There are a lot of perks to being caffeinated 20something. We are energetic, outspoken and downright awesome.. or at least I am. 😉 Unfortunately though, we tend to suffer from extreme brokeness (is that even a word?)… especially during those overpriced college years.

Although our budgets are limited, our imagination is not. Our imaginations, coupled with access to celebrity instagram pages, have made us big dreamers. Is there a way to travel like a celeb without their stacks of money?

YES.

Here is a short list of vacations I have taken that didn’t break the bank:

1. Cruising through the Bahamas!

This one is first simply because it was my least expensive vacation. Between my boyfriend and I, we spent about $800 on the cruise itself – so $400 each (after upgrading from the scary interior vault to an ocean view). The great thing about cruises is that the food is pretty much all complimentary, as well as water, lemonade and (you guessed it) COFFEE! There are certain exceptions, of course, such as the steakhouse and fancy coffee shop – but none of that is necessary to enjoy yourself. You can binge eat on the Lido Deck all day and then enjoy formal dining at night. We did one excursion, which was $109 each. This is absolutely OPTIONAL but was completely worth it. Also, if you want to enjoy some drinks, do it on port. On the beaches we visited we saw great deals – like three beers for $10. Our cruise was four nights on the Carnival Sensation. If you live in a state where another cruise is closer, take that one!

2. New York CIty

I know, I know.. most expensive city bla bla bla. NYC is a cultural mecca – but that doesn’t limit you to museums and Broadway shows. First of all, NEVER stay in Manhattan unless you can afford to shell out 2-300 a night for a decent hotel. I always stay in Queens at random budget hotels on Queens blvd. I am partial to Queens because I know a lot of individuals who live there and I find that it is really easy to navigate. The key is to find a hotel in walking distance of a subway station. You will pay less than $100/night and be a few mins from the city. You would also be surprised to find how much you love a city when you explore it’s hidden gems. I suggest living off cheap (and delicious) pizza and spending your days walking aimlessly. You will enjoy free live music on the subways (but you should tip if the performers are good) and most likely meet interesting characters along the way. I suggest going with friends to cut the cost and experiencing it together. You won’t regret it!

3. VEGAS BABY!

I did the corny thing and saved the best for last. Las Vegas is AMAZING and you don’t have to be Floyd Mayweather to experience its magic. The simple reason as to why this is affordable is that the hotels are EXTREMELY underpriced. For my 21st birthday, we stayed on a 43rd floor junior suite at the Vdara Hotel on the strip for about 100/night. It was gorgeous.. we had an amazing room and views of the Bellagio Fountains. If you still want to save, stay at the more affordable Hooters or Circus Circus. You still get the experience for a lower price. I would just get a group of friends and pack them in a nice room… the more the merrier in Sin City! Now, the reason everything is so inexpensive is because hotels make their money from the casinos. Go to the casinos and play cheap slots. You will have girls coming to offer you free drinks. The trick is to tip them a few dollars each time. That way they keep coming back… and essentially you are getting drinks for $2-3 each time. There is also an abundance of free shows and the tourists alone are entertainment.

This short list should serve to get you excited about traveling in your twenties. I can go more into detail in future posts, but start considering these options. Have fun! 🙂