Vacations on the Cheap

Moab, UT: $59.00 for Hotel in Utah?s Red-Rock Country ($114.00 value)

Contemporary Hotel in Red-Rock Country with Heated Outdoor Pool

The small desert town of Moab, Utah, set near the Colorado River in one of the most beautiful parts of red-rock country, has been the site of major Hollywood films and iconic American TV commercials, and it is home to what some consider the most popular mountain-bike trail in the world. This spectacular scenery has made Moab one of the best recreation spots in the country?hundreds of thousands of visitors arrive every year to hike, bike, and kayak through its dramatic landscape. Despite its growing popularity, however, Moab still has plenty of small-town charm, and the locals are determined to keep it that way. The Best Western Plus Canyonlands Inn, located in the heart of downtown, reflects that small-town mentality by priding itself on customer service. It's also not far from some of the most famous attractions in the state.

There are a few dining options at the Canyonlands Inn. The Peace Tree Caf?, an open-air spot adorned with bright chalkboard menus, pairs organic salads and sandwiches with smoothies or craft beers. Chefs at Pasta Jay?s, an Italian restaurant decorated with red-brick walls and checkered tablecloths, employ 19th-century family recipes to cook cheese ravioli and pesto gnocchi. In the morning, you?ll find a complimentary breakfast buffet near the lobby featuring omelets, sausage, and fresh fruit.

Guest rooms reflect the beauty of their natural surroundings with natural granite vanities and window treatments and bed linens in shades of smoky green and brown. Photographs of majestic western landscapes adorn the walls. The heated outdoor pool, which stays open year-round, looks out onto the red-rock cliffs. You can also soak up the landscape from the hotel's rooftop patio, where plush chairs surround a freestanding fireplace.

Moab, Utah: Recreation Playground in Red-Rock Country

With a population hovering around 5,000, Moab is by far the largest town in southeast Utah. It was named after a biblical kingdom, and like most towns in this area, was established by Mormon pioneers. Moab has distanced itself from its religious heritage, however, and is now best known for its natural scenery and world-class recreation.

Set near the Colorado River in a green valley surrounded by dramatic sandstone cliffs, the desert town is a microcosm of the great western landscape. It?s been the backdrop for major Hollywood films, including Thelma & Louise and Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. One of its landmark stones, Castle Rock, starred in several Chevrolet commercials and played Danny Zuko in the national tour of Grease.

Hundreds of miles of trails, a variety of terrains, and breathtaking scenery make Moab a top destination for mountain bikers. The area's most famous trail, Slickrock Bike Trail, follows a difficult 10-mile loop through orange Navajo sandstone about 3 miles from the hotel. Rafting rides along the Colorado River are popular, too, and can see dinosaur fossils from the Jurassic period along one of hundreds of four-wheel-drive roads.

Moab is also an ideal base camp for exploring the nearby Arches and Canyonlands National Parks. Arches is home to more than 2,000 natural sandstone arches, as well as pinnacles and staggering red-rock formations. At Canyonlands, you'll find the confluence of the Green and Colorado Rivers, along with sheer sandstone cliffs and buttes and canyons carved into the sandstone by the rivers themselves.

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Golden, Colorado: $95.00 for Mountainside Colorado Inn Stay ($199.00 value)

Pueblo-Style Inn near Alpine Activities

Table Mountain Inn sits at the foot of the Rocky Mountains, about 15 miles west of Denver. The inn is an hour?s drive from several of the area?s ski resorts, which typically open for the winter season by mid-November. It?s also close to Rocky Mountain National Park, a rugged, alpine wilderness in central Colorado that?s interlaced with snowshoeing trails and steep sledding hills. With these scenic surroundings, Table Mountain Inn offers a luxurious spot in the midst of downtown Golden.

From the outside, the inn resembles a large pueblo with adobe walls and ornamental vigas?exposed wooden beams commonly used along rooftops in southwestern architecture. The inn?s interior features traditional southwestern decor as well. Glazed terra cotta tiles and rustic clay pots can be found throughout the lobby and other common areas. Grand and Table Mountain rooms have bedding and furniture with Native American patterns as well as private balconies that look out onto the surrounding foothills.

Downstairs, the Table Mountain Grill & Cantina serves chicken-tortilla soup, fire-roasted chiles rellenos, and other southwestern specialties alongside fine tequilas and local microbrews. The restaurant even has a gluten-free menu for those with a gluten intolerance or longstanding quarrel with a wheat farmer.

Golden, Colorado: Outdoors-Minded Town in the Rocky Mountains Foothills

Located about 15 miles west of Denver, Golden is flanked by the Table Mountains to the east and Lookout Mountain to the southwest. Both areas are crisscrossed with rugged hiking and biking trails that are open year-round. For more outdoor activities, head to Rocky Mountain National Park, which encompasses more than 300 miles of hiking trails as well as snowshoeing and snowmobiling areas. Golden is also within easy driving distance of several ski resorts, including Winter Park Resort.

Table Mountain Inn is within walking distance of downtown Golden, where you?ll find quaint boulevards lined with boutiques, art galleries, and caf?s. Coors Brewery is just a few blocks from here; sign up for a 90-minute tour to learn more about Coors?s history and brewing process.

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Monument, CO: $69.00 for Rustic Mountain Lodge near Pikes Peak ($134.00 value)

Rustic Lodge with Mountain Views and Local Artwork

In 2008, professional photographer Gary Oakley aimed to build a hotel that reflected his love for both art and nature. He took an original lodge building? made up of a heavy timber beams and stone walls and designed by a student of Frank Lloyd Wright?and added a wealth of local artwork, including glass wall murals, Oakley?s own striking photos of horses, and a handcrafted wedding gazebo made from beetle kill logs. Gorgeous natural scenery surrounds Oakley's Sundance Mountain Lodge, too, nestled along the front range of the Colorado Rockies, such as red-rock waterfalls and streams.

The social hub of the hotel, Oakley's Cafe & Bistro hosts happy hours, karaoke, and live music. One on side of the dining room, lantern lights and a chalkboard menu create a cozy, romantic feel. On the other, a retro lounge replete with crushed-velvet curtains, white leather love seats, and zebra-print rugs recalls a vintage speakeasy. Oakley's Cafe & Bistro does not open till 3 p.m. and is closed on Sundays.

