4. Siem Reap, Cambodia
Total Cost of a Week for Two: $2,445
Adventurous travelers will find spectacular sights in a lush jungle setting in this Cambodian
cultural capital. Flights to Siem Reap are down almost 11% this year, averaging $812,
according to Hopper. Once you arrive, get your bearings by visiting the Angkor National
Museum ($12 admission), which focuses on the Khmer civilization (the predecessor to the
modern Cambodian state). It’s a great way to put into context the nearby Angkor temples
nearby ($37 for a one-day pass), which cover an area of almost 250 square miles. Allow at
least a few hours to visit the Temple of Angkor Wat, the biggest and arguably most
spectacular of these sites. If you’re looking for a less-traversed temple, check out the
spectacular views from Phnom Bok (included in the Angkor Archaeological Park pass), and
located about 45 minutes outside the city by car. Siem Reap also has a lively street food
scene, especially at night, with vendors that set up opposite the Old Market and near the
Park Hyatt Hotel. Don’t forget to try the potent local rice wine, called sraa.
5. Krakow, Poland
Total Cost of a Week for Two: $3,200
A bustling city full of medieval charm, Krakow is also one of the oldest in Poland. Hopper
reports flights from the U.S. are down 5% over the past year, while the cost to spend a
night averages $107, according to Hotels.com. In the main square of Old Town, you can
listen for the trumpet signal that is played live on the hour from St. Mary’s Basilica. For a
quick bite, check out the city’s milk bars—a holdover from Krakow’s Soviet days, these
former worker canteens now serve cheap, simple dishes like pierogis. (U Stasi, located
in Old Town, is a good bet.) The remnants of the Holocaust loom large in Poland. Several
tour companies offer tours of the old Jewish quarter of Kazimierz, and further afield, you
can visit former concentration camp sites like Auschwitz and Plaszów—the latter made
famous through the film Schindler’s List.
6. Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt
Total Cost of a Week for Two: $3,306
Desert sands and pyramids spring to mind when you think of Egypt, but this city, located on
the Red Sea, is perfect for those seeking beach days and water adventures. Getting here
may require a couple flights, but there are some seriously good values for hotels available.
Rooms go for about $100 on average, more than 40% less than they did in 2015, Hotels.
com found. The Egyptian pound has also weakened against the dollar, allowing you to
better take advantage of top-of-the-line scuba diving and snorkeling trips. That’s important,
because the main attractions here lie below the water line. Experienced divers shouldn’t
miss a visit to Ras Mohammed National Park’s southern tip. Named one of the best dives
in the world by Lonely Planet, it offers views of sheer coral reef walls through dense arrays
of fish and the remains of a Cypriot freighter. Less advanced divers may want to try Ras
Um Sid for a dramatic dropoff that also teems with fish.
7. Sofia, Bulgaria
Total Cost of a Week for Two: $2,725
After centuries of rule by a succession of empires, Sofia is left with an eclectic mix of
Roman ruins, Ottoman-era mosques, domed churches, and Soviet military monuments.
As with many European cities, both airfare and hotel costs have fallen year over year. Start
your sightseeing at Aleksander Nevsky Cathedral, whose golden domes are a striking symbol
of the city; it was constructed to honor soldiers who died fighting for Bulgaria’s independence
during the 19th century Russo-Turkish War. The underground museum at St. Sofia Church
holds an ancient necropolis and the remains of four other churches.
Sample authentic Bulgarian cuisine at Manastirska Magernitsa, whose recipes come from
a monastery. Or try an updated spin on the traditional fare at Moma Bulgarian Food &
Wine, where you’ll want to start with a shot of “rakia.”
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