Can you travel on a budget? Instead of going to the hot and popular touristy places, why not skip the tourist traps and enjoy some amazing locations on a budget?
While everyone’s elbow-to-elbow in Santorini paying $15 for a beer, savvy travelers are discovering Albania’s stunning coastline for a fraction of the cost. Same turquoise waters, ancient ruins, and Mediterranean vibes; minus the Instagram crowds and credit card shock. Travel companies are seeing huge spikes in bookings to these “dupes” because people are finally wising up to the fact that you don’t need to bankrupt yourself for an amazing trip.
Krakow, Poland
When you want to enjoy an amazing European city that isn’t one of the most popular and tourist-dense locations, head to Krakow. This beautiful city in Poland makes it easy to enjoy shopping, walking around, and checking out the Rynek Glowny Central Square, where you’ll find a transformation when the nightlife comes awake. You can also walk around Kazimierz, which is the Former Jewish District of the city, where you’ll find amazing history and scenery. Take a bus to the historic Warsaw District, Oskar Schindler’s factory museum, or the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camps.
Prague, Czech Republic
Prague has become much more popular and is a great place to go when you want to skip the tourist traps of other destinations. You can walk across the Charles Bridge, which has been in place since the 14th century. Visit the historic Prague Castle and enjoy the 9th century architecture and living conditions. If you want a break, the Old Town Square is a great place to enjoy a fantastic dining experience offered in several restaurants in the area. An evening walking tour or underground dungeon tour should certainly be on your list of things to do while in Prague.
Lisbon, Portugal
Do you love to shop while on vacation? If so, head to Lisbon and enjoy shopping the Praca do Cemercio, which is a public square lined with shops and cafes. Another great place for food and crafts is the indoor market called Mercado da Ribeira. The area features dozens of historical monasteries, convents, and cathedrals, giving you several amazing buildings to enjoy and learn about the amazing history of the area.
Seville, Spain
Other Spanish cities are full of visitors, but if you want to skip the tourist traps, head to Seville. You can take a walk around the site of the 1929 World Expo at the Plaza de Espana, which is a sprawling half-circle building with a moat, bridges, tiled fountains, walls, ponds, and benches, making it a welcome location to enjoy. Another great place to go is the Cathedral de Seville, where you’ll enjoy 16th century architecture along with the third-largest cathedral in the world. If you want to learn about the Moorish architecture and history of the area, visit the Royal Alcazar of Seville.
Montreal, Canada
Instead of going to Niagara Falls, head to Montreal and enjoy the wonderful feeling of Canada and everything that’s offered. This amazing city is located in Quebec, and you can begin by exploring the Parc Jean-Drapeau which is where Notre Dame and Saint Helen’s Islands are located. Take a tour of the Old Port of Montreal and enjoy the shops, activities, and restaurants that give you the Canadian experience you long for.
San Juan, Puerto Rico
Viejo San Juan is a 16th century fort that houses several bars and clubs, combining historical architecture with modern nightlife. If you want to enjoy more history, there are several sites to visit, including Castillo de Felipe del Morro, which is a 16th century citadel built by the Spanish. As you would expect in San Juan, you can also visit beautiful beaches and enjoy some wonderful hiking paths in nature. Puerto Rico has tons of amazing nature to offer, giving you a fantastic place to skip the tourist traps of other locations.
Marble Caves, Chile
If you’re looking for something wild and amazing during your vacation, visit the Marble Caves in Chile. You’ll have to take a boat ride to get to this location in Lago General Carrera Lake. The caves are a 6,000-year-old partially submerged cave that turns various colors depending on the reflections from the lake. As you would expect, there are several hotels and bed and breakfast locations in the area where you can stay near the lake shore and enjoy your stay.
Fes, Morocco
Morocco isn’t known for being an affordable place to visit, but if you travel to Fes, you can enjoy some amazing experiences for much less than in most of the country. You’ll find Moroccan spas that will pamper you, can take a pottery class, or explore the Blue City of Fes. Walks around the Medina of Fes and enjoy the maze-like streets that offer many shops and cafes. Neighboring cities feature ancient ruins and cultural experiences that you might have never thought of, but can enjoy when you want to skip the tourist traps.
Iceland
There are many amazing experiences to have in the entire country of Iceland. This country seems to be something unique and different from the rest of the world, making it easy for you to be adventurous. Take a whale-watching trip off the coast of North Iceland or enjoy a day tour of Reykjavik. If you think an ice cave tour is a great choice, go for it, or enjoy a hike across lava fields and volcanic craters. It’s all here and ready for you in Iceland.
These are just a few great locations you can go when you want to skip the tourist traps of popular travel destinations and get the most out of your travel dollars.
