While this might not be a surprise Disneyland employees can get friends and family into the park free. At times limitations may be made to this rule, like how many people n employee can get in. Another issue is that some employees get more people in then others, the higher up the corporate ladder they are more people they can get in. As you would expect the C.E.O. and other VPs get the best treatment for friends and family but the regular worker can get VIP treatment for their friends too. If you know someone who works for Disney Imagineering you will be in for a real treat if they bring you to the park since their knowledge of the rides is the best and they can take you behind the scenes of the rides and other areas the public isn't allowed in. If you only know a part time employee of Disneyland they are can still get perks besides the free admission, all employees can get cut in the front of the line passes (like a fastpass but better) which send you straight on the ride without waiting.

Another way that you can go to Disneyland free is if you go to Club 33.The only way to get to go to Disneyland's club 33 is if you know someone who is a member but unless you happen to be friend with the California governor or Michael Jackson you probably don't. The good news is there are corporate memberships and it is possible your company especially if it is local and a large corporation might be a member. If your company has a corporate membership you can go. While Club 33 gives you a free ticket to Disneyland you have to eat at Club 33. The cheapest meal they have is a brunch that cost $50. The meal cost about the same as getting in but you do get a great eating experience and can say you have been to the exclusive Club 33.

Finally here is the secret you really want to learn, how to get into Disneyland free. To get into Disneyland you go to the customer service next to the entrance of California Adventures. At customer service say you want to buy some souvenirs. They take either cash in the amount of a ticket, or they will slide your credit card. Then you are allowed one hour in the park. This may not be much time but it's free and you could get on a ride or two. If you return in an hour you will get a refund your money. Some rules apply and the rules can change. There are some times that you can't enter Disneyland, currently they are Monday through Friday opening to 5PM times may change.

It may be only an hour but it is a free hour.

 

Gamirasu Cave Hotel

Gamirasu Troglodyte Hotel is located in the heart of Cappadocia, Turkey near Urgup. The hotel boasts 18 rooms that have been completely restored and reopened in 1999. The hotel is situated in a retreat that has been there for over thousands of years. This hotel is a perfect honeymoon and wedding destination.

Marqués De Riscal

This luxury hotel located in Elciego, Spain is nestled in the "City of Wine". There are 43 guest rooms, including 11 suites that overlook the spectacular views of the country. There are fantastic restaurants, an indoor swimming pool, indoor Jacuzzi, and 14 spa rooms specializing in "wine therapy" treatments.

Blue Lagoon in Iceland

This lagoon is one of Iceland's most inimitable attractions. The lagoon uses geothermal seawater that is scientifically known to clear the complexion and aid in healthy skin. The trip will be a purely spiritual one filled with nature, scenery, and air that is clean and fresh.

Daintree Ecolodge

Located in Queens land, Australia, this resort is nestled in one the oldest living rain forests boasting 15 lovely villas in a tree house setting. It perfectly secluded for romantic honeymoons and secret rendezvous'.

Magic Mountain Hotel

Located in Panguipulli, Chile this lovely secluded hotel contains 13 rooms, and 11 cabins that can easily accommodate 4-6 guests. The name of the hotel was derived from Commander Pepe who called this hotel his home in the 70's and 80's.

Machu Pichu Sanctuary

This ancient hotel boasts some of the most spectacular views of this historical Inca settlement in Cusco, Peru. The lodge is the only hotel located within the sanctuary of the Manchu Picchu Ruins. It has 29 rooms and 2 suites which have the most spectacular views of this sacred place.

Woodland Park: The Hobbit Motel

Located in Otorohanga, New Zealand, Woodland Park is more like a motel for the more modest traveler. Woodland Park has 3 amazing options for sleeping quarters that include a "1950's Bristol Freighter Plane fully refurbished into 2 beautiful self contained motel units." A 1950's Rail Carriage spectacularly redesigned into a completely self enclosed unit.The last sleeping quarter is an underground motel known as the "First Hobbit Underground Motel" with spherical glass windows.

Quinta Real Zacatecas

A part of history is reborn in Zacatecas, Mexico where the 17th Century San Pedro bullring has been converted into a luxurious hotel. The hotel faces the city's primeval vaulted suspension bridge.

