Madrid’s Reina Sofia museum is now free every day

by Katie Hammel on

Here’s some good news for budget travelers in Madrid. Following the lead of the Museo Nacional del Prado (which has been offering free hours each day it is open since 2007), the Reina Sofia will now offer a few hours of free admission every day as well.

Previously, the museum had charged €6 admission, except for Saturday afternoons and Sunday mornings, when the fee was waived. But now it will offer free admission for a portion of each day that it is open, which is every day except Tuesday. Free hours will be from 7pm to close (9pm) on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, from 2:30pm to 9pm on Saturday, and from 10am until the 2:30pm closing time on Sunday. If you’re looking for just a small sampling of the modern and contemporary art housed at the Reina Sofia, swing by for a few free hours of browsing. If you’re a dedicated art-lover, spread your visit out over a several evenings to get your art fix without spending a single euro. Either way, you’ll get more art for less money, almost any day of the week.

Travel to Spain is down this year, except in Madrid, where it actually increased by about 6%. With cheaper opportunities for viewing art, Madrid’s tourism numbers may continue to increase, especially among travelers on a smaller budget.

The Entourage Escape

by Annie Scott on


Know any “Entourage” fans? Well, through September 27th, you can treat them to the travel experience of their dreams — W Hotels are running two promotions called The Entourage Escape and The Entourage Bungalow Experience.

The Entourage Escape is available at all W Hotels in North America, starts at $339 per night and includes:

  • A W Hotel Suite
  • A bottle of bubbly
  • Free On-Demand Access to select episodes from the Fourth and Fifth Seasons of Entourage
  • Exclusive Behind-the-Scenes Clips from Season Six not available anywhere else

It is a literal escape to drink and watch TV in your room. Sometimes, the simplest things can be what we need the most.

The Entourage Bungalow Experience is a little more involved. This luxury getaway takes place only at the W Hotel in South Beach, Miami, and will cost you $5,000 per night. What do you get for all that?

  • Limo transportation to/from the Airport
  • Golf for four at Diplomat Golf Course, including Grey Goose golf bags, balls and towels for four
  • WOW Cabana next to the WET® pool, including bottle service and food
  • Four hour boat tour of South Beach , including lunch
  • Use of two Jet Skis
  • Overstuffed assortment of bliss® products for men
  • Courtside Coronas and reservation for on-property basketball court
  • Dinner for four at Solea
  • Table and bottle service at the Wall nightclub at W South Beach
  • Two Night Bungalow Accommodations for four at W South Beach

Men’s spa products, Jet Skis, golf and more — it’s what Vince and the “Entourage” gang would do. Go for it!

United rolls out Travel Options promo with giveaways at three US airports

by Katie Hammel on

Travelers at the Denver, Washington Dulles and San Francisco Airports got a special surprise today. United Airlines opened its Travel Options by United Spin the Wheel booths at the three hubs, offering flyers the chance to win some pretty cool prizes.

Those who spin the wheel receive freebies for use on future flights, like an upgrade to Economy Plus, Premier Line access at the security checkpoint and at the boarding gate, or a Red Carpet Club pass. After a closer look at the wheel, it seems like spinners have the best odds of landing on “Economy Plus”, which, depending on the flight, can cost anywhere from $9 to over $100. Those who aren’t so lucky don’t walk away empty-handed though. Other prizes include water bottles, puzzle books, or decks of cards.

If you missed the booths today, you’ll still get your chance to spin the prize wheel. The booths will be at the Denver, Washington Dulles and San Francisco airports until October 5th, when they’ll be moved to a few yet-to-be-announced airports around the country. The booths made their debut earlier this summer at the Chicago O’Hare and Los Angeles International Airports.

Travel the US for 12 weeks and get $50,000

by Katie Hammel on

TheBigTrip.com, a travel promotion site, is looking to fill an open position. The job: traveling the United States, blogging about the places you visit, and hosting travel webisodes. The job will last twelve weeks and take place in the spring of 2010. Here’s the best part – travel expenses and health insurance will be fully funded by TheBigTrip and the selected candidate will receive a salary of $50,000.

The route is still being worked out, but according to the website, you will begin along the eastern seaboard, travel down the coast to the Florida Keys, explore Las Vegas and skydive over the mountains of the west. You can’t bring a traveling companion, but occasional visits to family and friends will be permitted. You must be 18 to apply and be legally allowed to work in the US, though you don’t have to be a citizen.

To apply, each candidate needs to upload a 60-90 second YouTube video explaining why he or she is the best person for the job. The deadline to apply is November 1, 2009 at midnight. The job requirements list creativity, charm, an outgoing personality, and knowledge of social media as important characteristics. So get creative and show your style, and you might just land the best job in the world country.

Win a 5-night package at Chaa Creek luxury eco-resort in Belize

by Katie Hammel on

Chaa Creek, an eco-resort in the jungle of Belize, is giving away a 5-night stay for two to the winner of their Nature Quest Sweepstakes. To enter, you’ll need to write a 300-word essay on why you want to visit the lodge, and answer a series of questions about the property (the answers to which can all be found on the website). If you score 85% or above, you’ll be eligible to win the 5-night Inland Expedition package.

There are four additional prizes as well, which include a 5-night Inland Expedition package for one, or 50%, 40% and 30% discounts on 5-night Inland Expedition packages for two. The packages include round-trip transfers to the lodge from Belize City, a trip to the Belize zoo, all meals, and several tours and activities including bird-watching, canoeing, a trip to a butterfly farm and more.

The resort is set on a 365-acre nature reserve, has been operating since 1981, and has won numerous awards for its quality service and commitment to the environment. The 5-night Inland Expedition packages normally cost $1625 per person. Entries for the contest are due by October 30.