room in a family's home? Or set up more like an actual inn where the owners live on site, but there are many rooms, each with it's own bathroom? My comfort level is such that staying with a family of strangers is a non-starter - as is sharing a bathroom down the hall. I also have trouble just turning up somewhere and looking for a room - that is a leap of faith that I am just not comfortable taking.

I don't see from the original message what defines "inexpensive" for the OP in €. Choice is always there and lots of online booking services allow sorting accommodation by price. I would agree that Portugal is generally "inexpensive" country compared to other EU members. Generally speaking smaller towns will be cheaper than bigger cities; North is cheaper than South; intercity public transit is reasonable (average price in Portugal is around 5€ pp for 1 hr of travel). Meals are reasonable (we usually paid no more than 15-20 pp for good dinner with drinks & desert) in non touristy restaurants. Cafeteria type of meals are under 5, sandwich 2-3. Also went to Madeira which is beautiful & reasonably inexpensive.

Same true for Spain with exception of major tourist centers.

November: I started staying in pensiones because my European friends would do the booking of rooms. Apparently, most Europeans travel this way.

A pension/pensione is usually a professionally run bed-and-breakfast place with several guest rooms. Unlike the places on airbnb, these owners are in a business relationship with their guests, although most pension owners are very warm and welcoming and lend a great personal touch. Breakfast is usually included. Prices are very reasonable to boot.

It could be a wonderful experience. I'll never forget one Swiss pension owner who set out a fabulous breakfast and then sat with us and chatted for the whole morning. We learnt a lot about Switzerland in that one morning.

Do give the pension a try on your next trip!

november_moon,
>Or set up more like an actual inn where the owners live on site, but there are many rooms, each with it's own bathroom?

Of course, it's "just like a hotel", but the rooms are nicer and cleaner. Today, there's no way you can get the average German tourist to share a bathroom or things like that! The beds are better, the rate lower, it's always cleaner than any hotel and the owners either living "across the street" or in some seperate area in the house.