Secret ways to see New York City’s top sights for free

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Considering the excess of New York City, it’s no wonder a trip to the Big Apple can set visitors back a small fortune. From Michelin-starred restaurants to opulent hotel rooms costing hundreds if not thousands of dollars a night, a trip to the city is a hard pill to swallow for penny pinchers. Fortunately, there are some easy ways to see NYC’s top sights without spending a single cent.

View from the Empire State Building.

Walking tours

There is no better way to explore New York City than by foot—just be sure to wear comfortable shoes! It’s insane how many blocks you’ll end up walking every single day, even if you happen to be holding a subway pass or spring for the odd cab. With that in mind, make the most of those treks by making sure your route includes stopping at some of the main sites. For example, Times Square is like Las Vegas on steroids, and is a must-see at night—those bright lights are second to only those found in Tokyo, Japan!

Times Square.

You’ll want to swing by the stunning New York Public Library, which is absolutely gorgeous (and of course free to enter). Fun fact: it costs $40,000 to rent out the space, so if you happen to see workers setting up for an event you can guarantee it will be one of the top social events of the season.

One of my favourite spots in the entire city is the High Line. This incredible park used to be an elevated train line, which has since been transformed with greenery that pokes out from the rails, leafy green trees and gardens. Winding through the west side, it affords a cool view of the neighbourhoods below, has lots of spots to sit down and enjoy a picnic or coffee, and even has artwork.

Art along the High Line.

Finally, if you don’t want to shell out $29 to zip up the Empire State Building for a panoramic city view, you can always head over to the Brooklyn Bridge. Many choose to jog or bike along the pathway, which has a great view of the Manhattan skyline and is perfect for those who are afraid of heights. If you’re not great with directions and don’t want to wander aimlessly through the city, sign up for one of the city’s many free walking tours—just be sure to slip the guide a tip if you think they did a great job.

9/11 Memorial Museum

This incredible tribute to the thousands of lives lost on September 11^th opened in spring 2014, and is well worth the $24 entrance fee. The museum is home to hundreds of items recovered from the devastation, including a burned-out fire truck and the American flag that emergency responders hoisted in the middle of the debris. In my opinion it’s well worth shelling out the money to visit the tribute centre, as it provides a space for somber reflection about an event that changed history forever. However, if you simply don’t have the extra cash then there is a way to get around it: visit on Tuesday.

Admission is free for all visitors from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesdays (last entry is at 7 p.m.), and some tickets are available to reserve online two weeks in advance. Same day tickets can be picked up at the ticket window, starting at 4 p.m. There are also discounts available for members of the U.S. military and NYC emergency responders.

Part of the World Trade Center Memorial.

Statue of Liberty

Many tourists take in Lady Liberty as part of a boat tour which leaves from Battery Park. Visitors are shuttled from Manhattan to Ellis Island, where everyone can get off and walk around the site. But if you want to get a view of that iconic statue without spending a cent, all you have to do is head to the nearby Staten Island ferry terminal. It’s totally free, and passes alongside the Statue of Liberty for a good 10 minutes. Just be sure to sit on the right side of the boat for the best view.

If you jump on a ferry bound for Manhattan as soon as you dock, the entire excursion should only take about an hour. Try to get a seat at the very back of the top deck, which makes for prime photo ops.

Statue of Liberty.

Metropolitan Museum of Art

If you like art, you will LOVE the Metropolitan Museum of Art, which is just one of the half-dozen world class museums you’ll find in New York City. Filled with works from renowned artists like Picasso, Warhol and Rembrandt, there are five wings full of masterpieces, plus temporary exhibitions. Admission is $25 for adults—but that is recommended, so you could technically visit the museum for free if you felt so inclined. If that doesn’t sit well with you, you could pay for a $100 membership (of which $70 is tax deductible) which gets you admission as well as perks like discounts for parking, audio guides and merchandise and access to an exclusive dining room.

