| smus program (European Region Action Scheme | | | | to your Madrid hostels! |
| for the Mobility of University Students) was | | | | The menu is a fashionable combination of |
| launched more than two decades ago with the | | | | Mediterranean and Basque traditions with exotic |
| aim of encouraging students in European | | | | fusion from China and Japan but the set lunch |
| universities to move freely between their | | | | menu costs a very reasonable 12. |
| counterparts in the EU. | | | | El Meson de Dona Filo |
| Studying in one of the popular universities across | | | | Heading out of the city, the Sierra de Guadarrama |
| Spain provides a great opportunity to explore the | | | | Mountains lie to the north of the center and offer |
| whole of the country thanks to good public | | | | a spot of tranquility away from its hustle and |
| transport links and budget accommodation. | | | | bustle. Located in the quiet village of Colmenar, El |
| Erasmus students will probably find themselves | | | | Meson de Dona Filo offers a quaint taste of rural |
| without too much cash to spare, however, so | | | | Spain with a sophisticated urban menu. |
| here are a few suggestions of cheap eats for a | | | | Although they serve pricey dishes such as foie |
| shoestring trip to the vibrant capital of Madrid. | | | | gras, the excellent traditional spanish mains will |
| Cluny | | | | only set you back around 10. |
| Right in the center of the city's tourist-filled Plaza | | | | Museo Chicote |
| de Santa Ana, Cluny is nonetheless a convenient | | | | Another great budget option is to self-cater using |
| budget choice for weary students after a long | | | | the kitchen facilities at your Madrid youth hostels |
| day’s sightseeing. Here you can order | | | | — which can leave a few extra Euros for |
| anything from burgers to tapas to five-course | | | | exploring the lively nightlife scene of the city. |
| meals, providing the necessary fuel to get back | | | | |