Ten Affordable Vacation Hotspots for 2012
See the World, At a Fraction of the Cost Want to save big on a bucket-list vacation? Here are the top budget travel destinations for 2012, according to Budget Travel. (Reuters)
Azores, Portugal Take in the volcanic landscapes while you sink your feet into black sand beaches and watch for whales off the coastline, or island hop on a ferry or fishing boat to all nine islands in Azores. October daylight lasts 11 hours and it marks the start of the low season, which means you'll score a great deal on a hotel and have plenty of daylight to fit in all the outdoor activities. (Reuters)
Egypt Political unrest has dampened the country’s tourist travel, which makes up 11% of the its economy. Although most tourist destinations are considered safe to visit, sporadic unrest has forced the U.S. Department of State to issue a 'Travel Alert,' to Americans traveling and living in Egypt. If pyramids, ancient Cairo and a trip down the Nile aren't enough to lure you to this culture-rich nation, heavily-discounted excursion tickets may fit your budget. (Reuters)
San Diego Perfect sun and surf conditions year round, along with music, culture and amazing food make San Diego one of America's top 10 most-visited cities, according to Budget Travel. Prices for rental cars and hotels are low right now, but the magazine says to book quickly as prices are expected to rise in 2013. (Reuters)
Atlantic Canada Canada's Atlantic coastline offers world-class seafood, hiking, un-crowded beaches and much more. According to Budget Travel, the region's biggest attraction this year will be the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Titanic sinking off the coast of Newfoundland. Halifax will be loaded with a full calendar of commemorative events including a parade and film festival. (Reuters)
Belize Experience tropical island bliss with pristine beaches, a barrier reef, rainforests and ancient Mayan Temples, at a fraction of the cost. In September, the exchange rate was nearly 2 to 1, making it a great bargain travel destination until the end of December, according to Budget Travel. (Reuters)
San Antonio, Texas Tour the Alamo and explore the River Walk where you can find an array of activities including parks and historical sites. The nation’s seventh largest city has something for everyone, especially in spring when the average high temperature is 79 degrees. The city becomes crowded with travelers in April, so those looking for more elbow room may want to consider visiting in September but beware: The weather is a steamy 90 degrees and rainier. (San Antonio Convention & Visitors Bureau)
Poland Popular cities like Warsaw, Krakow and the historic site Auschwitz make it difficult to pick where to stay in this European nation. Depending on your budget, you may be able to see them all because five –star hotels here are already among the cheapest in the world, according to Budget Travel. For even cheaper rates, consider traveling after September when the UEFA Euro 2012 soccer tournament crowd departs. (Reuters)
Taipei, Taiwan With an emerging culinary scene, golden-sand beaches and a countryside featuring hot springs, this onetime Chinese territory caters to new visitors, according to Budget Travel. Visit in October and November, when there is less than four inches of rain and average high temperatures are in the mid 70s. (Reuters)
Kansas City, Mo Good barbeque isn’t the only thing this city has to offer. Besides being cheap, it combines a lively art scene, world-class attractions and great shopping to captivate tourism. (Reuters)
Athens Places like the Parthenon and Acropolis make the Mediterranean country’s capital a desirable destination for tourists. Despite being on the brink of bankruptcy and a massive debt crisis, the 2011 Cost of Living Survey ranks Athens as the world's 53rd most expensive city-but this doesn’t mean you can't find a good bargain. Hotel prices dropped 4% countrywide and 15% in Athens, according to Budget Travel. (Reuters)