Central Park

This is one of the most beautiful spots in the whole city, no matter what season it is. In the spring and summer, expect to find massive, leafy green trees sprinkled throughout the 843 acre park. Yes, you read that right—843 acres!!! You could easily spend an entire day here, what with all the restaurants, food stalls, parks, lakes, ponds, scenic city views and live music. There is even a castle!

Biking through Central Park.

There are a number of ways to explore, including walking or jogging. Of course those options are totally free, but keep in mind you’ll only be able to see a portion of Central Park this way, given its size. A good alternative is to rent a bike, which you can easily do at the park or through a tour company. However, some hotels like The High Line Hotel have cruiser bikes that they lend out to guests for free!

Central Park.

Other money saving tips

• If you’re picking up souvenirs in a place like Chinatown or Little Italy, be sure to haggle over the price.
• Chances are you’ll be taking the subway a lot, so it can be worth your while to pay for a metro card on the first day. For $30 (plus $1 for the card) you’ll get unlimited rides for 7 days. To put that in perspective, it normally costs $2.50 per ride.
• Get restaurant recommendations from your hotel’s front desk or concierge. They sometimes manage to get your meal comped, or at the very least will send you along with a discount card.
• If you want to visit a number of attractions or do tours, it may be cost-effective to pick up a pass. I recommend the New York Pass, which can get you into 80 attractions and also includes hop on-hop off tours and cruises for less than $200 per person, depending on how many days you’re there.

Do you have a secret tip to share, about how to save money in New York City? If so, comment below!

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Venice, Italy: Top 3 things to do

There are so many iconic images that come to mind whenever one thinks of Venice. The sleek gondolas, quietly passing through the winding Grand Canal with a happy couple on board. The grand bell tower in St. Mark’s Square, which towers over everything on the low-lying island. The orange roofs of the tiny houses lining the water, with artfully-decorated windows serving as the only way to tell them apart.

It’s no wonder that ‘Venezia’ sees millions of tourists every single year, many of which come in on the dominating cruise ships. The city is truly a marvel that everyone needs to see once in their lives—especially if the predictions are true that it will one day sink! Despite being overrun with people, it is still easy to find yourself on some forgotten back lane, stumbling into a café packed with locals sipping espresso at the bar. Of course it will be an expensive espresso as Venice is by no place for a frugal traveller…but it’s worth it for the experience, right?

Another great thing about Venice is you really don’t need a guide.

Chances are you’ll get lost on some side street anyway, so put down the map and just go with it! Cross one of the hundreds of tiny bridges that connect the streets, duck into a boutique or order a chilled Prosecco to sip on a patio while people watching. If you get tired of walking through the narrow, twisted streets, hop on a vaporetto (Venice’s version of a bus, but on the water) to shuttle you down the canal or hire a water taxi. Vaporetto travel cards cost 18-50€ depending on how many days you’re using it. There is also a youth pass available for those aged 14-29 who show their Rolling Venice Card (4€), which gives you three days of unlimited rides for 18€.

Only have one day in Venice? No problem, just make sure you do the following three things:

Visit St. Mark’s Square

Piazza San Marco is the central hub of the entire city, a huge plaza that is home to stunning St. Mark’s Basilica, the clock tower, the Campanile (bell tower) as well as a number of restaurants. Just steps away from the Grand Canal, it also affords a fantastic view of the city skyline. You could easily kill an hour just wandering around taking it all in, or brave the queue and try to get inside the basilica. This architectural wonder features opulent gold accents, statues fixed atop the roof, domes and a grand mosaic.

The basilica is open from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays. Admission is free, and you can book a visit in advance if you have an idea about when you’ll arrive. If you fancy a gondola ride, St. Mark’s Square is also a great place to get on board.