Oakley also made certain that there was always an abundance of activities at the hotel. When the cool air settles in at night, guests can gather around a glowing fire pit out back to roast marshmallows and burn parking tickets. Kids can hide out in canvas tepees.

Guest rooms at the Sundance Mountain Lodge reflect the rugged landscape with log furnishings and nature photographs. Courtyard rooms overlook the waterfalls and pool area, and all accommodations feature private balconies and recycled carpeting.

Pikes Peak Country: Rocky Mountains, Hiking Trails, and Wildlife

The first settlers in the central Colorado countryside had originally set out to find fortune through California?s gold rush, but when their wagon trains arrived in the lush meadowlands of Monument, they made the place their home. They weren?t the only ones inspired by the area?s natural beauty?Pikes Peak's rocky summit, which looms 14,115 feet over the region, once provoked songwriter Katharine Lee Bates to pen the lyrics to "America the Beautiful."

For a close-up look at the cliffs, hop onto one of Pikes Peak Cog Railway's red train cars, which crawl up the mountains and pass wildlife and crashing waterfalls. The area's diverse geography also lends itself to outdoor recreation, from hiking on the pine-fringed trails of the Garden of the Gods to hot air balloon rides.

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Breckenridge, CO: $175.00 for Mountain Condos near Colorado Ski Resort ($298.00 value)

Spacious Condos near Breckenridge Ski Resort

The Colorado mountain town of Breckenridge was born during the gold rush during the middle of the 19th century. One lucky miner in the area dredged up one of the largest gold nuggets in Colorado?a whopper weighing in at nearly 14 pounds. Today's visitors are more likely to come in search of the area's heavy powder and highly skiable terrain. The luxury condos of Summit Mountain Rentals are located just minutes from Breckenridge Ski Resort, home to four towering mountains and North America's highest chairlift.

Summit Mountain Rentals operates several condo communities throughout the Breckenridge and Frisco areas. Some are so close to the mountains that you can ski in or out or hop on a shuttle to hit the slopes. Many of the properties are in secluded areas with mountain views. Taking a cue from their woodsy surroundings, several of these condos feature rustic accents such as mounted deer heads and antler chandeliers. In many units, you'll find fireplaces for apr?s-ski relaxation. The condos within the Village at Breckenridge offer access to a community hot tub and the town's quaint shopping area.

Breckenridge, Colorado: Winter Adventure and Victorian Architecture in Former Gold-Rush Town

Until 1936, the town of Breckenridge had never appeared on a map of the United States. It's hard to imagine today, considering the popularity of the town's ski slopes. Breckenridge Ski Resort spans four mountains, one of which reaches an elevation of more than 12,000 feet. Snowboarders can take advantage of an exhilarating landscape comprised of five terrain parks and one superpipe.

Downtown Breck?as it's affectionately nicknamed?is steeped in history. Old-fashioned street lamps light up Main Street, where you can buy handmade soaps or Native American crafts at the hundreds of boutiques housed in stately Victorian buildings. You'll also find vestiges of the town's gold-rush past. The Gold Pan Saloon, which has been around since 1879, still has swinging doors and a wood-burning stove. To learn more about Breck's past, you can take a tour of downtown from the Summit Historical Society or explore old mining shacks and equipment at the now-defunct Lomax Placer Mine.

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La Veta, CO: $79.00 for Colorado Mountain Inn Decorated by Local Artists ($210.00 value)

Laid-Back Mountain Inn with Rooms Decorated by Local Artists

One of La Veta Inn?s interior designers, southern Colorado?based artist DeEtta Lessar, claims "the simplicity of nature? is one of her primary influences. Another designer, LaClaire Skaggs, also finds inspiration in the natural world, saying her imagery is ?spatial, organic, and spiritual.? Lessar and Skaggs were two of 18 local artists chosen by La Veta Inn to redecorate its guest rooms. Thanks to this project, each chamber has its own distinct vibe as well as one-of-a-kind accents, including sculptures, photographs, and paintings that capture the majesty of the surrounding Sangre de Cristo Mountains.

One thing all the rooms have in common is a commitment to comfort, evidenced by feather mattresses, Canadian down comforters, and Israeli cotton sheets. A laid-back atmosphere pervades the inn, extending to its casual onsite restaurant. When executive chef Scot Mangold isn't mingling with guests in the dining room, he can be found in the kitchen, crafting chicken mole and hickory-smoked pulled-pork tacos for lunch or dinner entrees from a rotating menu listed on a blackboard. The restaurant hosts live music and dancing on select days?check the calendar to see who?s playing next.

La Veta, Colorado: Artist Colony Tucked Away near Great Sand Dunes National Park

Located about a three-hour drive south of Denver, the small town of La Veta is surrounded by the rugged Spanish Peaks, which the Tarahumara believe to be the cradle of all life on earth. The mountains inspire the region?s many painters, sculptors, and jewelry makers. Restaurants and caf?s in the center of town rub elbows with a number of galleries displaying fine art, crafts, and Georgia O?Keeffe?s watercolors of sad clowns.

In the surrounding natural landscape, you can explore miles of hiking and cross-country skiing trails that stretch past primeval forests and secluded alpine lakes. Just a short drive away is Great Sand Dunes National Park, home to the tallest dunes in North America.

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Grand Canyon, AZ: $69.00 for Southwestern Lodge Minutes from Grand Canyon ($119.00 value)

Southwestern Lodge Less Than a Mile from the Grand Canyon

Carved by the Colorado River over millennia, the Grand Canyon is 18 miles wide and 1 mile deep. Its immense, multicolored rock walls prompted Theodore Roosevelt to declare it "a natural wonder which is in kind absolutely unparalleled throughout the rest of the world." One mile from the canyon's South Rim entrance, The Grand Hotel spreads out in the middle of a dense pine forest. A large Southwestern lodge with a flagstone fireplace and exposed wooden timbers in the lobby, the hotel provides a comfortable home base for guests who want to stay as close as possible to the majestic Grand Canyon.

