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The Best Things in Life are Free
Lonely Planet's The Best Things in Life are Free is packed full of money-saving tips, tricks and recommendations for the best-value sights and experiences around the world. From parks, museums and exercise classes that are free, to insider ideas on food and experiences offered at great value, this book features over 60 major cities around the world and promises to help any traveller on a budget to make the most of their trip. For many, free and cheap things are not only appealing but essential for stretching the funds to last as long as possible for an extended journey. Yet, even on a short trip, many unforgettable days of freedom and discovery can happen on a thin budget. You quickly realise that cheap can mean much, much better. No fancy Roman trattoria dinner can truly rival the bread and cheese picnic in Villa Celimontana, a short walk from the Colosseum, on a visit to the Eternal City. Needless to say, the monetary value implied in the term 'free' can misrepresent what's on offer within these pages. The quality of an experience, after all, is not always attached to a price tag, such as the priceless experience of unearthing the world's secret wonders, whether that's swimming around Sydney's ocean pools or strolling the tombs and monuments of Delhi's Lodi Gardens. Additionally, it's an exaggeration to say that everything good is 100% free, so you'll find plenty of excellent value cheap things to experience throughout this book as well. Dip into your spare change for classy street food like a choripain (chorizo sandwich) in Buenos Aires, the best views of Hong Kong's skyline from the Star Ferry and a Boston brewery tour. Using the tips in this book, you'll be left with great memories and a grateful wallet. Happy travels! Destinations AFRICA ASIA EUROPE NORTH AMERICA SOUTH AMERICA OCEANIA About Lonely Started in 1973, Lonely Planet has become the world's leading travel guide publisher with guidebooks to every destination on the planet, as well as an award-winning website, a suite of mobile and digital travel products, and a dedicated traveller community. Lonely Planet's mission is to enable curious travellers to experience the world and to truly get to the heart of the places they find themselves in.
304 pages, Paperback
First published August 16, 2016
285 people are currently reading
678 people want to read
About the author
Lonely Planet
3,652 books882 followersOUR STORY
A beat-up old car, a few dollars in the pocket and a sense of adventure. In 1972 that’s all Tony and Maureen Wheeler needed for the trip of a lifetime – across Europe and Asia overland to Australia. It took several months, and at the end – broke but inspired – they sat at their kitchen table writing and stapling together their first travel guide, Across Asia on the Cheap. Within a week they’d sold 1500 copies and Lonely Planet was born. One hundred million guidebooks later, Lonely Planet is the world’s leading travel guide publisher with content to almost every destination on the planet.
A beat-up old car, a few dollars in the pocket and a sense of adventure. In 1972 that’s all Tony and Maureen Wheeler needed for the trip of a lifetime – across Europe and Asia overland to Australia. It took several months, and at the end – broke but inspired – they sat at their kitchen table writing and stapling together their first travel guide, Across Asia on the Cheap. Within a week they’d sold 1500 copies and Lonely Planet was born. One hundred million guidebooks later, Lonely Planet is the world’s leading travel guide publisher with content to almost every destination on the planet.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
October 15, 2016
This is a nicely presented, hard back book, which lists 884 sights and experiences in over 60 cities worldwide – ranging from Africa, through Europe, North and South America and on to Oceania. Obviously, this book covers an awful lot and, as such, it does not really manage to tackle any city in great depth. However, it is good fun to read and, if you are visiting any of the cities listed, this is a nice reference book to investigate what free places there are to see while you are there.
I live in London and this is covered over six pages. It lists the usual art galleries and museums, but there are some interesting places listed that would not necessarily be obvious to a tourist – for example, Highgate Cemetery and various walks, parks and festivals. Of course, you cannot list all the free activities in any city in a few pages and so this cannot really act as a guide book. It is a nice addition to my shelf of travel books, but it is not really a must buy. Possibly, though, this would be a nice present, especially if you have someone in your life who really loves city breaks.
I live in London and this is covered over six pages. It lists the usual art galleries and museums, but there are some interesting places listed that would not necessarily be obvious to a tourist – for example, Highgate Cemetery and various walks, parks and festivals. Of course, you cannot list all the free activities in any city in a few pages and so this cannot really act as a guide book. It is a nice addition to my shelf of travel books, but it is not really a must buy. Possibly, though, this would be a nice present, especially if you have someone in your life who really loves city breaks.
