When I first arrived fifteen years ago a hamburger here in Prague meant something akin to a SPAMburger consisting of processed mystery meats. So the term hamburger rather quickly fell out of my vocabulary.

My Prague Food Revolution series showcases just how much the food scene has changed.

The convergence of a strong US Dollar, a weak Euro and a series of tragic events recently in aviation means that Europe is morphing into one of the best travel bargains of the decade this spring and summer.

Here are a few deals I spotted that offer travelers enhanced value.

With myriad travel review sites and apps in existence today the sheer volume of information can be overwhelming — even for the most seasoned travelers. Extract more value, comfort and meaning by seeking out and chatting with locals and those who have been there instead of chiefly relying on travel websites and online reviews.

Here are just six reasons why.