Who likes paying full price for stuff? Not us. And we guess none of you either. We love to travel heaps, see a lot, and pay less than full price on the road. That way we have more money to spend overseas on fun stuff, like drinks, snacks, and shopping for cool and funky clothes and shoes. To help you guys out we’ve created a list of promo codes.

Promo codes that will save you money on travel, accommodation, or things like shopping. We try to keep our list of promotional codes as accurate as possible, so we’ll update it on a regular basis. Oh and we’ll always list the expiration date of the promo code, so you’ll always know when you need to use then. Never miss out on a bargain.

Enjoy the discounts on the road or at home. Just make sure you use each of these promo codes before it expires.

Latest promo codes for mega discounts on travel related stuff

As we’re only interested in travel, we’ll only list promotion codes that have to do with travel and stuff used on your travels, like clothing and gear.

get a discount at	discount % or amount	promotion code	use before	remarks
Vueling Airlines: discounted airfares across Europe	seats from as low as €29.99	promotion not yet active, check Vueling’s current low fares	11 July 2013	Vueling promotion will start on 2 July 2013, check Vueling’s current low fares
Holland Pass: discounted access to museums and attractions in Amsterdam and other Dutch cities	5% discount	use promo code DIYOE5 at Holland Pass	31 July 2013	buy now at discounted price, pick up when you arrive in Holland
SurfStitch: surf, ski, and skate clothes, shoes, and more (major brands)	€10 discount, when you spend €50	use promo code WAVE10 at SurfStitch	30 August 2013	not valid on surfboards, brands Obey, Go Pro & JVC
SurfStitch: surf, ski, and skate clothes, shoes, and more (major brands)	€20 discount, when you spend €100	use promo code WAVE20 at SurfStitch	30 August 2013	not valid on surfboards, brands Obey, Go Pro & JVC
SurfStitch: surf, ski, and skate clothes, shoes, and more (major brands)	€50 discount, when you spend €200	use promo code WAVE50 at SurfStitch	30 August 2013	not valid on surfboards, brands Obey, Go Pro & JVC
Lyca Mobile: free SIM card in UK	FREE	no promo code needed, simply go to Lyca Mobile	no date	add top-up and get extra FREE credit

New promo codes will be added constantly, so bookmark this page and visit us regularly.

Promo codes for travellers: use ‘em at home or on the road is another travel blog post by DIY-OE - Independent travel information hub & travel blog

Living in Europe means you all of sudden have access to fantastic shopping opportunities. And not just all the high street shops in London, Paris, Berlin, or Barcelona, but also heaps of outlet shops all over Europe. Europe is outlet shopping heaven and we have had our share of outlet shopping all over Europe. So here’s the alternative shopaholic’s guide to outlet shopping in Europe.

Alternative? Yeah we like to do things in a different way and we probably like different brands than you. But rest assured all major clothing, shoes, and accessories brands are covered in our list of awesome outlet shops in Europe.

Forgot something? Outlet shopping can also be done from home

Each time we’re at a outlet shopping centre we forget something. Either a certain brand doesn’t have our favourite shoes in our size or we’re not sure whether to buy a certain special deal (thus not buying it and regretting it when we’re back home).

Luckily we have a back-up option, an online go-to place where we can always find the surf, snow, or skate brands that we’re looking for: SurfStitch (Australia’s number one webshop for fashion and surf), which also delivers super-fast throughout Europe from their warehouse in France. And they always have the right stuff from our favourite brands Vans, Billabong, Protest, and more at amazing prices. And by using this promotional code you’ll get an even better deal on their amazing collection of surf, snow, and skate brands: spend over 50 Euro at SurfStitch and get 10 Euro off with promo code WAVE10 (promo code WAVE10 can only be used once and ends at 30. Aug. 2013. Promotion excludes Surfboards, brands Obey, Go Pro & JVC)

But that’s the back-up plan… First we’re going to send you all over Europe to experience outlet shopping at our favourite outlet shopping centres.

Outlet shopping at Gunwharf Quays in Portsmouth, UK

Gunwharf Quays Shopping Centre in Portsmouth, UK

No visit to the South of the United Kingdom is complete without a visit to the Gunwharf Quays outlet shopping centre. There’s heaps to do and see in Portsmouth but as true shopaholic we were immediately attracted to this shopping centre. Make sure you also visit the Yo Sushi restaurant for a fun and Japanese dining experience. The staff is friendly and the sushi (brought to you on a conveyor belt) is yummy.

• Address: Gunwharf Quays, Portsmouth, PO1 3TZ, United Kingdom
• Opening hours: Monday-Friday 10am – 7pm, Saturday 9am – 7pm, Sunday 10am – 5pm
• Brands: Diesel, GAP, Guess, HMV, Hugo Boss, Levi’s, O’Neill, Oakley, Superdry, and Vans (to name a few)
• Official website: Gunwharf Quays
• Why we love it: location, location, location… And the beautiful yet modern look & feel (different from regular outlet centres around the world)

Serravalle Designer Outlet in Serravalle Scrivia, Italy

Serravalle is a classic outlet shopping centre: Italy’s first and largest designer outlet. You can find some really big brand here at amazing discounted prices. The shopping centre has that classic Italian look & feel. And the weather, wow amazing. Heaven for travelling shopaholics.