December 29, 2016
This was a delightful way to spend a night dreaming of future travel plans, and I'm sure I'll return to it again and again.
It's a bit liberal in its interpretation of "free," but it covers a lot of big cities and also some smaller attractions, although my 12-year-old armchair traveling companion was indignant that there was no entry for Philadelphia. She was, however, bowled over by Barcelona. We are currently making plans to visit La Sagrada Famila on its 2020 completion.
It's a bit liberal in its interpretation of "free," but it covers a lot of big cities and also some smaller attractions, although my 12-year-old armchair traveling companion was indignant that there was no entry for Philadelphia. She was, however, bowled over by Barcelona. We are currently making plans to visit La Sagrada Famila on its 2020 completion.
August 8, 2019
Tells you what activities/events you can partake in for free in various cities around the world. Doesn't cover very many countries/cities though.
July 5, 2017
Studying the maps in this guide is enjoyable, and so is reading about some of the best, low-cost attractions. The section on Detroit, though, missed the possibility of some Tigers game tickets, the people mover, and walking for free along the Riverwalk. Overall, the book is a good money-saving guide for planning travel to big cities.
July 24, 2017
5 Solid Stars!
Gorgeous book with bright and colorful photos.
But, best of all... it tells us what activities and such are free even in the most expensive cities. Each location has several listed activities and places to visit. Each description is short and too the point. Which I like greatly.
Gorgeous book with bright and colorful photos.
But, best of all... it tells us what activities and such are free even in the most expensive cities. Each location has several listed activities and places to visit. Each description is short and too the point. Which I like greatly.
September 20, 2020
I really liked how colourful and easy to follow this guide was. The Price Index is helpful because it compares the price of an average day in each destination featured in the book. Would make a great gift too.
June 27, 2025
There are some nice ideas of places to visit on a budget however this book mainly focuses on well-known options in the most famous cities. Trying to cover the whole world may be part of that. It was disappointing not to see some of the free/cheap options that I have experienced personally on my own travels and that meant I felt I was probably missing out on ideas for the locations I haven't had the opportunity to visit.
The other surprising thing about this book was the fact it mostly promoted fairly inactive things to do. Lonely Planet guides I've read in the past tend towards more active options which is why I like them. If you are very into art, eating meat and music then this guide probably has some great suggestions for you but if you prefer vegetarian food or active experiences then it is not for you (or me).
The other surprising thing about this book was the fact it mostly promoted fairly inactive things to do. Lonely Planet guides I've read in the past tend towards more active options which is why I like them. If you are very into art, eating meat and music then this guide probably has some great suggestions for you but if you prefer vegetarian food or active experiences then it is not for you (or me).
October 30, 2019
Not great
I really wanted to like this book, but the format made it hard to read. I'm from the Caribbean and have visited quite a few islands there. They cooped it up in one section and left out so many things. For example, the Rain Forest in Puerto Rico is free. However, they dedicated whole sections to some of the US states instead of putting it all in one section. And what happened to the rest of the states? Are they not interesting enough, or are there no free or cheap things to do? I know it must be due to space constraints, but too much was missing. If that's the case with North America, I can only assume the same happens with the rest of the continent's. Still, it has some good ideas. That's why I think it's not totally useless.
I really wanted to like this book, but the format made it hard to read. I'm from the Caribbean and have visited quite a few islands there. They cooped it up in one section and left out so many things. For example, the Rain Forest in Puerto Rico is free. However, they dedicated whole sections to some of the US states instead of putting it all in one section. And what happened to the rest of the states? Are they not interesting enough, or are there no free or cheap things to do? I know it must be due to space constraints, but too much was missing. If that's the case with North America, I can only assume the same happens with the rest of the continent's. Still, it has some good ideas. That's why I think it's not totally useless.
