By Rick Steves
Tribune Media Services

(Tribune Media Services) — Smart budget travel isn’t just about saving money — it’s about maximizing your experience. Let me stoke your travel dreams by sharing some of my favorite European experiences from 30 years of crisscrossing the Continent.

In Dublin, be the only tourist among 50,000 cheering fans at a hurling match — that uniquely Irish game that’s as rough and tumble as airborne hockey (with no injury timeouts). Matches are held most Saturday or Sunday afternoons in summer at Dublin’sCroke Park Stadium. Choose a county to support, buy something colorful to wear or wave, scream yourself hoarse, and you’ll be a temporary local.

In Northern England, hike the best-surviving stretch of Hadrian’s Wall. Picture being a soldier posted there back in ancient Roman times to keep out the scary Scots. For a good, craggy three-mile walk along the wall, hike between Housesteads Roman Fort and Steel Rigg. Free maps are available at the Once Brewed National Park Visitor Centre.

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