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Home to ancient cities with origins lost to time and some of the most picturesque beaches in the world—as well as the most crowded—the Mediterranean seems to be on everyone’s bucket list for the upcoming summer.

Before you go ahead and book an overpriced Amalfi trip that will be anything from relaxing, with all the jammed traffic and tour buses, there’s a lesser-known resort town in the Eastern Med you should know about, offering sunny weather and Old World vibes.

Unlike all your usual tourism hotspots, however, this one actually fits your budget:

Welcome To The Turkish St Tropez

A mid-size city in the Aegean Coast of Turkey, Bodrum is an incredibly-popular summer destination for Europeans and Turks alike, though many Americans might not be all-that-familiar with it.

Think of it as the Turkish Saint-Tropez, with the same myriad of beach bars, luxury villas overlooking azure waters, and the Instagrammable historic center, except it’s somewhat less boujee (and usually half the price).

According to TIME magazine, these are some of the reasons why Bodrum is one of the top 100 ‘greatest places’ to visit in 2025.

The experts at TIME go further in comparing Bodrum to the Greek islands, which lie just offshore—the trendy Greek holiday island of Kos, for instance, is clearly visible from the Turksih mainland, and a short 51-minute ferry away.

In their own words, Bodrum rivals the ‘decadence’ of the Greek islands, which in recent years, have been overrun by tourists, and for the most part, feel anything but authentic, with the ever-fluctuating population, the seasonal workers, and cruise crowds.

Though Bodrum is no hidden gem itself, it can feel less tumultuous.

A Picture-Perfect Old Town Yet To Be Ruined By Overtourism

The Old Town shares many similarities with Greece, with stone-paved pathways lined with chalk-white dwellings and bougainvillea-clad street cafes.

Unlike Mykonos, Santorini and the like, however, you’re still able to find dirt-cheap ceramic souvenirs and leather sandals in the local bazaar, and gorge on sumptuous three-course dinners by the marina for around $36.80.

If you’re fine with kebabs and other popular takeout foods, that’s a surprisingly-affordable $5.26—$10.52.

Some of our favorite cheap eats in Bodrum include Levant Ocakbasi, for their ‘adana’ kebab, Hadik Balik, a laid-back bistro, famous for their grilled filets and freshly-caught fish, and Mirzaoğlu, everyone’s go-to bakery for that honey-soaked baklava.

Gorgeous White-Sand Beaches

We won’t lie, the beaches in Bodrum do tend to get busy in the warmer months, particularly between June and August, the peak season for travel, but that doesn’t mean you can’t find a hidden spot or two for escaping the crowds.

For that, you’ll want to walk right past Bodrum Beach, the closest ones to the Old Town, unless you’re here for the wide range of amenities and windsurfing.

Take a taxi out to Yahşi instead, an 18-minute drive from town, and a long stretch of soft, clean sand bathed by turquoise waters, away from the shouting children and city sounds.

Further out even, in Aspat, there’s a less developed sandy strip lining a quiet, shallow stretch of the Aegean Sea.

If you’re looking to party Mykonos-style, and you don’t mind splurging a little (for Turkey’s standards), Türkbükü has a big choice of beach bars, including a well-frequented Reana, serving food and drinks all day long, and Miam, where a drink will cost you roughly $11.

For a more family-friendly experience, you can always opt for Camel Beach: be it riding camels (hence the name), paddle-boarding, snorkeling, or taking boat tours of the coastline, there’s plenty to keep you and the kids busy.

Just make sure you get there early in summer to get a good spot.

A Plethora Of Ancient World Wonders

Bodrum is not just picture-perfect alleyways and beaches!

To our fellow culture buffs out there, it is home to a landmark Castle of St. Peter, which dominates the yacht-lined harbor, and was built by an order of knights in the 15th-century.

On the outskirts of Bodrum, near the ruins of the ancient Greek city of Halicarnassus, Bodrum’s precedessor, there’s a partially-preserved, 2,400-year-old theater overlooking the sea.

It used to seat 13,000 spectators, and despite no longer being functional, it continues to command a breathtaking panorama of Bodrum in the distance.

