I couldn’t have asked for a better first half of my Christmas holiday–Four perfect days (and these perfect eats) with the family, accompanied by Boggle, cribbage, cooking, knitting and fires in the fireplace.
And then? Hopping on a plane to San Antonio, for an exercise in traveling cheap (but living large). While vacations certainly aren’t free, well, you know me, I still manage to do it on the cheap.
Upgrades? Free. The hotel messed up my reservation (As in, gave me a room that already had someone in it–I’ve mentioned how awkward my life is, right? Try barging into an occupied hotel room), so I got a free upgrade to a king suite and free Internet for my stay. Did you miss that? King suite. I may or may not have spent an evening in a jacuzzi tub with a glass or two of wine…
Food? Free. I stayed at a Double Tree, so let’s not overlook the TWO free cookies I was handed at check-in. There was an error with my TV, so I got a coupon for free breakfast at the hotel restaurant (delux huevos rancheros, baby!). I also ended up with a free lunch and free margarita just for chatting with a bartender.
Entertainment? Free. I toured the Alamo for free, the San Antonio Museum of Art for free, the Christmas lights of the Riverwalk for free, Market Square for free… Basically, if it was free and within walking distance of my hotel, I saw it.
Airport refreshments? Free. I may have gotten stuck in the airport for a few extra hours due to flight delays, but I used the free Starbucks gift card my work gave me for Christmas to buy a latte and a treat. And really, a two hour delay is no big deal once you have good coffee and good books. Free relaxation.
How do you save money while traveling? What US city should I see next?
That seriously sounds like such a blast!! I’m so happy you enjoyed your holiday with your loved ones
And I gotta say, I totally wanna be your travel buddy! You always find the funnest stuff to do and go to the most wicked places!!
It was so much fun! As if I wasn’t a big enough fan of Texas already (I’m sure you understand ;D ). And I always need a good travel buddy!
Hahah you make me laugh….as long as a freebie is involved, I’m a-ok about mess ups
! Glad to see u had a wonderful trip with your family! Have you ever been to San Francisco? I’m yet to visit but I keep hearing such great things about the place….and the Full House fan in me makes me want to visit all the more!
I’ve never been to Cali–Almost got there this summer, but work got in the way. It’s on the to-do list, I just have to watch flights and wait for something affordable! And I absolutely love that seeing the Full House house is one of your motivations for going! Ohhhh yeah ’90s TV
You’re speaking my language as free is my favorite word ever
I rarely travel but when I do I always bring a cooler full of eats to save money on food.
Happy New Year!
Smart! I do pack granola bars to curb snacking budgets, but it would be a good idea to take more along whenever possible!
we are like twins at heart, if it is free i will find a way to be there. i think I learned my dad’s bargaining powers because I have gotten a lot of free upgrades or things in these years. the best was being able to change flights at the airport (normally cost 150 dollars) for free. boo ya!
Ooo, just imagine if we traveled together! We would find every free thing/great deal around
I save money by charging the client. LOL!
Haha, now THAT’S the way to travel
oooh man, for the embarrassment of tryna get into a hotel room already occupied, that upgrade is well worth it – I’ll take it!!
All this free stuff you’re getting!!
Can you go to San Diego for me?? I heard such amazing things about it!
Heck, I manage to embarrass myself on a regular basis anyway, I have nothing against it happening, especially if it means I get free stuff at the same time! And I had a San Diego trip planned last year but had to cancel because of work
Definitely something that’s still in the works!
Isn’t the Alamo the oddest place? I was looking and looking for the rest of it, then the guard said, nope this is it. Hah!
Haha, I was expecting more too! Especially when the gift shop is twice the size of the rest of the buildings involved…
It sounds like you had a great and deserved vacation, and ya can’t beat the price. I love hotel upgrades, especially when they include jacuzzi tubs, free lunches and free drinks. Total score, and San Antonio is a beautiful city. I went a few years back and had a great time. I even went to the wax museum, which if I remember correctly was right across the street from the Alamo.
You’re next US city could always be Cleveland and I could show you the ropes. Or you can check out San Diego or San Francisco. I’ve never been to either, but my Hubby says I would love both.
My hotel was sort of on a street-corner-angle with the wax museum–I thought about going, but dolls creep me the heck out, and wax museum are just like gatherings of extra-large dolls…all staring at you…plotting…waiting… I decided not to shell out the $ to go in.
I aaaaalmost got to San Diego last year, maybe this will be the year it finally happens! And hey, I’ve never been to Cleveland, so you never know!
Awesome! I love that you enjoy the free things in life
. Next city you should travel to? Pittsburgh 
but some in the summer when it’s actually warm here!
You lucky girl – so many things that turned to free for you!! I was in San Antonio in July last year and it was a cute town. Humid.
How about Denver next?
Wha! Free hotel upgrades and drinks and lunch and cookies 0.0 Haha sounds like my life while I was in Europe. Trying to do as many free things as possible ^^ Local parks (which are beautiful in Europe), street artists, just walking down the streets is all free and yet so enjoyable. As for food I hit up the supermarket as often as I could. Honestly I ate so much cheese and local breads and just local foods that I might not have if I ate out ^^
Sounds like a wonderful (and cheap!) time! I’m sure your good looks helped you get all those freebies, too!
Have you been to Boston? I really want to hit that up.
Yep! I’ve been a few times–I love it, and I have a feeling you would too! Has a neat “old” feel to it, lots of historic sights, and of course lots of good eats.
Awesome! I love additional seals of approval. Trying to get there, NYC [I can't believe I still haven't been], and Kansas City at some point.
You play cribbage?? Ah that’s amazing. Whenever (if) we do meet, can we please play???
Um, of course! YES to finding another player, surprisingly hard to do since it’s such an awesome game!
That sounds like THE BEST “FREE”/Upgraded vacation ever! I love getting deals! I am so glad you had a good time! I think you should head to boston…….AMAZING!
You are the Queen!! I’ve always wanted to see San Antonio, but we haven’t made it there yet. Have you seen Savannah? I find it fascinating! But of course you Must read Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil first! But I’m sure you’ve already read that!
Wow nice!! That is a lot of free stuff! I just try to bring as much stuff as I can just in case. Seems like you had a lot of bad luck, but at least it turned out good!
Free hotel upgrade? Nice!
You know I love free and cheap!! This sounds like such a fun trip.
You should come see Pittsburgh next! Especially in the summer, when there are lots of free and cheap things to do!
ps – Not to be a B, but I’ve never lost a game of Boggle
Come to Charlottesville! It’s a US city. There’s lots of free stuff to do. Or, actually, scratch that. Let’s take our miserly approach to travel and meet somewhere…like…New Orleans. Or Miami. Or anywhere in California. [I need a little more warmth in my life right now.]