September 1, 2017
Not what i was expecting
I really thought there would be so much more info but it was pretty vague esp for the united states. So if you are like me and hoping to get more info here this is not the book!!! As I said just not much in it. I live in Miami and there is a lot to do here. But I was looking for stuff from someone's perspective. This didn't have barely anything except the beach, malls and wynnwood. When we have so much more to do.. Maybe iftheydo an updated one it would've been a little better...
I really thought there would be so much more info but it was pretty vague esp for the united states. So if you are like me and hoping to get more info here this is not the book!!! As I said just not much in it. I live in Miami and there is a lot to do here. But I was looking for stuff from someone's perspective. This didn't have barely anything except the beach, malls and wynnwood. When we have so much more to do.. Maybe iftheydo an updated one it would've been a little better...
February 2, 2022
The Best Things in Life are Free... but actually, most restaurants and enjoyable experiences do cost money throughout the world, so the title is a stretch. This book presents an extremely limited view on popular countries around the world, highlighting local restaurants, hiking, outdoor activities, architectural marvels, and wonders of the world. Great for destination thrill seekers, adventurers looking to travel budget friendly (but not free!), and younger people okay with backpacking and hostels. Lower end experiences and advice.
August 3, 2017
Great tips if your a wide world casual traveler
Very brief small casual tips on popular city destinations from all over the continent including art and culture and some touristy must see's. Not much different from the rest but I did learn something new while scanning through it so maybe you will as well.
Very brief small casual tips on popular city destinations from all over the continent including art and culture and some touristy must see's. Not much different from the rest but I did learn something new while scanning through it so maybe you will as well.
February 10, 2022
Seat61.com
Consult The Man in Seat 61 for tips on buying train tickets in every European nation
Many countries have their own schemes for inexpensive rural accommodation: self-catering gîtes in France (gites-de-France.com), agriturismo in Italy (agriturismo.it), hoevertoerisme in the Netherlands and Belgium (hoevetourisme.eu).
Consult The Man in Seat 61 for tips on buying train tickets in every European nation
Many countries have their own schemes for inexpensive rural accommodation: self-catering gîtes in France (gites-de-France.com), agriturismo in Italy (agriturismo.it), hoevertoerisme in the Netherlands and Belgium (hoevetourisme.eu).
January 10, 2023
Not too many destinations and/or activities jumped from the pages at me. I do appreciate the 'Skip/See' sections listed by locale. I really didn't feel drawn to the recommendations highlighted, especially having some familiarity with a few U.S. destinations-famed and lesser known, that were ignored altogether or purposely omitted.
Read
September 3, 2019Unreadable on Kindle.
The book is not formated for kinddle. The no formating to turn individual pages. The print is microscopic and can't be enlarged. This may be a very good book but the bad Kindle formate makes it impossible to know what's in the book.
The book is not formated for kinddle. The no formating to turn individual pages. The print is microscopic and can't be enlarged. This may be a very good book but the bad Kindle formate makes it impossible to know what's in the book.
December 28, 2019
PDF version
Couldn't read the book. Giving 1 start due to readability issue. Have to keep zooming a location to read that portion, then zoom out and zoom in to another page location to read that part.
Couldn't read the book. Giving 1 start due to readability issue. Have to keep zooming a location to read that portion, then zoom out and zoom in to another page location to read that part.
July 16, 2018
Not at all what I expected
Don't waste your time you will be disappointed it is broke up by city and is t what summary said it was
Don't waste your time you will be disappointed it is broke up by city and is t what summary said it was
August 31, 2017
Great info!
Enjoyed and will use as a reference for future travels. Love that it gives info on each continent and major cities.
Enjoyed and will use as a reference for future travels. Love that it gives info on each continent and major cities.
December 11, 2017
Travel companion
Good suggestions for the cities I visited. I did a few of their suggestions. Such as Rome, pizza nightly, museum by day.lol
Good suggestions for the cities I visited. I did a few of their suggestions. Such as Rome, pizza nightly, museum by day.lol
May 13, 2018
Poca investigación, han cogido cuatro tips de Internet y han hecho una guía tan extensa en ciudades como corta en ideas
July 29, 2019
A good read for a traveller ,so many imp and useful points given
A good read for a traveller ,so many imp and useful points given. So I recommend this book to all .