• Address: Via della Moda 1, 15069 Serravalle Scrivia (AL), Italy
• Opening hours: 7 days a week 10am – 8pm
• Brands: Adidas, Asics, Camper, Calvin Klein Jeans, Diesel, Dockers, Desigual, Gues, Boss, Iceberg, Lee, Levi’s, Lotto, Prada, Timberland, Vans, and Wrangler (to name a few)
• Official website: Serravalle Designer Outlet
• Why we love it: Cute. Plus if don’t fancy any ot the brands at the outlet centre, there’s a regular shopping centre across the road.

Shop till you drop at La Roca Village in Barcelona, Spain

La Roca Village in Barcelona, Spain

La Roca is part of the Chic outlet shopping experience created by European retail company Value Retail. Here the focus is also on luxury brands… At discounted prices of course. Barcelona is shopping heaven with numerous shopping centres within the city borders. La Roca is the perfect trip for anyone wanting to escape the city and experience outlet shopping in a more relaxed environment.

• Address: 08430 Santa Agnès de Malanyanes (La Roca del Vallès), Barcelona, Spain
• Opening hours: Monday to Saturday, from 10am to 9pm (except for the special opening hours)
• Brands: Armani, Billabong, Calvin Klein Jeans, Desigual, Diesel, G-Star Raw, Guess, Havaianas, Kipling, Levi’s, Nike, Pepe Jeans, Quicksilver, Superdry, The North Face, and Vans (to name a few)
• Official website: La Roca Village
• Why we love it: So close to Barcelona (easy to reach) and what’s not to love about shopping in the amazing Spanish weather.

More info about shopping in Barcelona: cool brands and where to go for regular shopping centres

Never leave home without these important travel tips for shopaholics

If you arrive by plane intend to do some serious outlet shopping, always make sure that you:

• Know what the baggage allowance is on your airline
• Bring a luggage scale, so you’ll never pay those hefty overweight baggage charges

Outlet shopping in Europe: a shopaholic’s guide to amazing deals is another travel blog post by DIY-OE - Independent travel information hub & travel blog

Get to know the low fare airlines in Europe before you leave New Zealand. We share our travel experience on cheap airlines, so you’ll know where to get a bargain on travel. So let’s kick off with Vueling Airlines, a cheap airline based in Spain delivering unbelievable value for money:seats from as low as €29.99 and from time to time flash sales with extremely discounted fares, but for a limited time only!

Why Vueling is one of our favourite cheap airlines

In 2004 Vueling started flying from Barcelona in Spain. The airline was modelled on the concept of Jetblue in the USA, offering quality transport at an extremely low price. It’s basically a cheap airline with service and friendly staff: low prices, high service. And from our first flight on Vueling this proved to be true.

The planes are either brand new or young and well maintained. Plus the interior is clean and vibrant, with yellow and grey accents everywhere. Seats are nice and comfy and come in the flavours: Regular (no explanation needed), Duo (no middle seat in row of three, so no one next to you), XL (more legroom), or Optimum (first row, so no one in front of you). For all of these seats, except for Regular, you’ll pay a small extra fee on top of the low fares. So you decide how much you want to pay for your travels and how much extra comfort you’ll get. More info on seats selection and seating plan of Vueling

Where Vueling flies to: cheap flights all across Europe

In 2008 Vueling merged with competitor Clickair, making it what it is nowadays: “Southern Europe’s most dynamic, most innovative airline”. Their words, but we definitely agree. They now have bases in Spain, Netherlands, France, and Italy, from which they serve almost every country in Europe.

Basically you can fly on cheap airline Vueling from Aalborg (Denmark) to Zürich (Switzerland) and many cities in between and beyond. Think awesome European cities like London, Amsterdam, Barcelona, Berlin, Munich, Rome, Paris, and heaps more. Have a look at all Vueling destinations. A big plus is that Vueling flies to major airports and not to regional airports, like some other cheap airlines do.

Vueling’s low fares: fly cheap, fly from €29.99 all over Europe

Planning on seeing more of Europe this year? Well now is your chance. Every once in a while Vueling lowers the price of heaps of seats across their extensive European network even more… And now is the time to secure those super cheap seats as 1,000,000 seats are lowered in price: have a look at where you can fly to from as low as €29.99 (PROMOTIONAL FARES) (purchase between 4 and 11 June 2013; fly between 17 June and 16 October 2013).

And for those of you who think the Vueling low fare sale is over… Think again. Have a look at the current Vueling low fares and you’ll see that they still have amazing offers. Plus we know that the next Vueling promotion is coming real, real soon. Check back here on 2 July 2013. See you soon!

Vueling announces flash sale: super low fares for one day only

Recently Vueling announced a super flash sale with extreme low fares for a limited amount of seats, for a limited time only: valid for ONE DAY ONLY!

And the last time Vueling’s flash sale was especially for our Spanish mates (or everyone who’s in Spain right now). On 29 May 2013 between 00.01am and 11.59pm (CET; Central European Time) you could purchase  following promotional fares (book now, fly between June and October 2013) on certain routes.

