Here are some great travel freebies you can take advantage of right now to help get you started!
TOP SUMMER TRAVEL FREEBIES
South of the Border
Occidental Hotels & Resorts is offering some great deals at six of its all-inclusive resorts in Mexico from Puerto Vallarta to Playa del Carmen throughout the end of the year. Travelers can go now or plan ahead for summer and fall getaways with a variety of value-added promotions including free nights AND kids free, with nightly rates as low as $46 per person, available for travel now through December 2009. For more: www.occidentalhotels.com
Caribbean Bliss
Westin St. John Resort and Villas (pictured above) is re-launching its popular Unwind on Island Time package where you get a lot of cool freebies if you stay three nights including: $100 dining credit daily, kids under 12 stay and eat free, free roundtrip airport transfers and a St. John island tour, all for FREE. The special lasts through December 18. Love it! For more: www.westinstjohn.com.
U.S.A.
The Fairmont Washington, D.C. hotel’s “Family Adventure” Package helps you discover the top 100 things you can do in Washington D.C. for FREE. The package includes accommodations for two adults and two children, complimentary breakfast daily and a free copy of City Walks with Kids, Washington, D.C. guide. Families can check out more than 100 free things to do and see in the nation’s capital including all 19 of the Smithsonian’s museums, the national monuments and more. The “Family Adventure” Package at The Fairmont Washington, D.C. offers rates starting from just $229 per night and is available year-round until December 31, 2009. For more: www.fairmont.com/washington
MORE TRAVEL FREEBIES:
Finding the best freebie isn’t always about getting your traditional free night or free meal you also need to think outside the box when you’re looking at getting the most bang for your travel buck. Here’s a fun list of some top resorts that are offering some unique freebies that are aimed at keeping you entertained when you’re on your vacation!
Tahiti: Guests at Le Méridien Tahiti can participate in the new, complimentary L’Atelier du Jardiner program. Join the resort chef for a guided walk through the kitchen garden, followed by a tasting session and demonstrations on just what to do with the fruits and vegetables. For example – learn the best way to grate a coconut into coconut milk. www.tahiti.lemeridien.com
Florida Keys: At Hawks Cay on Duck Key, guests can participate in a number of different programs for no charge. Learn to SNUBA, to tie seaworthy knots and to speak like a sailor. You can also discover constellations or explore the waters of the Florida Keys with nightly presentations each week. www.hawkscay.com
Bora Bora: At Le Méridien Bora Bora children can make use of the complimentary kid-sized windsurf boards and snorkeling equipment to explore the interior lagoon, Turtle Sanctuary and Bora Bora lagoon. Standard-size snorkeling gear, pedal boats and exclusive outrigger canoes from The Kaïnalu Canoe Club are also available for use free of charge. www.borabora.lemeridien.com
St. John, USVI: Down in the Caribbean it’s all about the rum. At Caneel Bay, guests can sample local hooch on the house during regular rum tasting sessions at the bar and enjoy complimentary bottles of island rum in their guest room mini bar. www.caneelbay.com
Stowe, VT: If you love to explore the great outdoors, then head to Topnotch Resort and Spa, which offers complimentary guided hikes deep into the Green Mountain wilderness. Follow the leader up to Sterling Pond where stunning views of Mount Mansfield, the tallest peak in Vermont, are sure to impress. www.topnotchresort.com
Denver: The Curtis offers a free in-room game menu with classic pastimes like Sorry!, Uno, Chutes and Ladders, Boggle and Guess Who? Don’t feel like reading the rules? A staffer will be happy to show you how to play and even join in if you’re traveling alone. www.thecurtis.com
Virgin Gorda: Guests of Rosewood Little Dix Bay can take their pick of seven nearby island beaches, free of charge. Get dropped by Boston Whaler at one of seven beautiful beaches around the coast of Virgin Gorda, and they’ll return to pick you up whenever you’re ready. Don’t forget your complimentary snorkel gear! www.littledixbay.com
Cumberland Valley, PA: Omni Bedford Springs Resort & Spa offers complimentary “Cooking with the Chef” sessions twice a week. Learn how to create dishes such as Mushroom Strudel, Spätzle and “The Simple Vinaigrette” and get recipes from Executive Chef Konrad Meier to take home with you. www.omnibedfordsprings.com
Paris: Both Le Meurice and Hôtel Plaza Athénée offer guests complimentary bicycles for easy commuting around the City of Lights. Borrow “the Meurice touch,” a pistachio-green bicycle, and “the Plaza touch,” a geranium-red bicycle designed to combine luxury and practicality. The bikes are decked out with cheery red satchels, an elegant golden bike lock, and a matching helmet. www.lemeurice.com, www.plaza-athenee-paris.com
And these freebies are just the tip of the iceberg! We’ll have much more coming up on future TRAVEL TUESDAYS!
For more inspiring ideas for affordable vacations be sure to get your copy of TRAVEL THERAPY: Where Do You Need to Go? featuring more than 100 unique destinations based on what you’re going through in life. You can find the book in local bookstores or save more than $6 dollars and use the special amazon.com link on this TRAVEL THERAPY website.
Also, please let me know if you have any travel stories you’re looking for information on or if you have ideas to share I would love to hear them. Just leave a comment below!
Safe travels!
