Getty Center, Los Angeles

The Getty Center is a cultural hotbed encompassing all that you could wish for: a computer-operated tram; panoramic views of LA, the Santa Monica Mountains and the Pacific Ocean; stunning gardens designed by Robert Irwin, including work from a number of the best 20th-century sculptors such as Henry Moore; curvilinear architecture designed by Richard Meier; illuminated manuscript covers from the Middle Ages; drawings dating from the 14th century to the early 1840s; decorative art and furniture from the 17th century; room sets including an elaborate sofa bed made of beech and upholstered in silk; European paintings from the Renaissance and Baroque periods, and works by the French impressionists including Van Goghs Irises; best of all it is free. Heather Marshall, Hampshire

Dubai mall

The Dubai Mall in the Downtown area is the worlds largest shopping mall with more than 1,200 shops and 200 places to eat. It is also a great free day out for the family. Visit the souk and gaze at the gold and jewellery on display. Stroll through Fashion Avenue with its high-end designer shops.

Marvel at one of the largest aquariums in the world. On the other side of the mall are the Dubai Fountains, overlooked by the worlds tallest building, the Burj Khalifa. The fountains have several free shows every day but are best viewed in the evening to get the combined effect of light and water. Its a great day out for all. Stan Kirby, Kent

Wallace Collection, London

This wonderful museum in London has everything for a visitor to enjoy, with the bonus of free expert advice on its daily specialist tours. I learnt about the history of furniture and what happens to the metal cut-out for brass patterns; the travelling tastes of people on the Grand Tour; that The Laughing Cavalier is not in fact laughing; why George IV was made to look so trim by Thomas Lawrence; how finding the unique blue colour made the name of Svres and so on delightful. An extra bonus is that it is a great place to meet family and friends and it does marvellous lunches. Ian Elliott, Belfast

St Fagans Cardiff

Without doubt the best seven hours I have spent recently was at the St Fagans National History Museum in Cardiff. Being half Welsh, I spent childhood holidays in south Wales. St Fagans took me back to those idyllic days on my aunts farm, the whitewashed buildings, the small dark living rooms, the solid wooden tables and Welsh dressers, the lustreware pottery and the feel of a genuinely warm Welsh welcome. However, St Fagans is more than just a trip down memory lane. This is an interesting potted history of Welsh life from the Iron Age through to the Eighties that caters for all age groups. There are too many attractions to highlight, but the Celtic village, St Teilos Church, the Rhyd-y-Car terraced houses, the Workmens Institute, the Gwalia Stores and the lovely park and gardens of St Fagans Castle are a must, and all for free. Peter Currell, Essex

Parc du Chateau, Nice

Originally posted here:
The best free attractions in the world: readers' tips

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September 7, 2014 at 10:13 am by Mr HomeBuilder
Category: Walkways and Steps