Vacations of value

Check out these cheap getaways that are light on your wallet, but not on fun

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Posted: 4/23/09

Cairns, Australia

The lively, historic, picturesque city of Cairns is located in Far North Queensland on the northeastern coast of Australia.

Although the seasons in Australia are the opposite of our seasons, Cairns is like the San Diego of Australia: the weather is beautiful year-round with average "winter" temperatures of 80 degrees.

May marks the end of the wet season, as well as the stinger season, which means no red flags will keep you from swimming in the gorgeous South Pacific Ocean, home to none other than the Great Barrier Reef.

Sites like reeftrip.com or divingdownunder.com boast thrilling opportunities to take a helicopter tour, cruise the outer reef or even learn how to dive or snorkel along the largest coral reef in the world.

Although the reef is the main draw, and Cairns is ranked as one of the safest and fastest growing tourist spots in Australia, it also boasts a bursting nightlife to explore after your relaxing days in the southern sun. Cairnsattractions.com is a simple and straightforward guide to your long list of Aussie options, including nightclubs, casinos and golf courses, as well as one-of-a-kind attractions like the Night Zoo or a rainforest horseback ride.

But bear in mind: traveling to the other end of the world won't be a short trip - or a cheap one. Especially booking this close to travel, flights will average 35 hours and hover around $2,000.

Luckily, there are plenty of inexpensive options for accommodations in Cairns. Plus, if you use sites like Travelocity.com to plan a trip that includes your flight and accommodation, your entire trip can ring in at under $2,000.

No matter what, the view and list of things to do "Down Under" make it worth every Aussie dollar. Speaking of which, keep in mind that the exchange rate will work in your favor for this trip. Sites boasting accommodations for 50 bucks per night could actually be 50 Aussie bucks, which means somewhere around $35 out of your U.S. pockets.

- Dacey McGinty,
The Duquesne Duke

Willamette Valley, Oregon

Willamette Valley, Ore., is a perfect vacation spot for those looking for a cheaper - but still sophisticated - alternative to a Napa Valley wine tour, or for fitness gurus looking for a scenic location to kayak, camp and hike.

The agrarian valley across the country is dotted with tulip gardens, historic covered bridges and more than 200 wineries. In fact, according to traveloregon.com, Willamette Valley is known as Oregon's Wine Country and is one of the top pinot noir-producing regions in the world.

Check out the local sights by biking through Silver Falls State Park (home to 10 picturesque waterfalls), canoeing on the waters of Waldo Lake or hiking to the top of Mary's Peak (to catch a glimpse of the Cascade Range and Pacific Ocean).

Not only is this vino-filled valley less expensive than its Californian equivalent, but the wineries are also much more accessible and closer to one another. And who could argue with the stunning surroundings?

Upcoming events: While the annual tulip festivals only run through April, be sure to check out the Indie Wine Festival (early May), the Eugene Marathon, a premier-distance running event (May 3), or Buckaroo, the region's summer rodeo (July 2-5).

- Kelly Horein,
Features Editor

Alaskan Cruises

Sometimes, it's hard to choose between an adventurous vacation and a relaxing one, which is where an Alaskan cruise comes into play. After lounging on the boat deck, the natural and historic attractions of Alaska offer the best switch of scenes.

Being twice the size of Texas and the largest state in the United States, there are plenty of places to see and things to do. Most cruises provide routes going to and from Alaska, sometimes going away from Vancouver, British Columbia, or from Anchorage, Ala. If going away from Vancouver, you're in luck. In this direction, sites include the Glacier National Park and Prince William Sounds. And once off the ship, there are plently of cities to keep your attention.

In some cities, such as Ketchikan, the businesses and homes are suspended above the water, with hills, mountains and rivers in the background. Juneau, the state capitol, has been known as one of the most beautiful cities in the United States. The narrow roads, filled with both antique structures and new, reformed buildings, pass in front of Mt. Juneau and Mt. Roberts.

Alaska offers numerous places to see: St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church, an octagon-shaped building that hosts exhibits of Russian icons, original vestments and religious relics; the Juneau-Douglas City Museum; the Mascut Saloon from the height of the Alaskan Gold Rush; and even an incline trip to view scenery such as Glacier Gorge, Dead Horse Gulch and Bridal Veil Falls. Whether it's museums, the wildlife or native cultural events, the "Land of the midnight sun" will be full of historical and cultural knowledge.

