Where in Europe Cheap

Greece and Portugal in Western Europe...Poland, Rumania, and Bulgaria in the East. Both Greece and Portugal are very safe (with sunscreen and sunglasses, your 3 yo will have a wonderful time in the Greek Isles).

The Baltic republics are also fairly inexpensive, although I understand this is no longer the case for Riga. Russia is still very cheap, with the exception of lodging (although there's a ton of red-tape required to visit).

Tom, she said "safe" ...our experience in St Petersberg does not support "safe" as Natalie has expressed it.

I found Madrid to be safe. We traveled outside Madrid also to Toledo and Segovia. You can stay at the Paradores, which is a real treat. The cost was not bad, and we also ate very well too.

However, I am not sure how it will be like with a toddler.

Staying outside of major cities will decrease your lodging and food expense.

I've seen children up to 5 years old in strollers wherever I've traveled in Europe. Use of one can help keep your child safe and extend your own range, rather than depend on the slower pace of a small child. There are plenty of parks and play areas in many towns and cities. I would aim for smaller towns or cities, relatively level (not too hilly), and find a neighborhood-type setting, i.e. not an area that is all restaurants and hotels. I just returned from Spain and Portugal. Both countries are less expensive than some others, and have plenty of places that might be suitable for adults with a small child.

Consider Greece and Portugal - both are quite 'safe', very interesting, and, if you are willing to travel as the locals do, can be fairly reasonable. That said, with the euro at approx 1.60 to the dollar, the days of cheap are over.

We just returned from Spain and Portugal. We had a great trip but our next one is going to be Alaska. After that, Hawaii.

Berlin is surprisingly cheap. For me being based in Frankfurt Berlin every time feels like a city on sale. Cheap taxis, cheap admission to attractions, beers cost half the price of those in Frankfurt, so do restaurant bills... Great zoo, too. Combine Berlin with e.g. places in Poland and/or the Czech republic.

Austria is less expensive than Germany. At Salzburg B & Bs located at the side of the town can be less expensive than hotels in the town. In Slovenia hotels can be not expensive.

I loved Berlin as well for the low cost and variety of things to do--museums, music, art, history and great food. The transportation system (bus, metro, and taxi) made it easy to get to any part of the city. It felt safe as well.