My bank account and my lifestyle don’t always agree. My lifestyle wants to travel to fabulous places, buy nice clothes and sip expensive cocktails. My bank account wants to disappear like Lindsay Lohan’s sanity. And I know I’m not the only one who ain’t got no money in the bank. Rent is sky-high, the economy sucks (no matter what anyone says) and necessities like caramel lattes, Betsey Johnson heels, and trips to the hair salon are darn costly. But, luckily, I know how to save, especially when it comes to going on vacay.
After the jump, check out some budget getaways that don’t involve camping in mosquito-infested swamps and living on fast food.
1. Iceland
When my best friend, who is something of a travel guru, suggested we go to Iceland I was totally taken aback. Then I did a little research and learned that Iceland is absolutely gorgeous, with world-renowned hot springs, breathtaking mountain views and an abundance of green. If you are more of a party person, the country is also known for having some of the best nightlife and most beautiful people in the world. So why is it cheap? A while back Iceland’s government completely fell apart and the banks had a total meltdown. Things haven’t gotten back to normal and, although it sucks, you can support the faltering economy by going there and living it up. Everyone benefits, see?
5. Cape Ann, Massachusetts
Maybe I’m getting a little sentimental here, but I have so many good memories of going to Cape Ann with my family, I just had to put it on this list. If you’ve never heard of it, Cape Ann is like Cape Cod’s less commercial, quieter and—let’s face it—better little sister. My favorite town is called Rockport because it has beautiful beaches with an abundance of cute, little galleries and amazing hiking trails. You can stay on Wingaersheek Beach, which has the whitest, cleanest sand I’ve ever seen in the Northeast, for $100 per night. The beach is right near downtown Gloucester, America’s oldest fishing port, which has really good restaurants and nice harbor views.
Original by Nikki Dowling