Walk over the Rialto Bridge

I might be a bit biased as this is where my hubby popped the question (on a gondola no less…yup he’s pretty romantic) but it’s safe to say the Rialto Bridge is the most beautiful and impressive bridge in the entire city—if not in Europe. Straddling the Grand Canal, ‘Ponte di Rialto’ is made of bright white stone and features a number of arches. It’s also quite large, which is perfect for hosting the throngs of tourists who make sure to stop by. Grab a cold, creamy gelato from a nearby vendor before heading over to the bridge, then spend a lazy afternoon watching the boats float by.

The Rialto bridge.

Go on a gondola ride

Even though they are tres expensive, you MUST go on a gondola ride! I mean, how can you go all the way to Venice and not see it from the water? There are a number of areas throughout the city where you can hop into one, though most visitors catch one from St. Mark’s Square, where dozens of them are lined up. If you’re travelling with your sweetie, it’s well worth the cost to hop on board as it doesn’t get much more romantic than this!

Another bonus? Venice is best seen from the water.

Keep the following in mind:

• The official price is 80€ for 40 minutes, and an extra 40€ for an additional 20 minutes. You should also tip.
• Gondolas seat six, so your costs will be lower if you are part of a group. Of course, this doesn’t help lovebirds much!
• Rides are cheaper during the day than at night
• Most trips last between 40 minutes and an hour, depending on what you and the gondolier agree on. Sadly, while we paid for the one hour ride, our trip only lasted about 40 minutes.
• You’re welcome to bring champagne on board, or your gondolier may be able to wrangle up some for you. If you arrange your ride as part of a tour package, you may even get a meal out of it.

PRACTICALITIES:

Currency: The euro

Where to stay: Skip the overpriced Venetian hotel room, and hop on a vaporetto over to the picturesque, quiet island of Lido. It’s only 20 minutes away and features quaint bed and breakfasts, a lovely boardwalk and even a white sand beach.

Getting there: Venice is easily accessible by both air and rail. The main train station is called Venezia Santa Lucia, while flights should be booked into Venice Marco Polo Airport.

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What to do in Lima, Peru

Lima is a bustling city packed with millions of people, bumper to bumper traffic and a constant chorus of beeping horns. Fortunately, refuge comes easy thanks to the beautiful coastline that is the city’s pride and joy. From historic buildings to celebrity hangouts and fantastic surfing spots, Lima has something for everyone and is a great place to start your South American adventure. Here are some of the city’s top highlights.

Miraflores

Miraflores is the crown jewel of Lima, featuring some of the best views, shopping, parks and restaurants in the entire city. It’s no wonder it’s also home to prime real estate, featuring high-rise modern condos and homes with spectacular ocean views—popular with ex-pats. Despite the fancy zip code, it’s accessible to all tourists regardless of budget, offering everything from hostels to five-star hotels.

The coastline in Miraflores.

What Miraflores really has going for it is that aforementioned coastline, and it makes the most of it.

Surfers flock to Playa Makaja, a long stretch of sand that’s battered by waves, making it perfect for thrill-seekers. There are a number of booths set up where you can rent equipment or get a lesson, for as little as $20. If you don’t like the idea of getting wet, you can enjoy the views from El Malecon, a six mile-long stretch of parks that wind along the coast. It’s a fantastic place to spend at least a few hours—even on a cool day—and boasts a paved running/cycling/rollerblading track, gym equipment, lighthouse, gardens and huge green lawns perfect for lazing around on. You will also be amazed by the number of dogs (this city loves their pets!) and it’s not uncommon to see some sort of dog agility competition taking over part of the park.

The most popular spot in the entire strip is Parque del Amor (the Love Park). Surrounded by mosaic walls decorated with romantic quotes, the theme continues as you walk past the immaculate gardens and stone staircases towards the highlight: El Beso. The statue ‘The Kiss’ is a large brown sculpture depicting two lovers embraced in a passionate makeout sesh. Get a room, already! Joking aside, it’s pretty cool to look at, even for single folks. And if that doesn’t do it for you, well, there’s always a great view of the Pacific Ocean crashing against the shore below.

