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The Times Travel section asked readers to share their tips on saving money while still enjoying vacation. Here are some of their recommendations. For more, go to latimes.com/moneytips.

Saving money in Europe

Consider attending a language school in a foreign country. Often, such schools will arrange a home stay with a family that can include meals and/or kitchen privileges. I have visited Venice, Italy, four times this way, once staying a month because it was so affordable. I would never be able to afford to spend two to four weeks in Venice otherwise. Of course, you have to attend classes, usually in the morning, but it is a great way to meet other international travelers and learn the language too.

--Jill Gluck, West Hollywood

Buy local items in charity shops in Ireland, Wales and England. For example, I picked up a Manchester United footballer shirt (for $10), a Burberry purse ($5) and an Irish wool hat ($4). Others in my tour group laughed until they saw my incredible finds.

--Carol Williford, Cedar Creek, Texas

I just came back from France and here are some tips:

If driving, stay in a bed-and-breakfast. The price of the room is for the room, not per person, and breakfast is included. Plus you get the real France.

To save on food, go to a typical French outdoor market and pick up some picnic items; find a glorious spot to sit and take in the countryside without spending lots of euros on a restaurant lunch.

If not driving, stay in a city and make it your home base. Then, immediately go to the tourist office and ask for any passes offered -- bus, train, boat, museum, etc. You can buy them for the amount of time you're in the city.

I recently spent three weeks there and took 600 euros (about $800) out of my checking account and came back with 150 (about $200). So it can be done.

--Rosemary Chiaverini, Sherman Oaks

Stay in privately owned apartment rentals instead of hotels. Websites such aswww.vrbo.com or www.homeaway.com offer a treasure box of reasonably priced apartment rentals with excellent amenities. Many include daily or midweek maid service. And preparing your own meals and picnics saves a lot of money.

When eating out, in Europe, for example, eat your main meal when the all-inclusive lunch menus are available. I live in Spain part time and travel around Europe quite often. I can get a three- or four-course main meal with included beverage for about $10 to $15 if I look for the tourist menu, usually served between 1 and 5 p.m.

Use local public transportation instead of going on an expensive organized tour. For the price of a bus or Metro ticket and a good travel book or local tourist office information pamphlet, you can see the local sights at a fraction of the cost and have the opportunity to meet and talk with the locals. Isn't that what traveling is supposed to be about?

Check local papers and ask the locals if they know of any free or low-cost entertainment opportunities. Often, there are free park concerts, church concerts, etc., that only the locals or the local newspapers know about.

Consider doing a home exchange. These are a wonderful way to get to know the locals while saving money. Many include use of automobiles and bikes, and exchangers are often willing to watch your pet if you'll watch theirs.

--Marcia McCormack, Lake Forest

Eating well -- and wisely

To keep under budget abroad, I never eat breakfast in restaurants. The afternoon before, I eat lunch at a busy street vendor in the local open-air market. (In my mind, this lessens the health risk.) I usually chat up the cook and casually ask about who sells the freshest stuff.

I then get fruit, a small bread equivalent and some bottled water for the next morning.

I sometimes also get salad stuff for lunch the same day, placing it all in one of the 50 or so clear, quart-sized plastic bags I've packed (truly an indispensable travel item). It keeps for longer than you might think -- and with my sturdy plastic, camping-gear style fork, knife and spoon, it's all nicely portable. I then walk around and people-watch.

If I do splurge on a restaurant, it's usually at lunchtime; dinners tend to run higher.

--Dave Doran, Los Angeles

Using the websitewww.restaurant.com is a great way to save money on eating when traveling with children. We used it recently when in San Francisco with our daughter and it worked out very well.

--Mimi Schector, Tarzana

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