5 bang for your buck travel destinations this summer
Once you move beyond the usual tourist trail, your travel budget can stretch much further than you expect. Whether you're on a backpacker budget or just trying to give yourself a break without breaking the bank, there are certainly places where the cost of a day's adventure might be less than what you'd spend on a single dinner back home.
So here are five underrated travel destinations you might not have considered. The best part is they're perfect in the summer and let's face it, it is never too late to book a spontaneous flight.
1. Albania
Albania gives you Mediterranean beaches without the Mediterranean prices. Think: coastal towns, mountain hikes, and Ottoman-era cities make it feel like a little-known blend of Greece and Turkey.
Backpacker Budget: $25/day
Mid-range Budget: $50/day
Highlights: The Accursed Mountains, cheap beach towns, Gjirokaster's stone streets
2. Vietnam
From street food that costs less than a coffee to overnight train journeys and limestone cliffs, Vietnam is a country of colour and contrast. Every dollar goes far and every day is packed with something memorable.
Backpacker Budget: $25/day
Mid-range Budget: $45/day
Highlights: Ha Long Bay, Hanoi, Hoi An, northern mountain roads
3. Morocco
You could be sipping mint tea in a riad, watching the sun set over the dunes, or wandering ancient medinas for the price of a basic dinner back home. Travel smart and Morocco gives you culture and colour at a fraction of the cost.
Backpacker Budget: $40/day
Mid-range Budget: $60/day
Highlights: Sahara desert treks, markets in Marrakech, laid-back Essaouira
4. Georgia
Georgia has the soul of an old city and the scenery of a wild one. Think beautiful architecture, monasteries, mountain trails - and still some of the cheapest prices in Europe.
Backpacker Budget: $20/day
Mid-range Budget: $40/day
Highlights: Tbilisi's old town, the Caucasus Mountains, wine country
5. Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is everything at once. Tea plantations, train rides, surf beaches, hill towns, and temples. It's a dream for summer travelers who want to slow down, explore, and stay longer.
Backpacker Budget: $25/day
Mid-range Budget: $50/day
Highlights: Ella's train rides, southern beaches, ancient cities
These five destinations prove you don't need a luxury budget for a rich summer. Just curiosity, sunscreen, and maybe a well-packed bag!
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