The Canyon Star Restaurant and Saloon, located onsite, is a step back to the Old West. Barbecue and steak dinners headline the menu, and a large pine stage features nightly entertainment such as cowboy banjo players or Native American dancers. At the saloon next door, you can sidle up to the bar and settle onto an antique saddle seat once used by mule runners. Each morning, you'll wake up to a free breakfast. In standard king and double-queen rooms, subtle Southwestern decor, such as pinewood furnishings and earth-toned linens, echo the striated walls of the nearby canyon.

Grand Canyon, Arizona: Geological Wonder with Hiking and Mule Rides

The Grand Canyon?located about 70 miles northwest of Flagstaff and 215 miles north of Phoenix?is one of America's most visited natural sites. Millions arrive every year to hike, climb, or simply stand in awe. Arizona's desert environment and lack of ground cover have contributed to the near-perfect preservation of the brilliant red, orange, and yellow-brown layers visible on the canyon walls. Two billion years of erosion have carved the rocks into unusual shapes, and the views are, of course, unsurpassed?looking out over the gorge is like looking at the Earth in its infancy.

There are plenty of ways to explore the site. From the South Rim entrance of the park (near the hotel), things are especially visitor friendly. You can take one of the guided full-day van tours that leave directly from the front door of The Grand Hotel, or sign up for a guided mule ride that descends into the canyon. Grab a map and head out to hike on paths such as the Bright Angel Trail, which is quite steep but offers wonderful scenery, or the Rim Trail, which is a little easier and offers views of the inner canyon.

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Las Vegas: $69.00 for Nonstop Entertainment at Harrah?s Las Vegas ($155.00 value)

Casino, Outdoor Pool, and Entertainment on the Las Vegas Strip

Carnival Court at Harrah?s Las Vegas seems more like a street fair than a bar. No matter the time of day, bands play party tunes on the stage as bartenders deftly juggle, flip, and catch bottles, all beneath a colorful circus tent. The nonstop entertainment continues inside the hotel. The 87,000-square-foot casino?open 24 hours a day?is equipped with more than 1,200 slots and video-poker machines, a keno parlor, a sports pit, and 80 table games including blackjack, craps, and baccarat. Centrally located on the Strip, Harrah?s Las Vegas is an ideal base for a Sin City getaway.

There?s no shortage of dining options. Seven onsite restaurants offer a variety of eats, including steaks and prime rib at The Range Steakhouse, contemporary Asian fare at Ming?s Table, and seafood at Oyster Bar. For entertainment, swing by country-music crooner Toby Keith?s venue, I Love This Bar & Grill?named after his hit single of the same title. The bar?s stage is often rocking with live music performances. Several other onsite bars, including a piano bar and a handful of casino lounges, offer late-night entertainment. At Bill?s Bar, you can sip margaritas ($5) and domestic beers ($4), or toss back shooters of Wild Shot mescal ($5).

If you need a break from the commotion, Harrah?s spa administers a full menu of treatments, including Swedish massages, aromatherapy, facials, and body wraps. Within the spa, you?ll also find a beauty salon and a health club. Head to the outdoor swimming pool to relax in a lounge chair.

Las Vegas: The Strip Past and Present

Mentioning Las Vegas usually conjures up images of spinning roulette wheels and stone-faced poker players. If that?s what you?re looking for, you?ll want to make a beeline for the casinos lining the neon-lit Strip. But for lower-stakes gambling in a throwback Vegas atmosphere, head downtown to Fremont Street. Vintage signs and showgirls crowned with headdresses recall the days of Sinatra and Martin, but this Glitter Gulch burns much brighter today than it did in the Rat Pack era: beginning at dusk, a canopy of more than 12 million LED lights erupts in a psychedelic light and music show every hour.

Educational attractions have never been Sin City's strong suit, but the Mob Museum boasts a winning formula: bank robberies, prostitution, and money laundering. Exhibits profile legendary Mafiosos from Capone to Gotti, and mob artifacts include the bloodstained, bullet-pocked brick wall from the St. Valentine?s Day Massacre. Within the former federal courthouse, you can fire a Tommy gun simulator, participate in a police lineup, or enter witness protection for the rest of your life.

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Greater Omaha: $89.00 for Hotel and Riverboat Casino across from Omaha ($150.00 value)

Lively Riverside Hotel With Adjacent Casino

Iowa?s Council Bluffs might seem like an odd place to find the lively Harrah?s Council Bluffs and its casino, concerts, and nightclubs. But consider the hotel?s location: right across the Missouri River from Omaha, Nebraska?s largest city and a popular entertainment hub itself. Harrah?s almost seems to feed on the city?s metropolitan energy. Views here overlook the downtown skyline, and many of the musicians that play in the hotel?s amphitheater come from Omaha, one of the nation?s hottest spots in the indie-music scene.

You?ll find the casino adjoining the hotel in a stationary riverboat with three decks of gaming, including more than 700 slot machines. Table games stick to the classics: craps, roulette, and poker to name a few. The Stir Party Pit is lined with blackjack tables. Head up to the top-level Captain?s Lounge to take a break from casino play. You can get complimentary refreshments here, or enjoy a few rounds on the in-room shuffleboard or Wii console.

Inside the hotel, Vertigo at 360 serves handcrafted cocktails amid views of downtown Omaha. An ongoing series here features live acoustic music by local artists every Friday night. The onsite nightclub, Stir, enlivens guests with dance tunes and a state-of-the-art light system. For dining, Harrah?s Council Bluffs has a market-style buffet as well as a full-service restaurant, 360 Steakhouse, which serves up grilled fare and seafood specialties.

Council Bluffs, Iowa: Casino Haven Steeped in History

One of the largest casino markets in the United States, Council Bluffs sits across the Missouri River from Omaha, Nebraska. In the early- to mid-20th century, Omaha was the better-known gambling hot spot. But after a crackdown on all gambling, Omahans crossed the river to the more casino-friendly Council Bluffs?a trend that continues today.

But there?s more to Council Bluffs than riverboats. It?s known as the historic starting point of the Mormon Trail, the migratory route that Mormons traveled to escape persecution. Fittingly, the town seems to revere its history. There are several neighborhoods with restored buildings from the 1800s, including the historic Haymarket Square commercial district and a Red Light District. Other landmarks and sites highlight the city?s railroad-industry ties, best exhibited by touring the depot at the RailsWest Railroad Museum.

