Who wants FREE travel stuff?
Just one of many reasons to subscribe to this new monthly travel newsletter.
I could start this newsletter with boring background about me and my travel blog, but I’d rather focus on you. And I’m guessing you’d appreciate a few tips on how to get some free perks when you travel. So FREE stuff is the theme of this month’s edition.
Free hotel or free tour in Istanbul
No one really likes a long layover, unless it’s in Istanbul and your Turkish Airlines ticket qualifies for a free city tour OR a free hotel room.
Yes, there are some rules. Your layover must be between 6 and 24 hours. And you must be on the next available connecting flight to your final destination. Both flights must be on Turkish Airlines through Istanbul Airport.
You can only do the free tour or free hotel room on the same layover, not both. Depending on which of the daily tours fit your schedule, you get free transportation, a helpful tour guide and even a free restaurant meal.
The Touristanbul program was suspended during the pandemic, but it’s back! I actually did the hotel room deal on two trips. On another layover, I tried the free tour.
Curious? Click on this post for the details of how to sign up, and some helpful links.
Free stay at a resort in Spain: Pueblo Ingles
Well, it’s not entirely free. You have to be a native English speaker. And you are volunteering to spend your time helping people in Spain improve their English.
For inspiration, watch this video about my stay at Pueblo Ingles. (And don’t forget to subscribe to my YouTube channel while you’re there.)
Now that you’re ready to pack your bags, read this post with details on how to volunteer for Pueblo Ingles.
I participated in August of 2021. I enjoyed my villa, the charming town of La Alberca, the UNESCO world heritage scenery and the delicious three-course meals. But the best part was meeting the other participants and making new friends. I’ll be visiting one of them next month in Barcelona. Details in the September edition of the newsletter.
Free walking tour of Belgrade, Serbia
Air Serbia is expanding its flight services to serve more destinations. So it’s becoming easier to get to Belgrade. Once you are there, I recommend the Communism Tour with Belgrade Walking Tours.
Once again, it’s not entirely free. There is a ten-euro charge to cover transportation on a public bus, plus admission to the Museum of Yugoslavia. It includes the House of Flowers where Yugoslavia’s leader Josip Broz Tito is buried. The guides rely on tips.
Details of what you can expect and how to sign up for a free walking tour of Belgrade in this post. And a few other dark secrets of the Serbian capital.
In the News: How Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine might impact your travel to Eastern Europe
While we’re on the subject of Eastern Europe, people have asked me if it’s safe to travel to Eastern Europe while hostilities are going on.
Short answer: YES, it’s safe to travel to neighboring countries like Poland, Hungary or Romania at the moment. I say this with the usual disclaimer to stay in touch with the news for any widening of the hostilities to include countries that are members of NATO.
For Americans, it’s always a good idea to visit the State Department’s website, where you can search for the travel advisories for each country. Once you decide to go, register with the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to get security updates.
I’d definitely avoid any travel plans to Ukraine, Russia or Belarus right now. First, because of the unpredictable nature of the conflict. Second, because most commercial airlines have suspended flights to Russia and limited service to Ukraine.
I live part-time in Slovenia, which is less than 1,000 miles from Kiev, Ukraine. Except for higher energy prices, it’s not obvious that a war is in progress. However, there are relief efforts for millions of Ukrainian refugees — mostly women and children — who have sought safe harbor in the rest of Europe.
One of those relief efforts was a dance concert for peace in Ljubljana’s National Opera and Ballet Theater. Tickets were only 5 euros, but voluntary donations to the Catholic relief agency Karitas were collected at the door.
Your tourist dollars are even more welcome in Central and Eastern Europe right now because hotels, restaurants and tour operations are still recovering from the pandemic shutdowns. And because the usual throngs of Russian tourists are mostly absent this year, especially in seaside destinations like Croatia or Montenegro.
So, What Now?
I’d love to know your thoughts on this newsletter in the comments. I’ll have a different theme every month, plus travel tips and news updates. See you in September. In the meantime you can follow me @strangersinthelivingroom on Facebook. See all my reviews on Trip Advisor @strangersblog. Please subscribe to my YouTube channel for some fun travel videos. Pinning this post? Get more travel ideas from Strangers in the Living Room on Pinterest.
Thanks, Bob, for the “boots on the ground” report. I enjoy your photos as well.
Thanks for the comments on eastern Europe. I travled to the Czech Republic, Hungary, Bulgaria and Romania this past Spring despite cautions from friends. There were no disheartening experiences related to Mr Putin's war on Ukraine. The Russian citizens and others concerned about personal safety were missing, which made getting about much easier.