Cheap travel options, whether cheap airplane tickets, discount hotel rooms, cheap auto rentals, or cheap vacation packages remain readily available to a number of destinations.
While some destinations continue to be tourist favorites of the past, such as San Diego and San Antonio, some have become suddenly affordable because of current affairs, Egypt and Athens, and some are hidden treasures.
The following are Budget Travels high value budget travel destinations for this year:
Azores is a chain of nine volcanic islands located 930 miles off the coast of Lisbon, Portugal. Five star hotels average $112 per night and the islands offer baroque churches, black sand beaches and crater lakes.
Egypt continues to be hurting for visitors even though the U.S. travel warning has been downgraded to an alert because of sporadic unrest. Tourist count is down more than a third since 2010 resulting in Egypts average daily hotel rates dropping by 25 percent to about $107. Since summers tend to be hot (often averaging over 90 degrees) Egypts off seasons (March to May and September to November) are when there are fewer crowds and cooler temperatures.
San Diego is one of Americas top 10 tourist cities in part because of its miles of picturesque Pacific coastline (ideal for surfing), an average rainfall per year of 10 inches (perfect golf weather) and many family friendly attractions (Sea World, its world famous zoo, and LEGO-Land theme park). Hotel rooms average $128.
The Atlantic coast of Canada is particularly attractive to tourists who enjoy the out-of-doors, offering scenic kayak rides around Prince Edward Island, whale watching in the Bay of Fundy, and wilderness hikes in the glacier specked Torngat Mountains. Halifax is one of the cheapest Canadian cities, with hotel rates averaging $145.
Belize is one of Central Americas best bargains. English is its dominant language and Belize is well known for its exotic birds, stunning Mayan ruins, and the worlds second biggest barrier reef.
San Antonio is home to the Alamo and is undergoing a massive expansion to its River Walk. Its network of paths along the San Antonio River will almost double in length by June, with eight additional miles of walk and bike routes opening along with many new shops and cafes. The average four star hotel room can be had for $100.
Warsaw Poland offers many of the cheapest five star hotels in the world, averaging $135 per night. The country is undergoing a hotel construction boom that includes Hilton and Westin brands and a healthy/growing economy.
Taipei, Taiwan, is a cosmopolitan capital city boasting an emerging culinary reputation, with lots of new construction, surrounded by a countryside which offers hot springs, impressive mountains, and golden sand beaches. Taipeis hotels are running 11 percent less than in 2010, averaging $144 per night.
Kansas City is becoming a hotbed of high culture. A new $326 million Performing Arts center opened in September and is host to Ballet, Opera and the citys Symphony as well as one off performances of many different kinds. Over 70 galleries in renovated warehouses, interspersed with boutiques and restaurants can be found in its Crossroads Arts District. Hotel rooms average $137 per night.
Athens is now ranked the worlds 53rd most expensive city, down 13 places from 2010, with its average hotel room going for $125. The city is undergoing Greeces largest ever subway project expanding the Athens Metro, where rides can be had for under $2. www.cheapfares.com