This summer, these 10 getaway
spots offer tight-budgeted travelers plenty to do.
"These places are
hurting so much for tourism," says Anna Banas, executive
editor of SmarterTravel, an online travel resource. "There are
packages and specials to be found everywhere. You just have to
look."
In Depth: America’s Best Bargain
Vacations
From the beaches of San Diego to the skyscrapers of New York,
there's a bargain to be found in just about every corner of the
country--even for those wishing to steer clear of the coasts.
Nature-loving and adventure-seeking families and couples alike can
find great deals everywhere from the Grand Canyon to Aspen,
Colo.
Expert
Opinion
To find
America's Best Bargain vacations of the moment, we compiled a
list of 10 locations throughout the country, chosen by a panel of
experts. Each destination on our list was suggested by at least two
of our panelists, who were, along with Banas: Steve Born, vice
president of marketing for GLOBUS, an escorted travel service based
in Colorado; Blake Fleetwood, a representative for Cook American
Express travel agency, with offices in New York and Connecticut;
and Barbara Messing, VP of Travel-Ticker, a Hotwire partner that
provides customers with insider travel deals.
Even though most people
probably view a vacation as an escape from busy, everyday, urban
life, Born believes that larger cities tend to offer the best
packages to visitors. It's easy to find deals that include
passes for popular tourist sites along with flight and hotel
reservations.
San Diego, for example,
offers something for everyone, Born says. The beach is near the
city center, and cultural sites, including the San Diego Museum of
Art and Birch Aquarium, are plentiful. Monograms, the independent
travel service of GLOBUS, provides a four-day city package for a
family of four ($64 per day per person) that comes with the Go San
Diego Card, which provides free admission to 55 events and
attractions in the city, including the San Diego Zoo, Lego Land and
whale-watching tours.
Similarly, New York, offers
an all-access CityPass, as well as some of the best Manhattan hotel
rates travelers have seen in years.
"For big-city
getaways, rooms used to be upward of $300," Messing says.
"Now you could find a room for $100 to $150."
Looking to the outer
boroughs, one can stay at Le Refuge Inn bed and breakfast on City
Island in the Bronx for $125 per night. There are four yacht clubs
in the area, and essentially, City Island is a lesser-known beach
getaway that "looks like Nantucket," says Fleetwood.
Looking for
out-of-the-way places can be key in finding a bargain, but some of
the best deals to be had are in destinations currently in their
off-seasons. Aspen, Colo., a winter-getaway mecca, cuts summertime
prices to one-third their peak winter rates. Hotel Jerome in
downtown Aspen is currently running a special starting at $169 per
person per night, which includes a round of golf.
Other bargains abound in
the South, where the general cost of living is low. Charleston,
S.C., not only offers award-winning cuisine and historic
plantations, it is also right on the coast, providing sandy beaches
with a hint of Southern charm.
If you want to escape city
life entirely, on Florida's Gulf coast, the Colony Resort of
Longboat Key is currently offering one-bedroom suites at $149 per
night, which includes a $50 resort credit, which can be redeemed
for anything from tennis to meals to spa treatments. But the courts
might be the best use: The Colony has been ranked by
Tennis magazine as the top tennis resort in the country
for eight consecutive years.
Even if these options
don't inspire, there are countless other destinations
throughout the U.S. available at bargain prices right now. In times
like these, travel doesn't require you sacrifice quality to
save a buck.
"You don't have to
compromise," Messing says. "You can pay a small price and
still have a great experience."
In Depth: America’s Best Bargain
Vacations
More From Forbes.com:
How To Get Fit On Vacation
America ’s Hidden Travel
Gems
Eight More Getaway Ideas
Saturday, November 7, 2009
America's Best Bargain Vacations
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Posted by Mon Jul 13, 2009 6:54am PDT
Report AbuseI like knowing what deal or vacation spot, that's out there....
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Posted by Mon Jul 13, 2009 12:45pm PDT
Report Abuseyeah its good to see nowadays that there still cheaper price for unwinding vacation like this but the problem is how long for it takes for aspiring tourist like i am to visit this dreamland if i not fortunate enough to have visa to visit the place. im in Dubai and i want to see the beauty of America..hope someone will guide me thank you in advance godbless us always -jaruguevarra@yahoo.com
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Posted by Mon Jul 13, 2009 6:05pm PDT
Report AbuseHey doktor eevol, you have nothing to say?? Its a miracle!!
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Posted by Mon Jul 13, 2009 7:30pm PDT
Report AbuseI was in San Diego for four days and I seriously fell in love! Gorgeous city!
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Posted by Tue Jul 14, 2009 12:06am PDT
Report AbuseHere's a great money saver for restaurants, tours, museums, and more in Chicago, Illinois!
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&item=250462960791
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Posted by Sat Aug 29, 2009 12:34pm PDT
Report Abusei buy me in my family a home to live in together.
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