#Beaches: Albania The Albanian Riviera is a gorgeous, yet overlooked, stretch of Mediterranean coastline. Its pristine beaches flanked by dramatic mountains easily rival the pricier tourist meccas of neighbouring Croatia and Greece. For an unforgettable introduction to the region, drive from Vlorë along the Llogara Pass, a spectacular switchback road that leads down to the turquoise bays of the Ionian Sea. #Culture: Berlin The German capital is, arguably, the most exciting cultural destination in Europe. Offbeat, cool and a little wild, this multicultural city is renowned for its creativity, with edgy galleries, independent museums, music, theatre and contemporary arts flourishing alongside major cultural and historic attractions such as Museum Island, the Reichstag, Checkpoint Charlie and Daniel Libeskind’s remarkable Jewish Museum. #Romance: Czech Republic It’s hard not to be wooed by this central European country. With an abundance of classic fairytal...

With a little advance planning, you can land the best wallet-friendly deals, this summer. 1. Collaborate with friends. Renting a large beach house with a group of friends can be more affordable than traveling with just immediate family. Since beach (and lake) houses can often accommodate multiple families, this method often reduces the cost significantly. Sites such as homeaway.com and vrbo.com make it easy to rent larger homes. 2. Pay for the trip in advance. Saving up for a vacation ahead of time is the best way to make sure it doesn't end up on a credit card. Setting aside an amount for a vacation fund at the start of the year can ensure your days on the beach aren't ruined by anxiety over debt. 3. Escape inland. Vacations in popular coastal cities such as New York, Miami and San Francisco tend to cost a lot. Americans looking to avoid those crowds and get better deals should consider cities often overlooked by foreigners, such as Chicago, Atlanta, Dallas and Den...