Y la venta flash de la última vez de Vueling era especialmente para nuestros compañeros españoles (o de todos los que hay en España en estos momentos). El 29 de mayo 2013 entre 12:01a.m. y 23:59 (CET, hora central europea) usted podría comprar siguiendo tarifas promocionales (comprar ahora, volar entre junio y octubre de 2013) en ciertas rutas.

Be surprised by where you can fly to for just a few bucks

Want to experience  a different city in Europe? And you love being surprised? Vueling has a fun new service that is perfect for you: the search by budget option. You simply select the month you want to travel in, the airport you would like to fly from and the amount of money you’re willing to spend on your trip. The system then spits out all cool European destinations that fit your criteria. A perfect way to experience something new.

Heaps of low fare flights on Vueling to choose from: see heaps, fly cheap

Cheap airlines rule, but Vueling rocks

Forget about other cheap airlines that lure you with fares that seem extremely low but add fees for everything from printing a boarding pass to checking in online. Vueling is the friendly cheap airline that flies to major airports, that have good public transport connections.

So where will you be going? Having fun in the sun in Spain or Italy? Having a romance with the night life in Paris? Or…??? Simply book your next flight on Vueling and fill in the blank. Travel cheap, travel happy!

Want to know more about awesome and cheap airlines in Europe? Have a look what we have to say about another low fare airline we love flying with: airberlin.

Cheap airlines in the spotlight: Vueling (fly from as low as €29.99) is another travel blog post by DIY-OE - Independent travel information hub & travel blog

So you’re living in London for a while now… NZ Music Month is over. In the past weeks you have been listening extensively to your favourite Kiwi bands and Kiwi radio through internet radio (or website streams). But now you want to see your favourite band play live in London. What to do? They’re probably not yet famous enough in the UK to hop over and do a tour. Now there is a solution: Detour by Songkick.

Detour is an awesome crowd sourcing service by the guys (and girls?) of Songkick, the best free online service to keep you posted about upcoming gigs wherever in the world. Songkick Detour is perfect for any travelling Kiwi who wants to see their favourite band play live in London.

It’s crowdsourcing so you don’t need to persuade your mates to do call a concert promoter to book a certain Kiwi band, to make it look like that band is in high demand. With Songkick Detour like-minded music fans will pledge to buy tickets for a future gig. Yes you lock in tickets in advance for shows that do not excist yet. If enough tickets are sold, Songkick Detour will contact the band’s management or promoter to tell them: “hey bro, X amount of people want you guys to play in London and they have already purchased a ticket. Now you just have to play there. We already sold heaps of tickets for you guys.”

Oh and you don’t have to pay in advance for a ticket. You simply have to pledge to buy one when the gig is announced. Once a date is confirmed they will let you know well in advance, so you can still change your mind. But hey, who wants to do that… It’s your favourite band coming to London. For more info about the system check the Songkick Detour FAQ.

At the moment there’s a pledge campaign going on for Flight of the Conchords to play live in London. Already 300 people pledged to buy a ticket. Keep your eyes in Songkick Detour.

No strings attached… Just awesome New Zealand live music in your future… (by the way Songkick Detour also works with bands from other countries ). Start pledging to buy tickets for the artists you want to see.

Bring the following Kiwi bands to London (our wish list)

• King Cannons
• Blacklistt
• Shihad
• These Four Walls
• Ahoribuzz

What’s your favourite Kiwi band? Feel free to add them in the comment section below and we might help them out by pledging. Let’s bring more awesome (Kiwi) bands to London… And to the rest of the UK and mainland Europe.

Bring your favourite artist to London is another travel blog post by DIY-OE - Independent travel information hub & travel blog

When most people think of budget travel they think of dorms and backpacking. There’s nothing wrong with this form of travel – I’ve done it plenty of times before in fact – but it’s not ideal for those that want to work remotely whilst on the road.

That’s what my girlfriend and I had decided to do. Having spent several years working and building up so-called careers, we weren’t daring enough to give them up completely. Instead we decided to continue working as we travelled. Dorms we knew, weren’t ideal places from which to run an office so we started doing some research elsewhere. That’s when we discovered house sitting.

House sitting involves looking after someone’s home and pets in exchange for accommodation while they go on holiday. Some assignments are as short as a weekend, while others last for years. We decided to set up our own house sitting website to see if any clients would bite. After a few weeks of nothing, we finally stumbled upon what would become our go-to website Trusted Housesitters and got our first assignment. I know I read quite a few blogs before signing up, but I think credit goes to the blog Never Ending Voyage for introducing me to house sitting.

At this point we were still living the 9-5 office life in Edinburgh, Scotland, so we couldn’t take on anything too exotic. Nonetheless, our first house sit was pretty impressive. Set in a high ceilinged flat in a very trendy part of town, full of vintage boutiques and second hand book shops, we spent a long weekend looking after two gorgeous Bengal cats.

Trusted Housesitters have house sits all over the world, which meant we had loads of choices about where to start our adventures. When we finally left Edinburgh last July it was for the sunny South of France. We managed to arrange four house sits back to back, taking us from August 2012 to April 2013.

