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Summer is upon us, and if you’re planning on taking that Transatlantic flight to revel in the Old World’s ancient allure, it’s probably places like France, Italy, and Spain that first pop to mind.

Gorgeous as it may sound, that idyllic vision of Europe with twinkling Eiffel Towers and Instagrammable, pastel-hue towns doesn’t always match the reality on the ground, especially once you factor in the hordes of tourists and the wallet-straining prices.

The average cost of a one-week vacation in Paris is a whopping $4,171 for two adults, and that’s if you’re careful with your spending. Village-hopping down the Amalfi Coast could set you back an equally troubling $4,155.

And let’s face it, it’s not like you’re investing all that money in a stress-free dolce vita, anyway.

The good news is, there’s a lot more to be discovered in Europe if only you’re willing to look beyond that mainstream, glossy travel TikTok, and who knows, maybe you won’t need to burn through all your savings in the end, nor elbow your way through a crowd to take decent pictures of a particular landmark.

How about you start with these 4 (largely) unheard-of medieval gems?

Gdańsk, Poland

A vibrant port city near Poland’s Baltic Coast, Gdańsk seems to have been plucked straight from the cover of a children’s storybook: it’s colorful, filled with octagonal towers, gabled roofs, and motif-decorated facades.

Despite being mostly rebuilt following the devastation of World War II, which in fact started here, of all places, it exudes medieval charm. Walking through the ornate Green Gate, straight onto the Long Market, feels like stepping into a movie scene.

On the opposite direction, towards the waterfront, right on the banks of the Motława River, you’ll find rows of Late-Renaissance buildings and Europe’s oldest crane, built as early as 1442, as well as Rybka na Wartkiej, one of many traditional eateries serving pierogi and a killer breaded fish.

As far as prices go, Gdańsk is one of the least expensive city breaks across the pond: according to Budget Your Trip, tourists will normally spend $38 on meals, $9.14 on transportation, and $57 on hotels per day, bringing the total one-week cost to $521.

Brno, Czechia

When it comes to its spire-dotted cityscapes and astronomical clocks, we’re all familiar with Prague, but unless you’ve taken an interest in Czechia lately, chances are you’ve not been properly introduced to its less-famous sibling, Brno.

The second-largest city in the country, it has a well-preserved old center characterized by its cobbled streets and café-bordered squares—and may we add, a wide array of noteworthy historic monuments that rarely get the attention they deserve.

We’re thinking the eerie-looking, dark-stone Cathedral of St. Peter and Paul, with its twin spires that seem to pierce through to the heavens, home to beautiful Baroque altars, the 13th-century Špilberk Castle, formerly a prison, and Villa Tugendhat, one of the first modernist complexes erected in Europe.

Compared to Prague, is a relatively-affordable destination as a whole: traveling on a budget, expect to pay a daily average of $40 on meals, $2.84 on public transport, and $66 on hotels, or a grand total of $522 if you’re staying an entire week.

Pécs, Hungary

Perhaps Budapest’s closest rival in both beauty and historical relevance, Pécs is a 2,000-year-old city in southern Hungary that traces its history back to a Roman settlement, and prides itself in being among the earliest centers of Christianity in Europe:

Its 4th-century Early Christian Necropolis is a UNESCO World Heritage Site comprising an elaborate system of underground tombs richly engraved with Christian symbols.

The imposing Pécs Cathedral, a masterpiece of Romanesque architecture, was raised in 1009.

Other important attractions include the (former) Mosque of Pasha Qasim, built by the Turks upon their conquest of the city, now functioning as a church, and Széchenyi Square, with its many fountains, stately edifices, and laid-back eateries.

Wondering how much vacationing in stunning, little Pécs costs?

Based on Budget Your Trip‘s cheapest estimates, that’s roughly $22 on meals every day, $7.95 on commuting, if any at all, considering how walkable it is, and $34 per night on accommodation, totaling $317 for the week.

Timișoara, Romania

A most elegant city in Western Romania, strongly influenced by Austrian-Hungarian architecture, Timișoara may not have the edginess of Bucharest or the Bram Stoker-esque appeal of Brașov, but it certainly has a lot going for it.

Timișoara’s Old Town revolves around the large central square, Piața Victoriei, flanked by majestic, soft-colored Habsburg buildings with decorative facades and wrought-iron balconies.

If you think Moscow’s St. Basil’s is the queen of Eastern European churches, Timișoara offers the next best thing.

Sitting on the south bank of the fast-flowing Bega River, the Metropolitan Cathedral has 11 towers in total, a distinctive patterned-tile roof, and a vibrantly-painted interior, sure to satisfy your craving for Orthodox grandeur while Russia remains off-limits.

Last (but not least), as a traveler on a budget, you’ll feel right at home here: be it tripe soup, grilled sausages, or cabbage rolls, meals will run you $39-a-day, whereas getting around town costs as cheap as $12, between buses and Ubers, and hotels average an economical $50 per night.

Overall, the cost of a week-long stint in Timișoara comes to around $562.

Vinicius Costa

Vini, our senior lead writer at Travel Off Path, has over 60+ countries under his belt (and currently weaving tales from Paris!), and a knack for turning off-the-beaten-path experiences into informative stories that will have you packing your bags.

