Best in Travel: the most affordable destinations of the year

More value for your money: here's where to invest your travel budget for maximum satisfaction. And if you're looking for even more information, read Best in Travel.

1. Nepal

Nepalis recovering from earthquakes and strikes that had blocked fuel supplies, making travel within the country very difficult. This remains a fantastic destination for budget-conscious travellers, who can access the best trekking trails and observe little-known animal species for well under US$50 (€44) a day. Visitor numbers are slowly recovering and it is time to return to Nepal's imposing mountains: wherever you go, you will receive a warm welcome, as your visit will bring a source of income that local communities desperately need to get back on their feet.

2. Namibia

In recent years, the Namibian dollar, pegged to the South African rand, has depreciated against many currencies, so now is the ideal time to discover this extraordinary country. Here, you can enjoy unforgettable experiences: spot desert wildlife in theEtosha National Park, trek through the incredible wilderness of the Fish River Canyon and glide with a surfboard over the sand of the impressive Sossusvlei dunes. Avoid the South African and European school holiday periods, especially in late December and January, in order to find the cheapest flights (usually via Johannesburg), or opt for the seasonal charter flights from Frankfurt offered by Condor. Admiring the vast blue skies and clear starry nights, which are one of the most lasting memories of a trip to Namibia, will cost you very little.

3. Porto, Portugal

Here's a city that still manages to stay under the radar, which seems unbelievable when you consider its stunning location on the Rio Douro and the excellent food and accommodation options and affordable prices - not to mention the fleet of low-cost airlines operating flights from all over Europe that allow you to get to Porto without spending much. Portugal 's second city has some affordable museums, charming vintage trams at modest prices that will win over transport fanatics and a pebble beach an hour's walk from the centre along the riverbank. Atmospheric wineries offer cheap tours and tastings, and it is easy to organise day visits to wineries nestled among the vineyards. The francesinha, Porto's typical sandwich of meat, ham, sausage, melted cheese and spicy beer and tomato sauce, will satiate you so much that it may be the only meal of the day, and is so plentiful that it is often enough for two people.

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4. Venice, Italy

Affordable prices and Venice seem two incompatible concepts; nevertheless, the lagoon city remains a very attractive destination, and every day it is reached by hundreds of travellers hoping to visit it without going broke. The classic advice was to stay overnight in Mestre or even Treviso and reach Venice by train to spend the day there, but this solution did not allow one to linger in the city's osterie or take a walk in the calli after dinner. Now that Venetians rent rooms and flats on airbnb and similar sites, tourists can stay in the city and save money. If the accommodation you choose has a kitchen available, you can eat some meals at home, avoid the cost of transport to and from the city, and be the first to get into the hottest spots.

@ AndreyGatash / Getty Images

5. Debrecen, Hungary

Debrecen,Hungary 's second largest city after Budapest, is the country's main budget destination. Now connected to seven European countries by low-cost airlines, the city is opening up to international tourism. Debrecen is rich in history, but thanks to contemporary influences it also offers an expanding modern art scene and a lively summer street party programme. What really sets Debrecen apart is its location on the edge of the puszta (eastern plain), a region that, with its images of Hungarian herdsmen and the Hortobágy National Park, still dominates the traditional romantic view of Hungary.

6. Belize

Belize is often seen as one of the most expensive destinations in Central America, but let's try to look at it from a new perspective. Here you can snorkel or dive as if you were on a Caribbean island, but also visit Mayan archaeological sites such as Caracol, surrounded by dense jungle populated by wildlife such as can only be found in Central America. Moreover, you will never have to cover long distances, as Belize has an area the size of Tuscany. Due to its proximity to Mexico and the Caribbean islands, Belize offers varied and very affordable street food, so it is easy to eat cheaply. It's true that there are overpriced resorts in Ambergris Caye, but head south to Placencia and Hopkins and you'll find beaches with a laid-back atmosphere that are only just beginning to make a name for themselves.

7. Morocco

Stable, accessible and kaleidoscopic, Morocco offers a generous taste of exoticism at modest prices. There is no other country so close and easily accessible from Western Europe and so fascinating in its contrast to our world. Marrakech, which always remains a must-see destination, offers a richer choice of accommodation than ever before, and despite the intense influx of visitors it retains its eternal mix of frenzy and friendliness. Essaouira, once a destination attached to a trip to Marrakech, can now be reached by direct flights from London and Paris. The port city of Tangier is also experiencing a renaissance, with new hotels and restoration projects throughout the once dilapidated old town.

8. Russia

Very cheap exchange rates make this the ideal time to visit Russia while saving money. Of course, a lot depends on how you choose to travel. Searching for the best hotels in Moscow, you can hardly expect to get a good deal, but once you arrive you can save yourself a long stretch of the Trans-Siberian Railway by taking advantage of low-cost air fares to and from the cities at its ends. This is also the ideal time to visit the timeless sights of St Petersburg. Keep an eye on fluctuations in exchange rates, but even if these should change to the detriment of foreign currencies, in any case in 2018, when it hosts the World Cup, Russia will see a further increase in visitor arrivals (and consequently an increase in prices), all the more reason to decide to go earlier.

9. Bellarine Peninsula, Australia

The Bellarine Pen insula has been a favourite destination for generations of Melbourne residents looking for a quiet (read: sleepy) spot outside the city. But today, this area of Victoria offers some great attractions alongside timeless beaches and historic towns like Queenscliff and Portarlington. Notable new destinations include the Jack Rabbit Vineyard and the Flying Brick Cider Co, as well as a walking and cycling trail that follows an old railway line, along which one can make stops to explore the seawater pools between the rocks and enjoy snorkelling and surfing. The peninsula is reached by a ferry crossing from the more famous Mornington Peninsula and is a convenient base to stay for a couple of nights before continuing the journey on the Great Ocean Rd.

10. Upper Peninsula, Michigan, United States

The Midwest is not one of the best known destinations in the United States, let alone the Upper Peninsula. But if you do decide to go there, be prepared to find a region full of attractions to rival the national treasures. The Upper Peninsula is an area of outstanding natural beauty and charm, dotted with towns and villages that recall the romantic realism of Norman Rockwell's illustrations. Being a destination aimed mainly at local tourism, prices are reasonable, crowding is low and the atmosphere is quiet and informal. The region boasts many old lighthouses, hundreds of kilometres of beaches and lake shores, some of the oldest forests in the country and more than 300 waterfalls, from the smallest to the highly spectacular. Mackinac Island, where cars are not allowed, is an irresistible attraction with its 10-square-kilometre hinterland full of original shops and magnificent views.