A quick stop on the way, don’t forget to check out Myndos Gate, an equally-ancient structure that formed part of Halicarnassus’ fortifications, and the site of an important battle between Alexander the Great and the Persians.

Fascinating as those may be, Bodrum’s most famous historical monument is the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, not due to its impressive state of preservation—it’s mostly lying in ruins—but because it is one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

Built in 350 BC, it was formerly celebrated for its intricate design, sheer scale, and monumental tombs.

Oh, and like most things in Bodrum, the Mausoleum costs a bargain to visit: 129 Turkish liras, or approximately $3.41.

$77-A-Night For An All-Inclusive

Looking for an affordable-enough stay in Bodrum?

This May, the local Holiday Inn Resort has the cheapest rates and best reviews, with overnights starting at only $49 per adult:

It’s set in a peaceful area, within walking distance of a secluded beach, and the downtown zone is 1.9 miles away, not to mention the sauna (equipped with a Turkish bath), the beautiful outdoor pool, and the fitness center.

There are also all-inclusive offers, from only $77, which you can check out here.

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When you think of remote tropical islands surrounded by turquoise seas and home to luxury all-inclusive resorts, the Maldives are probably at the top of your head.

Known precisely for being less accessible than all your usual Caribbean hotspots—thus, more exclusive—the Indian Ocean country is seen by many as the ultimate sunny getaway:

People will save up for years to spend a single week lounging on its paradisaical beaches.

But what if we told there’s an even more offbeat Maldives dupe that’s not as expensive, and despite its relative anonymity, at least among Americans, has been rising fast in popularity lately?

The Maldives Alternative You’ve Never Even Heard About

Last year, the lesser-known island-nation of Cape Verde, lying off the coast of West Africa, has set new tourism records, hosting over 1.2 million guests.

Though it may not seem like much, this is a country that, similarly to the Maldives, only has about 522,000 inhabitants.

For those of you who are unfamiliar with the country, you should know Cape Verde comprises 10 main islands, scattered loosely in an archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean.

Its official language is Portuguese, by virtue of having been a Portuguese colony, and its culture is largely informed by a mix of Southern European, West African, and even Brazilian influences.

Let’s talk islands:

An Island-Hopping Paradise

The Maldives comparisons likely arise from the island of Sal (Portuguese for Salt), a paradisaical gem surrounded by the turquoise-most seas you’ve ever seen, and where powdered-sugar, white sands extend for miles on end.

Sal is primarily a resort destination, with its hotel-lined beachfront and plethora of beaches.

Staying in the main town, Santa Maria, a small village by any means, with a laid-back atmosphere and a big choice of seafood restaurants, you should expect to pay between $40 (for a one-bedroom holiday rental apartment), and $201 (for an all-inclusive hotel like Meliá).

As you might have noticed, even a luxurious beach getaway in Cape Verde, or Sal specifically, is unlikely to hurt your wallet, with the average price of hotels set at $133, compared to the Maldives’ much-pricier $234.

On top of accommodation, food in Cape Verde is generally affordable: ordering cachupa, a hearty stew of corn, beans, veggies and meat, from a local eatery will cost you around 550 Cape Verdean escudos, or approximately $5.51, while a pint of beer is an equally-cheap $3—3.76.

Granted, you won’t find the latter’s stunning rustic villas built on the water, connected by wooden pathways, but if it’s simply sunshine and relaxation you’re after, not the photo ops, it leaves nothing to be desired.

Cape Verde Is More Diverse Than The Maldives

Plus, Cape Verde offers a lot more diversity than the Maldives ever could.

The Maldives has many more islands, yet they’re largely similar in nature: they all have pristine beaches, vibrant-colored coral reefs, and crystalline seas. Unless you’ve booked yourself a resort with a wide range of amenities, it gets boring after a day or two.

Over in Cape Verde, the beaches of Sal, as dreamy as they may be, are not the only attraction around here:

For desert-like landscapes and even more secluded sandy beaches, Boa Vista is an offbeat island catering primarily to wellness-seekers and home to a limited number of guesthouses.