A good read for a traveller ,so many imp and useful points given. So I recommend this book to all .
January 26, 2021
Good travel inspo, cool free hacks for each area
February 21, 2025
Really interesting book with lots of pictures and information about places all around the world. Really pleased with this book!
October 4, 2016
The best things in life are free - review
This 304 reference guide (published in 2016) provides a guide on the many things we can experience around the world for free. “You will realise that cheap can mean much, much better” (pg. 5). It covers all continents (minus Antarctica) and has a price index on page 298 which compares the price of an average day* in each destination featured in the book. San Salvador comes out to be the cheapest place at approximately 30 USD a day, followed by Bangkok, Delhi, Buenos Aires, Mumbai, and Marrakesh. The Caribbean comes out to be the most expensive at approximately 400 USD a day, followed by New York City, Stockholm, Boston, Venice, Chicago, Oslo, and London.
The first continent in the book is Africa where it describes places to see and things to do in Cape Town and Marrakesh. Cape Town has approximately 3.75 million and the currency they use is the rand R or ZAR. The most iconic natural feature is Table Mountain. You can visit the District Six Museum, go on a free diamond tour, visit St. George’s Cathedral, go to the Beach, and visit the Whatiftheworld Gallery. Table Mountain National Park has hundreds of trails and there is also Sea Point promenade which is an 11km long car-free coastal stretch good for running. In Marrakesh, Morocco, there are approximately 1 million people and the currency is Morcoccan dirham Dh or MAD.
The next continent in the book is Asia and includes information on Bangkok, Beijing, Beirut, Delhi, Dubai, Hong Kong, Mumbai, Shanghai, Singapore, and Tokyo.
Then in Europe, places include Amsterdam, Athens, Barcelona, Berlin, Bruges, Budapest, Copenhagen, Dublin, Edinburgh, Geneva, Helsinki, Istanbul, Lisbon, London, Madrid, Milan, Moscow, Oslo, Paris, Prague, Reykjavik, Rome, Stockholm, Venice, and Vienna.
In North America, the book specifically focuses on: Austin, Boston, The Caribbean, Chicago, Detriot, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York City, Portland – OR, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, Toronto, Vancouver, and Washington – DC.
The places in Oceania include: Brisbane, Melbourne, North Island – NZ, South Island – NZ, and Sydney.
And finally, in South America, the book includes places such as: Bogota, Buenos Aires, Lima, Rio de Janeiro, San Salvador, and Sao Paulo.
While this book has a lot of places covered, it provides a good overview, and this would complement what you can find on the web. Happy reading!
This 304 reference guide (published in 2016) provides a guide on the many things we can experience around the world for free. “You will realise that cheap can mean much, much better” (pg. 5). It covers all continents (minus Antarctica) and has a price index on page 298 which compares the price of an average day* in each destination featured in the book. San Salvador comes out to be the cheapest place at approximately 30 USD a day, followed by Bangkok, Delhi, Buenos Aires, Mumbai, and Marrakesh. The Caribbean comes out to be the most expensive at approximately 400 USD a day, followed by New York City, Stockholm, Boston, Venice, Chicago, Oslo, and London.
The first continent in the book is Africa where it describes places to see and things to do in Cape Town and Marrakesh. Cape Town has approximately 3.75 million and the currency they use is the rand R or ZAR. The most iconic natural feature is Table Mountain. You can visit the District Six Museum, go on a free diamond tour, visit St. George’s Cathedral, go to the Beach, and visit the Whatiftheworld Gallery. Table Mountain National Park has hundreds of trails and there is also Sea Point promenade which is an 11km long car-free coastal stretch good for running. In Marrakesh, Morocco, there are approximately 1 million people and the currency is Morcoccan dirham Dh or MAD.
The next continent in the book is Asia and includes information on Bangkok, Beijing, Beirut, Delhi, Dubai, Hong Kong, Mumbai, Shanghai, Singapore, and Tokyo.
Then in Europe, places include Amsterdam, Athens, Barcelona, Berlin, Bruges, Budapest, Copenhagen, Dublin, Edinburgh, Geneva, Helsinki, Istanbul, Lisbon, London, Madrid, Milan, Moscow, Oslo, Paris, Prague, Reykjavik, Rome, Stockholm, Venice, and Vienna.
