Top Places to Visit in 2008
 
For travelers on a budget, these places offer great value: With a wealth of attractions, they're affordable without necessarily being cheap. Going on vacation doesn't have to cost a fortune. It's possible to see the world without breaking the bank — and you don't have to bunk in hostels or pack a sleeping bag to do it. Money-saving strategies include venturing to off-the-beaten track destinations, avoiding tourist traps, traveling during periods of low demand or simply seeing a place the way the locals do. Here are some of our favorite travel bargains around the globe.
 
 
Kuala Lumpur: The cheapest big city on the planet
The Swiss banking company UBS recently ranked Kuala Lumpur as the world's best travel bargain. The study found that the average tourist would pay $260 for a first-class hotel room, three meals, transportation and a theater outing — less than a quarter what that same night on the town would cost in Londonor Tokyo. An undervalued currency, low inflation rates and subsidized oil prices (which keep taxi fares low) combine to make all of Malaysiaan unrivaled travel bargain. Take in the city's colonial history at Merdeka Square, or marvel at its modern side from the sky bridge linking the Petronas Towers, which reigned as the tallest buildings in the world until 2004. Admission is free for up to 1,300 visitors per day.
 
 
Zion: The jewel of America's national parks
Zion recently raised its admission prices, but at $25 per carload (good for seven days), it's still a fraction of what you'd pay to haul the kids to a theme park. All of America's national parks are serious bargains, but maybe none more so than this peaceful oasis just two hours from Las Vegas. Zion has no single central attraction, so crowds are dispersed throughout the park. To get even farther away from it all, ascend the switchback trail to Observation Point. Camping is free (obtain a permit in advance from www.nps.gov/zion), while numerous hotels and lodges outside the park offer luxurious comforts for less than $100 a night for those who don't want to rough it, or who need a hot tub to soothe their trail-weary muscles.
 
Nicaragua: The new Costa Rica
Leave it to the surfers to find gorgeous, deserted white-sand beaches with cheap eats, free-flowing rum and simple accommodations at discount prices. But their secret is out. Nicaragua is commonly considered the next Costa Rica, its neighbor to the south. The countries share much in common: language, cuisine, tropical climate, volcanoes and great opportunities to spot sea turtles. For years, the biggest difference was political: Costa Rica has long been a peaceful oasis, while up until recently, Nicaragua continually was the scene of ruthless bloodshed. But as political stability has taken root in Nicaragua, so has a burgeoning tourism industry, attracting numerous visitors for whom Costa Rica has become too expensive. Hotel rooms that might fetch $200 a night or more on Costa Rica's most desirable beaches often cost $50 or less on similar strands in Nicaragua's San Juan del Sur.
 
Turkey: The cradle of civilization
Turkey has more historic sites than Greece, and more Roman ruins than all of Italy. Most of the archaeological attractions are free, and those that aren't are thoroughly inexpensive. So too is the Grand Bazaar — the world's largest — where 400,000 people come to trade their wares daily. Istanbul, where Europe meets Asia, is home to modern luxury hotels (with European-style prices). But get outside the big city and you'll be flooded with bargain options, including charming hotels that occupy their own private beach, for just $50 a night. Soak in Turkey's rich history — literally — take a hamam (a traditional Turkish steam bath) in a bathhouse once used by Roman soldiers or Germany's Kaiser Wilhelm.
 
South Africa: Beautiful beaches before spectacular safaris
The rand is one of the few currencies performing as poorly as the U.S. dollar, making South Africa's glorious beaches and spectacular wildlife parks a relative bargain for American travelers. Safari packagesadvertised in the U.S. may not seem like much of a deal, but if you book your safari when you get to South Africa instead of from home, you'll save hundreds, even thousands of dollars. Savvy travelers fly straight to Cape Town, a modern coastal city that's routinely named one of the most beautiful in the world. To recover from jet lag, spend a few days in the nearby wine country or simply relax on one of the Cape's pristine beaches. When you're ready to go out on safari, walk over to Long Street and choose from the numerous tour operators lining the boulevard. You'll be surprised at how affordable these once-in-a-lifetime adventures.

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