15.Budapest, Hungary
Your historic spa capital for finding love (and chess) on the Danube
Why it's so cheap: Budapest is home to some of the best heated spas in Europe, with day-pass entrances starting at $15. Airbnbs can be found for around $10 a night, and those Eastern European dinners of slow-cooked meats and unforgiving heavy beers won’t exactly break the bank. A well-connected train service links the Renaissance city to Istanbul, Vienna, Berlin and beyond.
Why you should go: Budapest is my go-to date spot. The romantic city is full of old-time rigor, a mish-mash of communist, Turkish, and Roman architecture with an excessive amount of cultural landmarks. Sitting atop a natural bed of thermal energy on the Danube, its real charm lies in the multitude of spas that line the banks. Channel your inner Roman and luxuriate in the heated mineral baths and saunas -- ideally with someone you like -- or challenge a more-than-willing local to a game of chess at the renowned Széchenyi Bath.
16.Dublin, Ireland
Flights to England’s quainter, prettier cousin are silly cheap right now
Why it's so cheap: In what may be the craziest flight deal of the decade, Norwegian Air will now fly you from various East Coast airports to Dublin for as little as $65 one way. It may be from an airport you’ve never heard of, but for those prices, you’re basically obligated to book a ticket. Once there, hotels are affordable and a good private hostel within the compact city center run about $40-$80 a night. You’ll want to tour the famous Jameson and Guinness factories, which will cost you a few clams. But there are ways to avoid the expensive admission fees like buying the Dublin Pass, which will give you entrance into any attraction except Trinity College for a more affordable daily flat rate.
Why you should go: It’s perfect for a weekend jaunt across the pond! Dublin is one of the friendliest European cities; nearly everyone feels like your sweet, old grandma. Its famous pubs like Temple Bar, its impressive Hogwarts-esque library inside Trinity College and the cutest tea parlors like the Cake Café are not to be missed. Plus, Ireland is so small it’s easy to do day trips to the breathtaking Cliffs of Moher and Blarney Castle. Just, one tip: Don’t kiss the Blarney Stone. Locals like to pour something on it, and it ain’t beer.
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