In North America, the book specifically focuses on: Austin, Boston, The Caribbean, Chicago, Detriot, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York City, Portland – OR, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, Toronto, Vancouver, and Washington – DC.
The places in Oceania include: Brisbane, Melbourne, North Island – NZ, South Island – NZ, and Sydney.
And finally, in South America, the book includes places such as: Bogota, Buenos Aires, Lima, Rio de Janeiro, San Salvador, and Sao Paulo.
While this book has a lot of places covered, it provides a good overview, and this would complement what you can find on the web. Happy reading!
December 26, 2016
All the big cities - but some great ideas. Now where to go to first? :)
December 17, 2016
One thing you should know when you're reading this book is that it's not about how to enjoy completely free things when you travel. This book uses the word free very loosely. There are many great travel tips in this book and I think it's a wonderful resource but it's a little misleading. I understand that it's hard to find only free things when you travel but I feel like this books should have been titled "The Best Things In Life Are Free (or cost very little)". A perfect example would be when I was flipping through and came to a page titled "12 places in America to see a free movie". All of the listing cost money. Granted it wasn't a lot of money and there was usually something special about the movie theater like the fact that it was a drive in or a renovated old theater but I that's not free. There are places that do community movie nights and offer a free movie on special occasions or a schedule. I feel like maybe this book needed a little more research.
May 19, 2024
Lonely Planet Leonie got me thinking I have a life why aren't I travelling again looking at these books I choose this one on the end of a line of blue and white books at the Moe library where librarians are fascinated with SO MANY book authors - incredible memories and lovely dress ups for children's book week as frogs, fairies, monsteries walk in everyone is smiling at everyone else - its that kinda library...I get all my inter library loans studying my Diploma of Community Services, assistance on the photocopier, computer and ideas....
Anyways the ultimate money saving travel guide has up to date photos of places I want to see and at 884 sights and experiences in over 60 cities worldwide I have plenty of time to write up photocopy and imagine where i'm travelling to...
Anyways the ultimate money saving travel guide has up to date photos of places I want to see and at 884 sights and experiences in over 60 cities worldwide I have plenty of time to write up photocopy and imagine where i'm travelling to...
October 8, 2016
I admit: I didn't read it from cover to cover. It's not something you'd read in one go, you'll end up with too much info you wouldn't necessarily use. What I did was pick out certain cities that tickled my fancy and took note of the things that can be done for free. I also used it as a reference guide when creating content for my travel-related work. It's an informative and entertaining read for armchair travelers.
May 2, 2019
I tried to read the kindle version from Amazon - for free. In this case, the best thing I life might be free, but it was too small to read and you could not zoom in, the was no table of contents, it was not searcheable, could only be viewed horizontally and I could not read any of it. Some of the photos were pretty, though, so if you appreciate the little things in life, and I do, I guess you could conceivably call it one of the best things and it was free.
May 6, 2017
Flat, no emphasize no emotion.
This type of book is very flat an boring.
Do not get me wrong, it does cover most of important points of interest.
But I prefer a book with a better structure such as travelling with movie locations or explore the geek vibe in Silicon Valley. I do not like this type of book just listing points of interest with same length of words without emotions.
This type of book is very flat an boring.
Do not get me wrong, it does cover most of important points of interest.
But I prefer a book with a better structure such as travelling with movie locations or explore the geek vibe in Silicon Valley. I do not like this type of book just listing points of interest with same length of words without emotions.
August 14, 2020
*read in August 2020
I was expecting/hoping for a little bit more from this. The Chicago section and recommendations were kind boring but I guess to each their own! The Vegas and Nat'l Parks spreads/ideas were the best. There were nice "top ten" lists like free movies around big cities at parks etc which I enjoyed but overall this was just kind of generic
I was expecting/hoping for a little bit more from this. The Chicago section and recommendations were kind boring but I guess to each their own! The Vegas and Nat'l Parks spreads/ideas were the best. There were nice "top ten" lists like free movies around big cities at parks etc which I enjoyed but overall this was just kind of generic
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews