The voice of art has been loudly heard throughout the underground metro stations of London for quite a while now. From graffiti art to local artists being commissioned for exhibitions, it is something altogether different than cities in the United States or anywhere else in the world.

http://london.metblogs.com/2004/11/30/the-tube-aint-that-bad/

We’re usually used to seeing scrawled, spray-painted letters on the side of trains, in underground stations, in alley ways, and everywhere above and in between in highly populated city areas. For London, they actually have commissioned artists that do posters and artwork for their subways. By engaging in a transportation-contemporary and modern art relationship, everybody who rides the subway gets to enjoy seeing art on a daily basis. Artists don’t have to risk their well-being of getting arrested for putting up artwork underground any longer – their works are displayed and approved legally. They works are beautiful, bright, and plenty on the Tube.

http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/art/category/policy_funding/

When visiting London, be sure to take a trip on the Tube to view the many installations, posters, and new works of art that are changed regularly. Many artists have the opportunity to show their work and get a chance at showing an audience of thousands of people. When in the metro station in London, the art displays can baffle and amaze, all while still adhering to the culture diversity that makes a city like London complete.

http://gaylechongkwan.com/2007/07/journey-to-the-centre-of-the-earth-platform-for-art/

It is truly a unique experience riding on the Tube and enjoying the sights, sounds, and arts. It seems a more open, and understanding art culture than what people from the United States, or other countries, may be used to.

http://blogs.creative-jar.com/author/Vanessa.aspx

Since 2003, Art of the Underground has been enhancing lives with quiet and bold playful works of art. They nurture artists from the beginning, developing stages of their careers and also display internationally known artists throughout the world.

New York City is a city full of museums. Whether you’re interested in fine art, science, history or almost any other topic, there’s a museum in New York City you’ll want to visit. The two you must see are the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the American Museum of Natural History.

http://tourism-zones.com/metropolitan-museum-of-art-new-york/

The Metropolitan Museum of Art, is one of most renowned museums in the world. This past week the museum, known simply as the Met, opened a new gallery of art from Islamic lands from Turkey through south Asia. The André Mertens Gallery for Musical Instruments reopened in March 2010. Showcasing works of art from the Met’s vast collection, the exhibit allows visitors to see instruments in their context. Part of the Met is located at the northern tip of Manhattan. The Cloisters is the Met’s collection of art and treasure of medieval Europe. Located in Fort Tyrone Park, The Cloisters and surrounding gardens are worth the visit.

http://blog.travelpod.com/travel-photo/miguele/7/1229907636/american-museum-of-natural-history.jpg/tpod.html

The American Museum of Natural History, is the largest museum of its kind in the United States. If you saw the 2006 movie, Night at the Museum, you saw scenes shot in some of the famous halls here. The world-famous dinosaur exhibit is here, as well as one of the most extensive collections of meteorites in the world. If you love gems and minerals, there’s a hall of these that will take your breath away. Special exhibits throughout the museum show you the flora and fauna of New York. Others demonstrate biology and how the human genome plays a role in human health and disease. The Rose Planetarium has an IMAX theater that features shows about space, weather or other explorations. The Hayden Planetarium offers shows that change over the year. Right now it’s showing a laser art show outside its entrance created using data from the Hubble space telescope.

Hitchhiking was popularized by Beat Generation novels and poems in the late 1950′s. By the early 1960′s, so-called “Beatniks” were everywhere, traveling the country with their rucksacks on their backs, ready for adventure. Probably no other book contributed to the rucksacking revolution more than On the Road, by Jack Kerouac. The main character of the novel, Sal Paradise, hitchhikes from the east coast to the west and many points in between. No other form of travel is as adventurous and spontaneous as hitchhiking.

http://9poundhammer.blogspot.com/2011/05/road-trip.html

You’ll have to be careful, of course, and make sure you’re prepared. You’ll be doing a lot of walking in between rides so you can’t go wrong with hiking boots. Make sure to dress appropriately for the weather. If it’s cold, bundle up and wear layers. If it’s the middle of the summer, don’t forget your sunscreen. You’ll meet plenty of interesting people during your trip, some of whom have even hitchhiked themselves. You’ll learn their stories and they’ll be interested in hearing yours, too. But, remember, you don’t have to accept every ride, either. If you don’t feel safe or someone is giving you a bad feeling, thank them for their trouble and politely decline. It’s also best to try to hook up with a car with only one or two occupants.

http://www.shining-wit.net/rick/buggy/why/index.html

Since this is the internet age, there are plenty of places to go to further familiarize yourself with the rules of the road. The most popular hitchhiking forum is Digihitch. It’s a place where new hitchhikers can ask questions to more experienced travelers. There’s also plenty of articles, tips and even rideshares.

http://www.eurotravelblog.co.uk/travel-tips-2/couch-surfing-dos-donts/

Also, if you’re looking to continue your adventure once you reach your destination, you might want to check out couchsurfing. You can sign up to let people sleep on your couch when they come to town, and others will do the same for you. It’s cheaper than a hostel and you might even make a lifelong friend. Remember, the essence of the Beat Generation was spontaneity and adventure. Prepare beforehand and be cautious, but otherwise, let the Fates take you where they will!

Imagine spending your days exploring the Verona Cathedral in Italy, the Louvre in Paris, and the great pyramids of Egypt. What if you could do it every day of the year opposed to sitting at home? Well, you can. You can travel for free for extended periods of time with some planning. The key to doing just that is to keep your mind open, your costs low, and to secure free lodging wherever you can.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sponsored/business/businesstruth/movers_and_shakers/5154571/Hotel-review-website-Travel-Intelligence-is-highly-rated.html

Here are some tips that will help you travel forever without money:

•Get a credit card that rewards you with frequent flier miles. Research your options by doing a simple web search. Choose a card with no annual fee and a low percentage rate. Put all of your purchases for the month on the card and pay off the balance. Accumulate frequent flier miles that you can use to get free plane tickets anywhere in the world.

•Become a caretaker or housesitter. There are a number of publications available on the Internet that list caretaking opportunities for you to inquire about. In return for watching a house or a pet, the owner of the home will allow you to stay free of charge and sometimes even pay you a flat rate for your services. This is a great way to stay in one location for a few weeks or months at a time.

•Visit free parks, festivals, and museums. Instead of paying exorbitant entrance fees to listen to a concert or attend an art gallery opening, seek entertainment options that cost nothing. Pack a picnic lunch and make a day out of it. There are entire books written about free places to visit all over the world.

http://www.fishingwithstyle.co.uk/Quality%20gifts%20under%20100.htm

•Barter services with locals. Spend a day helping a farmer in exchange for fresh fruits and vegetables, offer to wash dishes at your favorite restaurant for the price of a meal, trade your art for toiletries and travel supplies. Do whatever it takes to acquire the things you need for free.

•Live simply, travel light, and take lots of pictures. It’s about the journey not the destination. A lot of joy can be had by living like the locals do.

http://www.pattyhodapp.com/2011/03/best-backpacking-gear-get-gear-savvy-with-these-10-spring-must-haves/

Take pride in the smallest things, step outside your comfort zone, and be frugal. Each cup of gourmet coffee or visit to a gift shop eats at your budget making it harder to travel full-time. Plot out your course but be flexible. If an opportunity arises, take advantage of it. That’s how you will successfully travel the world for free.

Truly adventurous jobseekers should consider working abroad. A number of unique and profitable international opportunities are available to native English speakers. Working in another country is a big step, so a number of factors should be considered.

http://www.inboundlounge.com/travel/5-tips-when-leaving-your-home-to-travel/

Why It Rocks To Work In Another Country

- Being away from home. There is something highly seductive about being a stranger in a strange land.

- Learning about another culture. Some people feel that real life teaches them more than any book.

- Money. This varies by opportunity, but some people have earned up to three times their domestic salary working only a fraction of their former hours.

- An impressive resume. Working in another country is a definite conversation piece that makes an applicant stand out from the crowd.

http://www.kohsamuisunset.com/blog/samui-travel/books-on-thailand-culture-shock-thailand-book-review/

What Makes Leaving Tough

- Rebuilding a life. New friends, new hangouts and new routines can be refreshing and inspiring.

- Culture shock. Some people love being out of their element. Others simply cannot adjust.

- Career advancement may be difficult.

Where To Look

Some employers have international locations and welcome current employees who wish to discuss transfer requirements. If this is not an option, a number of outside agencies offer placement to native English speakers who wish to teach English in a foreign country. The job board at Monster (monster.com) lists general positions by country. InterExchange (interexchange.org) has opportunities for international childcare workers, English instructors and work/travel programs.

http://sophant.co.uk/tag/travel/

Additional Information

According to an expatriate job board, the following are equally important topics for international job opportunities:

- Candidates should ask how their immediate family could be affected by the decision. International moves are highly stressful.

- Everyone involved should have a full understanding of laws and social customs pertaining to the country of employment. The opportunity should be reconsidered if there appears to be a potential for trouble.

- Not every international move is a career builder. Moving to another country may place candidates further away from industry movers and shakers.

- Employment contracts should carefully be reviewed for information on compensation, health insurance and other benefits. These items should be discussed before a candidate sets foot on foreign soil.

Finding the best deal for your travel needs can be cumbersome because specials and prices constantly change. If you know where to look, online travel sites can give you a wealth of up-to-date information on the best deals. They also provide easy tools for a comparison analysis. Whether you’re looking to bag a bargain for lodging, car rentals or airfares, online travel sites can be your best friend. In addition, they are free to use.

http://travel.spotcoolstuff.com/travel-vacation-deals-discounts/july-2010

Best Deals for Plane Tickets

Kayak.com is a great resource for cheap airline tickets. If you’re flexible on time and destination, you can find some great deals. You can search up to three days before and after the dates you wish to travel. Their travel site also features some nifty tools, the Buzz and the Explore. Using the Buzz tool, you can search for flights that leave within a calendar month and scan whole regions, such as Europe and the Caribbean. The Explore tool allows you to scan a world map for your destination within your price range.

If you’re willing to fly at the drop of a pin, air fare watchdog is a great resource. Known as the lurkers, this company constantly watches airline websites for fare sales. They sign up for promotional codes and pass the savings on to their users. Their site also includes fares from Jet Blue and Southwest, which many of the larger search sites do not feature.

http://travelb.priceline.com/promo/tvads_shatner.do?rdr=2

Great Deals on Lodging

Hotels.com has a data base of more than 130,000 properties. You can score some big bargains with their Smart Picks of the Month feature and the site’s seasonal sales. They also have a Welcome Rewards Program. For every 10 nights you spend at their member properties, you’re given one night free.

With William Shatner at the helm of priceline.com, this negotiator will help you haggle the best price for your hotel. Just name your price and dates of stay. With this travel site, you can score up to a 60 percent savings on lodging.

http://www.cafebabel.co.uk/article/30813/fiat-sergio-marchione-turin-obama-success.html

Save on Car Rentals

Hotwire.com collects rates from its seven rental car partners, such as Enterprise and Budget, and publishes the best deals on car rentals. While hotwire.com does offer some good rates in international cities, the real bargains can be found at autoeurope.com. This travel sites specializes in car rentals, and they have over 8,000 locations around the world.

With these travel sites, you’ll have the best bargains at your fingertips.