Staying in a single room at the privately-managed B&B Salinas, in Sal Rei, only a few steps from the beach, will run you up a mere $34-a-night.

In Santo Antão, the scenery is dramatically different: the sand-filled plains give way to towering, lush green mountains, traversed with hiking trails that lead to quaint, centuries-old villages that have barely seen the passing of time.

In short, it’s a nature lover’s paradise, and if you’ve ever been to Madeira, in Portugal, and ended up falling in love with it, you’ll feel no different towards its little brother.

Volcanic Landscapes & Colonial Architecture

Brava, on the other hand, has a bit of both worlds: it boasts pristine coves bathed by crystal-clear seas, rugged coastal drives, and flower-clad hills—it’s no wonder it’s called Island of Flowers.

Fogo (Portuguese for ‘fire’) has surreal volcanic landscapes, including a still-very-active Pico do Fogo, low hills dotted with colonial-era coffee plantations, and black-sand beaches (São Filipe Beach, a short drive from the namesake town, is particularly scenic).

Finally, for the culture buffs among us, you’ll find a beautifully-preserved colonial-era capital in Praia, located on Santiago Island: the Old Town, or Cidade Velha, is a petite version of Lisbon without the crowds, and the local food scene is simply unparalleled.

For Portuguese-inspired sweets, you should pay the hugely-popular Pão de Açucar bakery a visit (best pastel de nata we’ve ever tried outside Portugal).

For the all-you-can-eat Brazilian-style barbecue, Churrascaria Pirata is a no-frills rodizio restaurant featuring a variety of grilled meats.

Finally, if you’re craving a taste of native cuisine, don’t miss out on the traditional Kaza Katxupa, which features a signature corn soup and freshly caught fish doused in West African spices.

Is Cape Verde Cheaper & Easier To Get To Than The Maldives?

It can be, but only if you play it smart.

Much like the Maldives, getting to Cape Verde from the United States can be a bit tricky, not exactly because it is incredibly remote (not at all), but due to the absence of direct flights.

In the case of the Maldives, flights can take anywhere from 18 to a whopping 30 hours, depending on your U.S. departure point, and involve connections in one or more countries in Asia or the Middle East.

In the case of Cape Verde, it is in fact way more accessible, especially if you’re flying from the East Coast.

Once again, it lies off the coast of West Africa, and if you flew a straight line from any island Cape Verde, all the way across the Atlantic, you’d end up somewhere like Puerto Rico, or even Central America.

America may not have nonstop flights to Cape Verde, but once you get to Europe, a multitude of options are laid out before you:

Remember, Cape Verde is an up-and-coming sunny getaway for Europeans, and numerous European airlines offer cheap flights to the islands of Santiago and Sal from as little as $212 one-way.

Flying from New York to Paris (Charles de Gaulle), or Lisbon (LIS), two of the best-connected hubs for flying to Cape Verde, you can then change flights, either to Amílcar Cabral International Airport (SID) in Sal, or Nelson Mandela International Airport (RAI) in Praia.

It’s been a tricky world to navigate now that entry rules are tightening across the board, but the good news is, Cape Verde continues to welcome Americans visa-free, so long as they’re visiting as tourists, and for not longer than 30 days.

Make sure you bring a valid passport with enough blank pages, and proof of outbound or return tickets in order to ensure a smooth border control experience.

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We all know Rome is an instantly recognizable icon that lures all levels of travelers, from first-timers to the most seasoned of us with beat-up passports.

As such, we all know Rome’s crowds can be a bit out of control. Perhaps more so in a Jubilee Year. Not to trash one of the world’s most renowned cities, but it’s safe to say 2025 isn’t the best year to visit for the best possible experience.

According to Travel + Leisure, one local innkeeper was quoted as saying, ““If you’re coming in 2025, you should plan ahead for accommodation, sights like the Colosseum and the Vatican Museums, for all the things you need reservations and tickets for”.

Plus, Rome’s new tourist taxes are taking a bite from your coffee budget, and what better country to indulge in velvety cappuccinos?