Hotel Puerta América

Located in Madrid, Spain this hotel boasts a different design on every floor depending on the taste of the guest. There are 12 floors and each and every room was created by a different designer so make sure you do your research before visiting. The front desk will provide a list of different floor plans when you check-in if you are unsatisfied with the room you were assigned to.

Kakslauttanen Hotel and Igloo Village

Located in Lapland, Finland these glass globes are offered for guests that would prefer a cold or warm night sleep. There are 31 cabins that are situated quite close to the Arctic Ocean and the Urho Kekkonen National Park

Propeller Island City Lodge

Located in Berlin, Germany this hotel is packed full of amazingly designed architectural rooms. There are 30 rooms that are all instinctively unique. Depending on your idiosyncratic and adventurous taste, you will choose your ability to have a one of kind stay.

Check out 10 Spectacular Resorts around the Globe for some more Travel destinations.

Now I'm not into touristy areas or big throngs of people, but Chicago's Navy Pier tourist trap does offer FREE fireworks every Wednesday at 9:30 and Saturday at 10:15.

The best part is that you don't have to go onto Navy Pier to see them, you can watch them from one of the many Chicago beaches or rooftops in the area. I personally recommend Oak St. Beach.

Local Chicago Radio Stations will also synchronize their music to the fireworks. I don't know any

better way to end an evening than hearing Bruce Springsteen's 80's driving music to giant explosions over Lake Michigan.

Every tuesday in Grant Park the Chicago Park district projects some great movies... FOR FREE! Were not talking about lackluster B films that your friends enjoyed five years ago.

Heres a rundown of the lineup for this summer. All films start when the sun goes down, don't forget a blanket and a cooler of beer!

The 2008 Movies in the Park lineup:

The museum of Contemporary Art isn't chock full of hoity-toity tourist thinking they're cultured (well maybe some.) The MCA is full of abstract displays, interactive art, video projections, audio rooms and a plethora of stimulation. This summer don't miss the Jeff Koons Exhibit, which runs until the 21st of September.

Best thing about the MCA and the reason it made this list, is that it is ABSOLUTELY FREE every Tuesday, all day, all summer long.

So weather you're into a string of christmas lights laying on the ground where the name placard seems to have more thought, or a giant room covered floor to ceiling with Vinyl records, the MCA is for you.

Just Walk east on Chicago Avenue until you see the car that appears to be wrecked into the building.

The Good Chicago Beach

The beaches around Chicago are great. The best part about them is that they are also free!

Many beaches are extremely overcrowded, such as North Avenue Beach. To find some better spots, and a place to actually lay out, try the north side of Montrose Beach or Foster Beach. These beaches are bigger than North Avenue and generally have about a quarter of the number of people.

Bring a cooler and make some sandwiches, or find some local vendors for a tasty regional treat.

Be careful of the water as well, Lake Michigan is known to have had incidents of high levels of mercury. So look out for three eyed fish and mermaids, but if your the adventurous type paddle on out and enjoy a dip. The lake is warmest in Late July and August.

The Baha'i Temple is in Cook County, but north of Chicago in the neighboring suburb of Wilmette. Hop on a bike and enjoy a day trip north along Lake Michigan's biking trail then spend some time at the temple.

The Temple and grounds are gorgeous, standing 140 ft tall and made of white concrete and exquisitely adorned. Spend some

time walking around and don't forget a camera.

You can visit the Baha'i Temple any day of the year, until around 7pm.

So get out there and enjoy summer, because activities are best when they're free. And as Chicagoans know, nothing beats a Chicago Summer, but you sure pay for it in February with the cold.

Sta Travel

On STA Travel you can select the continents your interested in traveling to and create a RSS feed of cheap flights that fly to those continents. This site is geared towards student travelers who don't have rigid schedules to adhere too and is a great opportunity to find good deals. You may not know you wanted to visited Paris, but for $490 round trip, how could you not?

Art of Travel

"How To See The World... On $25 A Day On Less!" This website, written by a veteran traveler, is a great resource for how to save money, how to pack, what not to take, where not to go and how to get by on the cheap, you must see this website.

