Summer vacation, minus the sticker shock

Look ‘below the belt’ for Caribbean deals
The Bahamas, Jamaica and the Virgin Islands are still popular this summer, but many travelers there either ignore or are unaware that many Caribbean islands are located in the “hurricane belt” — and hurricane season is now in full swing until November 1. Instead, look at southern Caribbean islands located outside that belt, near Venezuela, and considered to be relatively safe from storms. They include Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, and the “ABC” islands of Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao, off the tip of Venezuela.

Adrian Glover, senior online editor of Frommer’s Budget Travel magazine, recently spotted a super deal to Barbados, with round-trip airfare and seven nights’ hotel starting at $359 per person, whereas the lowest airfare from Miami to Barbados during that time was $402. “ And Barbados hasn’t been hit by a hurricane for the past 15 years,” said Glover.

Consider, ‘O Canada’
The Canadian exchange rate isn’t as favorable as it has been, but it still goes a long way compared to the euro. Plus, there’s plenty of varied geography to explore, and it’s far less crowded than similar topography in the U.S.

Glover picks Quebec City as a hotspot since the former French trading post is quickly approaching its 400^th birthday. Petersen loves Toronto for its lakes and for plays and entertainment that matches New York City’s bounty. “If Canadian flights are too expensive, look at flying into Buffalo or Detroit instead,” he said.

Look at the hotspots’ next-door neighbors
A lot of people flock to Hollywood and Disneyland for a dose of Southern California cool, but forget about the beach culture of Orange County and San Diego just to the south. That’s one example of hidden gems in the U.S. that lay nearby but are often overlooked by their more well-known – and more expensive — neighbors “If you leave a hotspot and go in any direction, you’re bound to find someplace just as cool but hardly as crowded,” said Petersen.

His “up and coming” pick is Oregon. “Its wine industry is booming and although it’s nowhere near as built-up as the Napa Valley or San Francisco, it has a lot of unique geography, it’s relatively inexpensive to get to, and it has a range of climates. Perfect for the outdoors lover. 

Glover’s pick is Santa Fe, rich in arts and history, but often overlooked by those on their way to Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon. She also suggests visiting smaller U.S. cities that offer arts, culture and the outdoors for affordable prices. “You can get around them by foot, boat and train, instead of just by car.” Good picks are Denver; Burlington, Vermont.; Madison, Wisconsin; Portland, Maine, and Wilmington, North Carolina.

Consider ‘independent’ lodging
Because accommodations are often the most expensive part of a trip, non-hotel lodging such as private bed-and-breakfasts, hostels and inns can save you a bundle. “Alternative lodging can also be cool for family reunions and romantic getaways,” said Glover. “You can’t get much more romantic than staying in a lighthouse.”

Also consider trading houses. If you live in a popular spot, you’ll especially find it easy to swap your residence with someone staying in a place you’ve always wanted to visit. That’s how my friend with an apartment in San Francisco’s funky Mission District got to spend two weeks in Copehagen – with her swapmate’s car thrown in for free to drive around Denmark. The Budget Travel Web site has links to alternative lodgings.

See it in September
Consider waiting until after Labor Day to see the sights. When kids are back in school, many popular places — especially the national parks — are less crowded, less expensive, and the weather is just as good, if not better, than the dog days of August.

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