There are many reasons why certain places are beloved by everyone. But not everyone’s budget can accommodate his or her travel plans. Luckily there are cheaper alternatives that provide the similar sights, amenities, and experiences in a different location. You’ll be surprised by what you can discover.
Paris, France
The City of Lights’ history has brought centuries of cultural institutions and monuments such as the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Eiffel Tower. It is also a popular food and fashion destination. And all of this can be bad for the wallet.
Alternative: Montreal. Montreal is the second largest French-speaking city in the world and a center of Francophone Canada. There are places to stay and eat for any wallet size. It is a city with music festivals year round, museums for everyone, and beautiful architecture at every corner. And don’t forget to visit the Biodome and the Botanical Garden.
New York City, U.S.
The Big Apple is known for its skyline and as a microcosm of the world. But its fast-paced nature and overcrowded streets, coupled with prices that skyrocket during tourist season don’t sit well with everyone.
Alternative: Philadelphia. You can experience the same culture and history in nearby Philadelphia. Just substitute a visit to the Statue of Liberty with a visit to the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall. Even if you’re not much of a history buff, the city has countless theaters, music venues, bars, and clubs.
San Francisco, U.S.
We all know how expensive San Francisco can be, from the cost of livin, to just the cost of spending a few nights. Though the high prices do not deter many people from wanting to experience the eclectic and weird city by the bay, there is a nearby alternative that can be just as quirky and fun.
Alternative: Portland, Oregon. Luckily, you can have the same experience further north, past state lines. Portland has largely the same things that people often go to San Francisco for. A walk through the city can double as a journey from one microbrewery to the next – after all, the city has the most per capita in the entire U.S.
London, England
London is like a hybrid of New York City and Los Angeles – an immense sprawl that manages to fill every street space with bustling foot traffic.
Alternative: Edinburgh, Scotland. For a cheaper alternative and one that is more easily manageable in size, look to the north – Edinburgh. The much more walkable Scottish city is filled with wide open spaces, such as the Prince’s Street Gardens, and five national art galleries that are accessible by a single free bus route. Commuting by foot will get you a view of the city’s unique architecture, from the Dynamic Earth building to the Sir Walter Scott monument.
Spain
Spain will always be a popular destination, which is why people often overlook its small neighbor on the Iberian west coast, Portugal. Not only are the hotels and restaurants more affordable there, but you can experience the same diversity you’d find in Spain except with enough time to explore the entire country. With the time it takes to visit one region of Spain, you can see the capital city of Lisbon, the Algarve coast, the country’s second city, Porto, and even go off-coast to the Azores Islands.
Bora Bora
Bora Bora is a popular destination for honeymooners. Indeed it has even been featured in many unforgettable romantic films. But the fun starts to decline when you get the bill at the restaurant and you find the resort options to be quite limited and non-wallet-friendly. Thanks to the daily prices, the islands quickly become a mere mirage of the stress-free paradise you were expecting.
Alternative: Tonga. The one of a kind Kingdom of Tonga has thousands of years of history with over 170 islands within 740,000 square miles. Not only are there beaches to bask in and caves to explore, but the weather is more exceptional than even Bora Bora. Aquatic activities aren’t limited to boating and snorkeling either, as you can swim with humpbacks here. These large whales migrate to Tonga during the summer and fall months.
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