Why I didn’t like Copacabana, Bolivia

While planning my itinerary for a trek around Bolivia, I became enamored with the idea of a visit to Isla del Sol, a beautiful island in the middle of massive Lake Titicaca. Sadly it was not meant to be due to timing (a traveller’s curse!), but I did end up in Copacabana—the next best thing. Or so I thought.

Copacabana is the gateway to Isla del Sol, serving as a launching off point for the boats that shuttle tourists back and forth. When I began looking into Copa, I had visions of that famous Barry Manilow song in my head (yes, I know he wasn’t singing about Bolivia, but bear with me!) and thought it sounded like a fun beach town.

Well, there is a beach. But that’s about it.

The view of the beach.

I ended up in Copacabana for one night en route to the reed islands in Puno, as many travellers do. The three hour bus trip from La Paz only cost about $4, and the travel agent also hooked us up with a decent looking hotel for about $30 a night—what a bargain! Well, it’s true that you get what you pay for.

The day started off well, as the drive towards the town is scenic, featuring windy roads that look down on the shimmering lake. Donkeys, sheep and llamas graze on the bright green grass on the side of the highway, while traditionally dressed villagers work in the fields. As you descend over the last hill and catch a first glimpse of the town, you’ll see houses tucked into the hillside, as dusty roads lead towards the blue water.

We hopped off the bus in the middle of one such dusty road, grabbed our bags then walked a couple of minutes to our hotel, which faced the water. Prime spot right? Well, if you like a good view then yes, but if you are hoping for anything above a one-star hotel experience, move along! Our room was on the fourth floor, which meant hauling our baggage ourselves up eight flights of stairs. The room reeked of cleaning supplies, the pillowcase didn’t even cover the pillow (eww!) and it’s safe to assume the water coming out of the taps was straight out of the lake. That’s the way it smelled, anyway. From what I saw of other hotels along the strip, they are all very similar, so be prepared for a similar experience if you’re brave enough to stay!

Lake Titicaca

Hoping a walk around the town would make up for the dismal accommodations, we set out for a nice walk along the beach. It only took us about three minutes, as there was absolutely nothing to see. Hmmm. OK, we thought, guess we’ll go for an early dinner? So in true tourist fashion we picked the place that had the most fellow foreigners sitting out front, and ordered a couple of drinks. We had to wait quite a while, actually, as the waiter was super busy kicking around a soccer ball in front of us with some other guys. Frankly I don’t blame him, as playing soccer is far more fun than working. Anyway, we managed to kill an hour with dinner, which included watching the sun set over the lake.

Let’s just say that when morning rolled around we were psyched to be getting out of there, and the piece of hard bread and runny eggs we were offered at breakfast didn’t do much to change our mind about the place. I’m sure that Copacabana is absolutely lovely if you just hang out for an hour before catching your boat to Isla del Sol, but if you value your vacation time, find another place to spend the night.

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Huacachina, Peru—the oasis, and those crazy dune buggies!

A day at Machu Picchu is often the highlight of any trip to Peru, but there’s a hidden gem that gives the site a run for its money when it comes to memorable experiences: Huacachina.

Huacachina is literally an oasis in the middle of a desert, surrounded by towering sand dunes and home to mesmerizing sun sets. Oh, and the weather is blazing hot, making this place basically the next best thing to being in Egypt. The village is about a 10 minute drive down a dusty, windy road from the city of Ica in southwestern Peru, and a popular stopover en route to the Nazca lines. A favourite spot for weekenders from Lima and backpackers, Huacachina is made up of dozens of small hostels, guest houses and hotels, bars, restaurants, souvenir shops and travel agencies.

The green lagoon in the middle is circled by a boardwalk lined with palm trees, which makes for some great pictures. As for the water itself…well, let’s just say I wouldn’t try swimming in it. You can, however, rent little paddleboats. Many of the hotels have swimming pools surrounded by lounge chairs, which are perfect for catching some rays before heading out into the sand dunes.

