IT'S A FREE WORLD:FOR A limited time only the Hotel @ Times Square in New York is offering theatre-goers two-for-one tickets to shows during Broadway Week, starting on January 24th. Shows scheduled for Broadway Week include Wicked, The Lion King, Chicagoand Billy Elliot.
The Hotel @ Times Square (applecorehotels.com/the-hotel-at-times-square) is located close to the Theatre District, and is in within walking distance of the Rockefeller Center, Fifth Avenue, the Museum of Modern Art and Times Square. This recently renovated, boutique hotel is offering stays during Broadway Week from just $139.99 per room per night (approximately €54 per person based on two sharing), subject to availability. Breakfast is included and there’s free WiFi internet access, free national phone calls, and access to a fitness centre.
Catch: don't forget accommodation taxes (14.75 per cent) and the $3.50 New York occupancy tax per night per room.
Take note: children aged 12 and under stay free of charge.
TEMPLE BAR TRADFESTstarts on January 26th in Dublin and will feature a number of free family events. A kids' club in the Temple Bar hotel on Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th with have face-painting, balloon modelling and crafts.
Airfield, the urban farm, will move from Dundrum to the bottom of Cow’s Lane on Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th. Kids can make a St Brigid’s Cross or a wool angel to take home and have a go at milking a replica cow. Storytellers will roam the bars and public spaces telling tales of Irish mythology and there will be street performers.
Catch: not all the family events are free. There's a charge into The Ark's family concerts and GhaelChultúr workshops.
Take note: for more details see templebartrad.com.
READER KEVINByrne of the Irish Air Corps emailed us about the Unireso Geneva Transport card.
Geneva is one of the few European cities to offer a transport card to tourists staying in the city. You are eligible for a card whether you are staying in a lavish 5-star hotel or a modest camping site in the city and it gives complete freedom to exploit the train, tram, bus and trolleybus systems.
Also, in the airport’s arrivals hall of the International airport in Geneva there’s a machine that dispenses a free public transport ticket to anyone wishing to travel inside the city limits for a period of up to 80 minutes.
Catch: the travel may be free but Geneva is consistently listed as one of the top 10 most expensive cities in the world.
Take note: see geneve-tourisme.ch for more on the transport card.
ETIHAD AIRWAYSis offering two Pearl Business class tickets for the price of one on bookings before January 23rd. Voted best business class airline at the last annual Irish Travel Trade News awards last year, the airline is offering two return Pearl Business class tickets from Dublin to Abu Dhabi from €3,713, or to a range of other destinations with connections via Abu Dhabi, including Bombay, Delhi, Bangalore or Hyderabad from €3,170 or Bahrain, Dammam, Doha, Jeddah, Kuwait, Muscat or Riyadh from €4,015.
Customers have access to Etihad’s swanky new business class lounge in Terminal Two and to the all important limousine service to and from Dublin airport, for those who live within a 50-mile radius.
Catch: if you can forego the chauffeur and flat bed, economy costs a mere €680 per ticket from Dublin to Abu Dhabi.
Take note: to book contact your local travel agent, call 1800-384423 or book online at etihad.com.
Found a freebie on holiday? Tell me about it. E-mail emorgan@irishtimes.com