The Pottawattamie County Squirrel Cage Jail is also worth a visit. Dubbed by Travel + Leisure as one of the ?world?s strangest prisons,? it?s one of the last remaining rotary jails?a prison where the jailors opened cells by turning a crank that caused them to rotate. You can still see many of the pie-shaped cells as they were when the prison closed in 1969, with signatures and dates of prisoners etched into the walls.

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Turkey: $1,299.00 for Istanbul and Turkish Countryside with Airfare ($0.00 value)

Tour of Istanbul and Turkish Countryside

Turkey is quite literally the bridge between Europe and Asia. Set on both sides of the Bosphorus strait, the city of Istanbul straddles two continents. Frommer?s summarizes Turkey's duality this way: ?It's ancient and modern, Westernized and Oriental, religious and secular, wondrous and ordinary, familiar and exotic.? On this 13-day, 11-night trip through Istanbul and the Turkish countryside, you?ll get to experience both sides of Turkey, from the bustling metropolises of Istanbul and Ankara to the ancient ruins of the Greco-Roman city of Pergamum.

Click here to view the full itinerary.

Days 1?2: You'll leave the States for Istanbul and arrive on Day Two. That night, enjoy dinner, meet your tour guide, have an orientation with your guide, and a chance to orient yourself in the city.

Day 3: A half-day tour of Istanbul includes stops at the city?s most iconic monuments, including the 17th-century Blue Mosque?named for the tiles decorating its interior?and the Hippodrome, a centuries-old arena that once hosted chariot races and athletic competitions. Pop into the Hagia Sophia, a 6th-century Byzantine basilica that was once the largest cathedral in the world, until it was converted into a mosque and, finally, a museum. The rest of the day is set aside for exploring the city on your own.

Days 4?6: In the morning, the caravan will cross the Dardanelles strait by ferry and drive to the classical city of Troy, which dates back 4,000 years. The next day is spent in the ancient Greek city of Pergamum; you'll visit the Asclepion, an ancient Roman spa and medical center where villagers went to receive herbal remedies and mud-bath treatments. Day 6 is a day of leisure in the town of Kusadasi, believed to be the birthplace of the poet Homer, author of the Iliad and the Odyssey.

Days 7?8: Then it's on to the southern Turkish town of Pamukkale, where you'll see hot springs that have been used for therapeutic bathing since the second century. The ancient city of Hierapolis, a UNESCO World Heritage Site built on top of the springs, is filled with historic ruins, mineral forests, and petrified waterfalls. The next day, you?ll travel to Konya, where you can witness the prayer rituals of the Whirling Dervishes?worshippers dressed in long white gowns who twirl to the tune of ancient Islamic hymns.

Days 9?11: The group journeys on to Cappadocia, a city burrowed into the cliffs and caves of a desert landscape. On Day 9 you'll attend a carpet-weaving demonstration; the following day is yours to explore as you please. On the morning of Day 11, the group departs for Ankara, Turkey's capital city. Here, you?ll tour the Mausoleum of Kemal Atat?rk, the final resting place of the revered first president of the Turkish Republic. Nearby, the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations exhibits archaeological artifacts dating back to the Paleolithic Age.

Days 12?13: In the morning, the tour group heads back to Istanbul to relax and enjoy a farewell dinner. The next morning, you?ll be transferred to the airport for a flight back to the United States.

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Scottsdale, AZ: $69.00 for Marriott Hotel near Downtown Scottsdale ($129.00 value)

Comfortable Marriott Hotel Close to Downtown Scottsdale

Palm trees and saguaro cacti line a winding path next to the Fairfield Inn Scottsdale North. The plants are a fitting representation of the Scottsdale landscape as a whole: an oasis amid the dry heat of the desert. The Fairfield Inn is located 8 miles up the road from Old Town and downtown Scottsdale.

Newly renovated in 2010, the hotel has an open layout?balconies just outside the rooms look out to a large pool in the courtyard. The king and double rooms are comfortable and colorful, with pops of lime green on quilts and tangerine-hued walls. Every morning, you can head to the breakfast area to grab a complimentary breakfast buffet of fruit, yogurt, hot and cold cereal, waffles, egg sandwiches, coffee and tea.

Scottsdale, Arizona: Stucco Mansions amid Rocky Desert Landscape

Located just northeast of Phoenix in the Sonoran Desert, Scottsdale once served as ranch land where farmers grew oranges and lemons and cowboys kicked up dust in the fierce, dry heat. That era earned Scottsdale the nickname of ?The West's Most Western Town.? Today, it is an affluent city landscaped with lush green grass and lined with stucco mansions. For a glimpse of the city's Old West roots, head to Old Town Scottsdale, where wooden boardwalks and hitching posts sit in front of a retro ice-cream parlor and rustic specialty shops.

Upon arriving in Scottsdale, you know you're in the desert?cacti and tumbleweeds dot the landscape, and dry shrubs and gnarled trees cover the McDowell Mountains in the distance. To get a closer look at southwestern flora, head to the Desert Botanical Garden. There, themed trails wind past huge cacti and other moisture-hoarding succulents, best seen in the cooler early morning or twilight hours.

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Online: $99.00 for Old-Fashioned Lodge near Monterey Bay ($198.00 value)

Old-Fashioned Lodge Close to Beach and Historic Lighthouse

Point Pinos Lighthouse, the oldest continuously operating lighthouse on the West Coast, sits on the tip of the Monterey Peninsula. It was built in 1855 to warn ships away from this hazardous point, and today, exhibits inside highlight historic photographs of local shipwrecks. Visitors can also see the original lens?still in place and functional?and learn how the lighting and foghorn function. Located just a short walk away from the lighthouse is the Olympia Lodge, which occupies a pine-studded lot that's convenient to many of Monterey Bay's attractions. It?s only five minutes from the beach and coastal walking trails and just a half mile from the galleries, shops, and fine-dining restaurants of downtown Pacific Grove.

Much like the neighboring Point Pinos, Olympia Lodge has a historical feel to it. The property's not nearly as old, but touches such as the in-lobby fireplace, creaky wooden decks, and handmade wooden furniture lend it some old-fashioned charm. All of the rooms have been recently remodeled, however, and are simply decorated?some with slanted ceilings and exposed wood beams.

