May 27: 2-4-1

There's nothing like getting something for nothing. Or something like that. All I know is that the summer seems an especially appropriate time for travel bargains. Well, as it happens, I've learned about some excellent two-for-one specials available just a couple mouse clicks from this blog. If you're planning to visit Greater Fort Lauderdale in the next few months, or if you live here, you may want to check these out. Just navigate your way to the home page on www.sunny.org. Then look directly under the big word "chic" at the top and you'll find it: "greater fort lauderdale," it reads, "Double your pleasure, double your sun." I thought that was kinda cute - a reference to a famous commercial, for those of you old enough to remember.

All you've got to do is open the "Check out 2-for-1 offers now" and you'll see what I mean. You can click again to bring up a whole page of the free coupons you'll need to redeem this special at various businesses around town. You'll also find a long list of those businesses.

And I do mean a long list. I counted 30 participants from all over Broward County, including major tourist attractions, well-known spas and exciting diving trips out into the Atlantic. Let me show you what I'm talking about. The Mai-Kai, for instance, has a twofer admission to its wonderful Polynesian show. I've blogged recently about a night out at the Mai-Kai but, if you missed that, I can only say that this is the real deal for South Pacific enthusiasts. Then there's two-for-one admission to the Museum of Art | Fort Lauderdale and to such great spots as Butterfly World, Flamingo Gardens, the Bonnet House and IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame. Take a cruise on the Jungle Queen, snorkel among the tropical fish off the Florida coast or learn to ride one of those wacky segways with M. Cruz Rentals at Birch State Park. The bargains can get you and a friend an inexpensive de-stressing spa session at Planet Massage or a wind-whipped Everglades airboat ride at Sawgrass Recreation Park. At the end of the day, you can even snag two strawberry mojitos for the price of one at Fort Lauderdale's Westin Beach Resort. As I see it, there are much worse ways to spend this summer than saving money and having fun at the same time. That's my kind of twofer.