Experiences: Dinner guests at Graycliff – an antique Bahamian mansion that’s played host to the likes of Winston Churchill and Aristotle Onassis – enjoy free viewing tours of the on-site cigar factory and the Graycliff’s award-winning wine cellar, which boasts one of the largest private wine collections in the world. Reservations in the cellar’s private dining room ring in at roughly $1,000, but five-star entrée prices at the restaurant begin at less than $50, providing a comparable – if slightly less private – experience. Western Esplanade Beach is free to access, and strolling through Straw Market in Nassau will score you affordable souvenirs. Hiking the 18^th- century limestone steps of the Queen’s Staircase will take you to historic Fort Fincastle, which is accessible for only a buck.

Perks: Many hotels and resorts in the Bahamas offer sweet perks to entice penny-pinching vacationers. For example, the Sandals resort on Great Exuma includes unlimited scuba sessions for certified divers, premium wine and spirit selections and spa facility access with their room rates. Comfort Suites on Paradise Island includes hot American-style breakfasts for guests, and complimentary day passes to the Atlantis water park facilities, where brave souls can experience the massive Mayan-themed water slide. These park passes typically cost $110 per adult! The One and Only Ocean Club includes the water park day passes as well, along with free use of bicycles, complimentary morning beach yoga and a number of day camp adventures for young travelers.

Transportation: Cab costs can be significant in Nassau. Fortunately, a number of cultural attractions are easily accessible on foot. For those that aren’t, public busses – known as jitneys – run from the hotels to downtown Nassau several times per day for a one-way cost of $1.25. Also of note are the ferry boats, which will take you from Nassau to Paradise Island proper. The roughly $6 ride will take approximately 10 minutes, and includes a waterfront view of Nassau’s harbor. Hotels offering free shuttle service are an additional avenue to savings. For example, guests of the Atlantis resorts can access no-cost passenger vans between venues, and travelers staying at Paradise Island’s One and Only Ocean Club receive complimentary transportation via private vehicle to a number of nearby casino and restaurant venues.

Photo Credit: Trek Hound

This man in Petra, Jordan takes a break with his donkey after taking tourists for a ride along the Siq. Petra is known around the world as the ancient rose red city in the rocks.

Activities: By arranging to have your winter destination wedding at a location loaded with amenities and activities options, you’re relieved of the stress related to coordinating entertainment for your wedding party. Guests can enjoy the resort’s hot tubs and snowshoeing trails for free, and other amenities are there to be experienced at their leisure. Samantha Goldberg, a celebrity event designer in New York City agrees, pointing to the Poconos and Vermont as popular choices. Her top pick for winter wedding favors? Ski lift tickets from your event’s venue.

Extras: Many resorts are willing to toss in a few extras if you are booking their venue for your entire event, so it pays to ask the coordinator what they are willing to include. Book your wedding at the Edgewood Tahoe this winter for instance, and your guests will enjoy all house wine, champagne and beer for free during the entire event. Who doesn’t love an open bar? Similarly, the Mountain Magnolia Inn in Hot Springs, North Carolina includes breakfast the next morning for your overnight wedding guests.

Decorations: Most destination resorts splurge on elaborate decorations for the winter holidays. This means a little extra greenery with candlelight on the tables could be all you need, depending on where you hold the ceremony. Scenery is also a serious money saver. By booking a venue overlooking something spectacular, your decorating needs are drastically reduced. For example, at Vail Cascade – a resort in Vail, Colorado – winter wedding guests overlook a serene, partially-frozen creek which makes for dramatic photos and adds to the frozen wonderland theme.

Transportation: The resort also offers package deals which include airline tickets for the bride and groom, and other establishments offer similar perks for couples booking destination weddings. Additionally, by scheduling the rehearsal dinner, ceremony and reception all at the same location, you eliminate the expenses of limousines, guest parking and possibly rental cars if the hotel offers a free shuttle service.

Photo Credit: Sarah Elvin Photography

This antique clock tower was photographed in the seaside town of Jaffa, Israel, which has been in existence since around the time of Noah. The town is a pleasant stroll from the city of Tel Aviv, and home to several great seafood restaurants and artists’ shops.

Transportation: There’s no driving in Venice, so getting around the city will take some getting used to. While gondola rides and motorized water taxis are certainly available, they tend to be a bit pricey. Walking and taking the public water bus are always my methods of choice. Take the first bridge to your left after exiting the train station, and make your way by foot for free to the Rialto and Basilica di San Marco. Take the time to enjoy the sites and attractions along the way. Hopping an affordable, mid-afternoon vaporetto from St. Mark’s Square back to the train station will provide you with the best photo opportunities of the Grand Canal.

