By Emily Deschamps
Staff Writer
At last, the semester is over and it’s time to put your wanderlust gear on. Whether you’re working this summer or not, these five destinations won’t burn a hole in your pocket. If you’re looking for a fun local weekend experience, we’ve got you covered with the hacks you need to escape, even if it’s only for a weekend.
1. Tulum, Mexico:
Ever wanted to feel like you’re in the middle of a high- end jungle? If so, Tulum is the place for you. Only 90 minutes from Cancun, this little town will help you escape the Cancun party scene in no time. With Airbnb rentals starting at just $36 a night, you’ll be able to afford the tacos at “La Eufemia.” According to Forbes travel writer Emily Siegel, La Eufemia lets you hang out on their beach all day – simply order a drink every hour and avoid paying the lounge chair rental fees at nearby hotels.
2. London, UK
If London has always been on your bucket list, now is the time to book. According to Refinery29. com, there are $400 flights available departing from U.S cities Boston, Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Los Angeles, New York (JFK and Newark), and Philadelphia. Check out Google flights for the deal and sync it to your handy Google calendar.
3. Iceland
I’m sure you’ve seen the Blue Lagoon pictures on Instagram, and ever since the Kardashians made it a thing, traveling to Iceland is cheaper than you think. Farecompare. com did a study on the best time to book a flight, and found that Wednesdays at 3:00 p.m EST is the optimal time to book. Set your alarm to 3 p.m. and let your cheap flight search begin.
4. Cuba
Get ready to step into a time warp as the Cuba travel boom is at an all-time high. Ever since U.S citizens have been able to visit, Cuba has become one of the hottest affordable places to visit in 2017. Flights out of JFK start at $218 in June. But hurry, now is the perfect time to swipe that card as prices change in July.
5. New York City
If you didn’t get the chance to escape to the city during the semester, the summer is definitely the time to take PATH over. Hop on a Citi Bike and explore the Brooklyn bridge. Once you’ve got your work out in, be sure to check out Sweet Chick in Williamsburg. The chicken and waffles is a serious force to be reckoned with. If you decide to go bar hopping afterwards and forget to make it home, apps like hoteltonight.com offer rooms in the city for as little as $50 a night.
