Forbes asked us for our recommendations on the best places to go this summer. Our list is long, but three made it to the top – Ethiopia, Scotland & Greenland! Take a look at these 24 places while planning your summer vacations.
Laura Begley Bloom, Senior Contributor at Forbes Women shares, “Summer travel season is here, which usually means big crowds, inflated prices and higher airfares. The good news is that in 2019, gas prices are on the decline. But that only gets you so far. Where you go is a major consideration when it comes to saving money. I tapped into a number of travel experts who shared their tips for the cheapest places to travel this summer. Their choices for budget-friendly vacations prove you don’t have to break the bank if you pick the right spot. See the full list, below, of the cheapest places to travel in summer 2019, and compare it to the most affordable summer spots for 2018 and 2017. Now, spin the globe and start planning that cheap and easy summer vacation.”
Sharing the three destinations we recommended below. Click here to see all 24 places!
Iceberg spotting in Greenland. PHOTO COURTESY OF PATRICIA STONE/@GLOBAL_ADVENTURESS INSTAGRAM
Where: Greenland
Chosen By: Patricia Stone founded Global Adventuress. She has traveled to 170 countries and shares her handpicked favorites for unique destinations for solo, girlfriends, couples and family travel. Her award-winning site has been featured in Forbes, the LA Times, San Francisco Chronicle, Toronto Star and USA Today. Follow her on Instagram @global_adventuress.
Why: Greenland — an autonomous nation within the Kingdom of Denmark — is an adventurer’s paradise. With 16 villages and 17 cities, the population numbers less than 60,000 in the largest non-continental island on earth. Global warming is impacting its ever-changing landscape of glaciers and icebergs (the last remains of the Ice Age), so the time to visit is now. Outdoor enthusiasts will find a multitude of things to do, including wilderness tours, wildlife spotting, hiking, kayaking, fishing and hunting. In summer, whales often come close to shore in Nuuk or Ilulissat. Music and sports fans can enjoy many concerts and events for free. Adventurers who love to hike and camp will find plenty of space to roam in the backcountry, countryside and wilderness. Visit a small settlement, meet with hunters, fishermen and learn about Greenlandic history. Forage for berries and herbs or catch your own fish or buy organic, exotic and top-quality meats from local hunters at a great price. Take a day hike from Oqaatsut to Ilulissat. Where to stay? At Ilulissat Guesthouse, Kasper and his family will ensure you have a comfortable stay. Or connect with the Greenlandic people through a homestay or traditional kaffemik in a local’s home. Check out the special deals from Air Greenland. Another tip: Save up and splurge on a flight with Air Zafari and see aerial views of the icebergs and glaciers.
Wardhill Castle in Scotland PHOTO COURTESY OF PATRICIA STONE/@GLOBAL_ADVENTURESS INSTAGRAM
Where: Scotland
Chosen By: Patricia Stone founded Global Adventuress. She has traveled to 170 countries and shares her handpicked favorites for unique destinations for solo, girlfriends, couples and family travel. Her award-winning site has been featured in Forbes, the LA Times, San Francisco Chronicle, Toronto Star and USA Today. Follow her on Instagram @global_adventuress.
Why: The U.K.’s northernmost country, Scotland is brimming with natural beauty (lochs, glens, mountain wildernesses) and things to discover (golf courses, vibrant cities, castles, whiskey distilleries, national parks and walking trails). We rented a car and spent two weeks exploring and found there’s plenty to do for free or minimal costs. Highlights included: hiking trails from Glencoe to Isle of Skye. Visiting castles for free or a nominal fee. Spending a day at the Balmedie Beach. A whiskey distillery tour at Glencoyne for as little as $15 for a wee tasting. Renting a bike at Outfit Moray and cycling the Moray Firth Coastal Trail. Strolling through old villages like Luss along Loch Lomond’s shores. Touring the Royal Yacht Britannia for only $20. Browsing art galleries in Edinburgh and Glasgow, as well as antique shops in Stockbridge. You can also hit the road with these ultimate road trips: Northeast 250 Route, which includes mountain passes, the Speyside Whiskey Trail, the rugged coastline, historic castles and picturesque seaside villages. Or drive the Northcoast 500, Scotland’s route 66, where you will see 500 miles of stunning coast in the Northern Highlands. In Stonehaven at The Bay Fish & Chips, locally sourced fish dishes start at around $5. Near Glencoe, stop at The Laroch for a delicious and affordable dinner. Where to stay? You can experience the Leslie family’s 12th-century Wardhill Castle at an affordable price. This is where the family’s daughter, Rose Leslie, and Kit Harington of Game of Thrones held their wedding celebration. It’s a grand castle set on 400 acres of woodlands with rates around $78 per person per night (based on a seven-night stay for 16 people). Guests can even request a bagpiper’s welcome for an additional fee.
Local women in Ethiopia. PHOTO COURTESY OF PATRICIA STONE/@GLOBAL_ADVENTURESS INSTAGRAM
Where: Ethiopia
Chosen By: Patricia Stone founded Global Adventuress. She has traveled to 170 countries and shares her handpicked favorites for unique destinations for solo, girlfriends, couples and family travel. Her award-winning site has been featured in Forbes, the LA Times, San Francisco Chronicle, Toronto Star and USA Today. Follow her on Instagram @global_adventuress.
Why: Called the “cradle of mankind,” Ethiopia is rich in Christian and Islam history, with 30,000 churches and a Coptic-style calendar offering 13 months of sunshine. Even the Queen of Sheba lived here. And it’s one of the most affordable destinations in the world. Dramatic landscapes abound, from arid plains to chains of lakes in the Rift Valley (visible from space). There’s wildlife like the Gelada baboon and bird watching with 850 species. Visit Lalibela to see the rock-hewn churches that date to 1200 AD. Discover Axum, a 3,000-year-old city. Explore the Omo Valley and visit tribal ethnic groups who live as they have for thousands of years. Trek to the Roof of Africa in Northern Ethiopia and the Simien Mountains, one of the most spectacular ranges in Africa. See the moon-like landscape at the Denakil Depression, one of the lowest and hottest places on earth. Take a boat cruise to Lake Tana, the source of the mighty Blue Nile River. Marvel at the fairytale castles of Gonder. Haile Gebrselassie’s Hotel is part of an affordable hotel chain owned by Ethiopia’s Olympic gold runner. At Old Abyssinia Lodge in Lalibela, tukul-style rooms with stunning mountain views start at $59 per night. For less than $10, eat like the locals and order injera, a spongy-like sour pancake with a variety of vegetable and meat toppings. Grand Holidays Ethiopia Travel & Tours — named one of the best adventure companies on earth by National Geographic — can help customize an itinerary within your budget.