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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com

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World-famous for its turquoise seas, paradisaical islands where white sands run along the ocean for miles on end, and incredible weather, the Caribbean is the number one destination for many Americans when they crave a little sunny getaway.

There are just two small ‘buts’ that you’re probably familiar with if you’ve ever vacationed in Cancun, Tulum, Punta Cana, and the like:

When you’re at a public beach packed with your fellow tourists and holidaying local families, it doesn’t exactly give deserted island vibes, and if it’s exclusivity you seek, be prepared to pay upwards of $600-a-night on a luxurious all-inclusive.

But hey, there’s always a middle ground: these 4 Caribbean islands may be unheard-of, but they boast equally beautiful scenery, smaller crowds, and on top of that, cheaper prices:

Caye Caulker, Belize

Lying off the coast of Belize, a tiny Central American country just south of Mexico, Caye Caulker is an unspoiled Eden most beach bums and Instagrammers have failed to discover.

For starters, its landmass is cut through by a winding canal called Split, and on both sides, you’ll find stretches of virgin-white sands and lush nature: the southern half is home to the only settlement, Caye Caulker Village, whereas the north is densely forested and home to diverse wildlife.

The village has brightly-painted wooden houses, colored in coral, lime, and sunshine-yellow tones, and it’s peppered with family-run eateries: for fresh ceviche and Belize’s signature barbecue mango, add Reina’s to your list.

For the water babies out there, you can swim with sharks and sting rays at the Shark Ray Alley, or if you’re an experienced diver, snorkel around the iconic Great Blue Hole.

This is a sinkhole in the middle of the ocean surrounded by the turquoise waters.

The best part is, for Caribbean standards, Caye Caulker is definitely on the cheaper end, with entire-bungalow stays for 2 adults costing $143-a-night, and takeout food averaging $3-7 (meals are slightly pricier, costing around $33 in mid-range restaurants).

Little Corn Island, Nicaragua

Nicaragua is best known for its towering volcanoes and thriving rainforest, but something most visitors fail to acknowledge is that it, too, has a coast on the Caribbean, and countless small islands yet to be ruined by the masses.

One of those is Little Corn Island, some 43.5 miles from the mainland, and a car-free community of 7,747 people offering jungle trails, pristine beaches, and bays filled with translucent waters.

For many, it is a reminiscent of the Caribbean’s undeveloped past, before the big brands and resorts cornered local communities, and though getting there is no easy feat, involving at least 2 flights, and a small boat transfer, the final destination couldn’t be more rewarding.

Think of Otto Beach, an idyllic patch of beach with multicolored seas, the Tarpon Channel, where you can spot hammerhead sharks, or a tranquil Cocal Beach, with the typical white sands and crystalline waters, except none of Punta Cana’s crowds.

You won’t find larger-than-life resorts here—in fact, there is a single 5-star property in the vicinity—but rather rustic guesthouses and bungalows right on the beachfront, with double rooms (with shared bathrooms) costing as cheap as $12.

Food is just as inexpensive: a full lobster meal at the budget-friendly Rosa’s Restaurant will run you up a mere $8-10, while less elaborate seafood platters are an even more economical $5.

Roatán, Honduras

Who would have known these oftentimes-overlooked Central American countries would have this much to offer?

Up next, we’re taking a look at Roatán, the trendiest and offbeat nonetheless island off the Honduras coast: at 40 miles long and 5 miles wide (at its widest point), it has no shortage of amazing sights and natural wonders.

The main town, Coxen Hole, is where most of the action is centered, and where you’ll find a plethora of hotels and street markets, but in order to truly bask in the island’s tropical charm, you need to go further out to places like West Bay Beach:

Bordering the Mesoamerican Reef, it is a highly sought-after spot for snorkeling, due to the various fish species and sea turtles that congregate there, as well as a swimming site.

If you’re taking a day trip out, it should definitely be scuba diving in the Reef, the second-largest in the world: picture shipwrecks, underwater ridges, and if you’re lucky to cross their path, whale sharks.

For a comfortable-enough stay that won’t break the bank, we recommend you look at Victoria’s Beach House:

It is set on the waterfront and equipped with an open-air bath ($45-a-night for 2 adults), and when you’re craving street food, La Placita boasts a number of food stalls serving baleadas (flour tortillas filled with beans and cheese) for around $1-2.

For casual dining in Roatán, we love the Typical Buffet (that’s what it’s called), on the aptly-named Coconut Tree Plaza, where a wide range of seafood and local delicacies are served, with prices ranging from $5-10.

Vinicius Costa

Vini, our senior lead writer at Travel Off Path, has over 60+ countries under his belt (and currently weaving tales from Paris!), and a knack for turning off-the-beaten-path experiences into informative stories that will have you packing your bags.

Ready For Your Trip? Check The Latest Entry Requirements For Your Destination Here

↓ Elevate Your Travel↓

Sign Up Now For Travel Off Path Premium! No ads, VIP Content, Personal Travel Concierge, Huge Savings, Daily Deals, Members Forum & More!

✈️Join Our Travel Off Path Community Forum: Where travelers unite, ask questions, share experiences and even find like-minded travel buddies!

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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com

Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.