8 Bargains For Summer Vacations In Europe In 2017

Scenic European cities are more affordable than they have been in a long time. The exchange rate for the euro, used in 19 countries, is down 28% in the last 3 years. Many Americans may finally feel comfortable splurging on that summer vacation in Europe. But even with the favorable exchange rates, European hotels, meals and museums can still be pricy. Choosing less well-known destinations can be even more affordable while offering a greater sense of adventure with less crowds.

Explore unique and affordable European destinations

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Staying in vacation rentals rather than big hotels, and eating at neighborhood restaurants can go a long way in saving money. Explore these destinations to find the one most interesting to you, and then check out the flight deals and the vacation rental homes (via HomeAway) that are available.

Each of the 8 destinations is also shown with a Holiday Price Barometer index value in terms of $. The higher the amount, the more the holiday destination is expected to cost for basic items.

8. Sorrento, Italy

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Price Barometer: $102

Sorrento is a town overlooking the Bay of Naples in Southern Italy. A popular tourist destination, it can be reached easily from Naples and Pompeii as it is at the south-eastern end of the Circumvesuviana rail line. Sorrento is known as the "Land of Mermaids", "Land of Orange and Lemon Groves", and the "Land of Colors". Famed for its sea cliffs, the town's steep slopes look out over azure waters to Ischia, Capri and the Bay of Naples.

Vacation Rentals  |  Flights

7. Porec, Croatia

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Price Barometer: $88

The town of Poreč is almost 2,000 years old and is set around a harbor protected from the sea by the small island of San Nicola. Poreč is a popular summer resort on the coast of the Istrian Peninsula in western Croatia. In the historic old town, the 6th-century Euphrasian Basilica complex is famous for its gem-studded Byzantine mosaics. Poreč and neighboring Rovinj has been the most visited tourist destination in Croatia for the last 25 years.

Vacation Rentals  |  Flights

6. Corfu, Greece

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Price Barometer: $81

Corfu is a Greek island in the Ionian Sea. It is the second largest of the Ionian Islands, and, including its small satellite islands, forms the northwestern most part of Greece. The island is bound up with the history of Greece from the beginnings of Greek mythology. Its history is full of battles and conquests. Castles punctuating strategic locations across the island are a legacy of these struggles. Two of these castles enclose its capital, which is the only city in Greece to be surrounded in such a way.

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5. Budapest, Hungary

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Price Barometer: $71

Budapest is the capital city of Hungary. With a unique, youthful atmosphere, a world-class classical music scene as well as a pulsating nightlife increasingly appreciated among European youth and, last but not least, an exceptionally rich offering of natural thermal baths, Budapest is one of Europe's most delightful and enjoyable cities. Due to its scenic setting and its architecture, it is nicknamed "Paris of the East".

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4. Paphos, Cyprus

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Price Barometer: $68

Paphos, the capital of western Cyprus, has some serious historical clout. The site of the vast fourth-century BC Tombs of the Kings, set high on a cliff above the sparkling sea, as well as a dramatic Byzantine castle and fine mosaics, it's also known as the birthplace of the goddess Aphrodite. The population of 27,000 is swelled by a summer influx of beach-bound English, German and Scandinavian visitors. A beautiful old harbor awaits, while modern hotels and restaurants stretch along the promenade.

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3. Prague, Czech Republic

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Price Barometer: $66

Prague is the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic. It is the 14th largest city in the European Union. It is also the historical capital of Bohemia. Prague is pleasantly warm in summer while a winter visit is cold but picturesque when the snow falls. Regardless of the season, any time is the perfect time to try some of the delicious local pastries and cheap Czech beer.

Ancient castles, graceful bridges and hundreds of church spires characterize the Czech Republic capital, a city that seems right out of a fairytale. Together with the medieval walls and terra cotta rooftops with chimneys, the church spires paint a fairytale-like picture of this historic Central European city. Add the art and nightlife to the mix and you understand why this is such a popular travel destination.

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2. Tallinn, Estonia

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Price Barometer: $55

Tallinn is the capital and largest city of Estonia. It is situated on the northern coast of the country, on the shore of the Gulf of Finland, 80 km south of Helsinki, east of Stockholm and west of Saint Petersburg in Harju County. From the 13th century until 1918, the city was known as Reval.

Especially in summer, the Old Town is packed with tourists, with the traditional daytrippers from Helsinki increasingly supplemented by Europeans taking advantage of cheap flights. It's both beautiful and affordable.

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1. Costa del Sol, Spain

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Price Barometer: $50

Costa del Sol offers a surprising paradise with some of the best beaches in Spain and a cultural and leisure offering to suit all tastes. Visit its charming towns and villages, discover its natural surroundings and excellent dining. Discover its history through its cultural heritage, and take part in its customs and traditions.

If you want a place to stay and play in the sun, unroll your beach towel at Nerja, the most appealing resort town on the coast. Nearby is a quirky bit of jolly olde England: Gibraltar, which offers a unique cultural mix that makes it far more interesting than the anonymous resorts that line the coast. Beyond "The Rock”, the whitewashed port of Tarifa, is a workaday town with a historic center, broad beaches, and good hotels and restaurants.

Vacation Rentals  |  Flights