Budget tips for this summer's hottest European destinations

Whether you're seeking a sunny island in Greece or a city escape in London, it's time to get serious about planning a summer vacation in Europe. Travel experts say you should shop for airline tickets about eight weeks before you plan to depart to take advantage of the lowest rates.  Listed below are the regions that are trending for summer 2014, with budget tips for each.

Of course, the best way to see Europe on a budget is to avoid the crowded summer season and travel during shoulder season -- spring or fall, when prices are lower. Another tip:  The cheapest day to depart is Wednesday, the cheapest to return is Tuesday.

Barcelona, Spain

There’s a lot to like in Barcelona, which is home to some of Europe's best known museums, churches and clubs. During the past year, Barcelona welcomed 7.5 million visitors. What to do? Walk down the city’s best-known street, Las Ramblas; explore the winding streets of the Gothic Quarter; visit the Sagrada Familia, Gaudi’s unfinished masterpiece. Barcelona is also a good starting point for trips to Andalusia, Madrid and northern Spain.

Budget Tips: You’ll find budget bargains throughout Spain this summer, with airline ticket prices down. Many of Barcelona's most famous sights are free, including the Sagrada Familia. 

Dublin and Northern Ireland

Dublin and the verdant rolling hills of Ireland are a particularly good place to stretch your euros this summer. And if you’re like a lot of “Game of Thrones” fans, you'll be heading to Northern Ireland, where you can see the Dark Hedges Road, which Arya Stark used as an escape route from King’s Landing. HBO’s award-winning television series has filmed extensively on the Causeway Coast and Glens, which offers  a 120-mile trail of outstanding scenic drives and attractions. 

Budget Tip: The best way to save money in Ireland is to stay at B&Bs, where you’ll find great hospitality and probably make a few new friends.

Rome

All roads lead to Rome this year, say the travel experts at American Express, who list the canonizations of Pope John XXIII and Pope John Paul II as one reason that Italy will draw more than its usual share of visitors this year.  Up to a million people will flood Rome for the April 27 event, with spillover crowds expected throughout the summer.  Both popes will be declared saints by Pope Francis during the Vatican celebration. 

Budget Tips:  Eat like a local by dining in neighborhood trattorias, where the food is good and prices are reasonable. Save money on hotels by staying outside the city center -- Rome's subway system is easy to navigate. 

Athens, Greece

Athens is hot, hot, hot, according to the travel experts at Kayak, who track airline ticket sales. Along with Ireland, it's one of the most popular destinations in Europe this summer. One reason for its popularity: things usually cost half what they do in other parts of Europe. From the Acropolis, which looms majestically above the city, to modern art galleries, charming neighborhood squares and lively bars, bustling Athens is a quirky mix of past and present. Visit the city for history and the Greek isles for sun and fun. 

Budget Tips:  Get off the beaten path into the countryside to find prices that are about 30% less than in the city. Book ferries two months early to save about 25% on fares.

Scotland

Scotland, which is hosting the Ryder Cup and Commonwealth Games this year, is celebrating the Year of Homecoming  2014, a yearlong series of events that offer an opportunity for those with links to Scotland to explore their heritage. It also gives visitors a chance to discover Scotland's various regions, from the rugged, natural landscapes of the Highlands to historic cities such as Edinburgh. 

Budget Tips:  Bed-and-breakfasts abound in most cities and towns, offering reasonable rates and complimentary meals. To save transportation costs, purchase a Scottish Freedom Pass, which includes transportation on most trains and ferries as well as discounted bus fares.

Belgium

Some of the biggest celebrations in Europe this summer will also be the most somber. Belgium, a country often overlooked by tourists, is hosting many World War I centennial celebrations. Many events will take place at Ypres, about 75 miles west of Brussels, where half a million soldiers died a century ago in Flanders fields. 

Budget Tips:  To save money on museums and entertainment, get a Brussels City Card, which gives free access to most museums, unlimited travel on trams and buses, and discounts on other typical tourist attractions, restaurants shops and bars.

London, England

Everyone knows London is expensive, but that doesn't keep tourists away. In fact, it's the most popular destination in the world, with 30 million visitors annually.  This summer is shaping up to be a banner year for the British capital, where celebrations will be held throughout the year honoring the centennial of the World War I.

Budget Tips: Museums, parks, gardens and many other destinations are free. Beyond that get a London Pass, which includes public transportation and sights such as Westminster Abbey. Save money on meals by staying at a hotel that includes breakfast and eat your main meal at lunch, when prices are cheaper.

Paris, France

"We'll always have Paris," says Bogie, in a famous line from the film “Casablanca.”  Most people would like to have similar romantic memories of the City of Light, which is why Paris ranks high in popularity. Everyone loves this beautiful city on the Seine, with famous landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Moulin Rouge, Château de Versailles and Notre Dame Cathedral. The city is more beautiful than ever this year, following an urban renaissance that has added car-free zones, bike paths and floating gardens.

Budget Tips: Paris is more affordable today than it was just a few years ago because of new laws that lowered the Value Added Tax on food and allowed shops to hold more sales. In addition, dozens of free museums and other sites, including Notre Dame Cathedral, Sacre Coeur and the banks of the Seine, can be visited for free.

Related: Click below for a gallery of alternative spring-break destinations.