Most cities commonly stopped at during cruisies offer the known Alaskan experiences. For example, Skagway offers numerous tours and activities ranging from sled dogs exhibitions to icefield exhibitions to mountain climbing.

But after site seeing, be sure to check out the seafood. Alaska offers seafood on every menu and, in some instances, even buffets. For example, in the Deer Mountain Hatchery alone, biologists annually collect 150,000 king salmon.

While trying the seafood, make sure you get the ultimate Alaskan experience by actually going fishing. Alaska is known, not only for their crabs and salmon, but for their fish in general. In fact, fishing and crab fishing are known to be part of the true Alaskan experience. Plus, coming home and telling your friends about the 6 1/2 pound crab that you caught makes for bragging rights for at least a month.

And since weather ultimately can make or break a vacation, make sure you plan for the peak time. Although it rains often during the summer, June is the best time to go. The days are long, and nature is said to be in full bloom.

Alaskan cruises can typically be more expensive than other Carribean, but if you find the righ deal you're golden. Some prices for a 7-night cruise can start at $350. Some packages even offer suites from $700-1000.

Cruises offer two types of cruise ships: large or mid-sized holding 700 to 3000 passengers or small of a dozen to less than 200 passengers. Where the larger ships offer more amenities, the smaller ships offer a more personal look at Alaska, so either way you get something out of it.

Whether it's sailing on the oceans looking at the Alaskan scenery or exploring the land, the cruise offers passengers a close view of one of the most picturesque landscapes.

- Marissa Rosenbaum,
Assistant Features Editor

Riviera Maya

'Paradise is forever" is the island's slogan, and many would agree. Riviera Maya, located south of Cancun, combines the draw of the Caribbean with the history of ancient civilizations, hosting the only archeological site near sea.

The area is known for its tropical beaches, ancient ruins and abundant marine and wildlife, including the Great Mayan Reef, the largest coral reef in the Western Hemisphere. The most popular travel destination in the Riviera Maya is Playa del Carmen, which is the next substantial town on the coast and offers a variety of water sports to make the most of the summer weather.

But the Riviera Maya's cultural and ancient affiliation pushes it beyond the typical island experience. For example, how many tropical islands include caves like Aktun Chen? Nearby ancient Mayan villages surrounded by jungles? Or even one of the greatest biodiversities in the world like on the Biosphere Reserve.

Besides providing mysterious and thrilling experiences, such as spelunking, Riviera Maya is an inexpensive alternative to staying in pricier Mexican tourist destinations, like Cancun or Cozumel. But Riviera Maya is close enough to these towns and others, that travel is simple, but your stay is much less expensive. Many hotels in Riviera Maya even offer guests free busses to Playa del Carmen, a nearby city. Cancun is about a 45-minute taxi drive away.

If travelers to Riviera Maya need a break from lounging on the white, sandy beaches, the area has plenty of exciting excursions to offer. Some of these thrilling outdoor activities include scuba diving, snorkeling, boat rides, horseback riding and tours of the ancient Mayan ruins.

- Brittany Katz,
The Duquesne Duke

South Padre Island

Voted third best beach by the Travel Channel and awarded the second best place for a vacation home in the United States, South Padre Island offers visitors a whole lot more than warm weather and sparkling beaches.

South Padre Island located at the tip of Texas, is a "great little town to get away from it all" according to People Magazine. In fact, South Padre Island is said to be a cheaper and more reasonably priced version of Cancun.

About 26 miles out of the 34-mile island are clear, white sand with an abundance of flora and wildlife. The island offers activities such as camping, shore fishing and wildlife viewing, as well as more luxurious vacation activities such as fine dining, bars, beach clubs, horseback riding, deep-sea fishing, diving and dolphin watching.

But South Padre Island's Gulf waters are undoubtedly the biggest attraction there, including its Schlitterbahn Beach Water Park with slides, tube chutes and uphill water coasters. Only 25 miles from South Padre Island is Matamoros, Mexico, which is known for its nightlife and excellent shopping.

- Sonya Chun,
The Duquesne Duke