Vacations with Value: Great Spots that Won't Break the Bank

For months now, you've been pinching pennies for a trip to Scotland. You've fantasized about walking the centuries-old cobblestone streets of Edinburgh, climbing the steps of crumbling castles, strolling through the deep green fields of the Highlands, and savoring your first-ever bite of haggis (well, maybe not that one).

But when your plane touches down, your dreams are dashed before you've even stepped out of the arrival gate: Feeling famished after the long flight, you order a combo meal at MacDonald's – and, after working out the exchange rate, realize you've blown $20 on a measly burger!

The mighty American dollar is way down these days – even Australia's beating us. Lavish European vacations are out of the question for most of us, now that we're stuck paying almost $1.50 for every Euro, and over two dollars per British pound. But that doesn't mean you can't take a trip abroad in style – you just might have to look elsewhere. We've rounded up a few vacation destinations that provide five-star luxury at one-star prices.

Now that the weather's getting colder, it could be time to follow the birds and fly down south for winter (or at least a week or two). If Florida's not your scene, try going a little farther for the cheapest beach break around: Máncora, Peru. In this low-key seaside town, you'll find oceanfront hotels for $40. If you don't mind a minute's walk to the surf, you can score a room in town for as little as ten bucks. A delicious authentic Peruvian lunch, including ceviche (the national dish, made with seafood and sweet potato), fried yucca, and ice-cold beer, won't break the bank, either – a full meal costs less than $6, and will leave you satisfied all day long. Want to bring home a traditional South American souvenir? Pick up a beautiful necklace made with seeds from the Amazon rainforest for only $7.

Not crazy about surf and sand? If you wore black nail polish all through high school, you'll adore a visit to the inner sanctum of Count Dracula himself: The eastern European country of Romania. And even if there's not a Goth bone in your body, you can't go wrong with a trip to this beautiful country: It's filled with history, breathtaking scenery, and marvelous museums – but best of all, it's ultra-cheap. You'll have no trouble finding a hotel for under $50, and most meals are less than $10. And for only $5, you can buy your way into the dark and hallowed halls of the blood-sucking count himself at Bran Castle, former home of Vlad the Impaler, the inspiration behind Bram Stoker's Dracula.

If you want that Western European charm without the stroke-inducing prices, head on down to beautiful Buenos Aires, Argentina. This budget-friendly Latin American country has a heavy Spanish and Italian influence, but with better weather, and its capital city has all the beauty of its counterparts to the North. Argentina is world-famous for its giant platters of steak, which come from healthy grass-fed beef that's far superior to anything you'll find in Whole Foods. And you can buy an entire dinner for only $5 – probably less than you'd pay for a pint of beer at your favorite local BBQ joint. Want to learn to tango? Put on your dancing shoes and get a lesson for just $3. When you're tired out from that, you'll need a place to rest your head: You can find a place to sleep for as little as $7 a night, but if you want to live it up with a night at a four-star suite, complete with hot tub, you can settle your bill for a mere $60.

Feel like going French, but don't want to brave the Paris prices? Just head across the border into the Canadian province of Quebec. Take a drive around the countryside and stop in at one of the province's many dairies to try a forbidden-in-America raw milk cheese, or go for an evening stroll along the quaint streets of Quebec City, where you'll find a festival nearly every night. Quebec City and Montreal are both home to many beautiful B&Bs, where a delicious European-style meal is included with your room price, and you're sure to find plenty of great deals in the scenic countryside as well. Since the U.S. and Canada are almost dollar-for-dollar these days, nothing's quite as cheap as it used to be – but it's far less costly than a trip to the Continent, and the jet lag's not so bad, either.

Though Britain and much of Europe may break the bank, there are still plenty of affordable vacation options for the frugal traveler. You'll find more great travel hot spots in Tim Leffel's The World's Cheapest Destinations, or check out Terrance Zepke's Encyclopedia of Cheap Travel for tips on saving money in any locale. No matter where you go, don't worry too much about your budget – you are on vacation, after all. But it's always more fun with a fat wallet.

Original story by Kathryn Hawkins