The Italian neighbor has been getting a lot of play in the last few years thanks to its role as the backdrop to Game of Thrones, but if you’re looking for a trip that offers the medieval streets of Europe and the sun-kissed beaches of the Mediterranean, Croatia is still an affordable gem. Visit in early October, once the spring-break crowd departs and hotel prices and airfare drops but the temperatures remain warm enough to dip into Dubrovnik’s outdoor café culture.

Whether your idea of vacation bliss is an all-inclusive beach getaway or an urban jaunt brimming with cultural hijinks, you’ll find plenty of deals in Mexico. Bonus: The Distrito Federal is celebrating its status as 2018 World Design Capital with special events and exhibits throughout the year. You can find airfare from most major cities for under $300; once you touch down, hotels and resort bookings hover right around the $100 per night mark in places like Puerto Vallarta and Mexico City.

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It seems the Argentine peso’s decline always dominates headlines, and this year is no different—good news for dollar-wielding Americans. The government also refunds the 21 percent tax on hotel stays, another boon given the wealth of affordable yet stylish boutique properties in Buenos Aires. And with a food scene that rivals some of the world’s cultural capitals at a fraction of the price, a trip here is a no-brainer. We see lots of Argentine steak and Mendoza wine in your future.

RELATED: 30 Coolest Things to Do in Buenos Aires 

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You know how older generations brag about how cheap it was to visit Europe back in the day? That’s still the case in Vietnam, where visitors to the capital city of Hanoi can indulge in mesmerizing street food, including otherworldly pho soup, for as little as $1 from no-frills curb-side cafés. (Beers are even cheaper—think pennies, not dollars.) Your biggest expense may be airfare, but once on the ground, hotels can be found for the bargain rate of $20 per night. Even five-star accommodations are significantly more affordable than their counterparts elsewhere.

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There’s never been a better time to visit the Land of the Rising Sun. The yen is down against the U.S. dollar, which is also bringing down hotel rates and airfare. True, Japan is still an expensive ticket, but a trip here is a relative deal now—take advantage before the Olympics (and the tourists) come to Tokyo in 2020.

RELATED: The Best Boutique Hotels in Tokyo 

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In the last decade, Cartagena and Bogotá have become darlings of the affordable-travel set, but the real deals can be found in Colombia’s lesser-known destinations. Once considered too dangerous for foreigners, places like Medellín are now welcoming tourists with cool food and cultural scenes, all kept reasonable thanks to the city’s under-the-radar status. Other worthy sights that were once closed off to visitors: Ciudad Perdida, an archaeological ruin 650 years older than Machu Picchu, and the sandy beaches of Tayrona National Park.

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Here’s another destination that isn’t typically considered a bargain, but relative to pricing in recent years, now’s the time to fly to the ends of the earth (or Middle Earth if you’re a Lord of the Rings fan). Airfare is down, and both countries are experiencing a cultural renaissance, with buzzy hotels, restaurants, and shops popping up in Sydney, Melbourne, and Auckland. There’s also something for everyone, including sprawling vineyards for oenophiles and breathtaking natural landscapes for nature lovers.

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With an exchange rate of nearly 33 baht to every U.S. dollar, driven in part by lower tourism than usual, Thailand may be more inexpensive to visit than ever. What that means for you? Fewer crowds and more deals in the hotel sector, though luxury lodgings continue to demand four-figure nightly rates. Go in March or April, when airfare drops but the weather remains hot, not oppressive.

RELATED: 9 Thai Beaches We Love

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The Scandinavian cultural capital was on everyone’s Instagram feed three years ago, a fitting indicator of increased travel there. But now the krone is down against the dollar, making it a good time to visit. There’s also a surge of reasonable boutique hotels and affordable airfare, helping to mitigate costs. Another reason to visit: 2018 marks the 175^th anniversary of Tivoli Gardens, and Copenhagen is rolling out the red carpet with events to commemorate the historic amusement park.

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