Let a local show you around for nothing

IT'S A FREE WORLD:INSTEAD OF an official guided tour, let an enthusiastic local show you around the "real" Paris, New York or Berlin for nothing through the Global Greeter Network (globalgreeternetwork.info) an organisation that dispatches volunteers to show tourists around their native city.

The Global Greeter Network is available in 16 cities, including London, Buenos Aires and Toronto, and the organisation claims that at least another 50 cities are looking at introducing it.

Catch: you have to book your greeter at least two weeks in advance of your holiday.

Take note: they’re doing it for nothing in their spare time so don’t heckle if the greeter doesn’t know the number of steps to the top of the Empire State Building.

GET AROUNDdowntown Copehagen by bicycle for free. There's no charge for the City Bikes scheme – you get your 20dkk coin back when you return it – and there are 110 bike parking stations (called Freeports) around the city which, conveniently, is as flat as a pancake and has bicycle lanes with traffic lights.

Catch: you may find bikes are scarce at Freeport terminals and the comfort factor on City Bikes is low – expect saddle soreness on long rides.

Take note: many museums in Copehagen offer free admission on Wednesdays.

IN NEWYork you can dodge the $18 (€13) admission fee to the Guggenheim Museum by going along on Saturday evening where the policy is that you can "pay what you wish".

In the city’s Museum of Modern Art, the $20 (€14.50) admission price is waived on Friday nights.

Catch: be prepared for some eye-rolling from the cashier if you don't make any donation.

Take note: Washington DC has many free museums and you can join a free tour of the White House if you book ahead.

THE VERYaccommodating authorities in Kuala Lumpur are allowing foreign tourists to bring their maid along on holiday by applying for a special pass. The special pass is issued free of charge at the immigration counter at all entry points and travellers are expected to "be responsible" for their maids and not abuse the facility.

Catch: yes, especially for any maid who thought they'd have the fortnight off.

Take note: Malaysia isn't known for its great working conditions for maids but there are moves afoot to give Indonesian maids one day off a week.

IN AUSTRALIA, Big 4 Holiday Parks is offering a night of free camping on November 5th at participating parks around the country. The company says 10,000 people took up the offer last year.

Catch: places are strictly limited.

Take note: the website is at big4.com.au/comecamp.