Get to Big Apple's core

ITS A FREE WORLD:If you're visiting the Big Apple this summer get in touch with Big Apple Greeter (BAG) and be taken on a free tour of the city. BAG aims to give tourists a flavour of real New York life as seen through the eyes of New Yorkers.

The greeters, who are all volunteers, are matched with visitors according to language, neighbourhoods requested and interests when possible. For more information visit bigapplegreeter.org.

Catch: Summer flights to New York Newark costs €634 with Continental travelling on July 6th.

Take note: Stay at the New York Manhattan Hotel where prices in July and August start from $194.99 a room, per night (€68 per person sharing). Children aged 12 and under stay for free.

Call 0044 808 178 6363 or thenewyorkmanhattanhotel.com.

Crystal Holidayshas free child places on apartment and hotel holidays. Seven nights self-catering at the four-star Eden Apartments in Lake Garda, Italy, for example, costs from €2,059, for a family of two adults and two children, based on a July 23rd departure. One child goes free. This represents a saving of €349. This price includes car hire.

If you prefer to stay in a hotel, there are seven nights, in a family suite room on a half-board basis, at the four-star Hotel in Sonnschein in Austria, costing from €1,945, based on two adults and two children. One child goes free. This saves €349 (July 20th departure).

Catch: For the Lake Garda offer your child must be 15 years and younger to avail of child prices. For the Austrian offer in Sonnschein your child must be under 11 years old for the offer.

Take note: The definition of child differs depending on where you want to go.

Renvyle Housein Connemara has lots of free activities in July and August. Depart tomorrow, Sunday July 3rd and stay three nights for €649 B&B and two dinners for two adults and two children under 12 sharing. There is fly fishing on Monday and scuba diving on Tuesday with an instructor.

That night let the local theatre group, Tegolin Tales, spellbind kids with one of its storytelling evenings in the library. All at no extra cost. There is a private lake, beach and rock pools to explore, boating, canoeing and more. Tel: 095 43511 or visit renvyle.com

Take note: You can stay on and get the fourth night, on a BB basis, for free.

Catch:You have to pay €649 to get the free activities and extra free night.

Tomorrow thereis a Sunday at Noon concert at the Hugh Lane Gallery, Dublin. Charlotte Bletton plays flute and Michael McHale is on piano.