House sitting is great if you really want to discover the culture of a region. At one point we were staying in a tiny French village and were invited to a big community dinner which was being thrown by the local hunters. We feasted on wild boar, venison, and homemade charcuterie. It was something we wouldn’t have known about if we were staying in a hostel.

As well as looking after dogs and cats, we managed to land a four week placement on an alpaca farm. It was just as much fun as you would expect, and our pet first aid skills took a turn for the better as we got to work side by side with a vet as he administered medicine to a poorly alpaca. I could have done without the experience of rubbing ointment into a stud alpaca’s testicles, but when you’re a house sitter you definitely have to take the rough with the smooth.

Speaking of which, there are definitely a few ‘cons’ when it comes to house sitting. If you’re expecting a free ride, think again. Animals can be a lot of hard work, and some of the pets we looked after were quite demanding. The luxuriously large homes we looked after were a nightmare to keep clean, and swimming pools are a never ending chore in the summer. That’s not to say we didn’t enjoy it; as long as you’re prepared to work, house sitting is a brilliant way to travel.

Obviously France is a very expensive country to live in, and we didn’t want to rely on our savings. We took on some freelance writing work through sites like Elance to cover our general expenses (diesel for our car, food for our bellies, and some spending money for day trips). We also have a few friends in the marketing sector back home, so we took on a bit of work with them too.

At the end of the day, I’m glad we started house sitting. As well as having some amazing experiences, we also got to live in France; a country we’d both dreamed about. It’s impossible to get a job in France if you’re not fluent in French (and if you’re not a native French person) so if we hadn’t discovered a way to reduce our living costs we would never have been able to live there.

If you’re looking for a different way to travel, I’d say give it a go. Definitely start off by house sitting locally; not only does it allow you to get some references and experience under your belt, the experiences we had house sitting locally were just as memorable as those we had abroad. There’s no shortage of housesits worldwide, so no excuses!

Want to know more about James & Jemma’s adventures house sitting? Check out their blog

Trading pet care for free accommodation is another travel blog post by DIY-OE - Independent travel information hub & travel blog

Hey UK are you ready to explore the world at a super low price? It’s flight sale time! Virgin Atlantic just announced some amazing special deals for flying to the USA. Now is the time to explore cities like Los Angeles, New York, or Las Vegas. Difficult to choose? Not at all, they’re all so much fun. Your biggest challenge will be finding the time off work to see them all.

New York: take a bite out of the Big Apple

A city not to be missed. You just have to experience New York once in your lifetime. This city never sleeps and you’ll want to do the same thing from the moment you arrive. Walk around and check out the massive skyscrapers (completely different from Auckland). And of course check out Times Square, Central Park, the Empire State Building, and shop at some of the best and biggest shops. New York has it all. But you probably knew that already. And now you can fly to New York City from as low as £422

Experience New York in Las Vegas (photo by Rojer/Flickr)

Las Vegas: more than just the obvious

Is it all about gambling and fun in Las Vegas? It sure is. But there’s also much more to do and see. There’s plenty of fun stuff to do that won’t break the bank. But hey every once in a while you simply have to gamble otherwise you’ll never break the casino’s bank.

Arriving in Las Vegas means at first getting used to all the lights and the noise of the gambling machines. If you need some peace and quiet, check in at one of the big hotels on the Strip, chill out and relax. There are some amazing low-priced deals for high quality hotel rooms in Las Vegas. Sleep cheap in Las Vegas.

One thing you just need to do, is walk around and check out every casino on the Strip. These casinos and hotels are amazing to see and to experience. Each and every one different from the other. Amazing. Make sure you stop for a (free) drink… Or two.

For those of you who want to do something else, there’s heaps to do in the surrounding area of Las Vegas. Go for a hire car and check out Hoover Dam, the Grand Canyon, Death Valley, or drive to Los Angeles. Easy as. Or check out the lesser known Canyon the Chelley in Arizona. And now you can fly to Las Vegas from as low as £493

Orlando: theme park capital of the USA

Theme park lovers should definitely check out Orlando, Florida. It’s the perfect place to visit heaps of different theme parks. There are 10 theme parks to choose from in the Orlando area.

• Universal’s Islands of Adventure
• Universal Studios Florida
• SeaWorld Orlando
• Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
• Disney’s Hollywood Studios
• Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park
• Magic Kingdom Park
• LEGOLAND Florida
• Discovery Cove
• Epcot Centre

And now you can fly to Orlando from as low as £467

Update: more low fares from Virgin Atlantic

Below you’ll find an overview of the current (last-minute) low fare promotions from Virgin Atlantic. As these promo fares always sell out fast, you can’t afford to wait for too long.

• New York from £443. Book by 23 May
• Boston from £473. Book by 23 May
• Washington from £483. Book by 23 May
• Miami from 588. Book by 23 May
• Chicago from £493. Book by 23 May
• Los Angeles from £563. Book by 23 May
• San Francisco from £563. Book by 23 May
• Las Vegas from £614. Book by 23 May
• Delhi from £499. Book by 15 May
• Mumbai from £499. Book by 15 May
• Sydney from £877. Book by 16 May
• Dubai from £528. Book by 16 May
• Tokyo from £649. Book by 24 May

Pack your bags, it’s flight sale time is another travel blog post by DIY-OE - Independent travel information hub & travel blog

Now that Van Gogh Museum opened its doors again on 1 May 2013, it’s time to start planning your trip to Amsterdam. 2013 is the best year for culture vultures to travel to Amsterdam, as three of the best museums have opened their doors again: Van Gogh Museum, Rijksmuseum, and Stedelijk Museum. We have the best tips for you to visit these Amsterdam museums without paying full price or queuing to enter the museums.

Tip #1: Get discount tickets for Van Gogh and the other museums

Finding discounts for popular museums like the Van Gogh Museum is easier than you think. Stop Googling for discount deals, just remember these two words: HOLLAND PASS. With the official Holland Pass discount card you’ll get free or discounted entrance to heaps of museums. But does it also apply to the three museums at Museum Square in Amsterdam? Let’s see…

You can purchase Holland Pass from as low as €33 (Holland Pass #2), which includes 2 free entrance tickets to museum of your choice and a free public transport ticket. You’ll save heaps. Want to visit more museums for free? There are more Holland Pass options: see all three versions of Holland Pass.

Tip #2: Use fast track entry and skip queues

The amazing thing of Holland Pass is that you’ll be able to enter several museums through the fast track entry lane. Imagine the time you’ll save. No more waiting for you. Here’s the list of museums that have a fast track entry that’s waiting for you.

• Van Gogh Museum
• Keukenhof 2013
• Artis Royal Zoo
• Heineken Experience
• Linnaeushof
• Madame Tussauds
• Science Center NEMO
• Rijksmuseum (exclusive for Holland Pass members: preferred partner entrance)

Check out all benefits of the Holland Pass.

Tip #3: Combine discounts and save even more

Even though you can purchase the Holland Pass at a low price, there are ways to lower that price even more. More discounts? Indeed!

Note: the discounts mentioned above can definitely be used together! If you’re going to order and pick up your Holland Pass before 20 May 2013, make sure you use our exclusive discount code to get the lowest possible price with all discounts applied. More info about our exclusive promo code for Holland Pass.

Why use these tips to visit Van Gogh Museum or Rijksmuseum?

Well that’s obvious. Have a look at the photo below… That’s the queue at the Van Gogh Museum at the day of opening. Don’t be fooled by the latter… The Van Gogh Museum is super popular, so always busy. With Holland Pass you’ll enter the museum for free and enter through the fast lane. Awesome.

Queueing to enter the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam (opening day 2013)

But you can do so much more with the Holland Pass discount card. It’s not just Van Gogh Museum or Rijksmuseum that you can enter for free. There are many more museums and attractions where you can use your Holland Pass discount tickets and discount card.

(cover photo by Taxiarchos228 at the German language Wikipedia)

How to visit Van Gogh Museum, Rijksmuseum, & Stedelijk Museum for less is another travel blog post by DIY-OE - Independent travel information hub & travel blog

And now for something completely different… As a traveller you meet heaps of people from all over the world. Plus you’re always visiting new countries and experiencing different cultures. So you know that there are many differences, but also heaps of similarities. One of these similarities is the yearly Movember campaign.

Movember is just as addicted to travelling as you are. The event gets around. Have a look at the chart and infographic below and you’ll see where in the world people have raised money in 2012 to support their local cancer society. It’s awesome to see that so many people worldwide are supporting this cause.

Global Summary Movember 2012

source: Movember New Zealand

Hopefully at least the same number of people will support Movember 2013. Us and our travel mates will definitely join the campaign to raise money and help raise awareness for cancer. Make sure you mention Movember whenever you’re talking to fellow travellers. And definitely explain the reason for your mo when you’re travelling around the globe in November 2013. When it’s Movember your mo is your travel companion. Happy travelling mo bros and mo sistas.

Movember 2012 infographic

Global reach of Movember: moes love to travel too is another travel blog post by DIY-OE - Independent travel information hub & travel blog

On Saturday 13 April 2013 The Babysitters Circus played live at Metropool in Hengelo, Holland (easthern part of the Netherlands, close to the German border). This gig was their seventh (and last) on their Dutch tour. Not too shabby. They’re actually pretty popular over there, especially because the hit song ‘Everything’s Gonna Be Alright’ was played quite a lot on Dutch radio stations.

The small room at the Metropool venue was pretty much packed. The crowd was a nice mix of all kinds of ages, from 16 year olds to 45+. So let’s party instead of talking about The Babysitters Circus’ gig. Here’s what you missed out on…

Photos of The Babysitters Circus live in Hengelo

Video of The Babysitters Circus live in Hengelo

The Babysitters Circus live in Holland is another travel blog post by DIY-OE - Independent travel information hub & travel blog

You probably have heard us talk about the Dutch discount pass system Holland Pass. And maybe you even thought: “well that visiting museums in Holland isn’t really my thing”. Fair enough, not everyone is a culture vulture. But did you know that there’s so much more to the Holland Pass than just discounts on museums? Therefore we’ll show you what else there is to do in Amsterdam at a discount, thanks to Holland Pass of course.

Holland Pass is also your party and entertainment discount pass

Today we’ll show you Amsterdam the way YOU want to experience it. We’ll show you where to go for a drink, something to eat (local snacks of course), and where to party and have fun. And all at a super low price because it’s all included in the Holland Pass discount system.

So let’s start with the cheapest of the Holland Pass options, which is perfect for a (long) weekend in Amsterdam. Holland Pass #2 will cost you only €33 (but there are extra discounts to lower the price) and will enable the following party in Amsterdam to do list for you…

#1 on to do list Amsterdam: bar & pub crawl (heaps of free drinks)

The International Bar & Pub Crawl is the perfect way to start your first night in Amsterdam. You’ll do a fun-packed pub crawl with like-minded international people. You’ll be drinking with heaps of fun travellers from all over the world, together with a local guide who speaks English (like most Dutch people do).

And the best thing is: FREE DRINKS. Yes that’s right, have a look at what you’ll be getting on this pub crawl while visiting 6 of the best bars & clubs in Amsterdam:

• Unlimited vodka for one hour
• 12 free shots of vodka or Jaeger
• free pub crawl t-shirt

Normally this pub crawl costs €17, but it’s FREE FOR YOU coz you have the Holland Pass. Want to know what to expect during the Amsterdam pub crawl? Check out the video below.

#2 on to do list Amsterdam: Reypenaer Cheese Tasting (free)

The day after the pub crawl you might want to take it a bit easy… So how about a tasting of the stuff Holland is famous for. No not the green leaves, the yellowish stuff: cheese!

At the Reypenaer Cheese Tasting Room you can relax while enjoying some of the best Dutch cheeses. Under the guidance of an expert cheese taster you’ll learn the ins and outs of Dutch cheese. And you’ll taste 6 different cheese, ranging from young (softer cheese with a light taste) to old (flaky cheese with a heavier taste). Together with the cheeses they’ll serve water and port or wine. The latter comes with the old cheeses, a perfect combination. The cheese tasting session lasts for about an hour.

Normally a cheese tasting session will cost €12.50, but it’s FREE FOR YOU because you have the Holland Pass.

#3 on to do list Amsterdam: get the most out of free public transport

After the cheese tasting you still have enough time left to explore Amsterdam. Thanks to the Holland Pass you bought you can ride the public transport in Amsterdam for free. So where to go an what to see? Have a look at your Lonely Planet or Rough Guide for Amsterdam as these guides have all the regular to do tips for Amsterdam.

Here are some of the highlights we think you shouldn’t miss out on:

• Enjoy the sun in Vondel Park
• Go to Kalverstraat and do some shopping. Or if you have dad’s credit card on you, go to P.C. Hooftstraat for all the expensive shops.
• Try chips with the cannabis mayonnaise at Manneken Pis (no worries the sauce doesn’t contain any THC, it’s just about the flavour). More info

Eating chips the Dutch way: with mayonnaise

More things to do in Amsterdam at a discount

Well that covered two days of your Amsterdam trip, but if you decide to go for a long weekend in Amsterdam you still have more time to kill. And there are heaps more awesome things in Amsterdam to do or see. No not the boring museum stuff. You’re still reading our party till you drop blog post.

Here are some more tips for fun stuff to do in Amsterdam. And they all give you a massive discount when you wave your Holland Pass upon entering. The Holland Pass discount for each attraction or experience is also listed below.

House of Bols Cocktail and Genever Experience (20% discount)

This definitely is the best experience in the Amsterdam Museum Quarter for anyone who isn’t a culture vulture. At House of Bols you’ll learn all about the 38 Bols liqueurs… And yes that also means tasting. This is a spectacular journey through flavours, aromas, images, sound and film. “As winner of the Dutch Design Award for Best Exhibition and Experience, House of Bols is proving that heritage and history mix perfectly with innovation and contemporary design.”

Heineken Experience (20% discount)

An interactive tour through the world of Heineken beer. A tasty interactive tour that is.

City Bike Tour (20% discount)

The easiest way to see Amsterdam is to travel around like a local: on a pushbike. Yellow Bike has put together a safely guided bicycle tour which will give you a fascinating picture of this famous canal city’s rich history… Or will provide you with easy transport to the next pub. And the next one. Create your own pub crawl by pushbike.

Wagamama (25% discount)

Hungry? Have a bite at Japanese restaurant and noodle bar Wagamama. As you’re a savvy traveller we don’t need to explain what this worldwide chain of restaurants is all about. There are several Wagamama restaurants in Amsterdam where you’ll get a discount with Holland Pass.

XtraCold Icebar (25% discount)

It’s cold (minus 10 degrees Celcius) and they have drinks… It’s the XtraCold Icebar in Amsterdam. There’s nothing more to it. You’ll have an amazing time there and will enjoy a nice discount with Holland Pass.

Amsterdam Dungeon (30% discount)

The best way to explain the Amsterdam Dungeon is by quoting the Amsterdam Dungeon organisation: “The Amsterdam Dungeons is an 80 minute journey into 500 years of Amsterdam’s horrible history. You will laugh and scream as you encounter live actor shows (available in both English and Dutch), gripping storytelling, exciting rides and state of the art special effects. The Amsterdam Dungeon will ensure you’ll have a scarily funny time.”

Staying longer in Amsterdam? Want an even better discount deal?

If you’re staying in Amsterdam for more than a couple of days you definitely need to consider to buy a different version of Holland Pass (you’ll need to upgrade), so you’ll be getting more free stuff. Above we described what you can do with Holland Pass #2, but there are more versions of Holland Pass available: Holland Pass #5 or Holland Pass #7.

The difference between Holland Pass #2, #5, and #7 is the number of free entrance tickets you get with the discount card. And yes the number #2, #5, and #5 is the amount of free entrance tickets you’ll be getting. So that means instead of the discount mentioned above, you can enter most of these attractions for FREE. Compare all versions of Holland Pass.

Pfew that’s a lot of words for getting our point across: if you’re travelling to Amsterdam to enjoy the nightlife, go for a pub crawl, party hard, or simply to have fun for a (long) weekend or longer… Holland Pass is the discount card that will ensure that you’ll save heaps of money in Amsterdam. Plus you don’t have to spend all that free stuff or use all the discounts in one weekend. It’s valid until March next year, so come back often to Holland to party more at a discounted price. Woohoo party time!

DIY-OE travel tip: buy your Holland Pass before 31 July 2013 and use our exclusive discount code to get another 5% off the already low price of Holland Pass.

(cover photo Michael Mayer @ Club 11 Amsterdam by Merlijn Hoek / Flickr)

Party in Amsterdam: a different side of Holland Pass discount card is another travel blog post by DIY-OE - Independent travel information hub & travel blog

The most important and most impressive museum in Amsterdam, the Rijksmuseum (“State Museum”), will be opening its doors in a couple of days. The museum was closed for almost ten years, but on 13 April 2013 the Rijksmuseum will finally open its doors again.

The museum is completely renovated, not just the building but also the collection. It’s all changed and different… Except for the location of the Nightwatch (“Nachtwacht”) by Rembrandt. The Nightwatch is the only painting that will be displayed at its original place.

The new stuff at the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam

When a museum is closed for 10 years you can expect great things. Well at least, you can expect heaps of changes. And that’s exactly what has happened at the Rijksmuseum. Both the building and the collection have undergone a major overhaul.

Over the last 10 years Rijksmuseum has acquired 100s of new objects and works of art. Many of these new objects will be displayed in the museum when it opens. Highlights among the new acquisitions are:

• The ‘Golden Bend’ in the Herengracht (1671-72) by Gerrit Berckheyde, one of the highlights of the Dutch landscape genre from the Golden Age.
• The Burgomaster of Delft and his Daughter (1655) by Jan Steen, one of the masterpieces of the 17th century collection.
• A rare white armchair (1923) by Dutch designer and architect Gerrit Rietveld.
• Two-metre high wooden sculptures of celestial warriors from Japan, temple guardians from the 14th century.

Other changes to the Rijksmuseum are the new Asian Pavilion. Surrounded by water, the new Asian Pavilion is made from Portuguese stone and glass, and is characterised by many oblique surfaces and unusual sightlines. It houses the museum’s rich collection of Asian art from China, Japan, Indonesia, India, Vietnam and Thailand, dating from 2000 B.C. to 2000 A.D.

The new Rijksmuseum also boasts a new outdoor area… Based on the 1901 design, the Rijksmuseum gardens’ new layout was created by Dutch garden and landscape architecture firm Copijn. The gardens feature several of the original formal garden styles, as well as classical statues, and fragments and ornaments of historic buildings. A fountain, a water artwork designed by Jeppe Hein, a 19th-century greenhouse with ‘forgotten’ vegetables, and a children’s garden with playground equipment by Dutch designer Aldo van Eyck will soon be added to this “outdoor museum”. A Henry Moore exhibition will open in the new gardens on 21 June 2013, the first in a series of international sculpture exhibitions to be held each year.

More details and fact & figures about the renovation.

Practical info for visiting the new Rijksmuseum

As the Rijksmuseum was closed the last 10 years, the new Rijksmuseum should definitely be on your to-do list when travelling to Amsterdam. You simply have to experience the new version of the Rijksmuseum and see all those fantastic pieces of artwork from Dutch classic artists.

Tickets for the new Rijksmuseum cost €15 (adults) and are available from the official ticketshop.

You can also buy a Hollland Pass discount card (from €33) and you’ll get a free entrance ticket for the new Rijksmusuem. And you’ll have free or discounted access to many other museums in Amsterdam and other Dutch cities.

But you can save even more on the original price of a Holland Pass… We have a special Holland Pass discount code for you that will shave another 5% off the current price of Holland Pass. And yes you can combine the discount code with other promotions, like 5% discount if you purchase and pick up your Holland Pass before 20 May 2013.

Photos of the new Rijksmuseum

Rest assured, the collection is still there. Even though things changed at the Rijksmuseum, one thing will never change: the amazing collection. The museum has an impressive collection of 1,000s of original pieces of artwork from famous Dutch artists to choose from, among others Rembrandt, Frans Hals, and Johannes Vermeer. Have a look at these awesome photos (all images are courtesy of Rijksmuseum).

New Rijksmuseum opening soon is another travel blog post by DIY-OE - Independent travel information hub & travel blog

The U.S. state of Colorado contains numerous sites to see and places to explore. Our travel mate Stephen sent us his tips for things to do, see, and eat in Colorado. Exploring the USA is heaps of fun and with tips like these, it’s even easier. We’ll bet ya that as soon as you’re finished reading you’ll want to go to Colorado, USA straight away.

But first you’ll need to get to the big U S of A. Easy as. Just grab a deal at Cheapflights.com.au by comparing airline prices and enjoy the many adventures and opportunities awaiting visitors in the scenic Rocky Mountains.

Antero Hot Springs Cabins

When looking for an authentic rustic mountain experience, guests choose accommodation options that might include the Antero Hot Springs Cabins. Lying in the San Isabel National Forest, the authentic large timber cabins lie nestled between the 457.2 metres (1,500 foot) cliffs of Mount Antero and Mount Princeton. Wildlife in the area includes big horn sheep, deer, elk and mountain goats. A gentle flowing creek and wetlands surround the property. Each cabin features a real quartz stone fireplace and a private hot spring pool conveniently located out the front door. Natural hot springs feed the pools and contain a variety of minerals but a low sulphur content. The creek also offers the opportunity to get in some angling. However, visitors enjoy cycling, hiking and numerous other local activities.

St. Elmo Ghost Town

Approximately 12 miles from the hot springs cabins you’ll find the remains of an authentic western ghost town established during the late 1800s in the middle of the mining days. Pioneers constructed this mining town amidst six feet of snow. The original settlement consisted of several general stores, a few hotels, a hand full of restaurants and a couple of sawmills in addition to a newspaper office. The predominantly male community rose to a population of around 2,000, and miners worked in a number of sites in the area in search of copper, gold, iron and silver. Many of the original business and residential structures remain along with legends of a few ghostly residents continuing a nightly vigil.

St Elmo Ghost Town (courtesy of cliff1066 / Flickr)

Casa Bonita

For an unforgettable dining experience, venture to Casa Bonita in Lakewood. The venue serves traditional Mexican food in the easily recognisable pink hued hacienda. The exterior boasts an authentic Mexican water fountain and a 22-karat gold covered dome forming the backdrop for a statue commemorating the last known Aztec emperor Quahuatomec. The building’s 4,650 square kilometre (50,000 square foot) interior features a tropical cave like setting complete with 30 foot waterfall, diving pool and lush vegetation. Live performers offer diving shows and Wild West shootouts to the delight of guests of all ages. Choose poolside seating or find a more secluded area within the recesses of the cave. The facility also offers family orientated entertainment that includes an arcade game room, pirate’s cove and gift shop.

Buckhorn Exchange Restaurant

Located in Denver, this unique restaurant takes guests back to the days of the wild frontiersman. Lining the walls of the unusual restaurant, diners encounter approximately 500 expertly preserved animals. The atmosphere makes for interesting table talk, but an even more novel aspect of the facility includes the fact that these animals represent the unusual menu meal options.

Wild Animal Sanctuary

Though operational for three decades, the Wild Animal Sanctuary formally opened to the public in 2003. Located in Keenesburg, the unique destination provides a home to hundreds of rescued exotic and native animals. Growing in size over the years, the facility now spans over 283 hectares (700 acres) and features elevated observation walkways that visitors traverse while watching the animals below in natural surroundings. The destination also recently introduced a 1,394 square metre (15,000 square foot) lion house. The many animals found at sanctuary include Grizzly bears, lions, tigers and wolves.

Picketwire Canyonlands

Whether an outdoor enthusiast, archaeology or history buff, the Picketwire Canyonlands offers something for everyone. Located south of La Junta, in southeastern Colorado, the unspoilt canyon lies on the Comanche National Grasslands. The rugged, moderately strenuous journey follows the Purgatoire River and features a 0.0762 metre (250 foot) drop into the canyon on a dirt road. Hiking 5.95 kilometres (3.7 miles) brings guests to the remains of the Delores Mission established in the 1800s. Journeying another 2.57 kilometres (1.6 miles) brings hikers to the Dinosaur Tracks. Here visitors observe footprints created by approximately 100 ancient reptiles millions of years ago during the Jurassic era. The canyon also boasts rock art hidden in the various alcoves, created by prehistoric Native Americans. Wildlife frequenting the area includes antelopes, coyotes and deer along with birds and reptiles.

Tips for cheap flights to the USA

So are you excited about going to the USA? And Colorado in particular? Yes? Told you so. Let’s start planning. From New Zealand and Australia there are several cheap options for getting to the USA. The easiest way to sort everything (planning and booking your travels) is to use this super search engine for travellers… It’ll show you the best deals from all airlines and all online travel agencies. You simply compare them and opt for the best deal for you, which is of course the cheapest deal. Get ready to travel to the USA.

Explore Colorado (USA): discover the hidden jewels of Colorado is another travel blog post by DIY-OE - Independent travel information hub & travel blog