Welcome to this month’s FREETOGO blog post.
Here is an update on my plan to change the FREETOGO website.
Not only has YouTube changed its policy for ads, but it has also clearly introduced an algorithm in its list of videos that seems to change by the minute. This makes it nearly impossible to find videos without ads—versus just embedding special codes to eliminate ads.
In any case, I hope to publish the new ad-free Travel Now page later this month.
This month, except for the Current Holiday Showcase videos, I will make recommendations for a couple of ad-free videos to watch.
Again, you’ll recall that I am making major changes to FREETOGO because YouTube no longer starts many of its videos with a short ad that one can skip after four to five seconds. YouTube now begins most videos with ads that are, on average, two minutes long.
Consequently, most of the videos on FREETOGO no longer pass my curation test. People in my target group are not interested in or patient enough to watch a long commercial.
Now, let’s move on to this month's recommended videos. The first two are in categories under the Locations section on the Travel Now page.
1) To begin, please look at the Locations – N. America category. For ad-free viewing, choose any video in this category created by Expedia.
I am recommending you take a look at Denver Vacation Travel Guide | Expedia.
“Denver – Known as "The Mile-High City," Denver is a scenic city surrounded by majestic mountains in Colorado. In this video, we'll check out the top things to see and do in Denver!
Located at the foot of the Rocky Mountains, the state capital has a rich mining history dating back to 1858. We'll start this video by taking a virtual romp around the Golden Triangle, where visitors take a walking tour and gaze at the neighborhood's photogenic architecture and public art installations. Next, we'll venture inside the Denver Art Museum, explore the History Colorado Center, and visit the Capitol Building.
Visitors love to soak up the sun and scenery during their Denver sightseeing. They mosey around the Denver Botanic Gardens and visit the nearby historic mining town of Golden. After exploring the city from top to bottom, they then like to get a taste of the brew scene. Visitors tour the Coors Brewery and nosh on some elk steak or rattlesnake dip at one of the nearby brewpubs in the Beer Triangle.
We hope you enjoy watching this video as much as we enjoyed making it.”
2) Next, look at the Locations – S. America category. For ad-free viewing, choose any video in this category created by Expedia.
The video to focus on here? Montevideo Vacation Travel Guide | Expedia
If you have never been there, you’ll be amazed by what you see!
“Montevideo – Uraguay’s capital, welcomes visitors to its seaside city bounds. Explore Montevideo with us and start planning a trip here of your own. Uruguay is emerging as one of South America’s favorite destinations. Its capital, Montevideo, has a warm, temperate climate, pleasant sea breezes, and miles of boulevards. See the city, the many towers, squares, and cathedrals in its Old Towns. Go with us as we wander along the 19-mile-long promenade, La Rambla, which leads to the city’s favorite playground: De Los Pocitos Beach. Enjoy the proud local tradition of “parrilla." Visitors know the best way to try it is to buy cuts of meat in the Mercado del Puerto and have those cooked for them on the spot. (Maybe you can try this where you are...?) We explore the UNESCO-listed Old Town of Colonia del Sacramento, with its landmark lighthouse, sleepy Plaza de Armas, historic Portón de Campo, and atmospheric Street of Sighs. Uruguay may be small, but its big heart and relaxing vibe create a lifetime of memories.”
3) Lastly, check out the Topics—Current Holiday and Season Showcase category. Unfortunately, I could not find any videos that are definitely ad-free, but you may not see ads when you watch them.
Enjoy watching the following videos, five about St. Patrick’s Day and three about Easter!
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Note: FREETOGO is entirely free, and there are no ads on the site to interrupt your visit. However, that is not true for many of the videos because YouTube hosts them. They are free to watch but have ads. Yet, if you wish, you can eliminate the ads by becoming a premium member of YouTube.
You can access YouTube’s Premium Membership signup here:
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I invite you to check out the above videos and the many others curated for this website.
Also, be sure to see all of the many ways people are using FREETOGO at the bottom of the ’Travel Now’ page.
Most importantly, help to improve the quality of life of everyone. Please share this website far and wide, especially with anyone unable to travel freely. Sign up as a member, leave a testimonial, and visit the website regularly!
Get creative and have some fun traveling virtually. I look forward to the day when the term Virtual Travel will be as commonplace as the term travel.
Thank you and
Slán! (Cheers!)