Dining: Coffee for four with a view of the Rialto Bridge can sink you an easy 40 bucks. It’s best to wander a few streets away from all of the major attractions before searching out a local trattoria. Using this strategy, you will spend significantly fewer Euros than you would dining within sight of the city’s more famous attractions. If you don’t mind a more casual meal, there are a number of affordable panini shops near the train station suitable for starting or ending your day in Venice.

Activities: It’s definitely possible to drop a large amount of cash during a day in Venice. However, there are many free and affordable things to do in this historic city, along with a few worth-the-money splurges. St. Mark’s Basilica, one of the most impressive religious structures in the world, is free to enter and explore. For a nominal fee, you can purchase small bag of bird seed to feed the pigeons prevalent in the piazza. Strolling the streets is a free architectural and art tour, and can also result in glass-blowing demonstrations at local shops. Must-see attractions include the exquisite Palazzo Ducale, the Peggy Guggenheim collection and the Scuola Grande di San Rocco, which is sure to take your breath away. If the timing is right, consider checking out the Venice carnival during your visit, which is known around the world for its colorful and elaborate costumes.

Photo Credit: The image in this article was photographed by the Trek Hound team, and has been made available for your linking pleasure through a creative commons agreement with our sister site, Pictures of Travel Places.

From a planning perspective, food and shelter will likely be the most expensive pieces of the trip. Worry not, Cape Town is rife with choices.  While there are luxury resorts in Cape Town, there are also several hostels well situated throughout the city that can run as low as $20 a night. Thus two nights will only set you back about $40, leaving you with plenty for food and sights.

In terms of restaurants, food and drink in Cape Town is an eclectic mix and you can be as daring as you like.  You can try springbok (think antelope), ostrich, or even some crocodile. Check out the Neighbour Goods Market, held Saturdays from 9-2. This market is host to over 100 traders of food, wine, and local produce. Take advantage of the samples, which give you the chance to try wines, cheeses and other delicious local morsels. South Africa is pretty well regarded in terms of wine and many vineyards close to the city offer free tastings for those so inclined.

Don’t forget to take advantage of discounts and deals at restaurants, many of which can be found online, especially in the winter when tourism hits a lull.  There is so much to see in Cape Town, and many things can be experienced for no cost. Upon arrival, one of the first things you’ll notice is Table Mountain- it can be seen from almost anywhere in the city making it hard to miss. Gorgeous views of Cape Town and ocean abound from the upper reaches of Table Mountain.  Plus, it’s easily accessible; you can strap on your sneakers, the no cost alternative, or ride up via cable car.

Another worthwhile and beautiful outdoor adventure is the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens.  If you head to Cape Town during the right season, you can catch one of the Sunday night concerts at the gardens. Make sure you bring your picnic basket. Admission is approximately $5 with discounts for students and children.

The Victoria and Albert Waterfront, aka the V&A, is also a hot spot to see.  At the foot of Table Mountain, the V&A Waterfront is in Cape Town’s working harbor and lined with shops, entertainment options, and plenty of restaurants. It’s worth the stroll if only for the people watching.

Located at the V&A is the Shimansky diamond and jewelry workshop, which offers free tours of its facilities.  Whatiftheworld Gallery is also part of the free club. The Gallery showcases work from contemporary artists at its Argyle Street location and is a pleasant way to spend a few hours when you need a break from the great outdoors.

If you are traveling with kids, make your way to Boulders Beach in Simonstown. African penguins have set up camp here and prove to be a favorite of the younger crowd who spy on the birds from the safety of the rocks.  All in all a trip to Cape Town offers up a little something for every traveler, whether you want to climb mountains or museum hop. The best part is, it can all be done within a reasonable budget.

M.E. Reidy is a freelance travel writer for My Destination.

Live Locations:

Live Olympic events coverage will be provided on large, outdoor screens in more than 20 urban locations throughout the United Kingdom, including Liverpool, Manchester, Bristol and others. Sports fans looking to combine a bit of tourism with their Olympic visit will be able to keep tabs on the games while exploring a bit of history at the same time. Further information regarding these live sites and the community events they will be hosting can be found at www.london2012.com.

Ticketless Events:

While tickets for stadium-style competitions can be steep, there are a number of ticketless events that London locals and visitors alike will be able to witness for free. For example, the road cycling course will travel by some of London’s premier locations including Richmond Park, Hampton Court Palace and the natural history museum. Similarly, the marathon route makes its way past other famous London landmarks such as Buckingham Palace, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Admiralty Arch and the houses of parliament. Nature fans on the other hand should head to Hyde Park, which will host both the Olympic triathlon and the 10 km open water swim. For further information about no-cost, ticketless event times, visit www.londonandpartners.com.

