Archives February 2025

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It’s a challenge in today’s world to find anything truly free, often inciting thoughts of “what’s the catch?” and rightfully so.

With taxes, sneaky fees, and “gotcha” tactics, travelers often have to hawk-eye anything deemed ‘free’.

But Thailand is ready to showcase a lesser-known beach destination. In turn, doing so for free. Best of all, there is no catch per se, rather select dates to hop aboard a scenic train ride to escape the city grind of Bangkok in favor of a lesser-known idyllic beach paradise.

As icons like Phuket and the surging island of Koh Samui have seen hordes of unsightly crowds flock to their shores, it’s time to give under-hyped Hua Hin a chance.

What better way than doing so at no cost?

Better yet, once you arrive, you’ll discover Hua Hin is one of Thailand’s cheapest beach destinations!

Free Ride Aside, Why Visit Hua Hin?

Hua Hin is located within Thailand’s Prachuap Khiri Khan province and is teeming with many of the same attractions that other major cities and beach hotspots behold.

The main difference is Hua Hin is largely off mainstream travelers’ radar, leaving a truly authentic destination waiting to be explored.

For example, it’s been reported Phuket is ‘wall to wall’ full of people as 2024’s most crowded destination, so who would want to have a bunch of fellow tourists cramping your space when you’re supposed to be enjoying one of the world’s most acclaimed paradises?

That’s where Hua Hin makes for a great alternative, and we all know 2025 is destined to be a year full of discovering lookalikes as many destinations deal with overtourism concerns.

In Hua Hin, you’re not sacrificing a lackluster experience. In fact, you’re only enhancing it. Here are 5 must-visit sites to check out:

• Hua Hin Beach – long stretches of soft sand and vivid blue waters; great for swimming, lounging, and various water sports
• Phraya Nakhon Cave – the ultimate expedition for nature lovers; boasts a royal pavilion inside that will make you feel immersed in an Indiana Jones film
• Cicada Market – a buzzing night market teeming with goodies ranging from piping hot street noodles to local artisan crafts
• Moonsoon Valley – wine country in Thailand? You bet!
• Huay Mongkol Temple – a towering temple surrounded by peaceful scenery; home to one of Thailand’s largest statues

Stay At Luxe Resorts & Beachside Guesthouses On The Cheap

In a world where dollar stores are now $1.25 stores, it’s safe to say supply and demand can be a real doozy on the wallet.

Finding hotels is no different, but Hua Hin offers great stays with nightly rates cheaper than your weekly coffee budget.

This spring, you can easily find resorts and beachside guesthouses for unbelievable prices.

How about Karoon Hut Guest House set beachside for just $21? Or leveling up at the chic Stardust Boutique Hotel for $29?

Still have some wiggle room? Okay, check out waterfront villas at The Yana Villas Hua Hin for just $88, or cash out your points at either Hilton Hua Hin Resort & Spa or Hua Hin Marriott Resort & Spa.

There’s truly something for everyone, from solo travelers with tight pockets to vacationers seeking to pamper themselves.

All Aboard! Welcome To The Vana Nava Express Train

If you find yourself in Bangkok but have had enough of pollution, crowded streets, and the world’s strangest ping-pong games, then it sounds like you’re in the market for a free ride to the beach.

The free train (#43) leaves for Hua Hin from Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal at 7:30am every Saturday and Sunday until March 30.

The full one-way journey takes approximately 3 hours, so you’ll arrive with plenty of time to enjoy the day beachside, market-hopping, or taking it easy at an aforementioned resort.

Along the ride, passengers are provided with free snacks, souvenirs, and even a towel as a keepsake.

Don’t worry; it’s not to cool down from the heat. The train is equipped with air conditioning.

How To Book Your Free Train Ride

According to Thaiger, these are the 3 steps to book your free train ride:

1. Visit the official train carrier website
2. Choose “General Customer”
3. Follow prompts

Keep in mind, booking is only open every Thursday from 7am to Friday at 3pm.

Sam Sears

Sam, our Lead Writer & Journalist based in San Diego has visited 30 countries and written over 400 articles with a focus on sharing his own travel experiences and shining a light on lesser-known gems.

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Cancun, Cabo, and Puerto Vallarta. Vacationers often limit themselves to this trifecta of Mexican powerhouses.

Truth is, Mexico as a whole gets a bad rap, and not everyone views this culturally enchanting and naturally astounding country as a playground for adventure.

Conversely, not everyone’s version of adventure is a relaxing, all-inclusive getaway in a city you might not have heard of before.

It’s time to change that perspective.

Rather than follow the crowd overpaying for Cabo’s glamorous resorts and having to fight your way to the swim-up bar, there are 3 underrated all-inclusive beach destinations calling your name this year — and one has been compared to Santorini!