Rome aside, there’s obviously a treasure trove of premiere destinations to immerse in Italy’s fascinating timeline, such as the romantic streets of Florence, ancient wonders of Pompeii, or whatever you believe about the Shroud of Turin, which has garnered more attention as of late with new findings.

But hey, let’s not sleep on Italy’s postcard coastlines either, where you don’t have to venture all the way down to the Amalfi Coast or Sicily.

Just 1 hour from Rome lies one of Italy’s most hush-hush paradises — and TimeOut just let the cat out of the bag.

Day Trip Or Main Stay, Don’t Skip Terracina!

Terracina is located on Italy’s Pontine Coast. Between Rome and Naples lies numerous secluded beach towns falling in the shadow of this pair of cultural cities.

With many tourists being more food and wine focused, beach getaways fall to the wayside, leaving a cluster of coastal paradises relatively undiscovered by mainstream travelers who care more about Rome’s Colosseum and Naples’ endless rows of pizza parlors.

TimeOut believes Terracina stands out the most, despite Sperlonga, Sabaudia, and Nettuno being worthwhile beach hideaways in their own right.

Terracina is perched between the foothills of Monte Sant’Angelo and the vibrant Tyrrhenian Sea, boasting a charming waterfront promenade and timeless Old Town giving a glimpse into the bygone era of Romans, while also embracing more modern acclaim as a seafood hub with TimeOut-backed Vicoletto.

For what its’ worth, Old Town Terracina is renowned by visitors on TripAdvisor with one recent tourist claiming ‘Terracina surprised us! Walking on the ancient pavement of the square transforms the visitor into a real Roman citizen’.

Terracina’s Best Beaches

Where to start? Terracina is speckled with gleaming blue-water shores from the jump, connecting from each end of town to aforementioned neighbors.

Spiaggia Sperlonga is Terracina’s top-reviewed beach on Google (technically one town over). One beachgoer said it’s a ‘clean beach, possibility of long walks, fantastic sunsets, kiosks present with excellent food’.

Fiumetta Beach is another top-rated beach, but locals are ashamed of the trash left behind. According to recent reviews, the aftermath of a many-a good times has presented painful moments of stepping on beer caps, which might be worse than LEGO pieces!

There are numerous beach hotels to choose from whether in Terracina proper or the connecting towns of Porte Dabino.

There you’ll find one of travelers’ favorite stays, Torre del Sol, a 4-star beachfront hotel with fantastic sea views and a $3 shuttle to go out and about town.

As for Terracina, you simply can’t beat the serenity of Hotel Acquasanta, which is nestled away from the “action” on a private beach and won’t break the bank at about $130 per night.

All Aboard! Easy 1-Hour Train Ride From Rome

Given Terracina is home to just 44,000 residents, you’ve probably gathered there’s no direct flight here.

The easiest journey is to fly into Rome and hop aboard a train that takes 51 to 69 minutes, depending on the schedule that day.

Operated by Trenitalia, you can purchase tickets on their official website or popular third parties like Omio.

Best of all, it’s as low as $4, according to Trainline. The official website has it listed for $6 most days.

Local publication Terracina Online claims the $16 Leonardo Express takes arriving tourists from Rome’s Fiumicino airport to Rome Termini, where there’s a direct train to Terracina every hour.

You could also take a train from Naples, also operated by Trenitalia, but expect to tack on another 30 to 45 minutes to your trip as well as a few more dollars.

Omio has $10 tickets on sale from Naples.

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Is there any bad time for beach season? Negative.

Delta has doubled down on that fact by announcing a plethora of exciting new flights to not one, not two, not three, but seven stunning international beach destinations!

Some are household names, while others are still rising in the ranks. But hey, that just means fewer crowds to deal with.

Bottom line — there’s no doubt you can go wrong with any of these paradisal getaways.

Think crystal-clear waters, flashy resorts, and all the delights Mexico and the Caribbean have to offer, whether you’re visiting to indulge in endless cocktails at the swim-up bar or simply looking to escape the city grind wasting away in a beachside hammock.

No matter your preference, Delta has got you covered with their latest launch, which is slated for later this year.