AirNinja.com

Air Ninja is a great flight finder, the way the engine works is you can input your city, and destination and Air Ninja shows you only discount Airline Carriers who fly to and from these locations. Air Ninja only shows discount carriers, so if you can't find a discount carrier going to where you want, you may be forced to book through Travelocity or other brokers.

OneBag

To quote the website "The art and science of traveling light" This website is a great resource for anyone traveling, no matter where your going or for how long. And not just tips on packing but what to bring, what to wear and how to get around. Even the veteran traveler can learn why not to bring cotton towels and the many uses of a clothesline.

Hostels.com

The ultimate database of hostels worldwide. You can book through their website and read reviews. Nothing beats staying in Tokyo for $13 a night.

Couch Surfing Project

Listings of free places to stay all over the world. FREE. Yes FREE. This is great for travelers looking to cut cost. Don't worry about ending up in a undesirable situation, you can do your research of the places you'll be staying. This is also a great way to see the real hot spots of a country and not just the touristy locales.

Fare Compare

Fare Compare allows you to search numerous air ticket sales websites at once and compare them easier than going to each site and imputing your search in over and over.

Hostels are key. Get a hosteling card. HiUsa.com has great resources for international and domestic hostels. Most hostels I stayed in were very accommodating, you may have to sleep in a 28 person room, but if you like to travel, this isn't a problem, your never there but to get some shut eye. Hostels are also flexible about dates and some are flexible with prices!

Many nights I slept in train stations and bus garages. I'm not advocating this for everyone but I traveled with a friend and Japan is a very safe country. The best way to do this is to pack light and put your backpack behind you, lock it with a zip tie or combo lock and put a strap around your wrist so no one can pull anything out while you sleep.

When traveling around the country, save money by taking buses instead of trains. A great method if your only traveling a few hundred miles is to take an overnight bus, while saving money on a hostel for that night and awaking at your destination. I went from Osaka to Tokyo on an overnight bus costing $50, and saving an extra $15 by not spending it on a hostel.

Remember when staying in a hostel to bring a small combination lock for your locker. Make sure you lock things up when your not in your room, even if you are using the showers.

While you lodge, instead of spending money on washers and dryers bring a small clothesline and hand wash your clothes in a sink and let them dry on a clothesline in a bathroom or outside, depending on hostel and time of year.

My friend only brought 2 pair of boxer briefs with him, he would take a shower with one pair on, then let them dry while wearing the other pair during the day, and repeat this every day. Might sound weird but he always had clean boxers and saved room on packing!

View the rest of this series on my $2000 trip to Japan, with tips of lodging, travel packing, and eating.

Safe Travels.

When it comes to finding the cheapest ticket, check all the travel websites first, like Kayak, Travelocity, Orbitz, StudentAirfare, Hotwire and so on. Begin to do some more research now that you have a base price and range.

Check airline websites directly, bypassing the bulk sellers of tickets, sometimes you can save a couple hundred dollars by going directly to United Airlines website for example. Ultimately I found the cheapest airfare through a travel agent, booking the flight for $630 round trip, total.

I flew Chicago to San Francisco to Osaka, previously I've flown direct O'Hare to Tokyo for around the same price.

To make some extra cash while traveling, when you get to the airport, go to the gate and ask the attendant how well sold the plane is. Airlines typically overbook 5% or so depending on flight. Put yourself on a list for overbooking, so if the flight is overbooked you give up your seat for someone else, get a couple hundred dollars in cash, a night in a nearby hotel and usually fly out the next morning. You can't beat this, if you do it on the way there and back you can pocket some extra cash, sometimes up to $200 each way.

One last tip, when searching for a flight avoid the summertime, it's always busier, pricier, and slower. Fly in downtimes and check for flights with crazy layovers. I saw flights to Tokyo that had a 20 hour layover in Rome. This may not be for everyone but you get a cheaper flight and enough time to run around Rome for a day.

View the rest of this series on my $2000 trip to Japan, with tips of lodging, travel packing and eating.

Safe Travels.

