Manhattan can be a very expensive place for senior visitors. Hotels, restaurants, entertainment and shopping all take big chunks out of your travel budget. However, one absolutely free fun attraction offers the thrill of one of the world's most beautiful 30-minute sightseeing rides. It’s the no-charge Staten Island Ferry.

Board at sunset, when you may see Lady Liberty beautifully silhouetted against a pink-and-orange sky. You'll also get panoramic views of the glittering Big Apple’s downtown, Brooklyn and Jersey City. The Staten Island Ferry is at Whitehall Terminal, Manhattan, 4 South Street, New York NY 10301. For schedules and other information, go to www.siferry.com

Are you following all the fuss about accused spy Edward Snowden running all over the world looking for a place to hide from Uncle Sam? If so, consider getting more familiar with the espionage business on your next visit to the nation’s capital city.

The current attraction at the International Spy Museum,“Spy in the City”, is an interactive adventure. It’s touted as put together by former spies who now serve as consultants to the museum. Kids love it, because it involves participating in simulated assignments, such as catching a dastardly secret agent attempting to peddle secrets to foreign spies. Poor Snowden! He can’t get a break anywhere.

The museum is at 800 F St NW, Washington, DC 20004. Tickets for adults are $20, seniors/cops/military are $16, kids age 7 to all are $15, and age 6 and under can sneak in for free. For more information, hours and tickets, go to www.spymuseum.org.

Along with Bastille Day and other summer celebrations in France, tourism is now at its busiest. However, according to a recent CNBC report, tourism has been somewhat slow so far, and implies a reason is the reputation of the French people’s rude behavior to foreign visitors.

We’ve been to France many times, and except for a few cabbies, waiters and pickpockets, we never had any trouble with French citizens. They’ve always been courteous and helpful, their food excellent and wine tasty. In the street stalls open to bargaining in friendly competitive ways.

However, it seems the slowdown in tourism is causing French officials of that vital industry to attempt to erase the image of traditional rudeness. The city of Paris has printed and distributed instructions to retailers, waiters, cabbies and others on how to make nicey nice to visitors.

For example, consider the most frequent and money-loaded visitors, Les Americaines. Those pesky foreigners want luxury at bargain rates and demand early dining in a city where residents eat at 8 pm. The touring Germans, despite the unpleasantness of World War II, expect the French to understand when they speak in their language.

With the steady growth of well-heeled Japanese and Chinese visitors, the instructions urge shopkeepers and others offer friendly smiles and a greeting word or two in Asian languages. They will go a long way in extracting cash from the guests’ very stuffed wallets and purses.

OK, Parisian businesses: Un, deux, trois et sourire!

Remember the Alamo became a rallying cry in Texas. A small group of Texans and volunteers defended this former Catholic mission. They were killed by a Mexican army after a brave 13-day stand in 1836. The free-admission Alamo welcomes more than 2.5 million visitors each year.

While you’re in the neighborhood, take time to stroll along the picturesque San Antonio River Walk. You’ll be delighted with quaint shops and a variety of excellent restaurants.

For more information, go to www.visitsanantonio.com