Delta’s New Flights To Caribbean Islands

Who wants to go to the Caribbean?! Well, that’s probably a dumb question. Who would say no?

Delta is giving you more options as if the Caribbean wasn’t teeming with enough postcard island getaways.

According to Airline Geeks, Delta is adding 11 new routes, but not all are to some of the prettiest beaches imaginable.

No offense to Los Angeles, but Santa Monica needs a bit of a cleanup, don’t ya think?

The Caribbean, however, is brimming with white-sand hideaways from notable names such as Punta Cana, which Delta is also increasing capacity from Atlanta.

But let’s get down to the nitty-gritty — the 5 proper Caribbean destinations Delta will be serving with new flights (don’t worry; we’ll get to Mexico in a sec).

Let’s start with some Caribbean up-and-comers, such as St. Vincent and the Grenadines, which, as just announced, is breaking all-time visitor records, and Grenada, which has seen 26 straight months of continued growth.

Both these pristine, lesser-known island retreats will soon be served by Atlanta.

Now for the rest, with more notable names:

• Minneapolis to Nassau, Bahamas
• Detroit to Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands (check out American’s historic new flight too!)
• Atlanta to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
• Boston to St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands

Delta’s New Routes To Mexico’s Icons

You know where this is going…

As if Cancun needed any more connections, Delta just said “hold my cerveza“.

Americans’ favorite international beach vacation spot is becoming even easier to reach with a new flight from 3 U.S. cities:

• Nashville
• Kansas City
• Indianapolis

But, here’s the kicker: the new Cancun routes will only be offered on Saturdays, so plan accordingly. Although, Detroit lucked out a bit with additional flights being added to their already existing route.

When you land, don’t forget to take the new $7 shuttle to avoid the ongoing feud between taxis and Ubers.

Scroll back up and notice I said ‘icons’ — plural. That’s right; Delta is also launching a new flight to Cabo.

Austin is the big winner for this new route with daily service to Baja’s numero uno paradise, but let’s hope the airfare doesn’t top the resort rates — yikes!

While Cabo is undoubtedly the crown jewel of Baja, and always one of Mexico’s most visited cities, you might be surprised to know Cabo has also become more of a gateway to nearby beach destinations, such as the small coastal town of Todos Santos with vibrant culture and posh stays, or La Paz, a bigger city known for epic seafood cuisine and one of Latin America’s most beautiful beaches, Balandra.

All of Delta’s new routes are slated to launch December 20, 2025.

Delta Recap: The Popular Airline Is Going Big This Year!

In case you missed it in March, Delta made another major announcement for some thrilling off-path destinations Americans can reach easier than ever before.

Going beyond the glitz and glamour of Cancun and The Bahamas, Delta is betting big on travelers’ sense of adventure in 2025.

Here are 3 more of Delta’s ventures into international territory:

• Atlanta – Marrakech
• Atlanta – Accra
• Los Angeles – Melbourne

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Dreaming of a sip of that frothy, pitch-black Guinness in a dimly-lit alley lined with pubs, to the sound of Gaelic buskers?

Or maybe exploring fairytale castles nestled deep in a verdant hinterland, where few have trodden before?

You know, the stuff of legendary kings and chivalric tales.

Ireland is calling, and it’s high time you answered in 2025, but if you think overtouristed Dublin is the answer to those cravings, we’d urge you to reconsider unless you’re ok with paying $10 or more for industrialized lager, and seeing more kebab shops per square mile than you would in Istanbul.

Looking for a truer, more authentic version of Ireland? You should head instead to the West Coast, that is in fact a shorter flight from America and away from the spoils of globalization:

Why Swap Dublin For The West Coast Of Ireland?

Though not that many U.S. travelers know this, Dublin is not the only airport they can fly to nonstop when planning an Ireland trip.

They can choose to land instead in Shannon Airport, which serves the West Coast, or how poets have called it over the centuries, the Wild Atlantic Way, where the drab suburbs give way to lush hills, moon-like landscapes, and castle-dotted rugged scenery.