Mornings at the lodge begin with a complimentary continental breakfast. In the evening, head down to the reading area beside the fireplace for a serving of coffee and tea.

Pacific Grove, California: Sleepy Coastal Town Close to Lively Cannery Row

The oceanfront town of Pacific Grove shares its central California peninsula with the city of Monterey, but is far more serene than its cosmopolitan neighbor. Rows of Victorian houses line the streets, deer wander through residential areas, and thousands of butterflies congregate here during their southerly migration. Travel + Leisure named Pacific Grove one of America's Best Little Beach Towns, noting that the beach is better suited for surfing and kayaking than swimming. Stroll the pathway that winds along the rocky shore, taking in the many native plants and bird colonies that make their homes on the 3-mile stretch.

The town?s interior is fairly small and easily walkable. Mom-and-pop-style shops and art galleries line the streets of downtown Pacific Grove. The area's also home to the Museum of Natural History, where you can learn more about the monarch butterflies found throughout the town.

Head to nearby Monterey if you want to pick up the pace. The city's Cannery Row, once the laid-back dock famously portrayed by John Steinbeck, has since been enlivened by theme restaurants, souvenir stalls, and a wax museum. The popular Monterey Bay Aquarium is located on one end of the strip, and has been featured by Fodors, Frommer's, and the Discovery Channel for its immersive displays of local sea life. Here, you can watch sardines swim around you in a circular tank and see an open-ocean tank filled with sharks and sea turtles. Kids will love the interactive exhibits at the Splash Zone, which has a living, breathing kelp forest they can walk through while touching pools filled with starfish and sea urchins.

Read the Fine Print for important info on travel dates and other restrictions.

Cherokee, NC: $59.00 for Casino Resort in Great Smoky Mountains ($129.00 value)

Gaming Thrills amid Great Smoky Mountains

Thousands of video-gaming machines flash and chime across the 150,000-square-foot casino floor at Harrah's Cherokee Casino Resort. Up above, however, multiple towers overlook the Appalachian peaks of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, where the only light is sunshine and the only trilling sound is birdsong. Harrah's unites the exhilaration of 24-hour gaming with the feel of a secluded lodge nestled amid a nature preserve.

The resort's Mountain Tower luxury rooms boast upscale furnishings and fixtures and large bathrooms. Soco Tower suites possess an airy separate living room and a second bathroom.

A number of dining options contribute to the perpetual sensory feast at the 24-hour casino. Brio Tuscan Grille offers fresh fish, steaks and chops inspired by Northern Italian cuisine and Ruth's Chris Steakhouse serves sizzling steaks. Paula Deen's Kitchen serves ? la carte meals of southern-inspired fare three times daily, and other spots stay open until the wee hours?including the Noodle Bar, which whips up dim sum and oxtail soup until 2 a.m. or 3 a.m. and sits beside the new Asian-themed gaming room.

Cherokee, North Carolina: Native American History near Great Smoky Mountain Splendor

Surrounding the town of Cherokee, the Qualla Boundary houses the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Nation as well as Native American institutions such as the Museum of the Cherokee Indian. There, a series of contemporary photographs commemorates the 1838 tragedy of the Trail of Tears, which forced most local Cherokees to Oklahoma. Nowadays, the tribe endures as an independent sovereign nation and continues to create traditional craftwork, much of which is on display at Qualla Arts and Crafts.

Picturesque woodlands encircle Cherokee, from the Nantahala National Forest in the south to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in the north. There, moderate temperatures in low-altitude areas allow year-round hiking amid white-tailed deer and fir trees. The southern tip of the 469-mile Blue Ridge Parkway makes for a great scenic drive thanks to the area's crests, rolling meadows, and recent legalization of rubbernecking.

Read the Fine Print for important info on travel dates and other restrictions.

Essex, MT: $99.00 for Railroad-Themed Inn in Glacier National Park ($318.00 value)

Historical Railroad Chalet in Glacier National Park

In 1939, the Great Northern Railway built a chalet to lodge snow-removal crews working along the railroad in Montana's Glacier National Park. Now called the Izaak Walton Inn, the property draws visitors from around the world for its location in the park as well as abundant hiking and whitewater-rafting opportunities. But the inn hasn't neglected its past; railroad-themed d?cor, vintage train schedules, and restored railcars pay homage to the historical Great Northern Railway. Amtrak and Burlington Northern Railroad trains chug past Izaak Walton Inn each day, sometimes pausing at the nearby Essex stop before journeying into the snow-capped wilderness.

With no telephones, televisions, or coffeemakers, guest rooms maintain a peaceful rusticity. Inside Empire Builder rooms, duvets are trimmed in locomotive engineer stripes and emblazoned with the Burlington Northern Railroad's logo. At the onsite Dining Car restaurant, entrees range from bacon-wrapped buffalo meatloaf to pistachio-crusted sea bass. A heated patio provides a scenic setting in which to sample the inn's signature huckleberry cobbler.

Cross-country ski trails surround the chalet, and ski instructors are on hand to give lessons or guide fledgling skiers along custom routes. Half-day snowshoe tours trek past centuries-old larch trees and over suspension bridges. In warmer months, the meticulously groomed trails thaw and wildflowers bloom for picturesque hiking. Nearby, Flathead River rushes with rapids for whitewater rafting or washing Godzilla's swim trunks.

Essex, Montana: Historical Railroad Town in the "Crown of the Continent"

Nearly equidistant from northwestern Glacier National Park's eastern and western entrances, Essex began as a tiny town along the Great Northern Railway and has changed little since its humble beginnings. Snow-capped pine trees still surround the remote village, now the only flag stop on Amtrak's Empire Builder route.

Called the "Crown of the Continent" by naturalist George Bird Grinnell, the surrounding Glacier National Park spans more than a million acres with blue-tinged glacial mountains and more than 700 miles of hiking trails. Weather permitting, the park's signature red Jammer buses cruise from the inn and into the western entrance via the picturesque Going-to-the-Sun Road, famous for its tight turns tucked along the mountainside. Sights include Lake McDonald and Wild Goose Island, where migratory geese vacation for spring break.