Speaking of the sand dunes, the best part of any stay is an afternoon spent navigating the desert via dune buggy—an experience similar to hopping on a roller coaster! Frankly, I can’t imagine trying to do it while sick or hungover, as it’s quite the ride. A two hour tour costs about 50 soles (around $20) plus an entrance fee of 3.70 soles per person, and can be booked at any lodging or travel agency in Huacachina or Ica.

Why Souvenirs Suck

After travelling around the world via every method from backpacking to luxury travel, I’ve noticed a common pattern. Souvenirs suck.

Allow me to explain…

Gotta love those Aladdin pants…

It is rare that I find myself back in Canada, surrounded by the comforts of home, that I pull out a pair of Aladdin-like pants from Turkey and think ‘I can’t wait to wear those again!’ Or how about those itchy mittens from Peru? Or those wooden earrings from Antigua? See, you’re starting to notice a pattern here…despite spending my hard-earned money on such ‘must-haves’ overseas and lugging them around in my already over-packed bag, I NEVER ever end up using them. And don’t even get me started on people who bring home T-shirts as a ‘gift.’

I’m a strong believer in passing along things like liquor, chocolate or a Cuban cigar—not a cheesy T-shirt from a place your giftee has likely never even been to.

That’s not to say I don’t buy souvenirs anymore. In fact, I have a prized collection of shot glasses from every single country I have ever visited. (Side note: shot glasses are hard to track down in Muslim countries!). I also pick up a Starbucks mug for my mom from different countries to add to her impressive stash—though those are not nearly as easy to carry around. And I’m always sure to bring home a bottle of booze, whether it’s Absinthe from the Czech Republic, Sake from Japan or Ouzo from Greece.

Oh wait, another pattern has emerged—my ridiculous urge to cart around breakable items.

There was that one time I was starting off a seven-week trip through Europe, when three days in I visited the Champagne region in France. Not content to simply pick up a bottle of bubbly, my friend and I BOTH decided we needed to buy six champagne flutes. Let me tell you, that is about the worst thing you can truck around while backpacking. Incredibly, they all made it home in one piece!

Just a fraction of my mom’s Starbucks mug stash.

I have a friend who is much smarter than me, who buys a little flag from every country she visits, which obviously have much less of a chance of shattering all over your luggage. A quick Twitter poll also revealed that some festive folks collect Christmas tree decorations, while others grab refrigerator magnets. I think these are great examples of picking up something that’s actually meaningful to you, versus crap you will never have any use for.

My new thing is to skip the shopping once I’ve picked up that treasured shot glass, and spend my time actually enjoying the destination. I can always go to the mall on a rainy afternoon back home.

Is there a souvenir you always make sure to pick up on vacation? Comment below, or tweet me.

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What to do in and around Kuching, Malaysia

Malaysia is one of the most popular travel destinations in the world, and it’s safe to say that’s mostly thanks to Borneo. Located east of the mainland, it features incredible wildlife (monkeys galore!), lush rainforests, stunning beaches and some of the best snorkeling around. One of the biggest cities on the island is Kuching, which is the capital of Sarawak. Home to about one million people, it’s a vibrant, colourful spot that houses some incredible architecture, serene gardens and a giant dose of Malay culture. Here’s how to spend your time, if you find yourself in the ‘Cat City.’

New Sarawak State Legislative Assembly Building

Only completed in 2009, Dewan Undangan Negeri is truly one of a kind. The assembly building is meant for conducting state business, but is quickly becoming the highlight of any visit to Kuching thanks to its incredible and unique architectural stylings. At only nine stories high it may not seem like much, but when you see it in person it’s incredible how grand it seems, making the people standing below look like tiny ants. Unfortunately the site is not currently open for tours, but visitors are free to walk around the grounds. Truth be told, you don’t have to get that close to it for a good look: instead, head down to the waterfront, and snap away!

New Sarawak State Legislative Assembly Building.

Why you should skip Venice and stay in Lido

I have nothing against Venice. It is an incredible city and should be on everyone’s bucket list, and it’s even where I got engaged! But…you shouldn’t stay there.

