When it comes to travelling the world, everybody wants to hear about the top global destinations or the most luxurious hotels like Hilton or Marriott. But not everyone can afford the best of the best, so we often choose cheaper, not so fabulous vacations and later regret our poor choices. However, you can find high quality and incredible diversity of travel experiences even at lower-cost places that have stayed out of the spotlight for different reasons.
Here are the top ten budget travel destinations for 2014, although the only “budget” thing here is simply the lower cost you will need to pay.
South Africa
If you stay in Cape Town this year, you can enjoy lower prices – hotel rates are down 8 percent. In addition, you can find many early bird airfare deals with Emirates airline or Qatar Airways to South Africa’s capital. This is the perfect destination for all wildlife lovers, whether you’ve come to see the Big Five or meet with the cute penguins on Boulders Beach in Cape Town. The Kruger National Park is a home to many of the must-see animals on the continent, so the $20 pass is definitely worth paying for. Here, at Cape Town beaches, you will also experience the unique intersection of the Atlantic and the Indian oceans, which is perfect for sunbathing, swimming and surfing. The Apartheid Museum will show you the complexity of the country’s culture and history.
Dominican Republic
This island paradise is becoming more and more popular, so now is the best time to visit it, when the prices are still low. For example, a night for two in the 5-star all-inclusive Majestic Colonial Beach Resort in Punta Cana will cost you only $212, while for a kayak rent with a licensed guide, you’ll pay $3. The country is not only a fantastic beach destination, but offers its visitors stunning natural beauty and variety of wildlife.
Venice, Italy
Hotel rates in Venice are down 7 percent from 2013, so if you look for an affordable romantic vacation, the city is perfect. It is a favourite destination for every couple, but it also has a rich historical and cultural heritage, which is displayed across Venice.
Buenos Aires, Argentina
The city’s hotel rooms are priced 8 percent less than in 2013. You probably don’t know much about Buenos Aires, but it is in fact well-known as the “Paris of South America” for its abundance of museums, historical sites and crazy nightlife. And it has a nice European and cosmopolitan feel, brought by its beautiful architecture that resembles cities like Paris, Madrid and Barcelona. At the same time, you won’t pay more than $100 for a luxury hotel.
Orlando, U.S.
Hotels rates here are also lower this year – about 7 percent down from 2013. Why this destination is so hot? Orlando’s theme parks or the “big three” – Disney, Universal and SeaWorld are just a tiny part of what you can see and do here. Museums, concerts, restaurants and bars – you can find a large variety of entertainment options for the entire family. And some of the latest additions to Orlando’s theme parks are the expanding Fantasyland at Disney World and the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, the Universal Studios’ Transformers: The Ride 3D, and Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin, which is the biggest attraction in SeaWorld and can drop the temperature down to 30 degrees.
Southern Italy
If you’ve ever been in Italy, you should know well that a trip there can blow your entire budget. Most of the destinations are way too expensive, but you can enjoy the incredible beauty of this country for less across Puglia, Basilicata and Calabria, where hotels and house and villa rentals are cheaper. Here you can sunbathe at the best Italian beaches, which are also some of the best in the world, too, rest in the serenity of small hilltop towns, or enjoy the rich historical and cultural heritage of ancient sights. And the food is just adorable and if you stay for a week or more, you can even drop a few extra pounds, as well.
Bulgaria
One of the best reasons to visit Bulgaria is no doubt the prices here – accommodation, food, or transportation. But the budget-friendly atmosphere is just the beginning – it’s a really underrated country, which is in fact, rich in cultural must-sees, historical sites, natural phenomena, and many others. It’s a great travel destination for the winter and the summer, as it has lots of beach and ski resorts. Some of the best attractions are located in Plovdiv and Veliko Tarnovo, as well as near big cities like the capital Sofia, and Varna or Burgas, which are on the Bulgarian Black Sea Coast.
Karnataka, India
India’s most popular travel destination is Goa, so if you’ve already visited it, head to the neighbouring Karnataka. Here the accommodations are cheap and many of the temples and ruins you can see are actually free. Karnataka’s coast has beautiful beaches and contrary to Goa or other Asian destinations, it has peaceful resorts, where you can truly enjoy your vacation and rest.
Greek Islands
The prices in Greece have dropped in the past few years. The Greek economy is dependent on tourism and since the financial crisis started, this sector has also seen a downfall. While the number of visitors is shrinking every year, the rates are dropping and in 2014, you can see some of Greece’s best sights at only a fraction of the price!
Riga, Latvia
This is one of the most beautiful cities you will ever see and most of all, it’s not very popular among travelers. So, prices here are still quite reasonable. At the same time, Riga has a lot to offer – the old city area is full of incredible churches like the medieval Riga Cathedral, which is known for its 6,718-pipe organ, and St. Peter’s Church, which will amaze you with its unique combination of Gothic, Romanesque, and Baroque architectural styles. In addition, Riga’s center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and this year, the European Union will officially name the city “European Capital of Culture”.