The United States Mint

Independence Mall
Philadelphia, PA 19019
usmint.gov

No money of your own, check out America's first production facility for the nation's coinage where you can see money actually being made. Why not learn about the history of the monetary system and the role of America's bank, the Federal Reserve. Free of charge public tours are available everyday.

Elfreth's Alley

Old City
Philadelphia, PA 19106
elfrethsalley.org

Opened in 1702, Elfreth's Alley is one of oldest surviving streets in the city. For 300 years, this neighborhood was home to the working classes and immigrants who eked out an existence in the conditions of 18th & 19th century urban life. Walk down the alleyway to see 32 homes restored by the Elfreth's Alley Association. There is a fee to go inside the homes but the stroll down the street scattered with artisans and street performers is free.

Love Park

15th St and JFK Blvd
Philadelphia, PA 19102
ushistory.org/lovepark

For love or money? You can decide by the fountain at JFK Plaza located in the heart of Center City's business district as you gaze up at Robert Indiana's famous Love Sculpture. The iconic image has been photographed and replicated the world over from the skateboarders, now banned, who used the park to practice their high-flying tricks to the cover of the Erich Segal classic, “Love Story.”

Tall Ship Gazela

301 S Columbus Blvd
Philadelphia, PA 19106
gazela.org

Along the Delaware River at North Penn's Landing you can visit the tall ship Gazela Primeiro. Built in 1883 in a shipyard in Portugal, the non-profit organization Philadelphia Ship Preservation Guild are the owners of this once seafaring vessel among others. Free to visit, donations are accepted. If you drive there, you may have to pay for parking

Edgar Allen Poe National Historic Site

532 N. 7th St
Philadelphia, PA 19123
nps.gov/edal

Fans of the author Edgar Allen Poe will get a rare treat visiting the home where he published a number of his widely read stories. At the entrance to the museum, you are greeted by a statue of a raven, an obvious reference to the famous poem. Inside, the house is maintained to look decadent and eerie an homage to his literary legacy.

Eastern State Penitentiary

22nd St and Fairmount Ave
Philadelphia, PA 19120
easternstate.org

Not free but worth the $7.00 admission fee, the Eastern State Penitentiary was built to rehabilitate its inmates using solitary confinement and hard-labor. Once there, you can tour the cell block that once was the home to gangster Al Capone. Closed in 1971, the abandoned prison stands as a reminder of America's early penal system.

This newsletter has been in operation since 1983, and with only a subscription, it hooks you up with some of the sweetest house sitting opportunities around the world.

"You can enjoy rent-free living as a property caretaker in desirable locations. Positions on estates, mansions, farms, ranches, resort homes, retreat centers, camps, hunting and fishing lodges, vacation homes, private islands, and any other kind of property imaginable are listed in The Gazette."

Learn how to be a real hardworking hippie. Receive world wide opportunities on organic farms with the help of WWOOF. While volunteering your time, you will get all of your rent and meals for free.

Like Caretaker Gazette, but for free and not as big-time. You make a profile and someone in need of a house sitter makes a profile, and then the website sends you to them. It's much like an online dating service, except for houses and people.

This is a network of people who open up their homes to travelers in need of a comfy series of pillows while on the road of adventure.

Like couch surfing.... I mean, Exactly like couch surfing. To be a part of this you have to be a host as well. If you don't offer your hospitality up within six months you get the boot.

This is an online listing of host organic farms, non-organic farms, farmstays, homestays, ranches, lodges, B&B, inns, backpackers hostels and even sailing boats who invite volunteer helpers to stay with them short-term in exchange for food and accommodation (board and lodging).

Their main locations are in Australia, New Zealand, Europe, Canada, USA, and others like Zimbabwe.

This is a smaller version of Help index but has several opportunities for pay in Australia and Europe. It is free and has a easy way to find postings.

This is the largest organization of work travel or free loading on the web. Or so they claim.

Just Do It

Alright, get off the couch and transfer your hind end to another couch across the world. Life is an adventure right?

"With every true friendship we build the basis for world peace..."