Ochos Rios, Jamaica: $959.00 for All-Inclusive Caribbean Resort in Jamaica ($1,980.00 value)

Adults-Only Caribbean Resort with Private Beach

Along the northern coast of Jamaica, the famous Dunn's River Falls flows down 600 feet of tiered ledges before spilling into the Caribbean Sea. A few minutes west, Jewel Dunn's River Beach Resort & Spa pays homage to its namesake with its own terraced waterfall that empties into a massive pool. It's one of many luxurious features at the adults-only, all-inclusive resort, which occupies a prime, verdant spot along the coastline.

Floating blue lounge chairs slowly drift beneath footbridges in the pool, and concierges will wade in waist-deep to deliver fruit kebabs, eucalyptus sprays, or a voodoo doll of your boss. Complimentary kayak rentals are available for those who'd like to explore the Caribbean. Afterwards, you can head down to the Radiant Spa for relaxing body treatments that incorporate Jamaican ingredients such as sugar cane, Blue Mountain coffee, and crushed coral.

Throughout the day, the resort's casual and formal restaurants serve an eclectic range of international fare. At The Jade Samurai teppanyaki chefs twirl knives tableside, while the cooks at Platinum craft jerk-chicken spring rolls and other Caribbean-inspired dishes. At night, retire to a colonial-themed room, where you?ll find a four-poster mahogany bed and tiled floors. There?s a nice view of the Caribbean from Sapphire rooms and one-bedroom suites, and many Emerald Lanai rooms overlook the forested mountains surrounding town.

Ocho Rios, Jamaica: Famed Waterfall and World-Class Shopping

Located within the parish of St. Ann on Jamaica's north coast, Ocho Rios is best known for Dunn's River Falls, which served as a filming location for the first James Bond movie, Dr. No. Today, tour groups frolic at the bottom of the waterfall or make the 600-foot climb to the top, typically achieved by linking hands and being carefully led by a local guide.

There?s a host of things to see below the ocean surface, too. Dive sites such as Devil's Reef contain anemones, coral, algae, barracudas, and the Miami Marlins baseball squad practicing in its natural habitat. For a look at Jamaica?s rainforest, drive south of Ocho Rios to Fern Gully, a gorge shaded by a canopy of ferns, trees, and lianas.

Read the Fine Print for important info on travel dates and other restrictions.

Magnificent Mile, Chicago: $99.00 for 4-Star Hotel on Chicago's Magnificent Mile ($199.00 value)

Four-Star 1920s Hotel Restored to Jazz Age Elegance on Magnificent Mile

When the Millennium Knickerbocker opened its doors at the height of the Roaring Twenties?back then, it was named the Davis Hotel?the gothic-inspired building embodied all the glamour of the era. In the ballroom, dancers whirled atop a floor of glass tiles lit from underneath, making the room's mirrors, chandeliers, and gilded dome glitter like crystal. Rumor has it that the 14th-floor penthouse once served as a Prohibition-era speakeasy run by Al Capone's brother, Ralph.

Today, on the eve of the hotel's 85th anniversary, a $27 million renovation has restored the building's Jazz Age opulence while updating accommodations to modern-day standards of comfort. The Crystal Ballroom has transparent flooring made of Plexiglas, and the martini bar in the lobby serves fancy cocktails out in the open, including 58 different martinis in varieties such as mango and limoncello. Telltale signs of the past remain, however, from the embossed brass post box beside the elevators to the stained-glass accents topping the lobby's two-story french windows. Tuesday?Saturday evenings (6 p.m.?9 p.m.), a live pianist performs classical and jazzy melodies as the ghost of Zelda Fitzgerald performs the Charleston.

Upstairs, both the standard and superior guest rooms feature black-and-white photographs of Chicago landmarks such as Cloud Gate?better known as "The Bean"?as well as partial glimpses of Lake Michigan, which is visible between surrounding skyscrapers. Come morning, the onsite restaurant, NiX, serves up breakfast specialties such as organic omelets and orange-granola pancakes made with fresh juice.

Chicago's Magnificent Mile: Luxury Shopping and World-Class Culture

The Knickerbocker rises at the northern end of the Magnificent Mile, amid luxury high-rises, award-winning restaurants, and high-end boutiques. "It's a shopping mecca, obviously," says hotel concierge Sheryl Walerski. Designer brands such as Louis Vuitton, Ralph Lauren, and Giorgio Armani all have stores within walking distance. Architectural landmarks along the route document the city's history. The castle-like Chicago Water Tower, for instance, is one of the few buildings to have survived the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 as well as the Mothra state visit of 1962.

While nearby Rush Street bustles with nightclubs and bars, there's also a plethora of cultural institutions nearby. The Tony Award?winning Lookingglass Theatre Company stages eye-popping original work. You can see several centuries' worth of visual art, ranging from ancient China to present-day America, on display at the Art Institute of Chicago and the Museum of Contemporary Art.

Malibu: $1,617.00 for One-Week Weight-Loss Program in Malibu ($2,695.00 value)

Award-Winning Weight-Loss Retreat near Sunny Pacific Coast

Since 2004, tens of millions of viewers have tuned into the hit reality show The Biggest Loser to watch contestants shed pounds and revamp their eating habits during an intense weight-loss competition. Season winners invariably emerge 100?150 pounds lighter, with completely reshaped physiques. The show?s focus on committing to strict exercise and nutritional regimens is also at the core of The Biggest Loser Resort at Fitness Ridge, Malibu, which was voted a top 10 fitness program in the SpaFinder Readers' Choice Awards in 2011, and named one of Spas of America's top 100 spas.

The resort's weight-loss program fits exercise, healthy meals, and lifestyle seminars into a daily schedule from 6 a.m. until 7 p.m. Certified personal trainers might jump-start mornings with hikes through the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, a beautiful, Mediterranean-like mountain range with both beginner and expert trails.

At mealtimes, the resort provides nutritious, low-calorie meals designed by registered dieticians, holistic nutritionists, and Culinary Institute of America?trained executive chef Rodolfo Reyes. For dinner, you could celebrate a productive day with a hawaiian chicken bowl, topped off with key-lime cr?me br?l?e for dessert. Breakfast and lunch provide energy for additional exercises throughout the day, which may include water aerobics, kickboxing, or yoga.

Between workouts, groups attend lectures on weight training and nutrition education, including food-label reading and body-workout recovery. An onsite, full-service spa rewards hard-working participants with massages, facials, and acupuncture treatments (not included with this Groupon).

