Ten things to do in Madrid for free

Traveling carry-on only just got easier for guests staying at Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants.

If you want to upgrade your cruise cabin, the best time to do it is when you’re buying. Look at any of the big online cruise agencies, and you’ll see a notice that says “upgrades available” or such on some of the listings. That means you can pay for a certain category but will be assigned a higher-classed cabin immediately, effectively giving you a free cruise cabin upgrade.

Been on a full flight lately? Then you may have heard an announcement or seen an appeal posted on the monitor at the gate asking for passenger volunteers to check their bags at the gate for free.

Just a week after Hilton announced decidedly benign changes to its award pricing, Hyatt is doing the same.

Think overnight train trips in your own cabin cost a fortune? Not with Amtrak’s latest flash sale. Book an Amtrak roomette for one and get the companion ticket free if you buy by June 26. The deal is valid for travel this August 20 through February 15, 2019, with only a single blackout date: November 25, 2018.

Still haven’t started your holiday shopping? No judgment and no problem, because these sites have you covered. All of the retailers below will ship your gifts in time for Christmas, for free:

Have you had your eye on an interesting museum but haven’t gotten around to visiting? It’s time to clear your schedule on Saturday, September 22, because nearly 1,500 museums and cultural institutions nationwide will be free and open to the public for one day.

Airbnb is searching for 12 people to live in accommodations listed on Airbnb for one year. Inspired by the surge in long-term rentals last year due to remote working, Airbnb is hoping participants will help shape the future of long-term Airbnb rentals by launching their “Live Anywhere on Airbnb” program.

When it comes to luxury travel, many don’t think beyond the airplane and hotel. But what if you could extend that first class experience to the car you drive? The Auberge Resorts Collection and Mercedes-Benz are adding three new properties to their existing partnership, which offers guests access to a fleet of high-end Mercedes-Benz vehicles for use during their stay.

There’s a lot of things to do in Barcelona, Spain’s second city: the dark, twisting streets of the Barri Gòtic; the cool and sophisticated La Ribera district filled with designer shops and fashionable bars; the enticing beaches and über-modern seafront area – all topped off by some seriously unusual architecture, an integral part of Catalan’s Modernisme movement. It’s this mix, along with its tempting tapas and bar scene that makes the city such an exciting stop, and inevitably the prices to visit its museums, churches and the like are high. Here are a few suggestions for free things to do in Barcelona:

The IRA’s 1996 bomb in Manchester city centre was one of the city's darkest days. Extensive damage was done, but ultimately it served only to unleash a flurry of investment that carries on to this day. This means, of course, that there are myriad ways to spend your pennies here these days. Yet deep down, Manchester remains a city of the people, and it looks kindly on the stony-broke. On a practical note, the city centre is eminently walkable. Bring a hooded coat though (an Oasis-style parka, perhaps?) – it’s not known as the Rainy City for nothing. Here are ten ways to enjoy Manchester for free.

One of the sunniest and liveliest capital cities in Europe, Madrid has a lot to take pride in. Indeed, its inhabitants, the Madrileños, are so proud of their city that they modestly declare “desde Madrid al Cielo”: that after Madrid there is only one remaining destination – Heaven. While their claim may be open to dispute, this compact, frenetic and fascinating city certainly has bags of appeal and its range of attractions has made it a deservedly popular short-break destination. Here's a day-by-day itinerary to help you plan a perfect weekend filled with amazing things to do in Madrid.