5 Affordable Destinations for Summer

Even though we are in the middle of winter, it doesn't mean that summer is any further away from us. It looks like school only has a few months to go before the kids are free to do whatever. If you still are limiting your vacation times to coincide with school breaks, then you are probably a big summer traveler. Most of us know now that summer is the most expensive time to travel, but there are some destinations that are affordable for everyone.

This photo of Enoteca De Belem is courtesy of TripAdvisor

Lisbon

Just because you're on a budget, doesn't mean you have to stay close to home. It's one of the most affordable destinations in Europe throughout the year. You can visit Portugal for around $55-70 per person per day, including dining out at some nice restaurants and staying in a decent hotel. Stay somewhere swankier and still get away with under $100/night. The busy travel season runs from mid-July to mid-September. Skip those times and end up skipping most of the crowds, higher hotel rates and the sweltering heat. The country is a water lover’s dream, with fantastic surfing, tons of seafood and one of the best and most affordable aquariums in the world, the Oceanario de Lisboa.

This photo of Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone is courtesy of TripAdvisor

Yellowstone

If your family is outdoorsy and like to see cool stuff like Old Faithful, then pay just the one-time fee for a week to get into Yellowstone. You can get yourself a permit if you are interested in doing things like fishing. You'll find that summer is a crazy busy time to visit this National Park in Wyoming, but it is still budget-friendly. You don't have to go camping here. There are a handful of hotels nearby that you can make a reservation early at and spend less than you probably anticipate. 

This photo of Casa Sanchez Boutique Hotel is courtesy of TripAdvisor

Santo Domingo

Many of us want to escape to someplace tropical on our trips. This Caribbean oasis is perfect for those that like to enjoy the nightlife, but it also offers up attractions for everyone like museums, delicious dining, shopping and historical buildings. Would you believe you can also stay in 5-star hotels for under $80/night? It's true! And if you like water activities, too, you should start brushing up on your Spanish and planning your trip now.

This photo of The Carolina Opry is courtesy of TripAdvisor

Myrtle Beach

Myrtle Beach is a true family-friendly destination. Don't reserve a room in a hotel on the beach and you can save a ton. There are quite a few condo communities, where you can rent a place with multiple bedrooms, giving your family their space when they get back from a long day out. You'll find a little bit of everything in Myrtle Beach, including amusement parks, hundreds of golf courses and live entertainment at popular venues like the Alabama Theatre and the Carolina Opry.

This photo of Arion Stables is courtesy of TripAdvisor

Crete

Explore ancient ruins, lay on the beach, go hiking and more in this Grecian paradise. Make note of where the majority of things you want to see are located and stay near those. You will find it hard to see everything  in one trip, but that just ensure that you'll make time to relax and maybe also plan a return trip. Not only does Crete have some amazing scenery, which will make your trip there picture-perfect, but is great for getting out and discovering all the great stuff on the island. You will find a big difference in hotel prices. You will mostly see either budget/moderately-priced rooms or completely unaffordable luxury accommodations. Make sure to book your trip as early as possible in order to stay within your budget, then spend money you saved on souvenirs and Mediterranean cuisine.