One of the hallmarks of the program is a supportive team environment, as each person encourages other members of the team to push further than they thought they could go. At the end of the week, trainers record each guest's weight and measurements and note their progress. But the program doesn?t necessarily have to end there; the experience should help guests stick with a healthier lifestyle long after their stay.

Salt Lake City: $69.00 for Hotel & Suites near Downtown Salt Lake City ($119.00 value)

Top Reasons to Visit Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites Salt Lake City-Airport West

• Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) is 3 miles away, and the hotel has a complimentary airport shuttle that will pick you up.

• You?ll be fewer than 15 minutes from downtown Salt Lake City and close to ski resorts in the Wasatch Range mountains, such as Park City Mountain Resort, Alta Ski Area, and Brighton Resort.

• The newly built, award-winning hotel is the only full-service Holiday Inn in Salt Lake City, and has an onsite restaurant and bar, Wingtips Bar and Bistro, and a stylish lobby.

• The standard and deluxe rooms are spacious and homey, with mini fridges and free WiFi.

• The hotel has a heated indoor pool and a hot tub, as well as an onsite fitness center.

Salt Lake City: Mormon Heritage, Skiing, and the Great Salt Lake

Circled by mountains on every side, Utah's capital city occupies a fertile valley that draws visitors each year looking to play in the great outdoors. Skiing is of course one of the most popular pastimes. Thanks to the nearly 500 inches of snow the area receives annually, several year-round resorts offer access to slopes suitable for skiers of all skill levels. Northwest of the city lies the Great Salt Lake?the largest saltwater lake in the Western Hemisphere.

Those interested in the origins of the city or the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints can check out the Church History Museum, home to a large collection of Mormon art and artifacts. If you?re looking to research your own genealogy, visit the Family History Library and search through a large database with the help of professional staffers and trained volunteers. The library is open to the general public for no charge. Before leaving town, don?t forget to take a tranquil stroll through the Temple Square gardens surrounding the iconic Salt Lake Temple.

Read the Fine Print for important info on travel dates and other restrictions.

Ivins, UT: $2,754.00 for Stay at The Biggest Loser Resort in Utah ($4,590.00 value)

Award-Winning Weight-Loss Retreat in Southwest Utah

Since 2004, tens of millions of viewers have tuned into the hit reality show The Biggest Loser to watch contestants shed pounds and revamp their eating habits during an intense weight-loss competition. Season winners typically emerge 100?150 pounds lighter, with completely reshaped physiques. The show?s focus on committing to strict exercise and nutritional regimens is also at the core of The Biggest Loser Resort at Fitness Ridge Utah, which was voted #1 in the Spas of America's Top 100 Spas of 2011.

The resort's weight-loss program fits exercise, healthy meals, and lifestyle seminars into a daily schedule from 6 a.m. until 7 p.m. Certified personal trainers might jump-start mornings with hikes through the region's red-rock canyon landscape, which enjoys more than 300 days of sunshine per year.

At mealtimes, the resort provides nutritious, low-calorie meals designed by registered dieticians, holistic nutritionists, and Executive Chef Cameron Payne, who received training at Le Cordon Bleu and from Wolfgang Puck. For dinner, you could celebrate a productive day with a Hawaiian chicken bowl, topped off with key lime cr?me brulee for dessert. Breakfast and lunch provide energy for additional exercises throughout the day, which may include water aerobics, kickboxing, or yoga. Between workouts, groups attend lectures on weight training and nutrition education, including food-label reading and body-workout recovery. The onsite spa, The Retreat, rewards hard-working participants with massages, facials, and acupuncture treatments (not included with this Groupon). In 2011, The Retreat won Spa magazine's Reader's Choice Award for Best Weight-Loss Spa.

One of the hallmarks of the program is a supportive team environment, as each person encourages other members of the team to push further than they thought they could go. At the end of the week, trainers record each guest's weight and measurements and note their progress. But the program doesn?t necessarily have to end there; the experience should help guests stick with a healthier lifestyle long after their stay.

Read the Fine Print for important info on travel dates and other restrictions.

Keio Plaza Hotel: $1,599.00 for Tokyo and Beijing Tour with Airfare ($0.00 value)

Sightseeing Tour of Two Capital Cities with Ancient Marvels and Modern City Centers

Beijing and Tokyo effortlessly blend the past and the present, with neon city centers interspersed with temples, shrines, and gardens dating back thousands of years. On this 10-day, 8-night tour of Beijing and Tokyo from Friendly Planet Travel, you?ll discover both new marvels and ancient monuments as you visit the Great Wall of China, Tokyo Tower, and Tokyo?s stylish shopping districts. The tour includes roundtrip airfare and transfers in Tokyo and Beijing from Los Angeles or San Francisco, as well as luxury accommodations, guided tours, and daily breakfast.

Click here for the full itinerary.

Days 1?5: Beijing, China

After arriving in Beijing, you?ll transfer to the 4.5-star Kempinski Hotel Beijing to rest up after the long journey. The next morning, the group takes a full-day guided tour, including a provided lunch, of the Great Wall of China. The wall, which took more than 2,000 years to build, zigzags across approximately 3,750 miles of hills and mountains.

Explore Beijing at your leisure for the next two days. You can also sign up for an optional excursion (extra fees) to a nearby attraction, such as the Temple of Heaven, the sacred grounds where Ming and Qing emperors prayed for good harvests, the Summer Palace, a collection of pavilions, temples, and palaces surrounding Kunming Lake, or the Forbidden City, the ancient seat of power for the Ming and Qing dynasties. See the full list of excursions here.

Days 6?10: Tokyo, Japan

You?ll board a flight to Tokyo in the morning and then check in to the 4-star Keio Plaza Hotel upon arrival. The following day, take a guided city tour that visits the Tokyo Tower?a red and white tower modeled after the Eiffel Tower. You?ll also see a Japanese shrine and the Imperial Palace?s gardens, where the current emperor of Japan keeps his video-game collection. The final stop of the day is Ginza, an entertainment district lined with boutiques, restaurants, and the famous Kabuki Theater.

