Sure you’ve dreamt of booking a round-trip flight to remarkable destinations as Rome and Paris or fly halfway around the globe to Tokyo or Beijing. However, let’s face it—traveling takes a huge toll on our limited supply of cash.
Whether international or local, we’re constantly looking for ways to satisfy our growing wanderlust but on a more budget-friendly scale. So if your New Year’s resolution this year is to see the world, then you’re in luck.
Although experts predict that there’s an increase in travel prices in 2018, affordable travel can still be done, that is, if you know where exactly to go.
IAB travel and a handful of travel insiders gave their two cents on the top budget-friendly travel destinations around the globe that you must see before 2018 ends, and we’ve compiled the top 3 below. Now’s the time to plan your next vacation.
Get Lost in Paradise, the Caribbean
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Swap the bitter cold, grey of Britain with the delights of white sand beaches, bewitching turquoise waters and temperatures blissfully hovering around 26°C or 79°F of the Caribbean. There are tons of reasons why you should fly west in 2018.
Why so cheap?
Although the Caribbean took a massive blow when 2 category 5 hurricanes passed through, there were only a handful of islands that suffered tremendous damage in 2017. In fact, 70% of the entire 29-territory region wasn’t affected by the wild storm season.
Because tourists are still wary, hotels and resorts in the islands are offering great discounts, Airbnb properties start at $50/night or £ 35.37/night and expensive airfares are being driven down by new services coming to the islands.
Time will tell when people will actually figure out that the entire Caribbean was not wiped out by the devastating hurricanes and then resume travelling en masse. So it’s not a bad idea to jump on massive discounts now and check out the prettiest water in the region while tourists are heading off somewhere else.
It’s basically a win-win! You’ll not only save money while travelling but also you’ll be helping businesses and locals who were affected by the hurricanes.
Enjoy the Elegance of Europe in Portugal
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There’s one thing you might have missed out about Portugal. Brexit hit travellers hard in the wallet, but the trips to Portugal have softened this blow.
Why so cheap?
Portugal takes euro and still remains the discount darling of Western Europe. 2017 saw staggering discounts offered in Portugal, from $499/€403.81/£352.97 weeklong air–hotel deals to insane weeklong packages in the Azores.
Discover this affordable, sun-soaked historic paradise now while rock-bottom deals are hot. Because when the world finds out about the country’s reasonable apartment-style hotels, the fabulous beaches and the more affordable porto, Portugal will not be quite as cheap any longer.
Right now, you can roam around and check out century-old iron funiculars and wooden trams in Lisbon, wander through Baixa district and witness the bygone heritage, visit the Livraria Lello bookstore where JK Rowling was a regular when she once taught English in the 1990s in Porto, savour the richly sweet, perfectly crisp pastel de natas (custard tarts) and see Madeira, the landscapes that Tolkien could have dreamt of.
Portugal is not that big. You can do all these for less compared with other domestic destinations.
Bask in the Luxury Monaco Has to Offer
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The second smallest country in the world, yet hosts extravagant sights and is a destination like no other, Monaco is also a cheap place to visit. Yes, you better believe this!
Why so cheap?
Like Las Vegas and Dubai, Monaco is among the impressively over-the-top places you need to see before you die. Surprisingly, it’s also one of the affordable destinations you need to hit this year thanks to the cheap flights from Italy. So book them while you can!
The only expensive things in this 200-hectare country range from real estate, fine dining and luxury hotels. But there’s nothing like insane cars, opulent architecture and obscene yachts docked in Port Hercule. And wait till you see the royal palace.
Book a cheap flight bound for Milan. From there, board a discount carrier such as Nice or easyJet. Then, take a short ride by bus to the beautiful Casino de Monte-Carlo.
The magnificently extravagant Belle Epoque façade of Monaco’s iconic casino is enough to make tourists go ahh and ooh, although make sure to take a peek inside.
Expect no less from the prince and the top architects of the world as you venture into the interior of the casino. It’s like stepping back to a time of glitz and glamour. Try your luck at both European and American games and enjoy the €10-minimum tables.
The cheapest way to feel like a star in 200-hectare destination is by hitting the Brasserie Monaco and yacht gazing at the port while enjoying craft beers worth €3 during happy hours.
Don’t forget to stop by the Rock of Monaco, which hosts the oldest of the country’s four quarters, Monaco-Ville. You’ll find characterful building and winding streets. You also get to see the impressive Prince’s Palace of Monaco, where the royal family resides. If you’re there just before 12 p.m., you’ll be able to witness the historic changing of guards in the palace’s square.
Monaco’s wealth will not change, but your chance to it at an affordable level might.
Final Thoughts
These not-so shabby locations will be more than enough to satisfy your need to explore the unknown. So what are you waiting for? Book any budget-friendly travel agents like as IAB travel and see the world like you have never seen it before.
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