1. The British Museum

   The British Museum in London is one of the world's top museums that houses more than 13 million displays. The museum is a human history and cultural museum that displays a collection of artifacts from vases, clocks, bronzes and Egyptian mummies. The museum magnificent architecture building will certainly amaze anyone. Besides being only a museum, it also houses more than 350,000 reading material in its library and archive. It is a one-stop place to learn about the world's history. Tube: Tottenham Court Road

2. Piccadilly Circus

   Piccadilly Circus isn't a circus. Instead, it is actually a road junction in the central heart of London that link to other major roads in London. Piccadilly Circus is close to major shopping malls and entertainment outlets. Among the major attraction in Piccadilly is the memorial fountain. The fountain is one of the world's first statues to be cast in aluminum. Any artist would fall into the beauty of this statue. Tube: Piccadilly

3. British Library

   The library building might look odd but it is a must-visit library for anyone. The research library holds 150 million reading and audio materials from books, manuscripts and papers some dating back in 300BC. It is one of the world's biggest libraries that many famous personalities and authors do their research. Tube: Euston Station

4. The Natural History Museum

   This spectacular museum contains over 70 million items in display that is categorized under botany, entomology, mineralogy, paleontology and zoology. The museum architecture is truly complex and amazing. Among the famous exhibits, you can see here are dinosaur skeletons and other animal specimens. It will take up to days to visit all the galleries in this museum. Everything in the museum certainly will make you go wow. Tube: South Kensington

5. Bank of England Museum

   What's interesting visiting a bank, you might wonder? The bank of England Museum is located in the bank itself. It displays everything that is link to the history of banking in England. Among the items on display includes documents bank notes and gold bars! Tube: Bank

It is a country that has been blessed with many tourist attractions, its ministry of tourism was created in the 1970's to encourage investment in this sector. Tourist attractions include amongst others; wildlife parks, highlands, lakes, Mankon Fondom (kingdom) and museums.

Despite government's efforts over the past decade to boost the sector, its growth has been hampered by poor infrastructure and mis-administration. However, this has not deterred foreigners from visiting the country's attractions.

Tourists Climbing Mount Cameroon

One of the main sites that attracts many foreigners and nationals alike is "Mount Cameroon" also known as "Mount Fako". It is situated in Buea, in the Fako division of the South West province of the country.

It measures 4100 kilometres, the highest point in Central Africa and the second highest point in Africa after Mount Kilamanjaro in Kenya. The mountain rises from the coast through tropical rainforest to a bare summit which is cold, windy and occasionally brushed with snow.

The Mount Cameroon forests are under threat from uncontrolled forest exploitation and encroachment for agricultural production. A population of approximately 350,000 people live within its immediate vicinity, around half of this population live in the urban settlements of Limbe and Buea.

The Bakweri, Bomboko and Balundu people traditionally live on and around the mountain, together with the coastal Bimbia clans; the livelihoods of these people are directly or indirectly supplemented through the harvesting of the forests resources such as timber and non-timber products such as removing bark for medicines, gathering wild vegetables, collecting rattans for making furniture and hunting.

The mountain has erupted six times in the previous century, the latest recorded eruption was in March/ April 1999. During the eruption, the lava flow destroyed farmlands in localities found on the slope of the mountain such as Bakingili, Batoke and Upper farms.

In local folklore the God of the mountain is known as Efasah Moto, it's believed to be composed of two halves, i.e. man and stone; it is also believed that it takes care of people by providing them with water, shelter and food during their journey up and down the mountain. Visitors are allowed to harvest what they can consume while on the mountain but are not allowed to take away anything provided by Efasah Moto. Belief in the God provides an interesting cultural link to ecotourism and sustainable use of resources.

Apart from individuals or groups who go for excursions on the mountain, there is an annual international race that is organised by the Government known as the "Mount Cameroon Race of Hope". The initiative was started in 1995 by the company that brews Guinness.

The race usually brings together hundreds of athletes with scores of them coming from abroad. The starting point of the race is the Molyko Omnisport stadium and participants pass through upper farms, huts 1,2 & 3 before reaching the summit and returning back to the starting point. Participants are divided into male and female categories, they are then further sub-divided into professionals, youths, and amateurs.

The first winner of the male category usually takes just over four hours to complete the race while that for the female category usually takes around 4 hours and 30 minutes. Prize money is in the region of two thousand pounds.