Okay, so I wanted to find some affordable places to visit in December. Here’s how I went about it, and what I discovered.
My Frugal Travel Quest
First, I brainstormed what “affordable” really meant to me. Was it dirt cheap hostels and street food? Or could I swing a decent hotel if the flights were cheap? I decided I wanted a balance – comfortable, but not extravagant.
Then, I hit up some travel blogs.I love reading people sharing their experiences.I typed some keywords and did some research.

Next, I played around with flight search engines. I wasn’t picky about exactly where I went, as long as it was warm-ish and the flights were a good deal. I fiddled with the dates, being flexible with my departure and return to see what would pop up as the cheapest options.
- I focused on destinations that are generally considered “off-season” in December. This usually means lower prices and fewer crowds.
- I looked at package deals. Sometimes, bundling flights and hotels can save a surprising amount of money.
- I made a list.
After that, I dug into each potential destination. I checked out average hotel prices, looked at free activities (like parks and walking tours), and researched the cost of local transportation. I didn’t want any nasty surprises after I arrived!
I made notes.
Finally, I narrowed it down to a few solid options that fit my budget and seemed like a good time. I compared the pros and cons of each, and… drumroll… made a decision! I booked my trip!
It is done!