Warm Up to Winter Budget Vacations
Affordable Winter Destinations and Rentals
Piles of snow, holiday stress and the cold-weather fatigue often serve as the inspiration for a winter getaway; if only travel prices didn’t have to reflect the universal urge to get out of town.
There are ways to take a sanity-saving trip without spending too much.Look forward to sidestepping the crowds as you achieve the not-so-impossible: enjoying a budget winter vacation.
Scale a Smaller Mountain
Passionate skiers can get their fix outside of upscale resorts like Vail, Aspen and Lake Tahoe. Quieter places like Solvista and Crested Butte in Colorado or many resorts in Vermont, Maine and Wyoming are less expensive, offering the powder without the pretension. During slower times (early December and January, midweek as opposed to the weekends…) deals are more likely to be found and securing accommodations that preclude having to transport yourselves to the lifts mean it’s more than possible to avoid feeling avalanched by expenses.
Pick the Right Island
Completely escaping the cold is the most seductive option for many of us, but again, this doesn’t always bode well for bargain-hunters. Resorts and hotels in high-profile destinations may raise their prices during the more frigid months of the year, but certain isles are known for their budget-friendliness. The Bahamas and the Dominican Republic will open the possibility for fun in the sun without inflicting the burn that comes from overspending, and last minute offers often arise, so don’t resign yourself to another colorless season just because you’re feeling well-behaved as far as finances go. Don’t Rule Out a Euro-Trip
It’s less expensive to fly to Europe during the winter months, but Paris in February isn’t quite as lovely as it is in the spring, and places like London can be downright dreary. The South (Italy,Spain, Greece, etc…) has much to offer, however, and taking advantage of the food, the museums and the architecture alongside fewer crowds and with less strain on your budget makes for a warming experience. Yes, cheap winter vacations are possible, even across the ocean.