20 of the Best Travel Bargains for 2017

Who would know best where to find great travel bargains for 2017? That would be the experts on travel destinations and experts on finance, of course. We looked at Lonely Planet’s “Best in Travel 2017” list for best value destinations and combined this with Forbes’ suggestions for the cheapest destinations in the coming year to bring you 20 of the best travel bargains for 2017.

https://www.lonelyplanet.com/best-in-travel/value

http://www.forbes.com/sites/laurabegleybloom/2016/11/30/30-cheapest-places-to-travel-in-2017/#7b56379a7d0d

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1. Nepal

A long-time favourite with backpackers, hippies, and adventurers, Nepal’s tourism industry has suffered since the devastating earthquakes of 2015. However, as Lonely Planet says, the country is bouncing back and you’ll be welcomed with open arms, since many communities here depend on income from tourism.

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2. Namibia

If you love vast open spaces, a desert landscape, wildlife and German colonial architecture, Namibia should be on your bucket list. Lonely Planet points out that this Southern African country is especially good value right now since the Namibian dollar is pegged to the South African rand, which has been depreciating in value.

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3. South Africa

Speaking of the South African rand, Forbes mentions this as a major consideration for visiting Namibia’s southern neighbour too. South Africa’s tourism infrastructure is well developed and since you’ll probably have to fly via Johannesburg to get to Namibia anyway, you may want to rent a car and visit the two countries together on an epic road trip.

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4. Mozambique

Another Forbes suggestion is Mozambique, South Africa’s north-eastern neighbour with its pristine beaches, subtropical climate, delicious seafood and Portuguese colonial influences.

Once again you’ll have to fly in via Johannesburg and since it’s less than seven hours by car to Maputo, the Mozambican capital, you can easily combine a trip to South Africa and Mozambique, making a detour through what will in future be known as the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park.

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5. Porto, Portugal

Forbes suggests Portugal as a cheap European destination, especially if you avoid the tourist trail. According to Lonely Planet, Porto is still flying under the tourism radar even though budget airlines have flights from several other European cities.

Portugal’s second largest city is the world’s port wine capital and also boasts interesting museums and quaint architecture.

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6. Venice, Italy

Venice has never really been a budget destination, but according to Lonely Planet, vacation rental sites like Airbnb changed the game. Now you can stay in an affordable room or apartment away from the touristy areas and get to experience the real Venice for a fraction of the price.

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7. Debrecen, Hungary

Hungary’s second largest city is filled with museums, historic places of worship and a vibrant art scene. It’s much cheaper than Budapest and gives you easy access to the Great Hungarian Plain. As Lonely Planet points out, you can now fly in on several European budget airlines too.

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8. Belize

Both Lonely Planet and Forbes say that Belize is budget friendly if you know where to look. Even some of the more luxurious resorts can cost you less than US$100 a night. It’s a small country to get around in, so it’s easy to tour Mayan ruins, trek through the jungle and have some beach time during the same trip.

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9. Guatemala

Belize’s neighbour Guatemala is one of Central America’s cheapest destinations and, as Forbes says, unique in the region. You can see not only Mayan ruins but also how the Maya live today. Because costs are comparatively low in most of the country, Guatemala is an easy country for splurging a bit on your accommodation.

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10. Mexico

Forbes points to the weak Mexican peso as an important reason why this country is one of the most affordable destinations for 2017.

While the financial bible specifically suggests San Luis Potosi and the Pacific beach resort of Mazatlan as great budget destinations, you can also get a cheap flight to Cancun and combine a visit to Mexico, Belize and Guatemala.

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11. Morocco

Its proximity to Europe makes Morocco easily accessible and both Lonely Planet and Forbes mention the many options for cheap flights to this North African country. The cost of living here is low too, making accommodation and exotic restaurant meals very affordable.

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12. Russia

The rouble’s exchange rate fluctuates, which means that at times it can be very affordable to visit Russia. Lonely Planet says that 2017 is a great time to go, since the FIFA World Cup in 2018 will lead to increased prices, not to mention crowds.

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13. Bellarine Peninsula, Australia

According to Lonely Planet, Melburnians have for many years preferred the Bellarine Peninsula for the kind of getaway where there’s not much else to do but sit back and relax. Now this region is becoming more popular because of new attractions such as vineyards, a cider brewery, a rail trail and water sports.

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14. Michigan’s Upper Peninsula

Lonely Planet says that prices in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula tend to be lower because it’s mainly a destination for people from the Midwest.

However, its forests, beaches, waterfalls, lighthouses and the famous Mackinac Island fudge are only about 10 hours’ drive from Toronto or about 11 hours from Winnipeg, making this a good choice if you want to travel somewhere south of the border.

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15. Chile

Forbes sings the praises of Chile as a value-for-money destination. Particularly the lakes district around Puerto Varas is a great choice, since it’s still off the radar, making it cheap, but boasts spectacular scenery and unforgettable food.

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16. Ecuador

Another Forbes suggestion if you want to head to South America is Ecuador, which offers incredible variety, from beach towns to hot springs and from the Amazon Basin to the Andes.

It’s not the cheapest destination in South America but is still very affordable, and you can cut on the cost of getting there by flying with a budget airline from Florida.

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17. Bonaire and Curaçao

If you’re looking for an affordable Caribbean getaway, Bonaire and Curaçao are good choices, according to Forbes. They’re not as overrun by tourists as some of the more famous destinations in the region, which makes them more affordable. Chain hotels and vacation villas can save you quite a bit on accommodation costs.

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18. Greece

The economic meltdown in Greece in recent years has made this one of the cheapest European destinations to visit. Forbes says that even three- or four-star hotels in Athens can cost less than US$100 a night and it’s even cheaper in the countryside. One Greek destination that Forbes particularly recommends is Crete.

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19. Georgia

The Eastern European country of Georgia may not be as well known as the state of the same name in the US, but this may change soon. According to Forbes, the mountainous landscape, friendly people, favourable exchange rate and unique culture are great reasons to visit Georgia before the rest of the world’s travellers catch on.

Besides, it has a wine-making tradition that goes back some 8,000 years.

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20. Cambodia

Even though your flight there can be quite pricey, once you’re in Cambodia you can live like royalty on a small budget. Forbes says that this is one of the cheapest destinations in Asia and you can have plenty of unique experiences here while being a responsible traveller.