If you’re like most people, you’re probably still actively saving up money for your next big trip and haven’t yet considered a destination. So we compiled a list that travelers who are planning a summer 2017 vacation might want to investigate. As always, airfare does vary depending on where you depart from but, once you get to these places, travelers will certainly find that a little money goes a long way.
Image Credit: Nick Kenrick via Flickr and CC 2.0
Travelers who plan on heading to Europe should check out the Iberian Peninsula countries of Spain and Portugal as well as nearby Morocco for great deals. This is particularly true in June when the weather is nice and the crowds aren’t thick. Those headed to Spain will need a minimum average of $60 USD per person on a daily basis but may want to bring more money so that they can enjoy their travels to the fullest. Visiting Portugal is slightly less pricey with the Backpacker Budget here holding steady at around $50 per day. Meanwhile, Morocco is a steal as Fez averages about $27 a day on the backpacker index and the weather doesn’t get scorching hot until later in the summer.
Image Credit: Dennis Jarvis via Flickr and CC 2.0
Another good European destination is the country of Croatia, which has become increasingly popular in recent years. Travelers that plan on going there during the summer months should stick to the country’s interior, if they want to avoid the crowds and the higher prices that can be found in some coastal spots. However, Croatia remains a good pick with the budget for towns like Split and Zagreb averaging a little about $40 per day and the more popular places such as Dubrovnik coming in with a daily base rate of $72.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/aigle_dore/8082262631/in/photolist-djcH6H-6J9h41-8KsL36-8KsMBx-djni6q-5V95iF-oAY1BV-5M5gPH-5M5gAg-pU3zGZ-gY8pgT-oFxFPk-5FqLkk-urRaq-aCt1v2-t18aY-buefPB-5DDepP-cH1KCS-5Q5DKB-oni4Bd-gY7q9Z-5Fv51p-gY7xGL-fN51eh-4vLwCp-b2JvWZ-7odAfk-8WbLCk-onikPw-4ic4Jj-gY8qBZ-cvVwRo-gY8qUH-2eaGb-5M5cS6-8WnwcL-oFxGog-7ikXQL-oDMMTa-4ETLeN-5M9q3q-onijUB-beYJxR-nyYRJ-oniRBM-95a7C9-538xCT-5gec-ptJZ6x
Image Credit: Moyan Brenn via Flickr and CC 2.0
Turkey, Greece, and Hungary are also excellent summer choices. Turkey in particular is very affordable with a base rate of $26 a day for visitors to Antalya and the Thrace region is full of interesting sites to see, which is made possible by the great early summer weather at that spot. Of course, nearby Greece can be done cheaply as well. Travelers need a bare minimum of $52 per person in Athens and $44 on the islands. However, cheaper days here are certainly possible if all you plan to do is spend your waking hours at the nearest beach. Meanwhile, Budapest remains a steal for a base rate of $35 per day. Even at midsummer, temperatures in the town remain closer to comfortably warm rather than stiflingly hot. Plus, there is plenty to do in the historic old town.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/aigle_dore/2781272337/in/photolist-5eLKnk-KuaASA-L2G4sQ-KiuvXh-5fQvg5-5eLK2r-nxrBCd-2Z4xzN-iwrdU4-dpWG1V-ideKi2-dhqvAN-99yUaj-zRxvfe-hAzZ9z-KHqbT5-4smLQE-hAE6NE-8oD1X7-B2NZnu-gZ7DTe-hAzJxv-9G3Kdq-hAEzJZ-7H7fHv-hACvMf-eai2wz-8QeEeS-cEV5e5-Dc3iR5-ea2jy1-cVq3vb-ejZeEJ-hedJCD-pCSt4K-4tcBWN-g9hgky-p39arT-4yfyJV-7wgKMF-GE74kP-jkCRFh-hADBYa-8JkBvE-CVVJdA-pxjKGM-qhALa3-uNoZqY-5SmuMo-diVmDg
Image Credit: Moyan Brenn via Flickr and CC 2.0
Although Europe’s major cities are never going to be cheap, great deals can be found if you know when to look. London hotels tend to be at their cheapest in May and travelers that don’t mind the early spring chill can set off for Copenhagen in April to save some money. If you’re still trying to come up with funds or simply don’t mind waiting around for autumn before taking some time off work, you can always plan on visiting Rome in September when costs are down in the area.
In any case, here’s to a great vacation in the upcoming year!
Sources: Forbes; Budget Travel; Travel + Leisure; Price of Travel