Spend the next few days sightseeing on your own?your hotel is just a few minutes from Shinjuku Station, where you can catch a train to many of Tokyo?s major attractions. Alternatively, take an optional excursion (extra fees). These include a tour around the stylish Shinjuku ward or a trip to Mount Fuji, Japan?s highest peak and a major influence on its artwork. For more information on each excursion, click here.

Read the Fine Print for important info on travel dates and other restrictions.

Oxnard, CA: $69.00 for Hotel Suites near California Coast ($119.00 value)

All-Suites Hotel near Oxnard?s Historic Downtown

About an hour?s drive from Los Angeles sits the town of Oxnard, a major agricultural area with fertile soils and a warm, Mediterranean climate. Today, Oxnard is best known for its strawberry farms, but the town first sprang up in the early 1900s after the Southern Pacific Railroad built a direct line to its beet factory. Within a few years, the town square was lined with schools, churches, and homes, as well as a classical-style public library donated by Andrew Carnegie. You can still visit the library, now the Carnegie Art Museum, and see some of the town?s earliest buildings in the historic downtown, a 10-minute drive from the GrandStay Residential Suites Oxnard.

The hotel?s one-bedroom suites feature separate living areas and full kitchens stocked with cookware, dishes, and utensils. In the morning, head to the lobby for a complimentary breakfast buffet with pastries, fresh waffles, and Seattle?s Best coffee. Outside, there?s an outdoor pool and whirlpool, as well as a putting green for practicing swings or large-scale dance numbers.

Oxnard, California: Strawberry Capital of the World with Historic Homes and Whale Watching

About 60 miles west of Los Angeles, the town of Oxnard encompasses 7 miles of white-sand beaches that spread out along the Pacific coast. Several paved cycling trails and bikeways run along the beachfront, connecting it to downtown Oxnard and Channel Islands Harbor. From here, you can hop on a boat to Channel Islands National Park?the park spans five rocky islands a few miles offshore?to hike, to kayak, or whale watch. Gray whales frequent the chilly, Pacific waters between December and April as they migrate north to Alaska.

Oxnard?s historic downtown is just a few miles west of the hotel. Here, you can take a tour of restored Victorian and Craftsman homes along Heritage Square and visit the neoclassical Carnegie Art Museum. Originally built as a public library by Andrew Carnegie in the early 1900s, the building now displays contemporary California artwork.

California supplies nearly 85% of the country?s strawberries, and Oxnard is one of the state's largest producers, leading some to call it the Strawberry Capital of the World. The town?s California Strawberry Festival is held in May, but you can still taste the region?s famous produce throughout the fall and winter?in Oxnard, strawberries grow year-round.

Read the Fine Print for important info on travel dates and other restrictions.

Gig Harbor, WA: $99.00 for Quaint Inn on Waterfront Property in Puget Sound ($199.00 value)

Serene Waterfront Inn in the Heart of Gig Harbor

On the Waterfront Inn?s 1,500-square-foot wooden deck, you can sip coffee and get an unimpeded view of sailboats and ducks cruising past in Gig Harbor, Washington. The inn, constructed from a circa-1918 fisherman's house, is the only lodging directly on the water in tiny Gig Harbor. Right out the front door, you'll also be able to walk to the quaint shops and local restaurants nearby; Smithsonian magazine named Gig Harbor one of the "20 Best Small Towns in America."

Most rooms at the Waterfront Inn feature a river-rock gas fireplace and a jacuzzi tub, and all have private entrances. Each of the nautically named rooms has a distinct personality, too. The Crow's Nest stands 20 feet from the water's edge and has a private patio. Meanwhile, The Lookout room has a vaulted ceiling and is done up in cool white linens.

In the morning, you can use an included coupon to get breakfast at a local restaurant. By day, feel free to grab one of the Waterfront Inn's kayaks and go for a paddle on Gig Harbor, named the top harbor by Coastal Living.

Gig Harbor, Washington: Historical Fishing Town with Quaint Downtown Shops and Wineries

Gig Harbor, located on a bay of Puget Sound about 45 minutes southwest of Seattle and between the Olympic and Cascade mountain ranges, has traditionally been a boat-building town and fishing hub. You can learn more about the history of the seafaring community at the Harbor History Museum, where a 65-foot fishing vessel is on display and personal stories and artifacts give visitors a glimpse of what life in Gig Harbor used to be like. Scores of commercial fishing boats gather the first weekend in June during the Maritime Gig Festival for the annual Blessing of the Fleet ceremony.

These days, people come in droves to appreciate the town's lovely vistas of Mount Rainier, as well as the antique shops, art galleries, and upscale boutiques along Gig Harbor's historical downtown streets. The area is also well known for its wineries, most of which have tasting rooms and tours available to the public.

Read the Fine Print for important info on travel dates and other restrictions.

San Antonio, TX: $132.00 for Sprawling 4-Star Resort in Texas Hill Country ($249.00 value)

Lavish 4-Star Resort in Texas Hill Country

Texas Hill Country is lined with green hilltops and undulating valleys; the New York Times has compared the landscape to Tuscany. It's fitting that the ?ilan Hotel Resort & Spa is situated on a property made up of Tuscan-style buildings with open verandas and arches. Nearby there's a spacious piazza with a sparkling fountain as the centerpiece. The property functions as its own small city, in fact; there's a spa, an upscale restaurant, and six manicured gardens on site. The palatial plot is set just 20 minutes from downtown San Antonio.

The full-service spa has 10 different treatment rooms, including 2 Turkish Rasul mud rooms and separate men's and women's relaxation rooms. You can also head to the outdoor pool area and soak up the Texas sun in one of the lounge chairs, or cool off in the jets of water that spray around its edges.

There's even a butcher shop and an onsite garden on the resort premises. They factor into the menu at Sustenio, the onsite farm-to-table restaurant. Celebrity chef Stephan Pyles uses local and sustainable ingredients to put a twist on classic Texan dishes. The result is a menu rich with homegrown flavor, such as bacon-wrapped Devine wild boar loin and local rotisserie heritage chicken.

When you're ready to retire for the night, you can settle into a classic king or two-queen room with marble accents and a private balcony.

San Antonio, Texas: Historic Missions near Picturesque River Walk

Source: http://kansascityonthecheap.com/2012/11/vacations-on-the-cheap-12/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=vacations-on-the-cheap-12

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