We’ll get to those flights in a bit, but what is it about West Ireland, exactly, that makes it such a magical destination?

It’s only natural we start with Limerick, the largest city around these ends, and one that’s a short 25-minute drive from Shannon Airport.

Limerick

A large city in the Western half of Ireland, Ireland’s third-biggest, at that, Limerick is best-known for its charming Old Town, where stone-paved streets run along rows upon rows of Georgian-era houses, and the monumental King John’s Castle.

A 13th-century fortification, it is perched on the River Shannon waterfront, and it’s among Ireland’s most historically-significant sites, founded by Norman lords to defend the territory against native Gaelic uprisings at the time of Ireland’s conquest.

As a university city, Limerick is also known for its vibrant nightlife, and if you think Dublin’s Temple Bar is all the rage, wait until you’re walking up O’Connell Street, a main thoroughfare flanked by centuries-old pubs serving Guinness pints for €6.30, and where you can almost always find live music.

Charming Towns Galore

You didn’t just swap Dublin for yet another booze-filled city break: in order to truly take in the beauty of the West Coast of Ireland, you must take a ‘wee’ detour to some of its small villages, still preserving their Gaelic heritage, and full of Old World allure.

Think Adare, known for its thatched-roof cottages and medieval church; Doolin, a small, traditional Irish town with a big pub scene and friendly locals; or Kinvara, a fishing village revolving around a picturesque Dunguaire Castle.

The historic city of Galway, popular for its pub-packed Latin Quarter and scenic bay, is also a one-hour drive from Shannon Airport, and it’s often used by tourists as base for exploring the wider County Clare, home to some of Ireland’s most beautiful natural landmarks.

Beautiful Coastal Scenery

Speaking of nature, those who fly into Dublin and only stay locally are missing out on a number of Ireland’s most notorious gems: the West Coast’s pride and joy, the Cliffs of Moher, are a series of sea cliffs stretching for 5 miles, some rising 702 feet above the Atlantic.

Nearby, the Burren is Ireland’s moon-like, karst desert, resulting from rainwater slowly dissolving the limestone over thousands of years, and over in the Loop Head Peninsula, you’ll find more breathtaking cliffs, sandy beaches and the landmark Loop Head Lighthouse.

All of these spots are within easy access of large cities like Limerick and Galway by car, but if you’re not driving, there are countless companies taking visitors on full-day, guided tours of major attractions like the Cliffs of Moher, from as little as €50.

The West Coast Of Ireland Is Generally Cheaper Than Dublin

This ties into our next point: Dublin is infamous for being one of the most expensive destinations in Europe, where a pint of beer will cost upwards of €10, in touristy areas like Temple Bar, and the average price of a pub meal is €28 (as per Budget Your Trip estimates).

Out West, prices tend to be on the cheaper end, owing it to the off-path appeal of most of the region, and its rural character—expect to pay €10 to €20 for a typical pub meal, and between €5 and €7 for a pint of frothy Guinnnes.

As far as accommodation goes, Ireland is not exactly the most budget-friendly of destinations, though there are some good deals to be found, especially at the Old Quarter Townhouse in Limerick, where a single room will set you back by €125-a-night, or the Wards Hotel in Galway (€88).

Fly Nonstop From The U.S. To Shannon Airport

Onto those flights now: if you’re wondering how accessible the West Coast of Ireland is for Americans, it’s an even-shorter flight than Dublin, that sits on the East Coast.

Shannon Airport (SNN) is much smaller than Dublin Airport (DUB), so options flying there are more limited, but it still hosts flights from 4 major U.S. hubs:

• Boston (BOS)—1 flight per day with Aer Lingus
• Chicago (ORD)—1 flight per day with United
• Newark (EWR)—1 flight per day with United
• New York (JFK)—1 flight per day with Delta or Aer Lingus

Aer Lingus is the flag carrier airline for Ireland, and the average price for an Aer Lingus flight from New York to Shannon stars from only €521 round-trip.

Naturally, prices are based on season and seat availability.

As for the flight duration from the East Coast of America, from somewhere like Boston, it is as short as 5h50.

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