The thing about ‘Venezia’ is it’s kind of a tourist trap.

Everything is expensive, the city can be packed with people, even pricey accommodation can be dodgy, and it costs an arm and a leg for just a 45 minute ride on one of the famed gondolas. So how can you still see the city, without becoming disillusioned by it? Simple—stay in Lido!

I like to think of Lido as the Hamptons of Italy. The perfect place for a getaway, the quiet island features a white sand beach, dozens of delicious restaurants and cafes, cute stores and a laid-back yet classy vibe. Lido is also totally beautiful, as it’s surrounded by water, has gorgeous, colourful hydrangea bushes, picturesque canals and leafy, towering trees. Best of all, it’s just a 20 minute water taxi ride from Venice, and there are boats (vaporettos) that travel back and forth all day. Lido is the perfect spot to unwind for a few days and go at a more leisurely place, while still giving you the option to take in the busy yet beautiful streets of Venice.

Getting around

Lido is only 12 kilometers long, so you can navigate the entire island quite easily and can choose to stay near the beach or in the quiet residential areas. The ‘hub’ of activity is Gran Viale, a long street which hosts the aforementioned shops and restaurants. Bike are popular here as Lido is so flat, and make it easy to get a good lay of the land. Many hotels rent them out, and if you’re going for romance why not grab a tandem bike for your peddle around the island?

Climbing Mount Fuji

I have a bit of an issue with mountain climbing, in that I never quite seem to be prepared. It’s not for lack of trying. I mean, I didn’t TRY and lose my shoes before climbing Mount Kinabalu, so that I had to do the two-day trek in Crocs. I didn’t expect to extend my hike in Arizona without food and water, before getting caught in a dust storm. And again, that can-do attitude caught up to me in Japan, when my husband and I decided to scale beautiful Mount Fuji.

5th Station.

One of the most famous peaks in the world after Everest and Kilimanjaro, Fuji is the crown jewel of Japan.

At 3,776 metres high, it features nearly perfect symmetry and a white capped top—which looks stunning when accented with those pink cherry blossoms. The mountain is actually an active volcano—but don’t worry, it hasn’t erupted since 1708! One thing visitors may be disappointed by is that it’s sometimes hard to get a clear view of the peak, as it can be quite cloudy.

The hike up

The climb is divided into 10 ‘stations’ and visitors usually start their treks from the 5th Station, which is 2,300 metres up. Buses drop groups off here, and there are also places to grab food or pick up souvenirs. This is also the perfect spot to pick up rain gear which is a must on those wet days, especially because it gets colder and windier the higher you go (more on that later). From there, you’re off to the races!

A guide to Pisa—including that leaning tower

I have to say, I love tourist traps. I know that all the hoity-toity, hardcore travelers out there are too good for such attractions, but hey, isn’t seeing world-famous landmarks kind of the point of leaving home?

The Leaning Tower of Pisa is perhaps one of the most notorious, considering it’s in a small city in the Tuscan countryside that doesn’t have much else to offer. But hey, if you’ve made it to Florence you might as well go that much further on the train to get that cliché photo.

Getting to Pisa is surprisingly easy, thanks to the fact that it’s only about an hour away from popular Florence, on the west coast of Italy. Not only does the main train station—Pisa Centrale—connect with much of the country, but Pisa also has an airport. 17 airlines fly into PSA, including major players like Air France and Lufthansa, and budget options such as Ryan Air and EasyJet.

If you arrive by train, you’ll pull up into the centre of town and it’s easy to get around from there, whether you walk, bus it or decide to drive.  Other than the Tower, one of the city’s main attractions is the River Arno which winds through the city, and is lined with the colourful facades of historic homes and buildings. There are also a number of churches including the gothic Santa Maria della Spina, located near the bridge. You could spend an evening wandering through downtown, but truth be told there isn’t much to do other than grab a chilled glass Prosecco at an outdoor café, or feast on the incredible Italian food.

Streets of Pisa.