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IT'S A FREE WORLD:CENTRAL PARK in New York isn't exactly a hidden treasure but not everyone knows about the free walking tours of the gardens near Belvedere Castle in Central Park (centralpark.com).
Located mid-park at 79th Street, it has two balconies with views to some of the park’s landmarks: the Delacorte Theatre; Great Lawn; Turtle Pond; and the Ramble.
Various free family and community programmes are hosted at Belvedere Castle, including bird watching, astronomy talks and spooky storytelling.
Catch: too much choice. Central Park Conservancy has over 10 different free walking tours that take around 90 minutes.
Take note:Belvedere Castle was intended to be a Victorian folly, a fantasy structure with a great backdrop and views, but without an intended purpose.
* FAKE YOURcommand of the local lingo when on holiday by using a free website that provide instant translations to another language – some even provide audio so you hear the correct pronunciation.
They include: travellang.com; euroresidentes.com, worldlingo.com and translation2.paralink.com. Choose the language you want, key in a word, phrase or monologue (500 words max) and hey presto, you are are no longer lost for words.
Catch:"Pardonnez moi while I key in this phrase and wait for a translation" isn't the most spontaneous way to hold a conversation with a local.
Take note:download a free language translator like ImTranslator Pro (imtranslatorpro.ourtoolbar.com) and have it at the ready if you're lost for words.
* IF YOUare travelling around the US, West Indies or Thailand on a budget, try a dream map at Travelocity.com to get an idea how far your money can take you. Just type in your departure city and airfare budget, and you're a click away from knowing your options.
Universal currency converter xe.com is another useful tool if you want to figure out the value of different currencies against the euro or download a free one on a site like picofactory.com.
Catch:too much budgeting and currency conversion can take the joy out of any trip.
Take note: if you plan on a lot of shopping, invest in a portable currency converter.