Free Festivals:

Olympic fans unable to score tickets will still be able to experience their fair share of excitement through a number of free outdoor festivals scheduled for places like Trafalgar Square and Victoria Park, in Bow. In addition to large live event screens and other activities, complimentary concert performances by top acts will also be part and parcel of the party experience.

Budget Accommodations:

Open to an urban camping excursion? The Camping and Caravanning Club will be operating several temporary camp sites just minutes away from the Olympic action, with rates as low as £7.50 per person per night. Partner with friends to share equipment, and prepare your own food on site for even greater savings.

Photo Credit: TJ Morris

Freebies: LIGO, the Laser Interferometer Gravitational Wave Observatory in Livingston, Louisiana offers free group fieldtrips to their facility and science outreach center with projects, activities and exhibits designed to celebrate the science being conducted the observatory. LIGO also hosts an open-to-the-public science event on the third Saturday of each month. Outreach personnel create activities suitable for children of all age levels, using materials that can easily and affordably be purchased at regular discount stores if the kiddos want to recreate their projects after your family visit. Information on registration requirements, access protocols and group size is available on the LIGO web site.

Other science venues are free as well, and offer exceptional programming. The London Science Museum for example offers complimentary access, as does the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C. For stargazing fans, the Flandrau Observatory at the University of Arizona in Tucson offers free guided telescope viewing to the public Wednesday through Saturday of every week from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Memberships: Annual memberships work as well for science museums as they do for theme parks, and much more affordably as well. For example, The Franklin Institute in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania charges only $99 per year for a full-access membership for a family of four, which includes free access to more than 250 additional science museums. Similarly, the Museum of Science in Boston offers an annual membership for a family of five for just $10 more than the regular one-time admission price for the same number of people. Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo also has a great annual pass program that includes several educational experiences for children. Also in Tampa is MOSI, Tampa’s Museum of Science and Industry, which offers hands-on science exhibits, movies and outdoor experiences for science fans of all ages.

Parks: The America the Beautiful pass, available through the National Parks Service, provides access to more than 2,000 federal recreation sites for all occupants riding in a personal vehicle, costs only $80 per year. Allowable venues include national parks, wildlife refuges, national forests and areas falling under the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Land Management. So pack your little pumpkins in the van to participate in hands-on science experiences such as the tidal pools of Maine’s Acadia National Park or California’s Channel Islands. The geysers of Yellowstone National Park are also of note, as is the junior ranger enrichment program at Shenandoah National Park, where budding young naturalists can pair up with park rangers to learn about the park’s plants, lichens, peregrine falcons and more. Travel tip: National parks are also a great resource for affordable family reunions.

Photo Credit: This image was photographed by the Trek Hound team, and is available for creative commons use through our sister site, PictureofTravelPlaces.com.

Food:

Seattle resident Andrea Karim knows where to go for good grub. Her top picks include the food stands of Pike Place Market and several restaurants in the International District. For example, the Tamarind Tree offers a lunch order of prawn satay for less than $5, and a shitake mushroom version for less than $4. Another favorite of Karim’s is a restaurant called Sichuanese Cuisine, where the majority of entrees will cost you $8 max. Additionally, the Seattle Deli offers Vietnamese takeout for bargain prices. Grab two banh mi sandwiches for roughly $4, and add on two 50-cent egg rolls for a bargain lunch date price of five bucks.

Fun:

Karim points to the city’s more than 400 parks and open spaces as the top places to have frugal fun. Of note is the Warren G. Magnuson Park on the shores of Lake Washington. It offers one of the largest off-leash dog parks in the city, as well as a free outdoor climbing wall and bouldering pit. Golden Gardens Park on the other hand, has a beachfront location, barbecue pits and plenty of kite-flying space for families. Washington Park Arboretum is another city gem boasting a 230-acre botanical garden with hiking trails and a rhododendron forest.

Culture:

Shelley Seale, author of the Insider’s Guide to Seattle is a firm believer in celebrating Seattle’s cultural scene. Budget options abound says Seale, including the lunchtime concerts held throughout the year at Seattle City Hall Plaza. On the first and third Thursdays of every month, free live music performances take place at noon. If free theater fits your definition of thrift, then Seale recommends the no-cost presentations offered by the Seattle Shakespeare Company every July and August at various parks throughout the city.

Transportation:

In the majority of downtown Seattle, bus fare is completely free between the hours of 6 a.m. and 7 p.m. You can hop on and off as many times as you like says Seale, and the transportation in the free-ride zone will still cost you nothing. According to the city’s Metro Transit web site, the zone extends from Battery Street to South Jackson Street, and from Sixth Avenue to the waterfront.

Photo Credit: Acradenia

This simple street scene was photographed on the islet of Sirmione, along the shores of Italy’s Lake Garda. It’s a popular destination for tourists to take a boat ride, go for a swim, tour ancient Roman ruins and catch a romantic Italian dinner.