IT'S A FREE WORLD:IN A BID to boost off-season tourism, the Parisian tourist authorities are holding "Paris Romantique", a special treat for visitors and Parisians around St Valentine's Day.
From February 10th to 20th, if you present a free postcard from the tourist information bureau at 25 rue des Pyramides (1st arrondissement), you get a free gift and/or a reduction in participating L’Occitane shops, chocolatier-patissier Pierre Hermé, and chocolatier Pierre Marcolini.
More than 150 hoteliers and professionals are supporting the initiative and lovebirds will be able to take advantage of special promotions, including gifts and reductions on hotel accommodation.
Catch:accept any freebies you can get, Paris is one of the most expensive cities in the world.
Take note:for more information see parisinfo.com.
CELEBRITY CRUISES is offering a free upgrade to balcony state rooms on selected solstice class ships based in Europe including the Celebrity Solstice, Celebrity Equinox, Celebrity Eclipseand the new Celebrity Silhouette.
The offer is open until February 28th and people who book early will make a saving of up to €550 per state room for cruises on the Southampton-based Celebrity Eclipse.
There is also an offer of an onboard spend of up to $250 (€180) per state room for selected bookings on the Celebrity Eclipse'sMediterranean sailings.
There will also be free car-parking in Southampton for selected bookings onboard Celebrity Eclipse.
Flights from Dublin-to Southampton to join Celebrity Eclipseare from €99.
Catch: the freebies will help but cruises don't come cheap. A six-night Mediterranean fly/cruise on Celebrity Solstice starts from €1,216pp based on interior state room accommodation.
Take note:for more information see celebritycruises.co.uk.
IT MIGHT not be the most obvious St Valentine’s Day destination but Bloomington in Minnesota is pulling out all the stops to attract tourists who love shopping.
Bloomington is home to Mall of America, the US’s largest shopping mall, featuring over 520 shops, including Macy’s, Bloomingdales, Sears and Nordstrom department stores, as well as luxury high-end shops in the new South Avenue.
What sets this destination apart from most of its American counterparts is that all clothing and shoe purchases are tax-free.
When you are all shopped out for the day, there’s a choice of 37 hotels within a 10-minute radius of the mall.
Hotels offer a free shuttle service to and from the mall, so when you’ve had a good night’s sleep you are ready to hit the shops again.
Getaway packages to Bloomington are available with America As You Like It with four nights starting from £660 (€777) per person including return flights from London to Minneapolis with US Airways (via Charlotte) and four nights accommodation at the Crowne Plaza Bloomington.
The price is based on two people sharing, departing February 11th.
Catch:if you're going there on a St Valentine's Day trip, it helps if both partners like shopping.
Take note: for more information see americaasyoulikeit.com.
* Found a freebie on holiday? Tell me about it. E-mail emorgan@irishtimes.com
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