A Travel Advisory Foreword:

All 3 destinations presented are based in Level 4: Do Not Travel states. But, there’s a catch…

The U.S. State Department categorizes Mexico’s travel advisories based on states, not cities.

Saying no to visiting Sinaloa, for example, basically equates to issuing an advisory for the entire state of California during L.A.’s recent wildfire disasters.

Would you feel that you should avoid Lake Tahoe, San Francisco, or Palm Springs too? Chances are that’s a hard no.

As a seasoned traveler throughout Mexico, I’ve visited numerous destinations ranging from ‘safe’ to ‘dangerous’, and I can attest the same perspective should be applied here.

Yes, there are definite no-go regions of Mexico, but these 3 bright spots, which just so happen to be located in problematic states, are well-protected with a hefty National Guard presence, local police force, and private security to maintain a safe haven for tourists.

Look at it this way — all 3 vacation spots have multiple nonstop flights from the U.S. and Canada.
Do you think airlines would be making a profit selling flights to no man’s land? Negative.

So, without further ado, here are Mexico’s 3 most underrated all-inclusive getaways for 2025:

Mazatlan: Sinaloa’s Shining Star For A World-Class Vacation

Let’s get the buzzword out of the way: Sinaloa.

As you’ve gathered, Mazatlan is completely safe to visit; no more concerning than Cancun, Punta Cana, or any of the household names we rely on for your sunny paradisal escapes.

Mazatlan has been steadily gaining steam on travelers’ radars, especially in the digital nomad world.

But, many vacationers are sleeping on Mazatlan as a laid-back all-inclusive getaway with numerous resorts overlooking pristine beaches surrounded by a captivating cityscape full of urban delights and incredible views, such as El Faro Lighthouse.

According to TripAdvisor, these are the top 5 all-inclusive resorts in Mazatlan:

1. Dreams Estrella del Mar Mazatlan Golf & Spa Resort
2. El Cid Marina Beach Hotel
3. Emporio Mazatlan
4. El Cid Castilla Beach Hotel
5. Hotel Riu Emerald Bay

Better yet, Mazatlan is fun to explore beyond the resorts with a buzzing nightlife, vibrant Plaza Machado, the scenic Malecon boardwalk, and even a random ode to The Beatles.

Mazatlan does have Uber, but you gotta check out the funky Pulmonias to get around; essentially their version of a “tuk tuk”.

Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo: My Favorite Mexican Beach Town

I’ve been all over Mexico, but my recent trip to Ixtapa kicked Mahahual to second place in my favorite Mexican beach town’s rankings.

As a former Cabo Sun contributor, I even put my travel reputation on the line, saying Ixtapa is prettier! (no offense, Sammy Haggar)

Located in the state of Guerrero, the twin cities of Ixtapa and Zihuatanejo offer a different set of attractions, but you’ll find ample resorts on both sides.

I stayed at Barcelo, and it was fantastic having a pair of swim-up bars to choose from, an all-you-can-eat seafood feast, and a pool to die for overlooking the waves crashing ashore Playa El Palmar, a certified Blue-Flag beach.

According to TripAdvisor, these are the top 5 all-inclusive resorts in Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo:

1. Club Med Ixtapa Pacific
2. Las Brisas Ixtapa
3. Emporio Ixtapa
4. Hotel Fontan Ixtapa
5. Sunscape Dorado Pacifico Ixtapa

Better yet, you can visit the secret island of Isla Ixtapa, with perfect snorkeling conditions and unknown ruins of Xihuacan, far off the radar from the likes of Teotihicaun and Chichen Itza.

Manzanillo: The “Santorini Of Mexico”

There’s no place quite like Santorini, Greece, but in Latin America, Manzanillo is the next best thing.

Beholding a white-washed townscape overlooking vivid blue waters, Manzanillo is perhaps Mexico’s most underrated all-inclusive resort town, largely in part due to the state of Colima’s uprise in crime.

Vacationers in Manzanillo shouldn’t be overly concerned with crime reports as the jewel of Colima has its own airport with numerous connections to U.S. cities, such as Houston, Dallas, and Phoenix, so you can fly over the “dangerous” areas, which are mostly attributed to Colima City.

Upon arriving, you’ll find ample high-end resorts perched beachside with a cultural town center to explore anchored by the picturesque Zocalo and idyllic Malecon for seaside strolls.

According to TripAdvisor, these are the top 5 all-inclusive resorts in Manzanillo:

1. Barceló Karmina
2. Las Hadas By Brisas
3. Hotel Vista Playa de Oro Manzanillo
4. Hotel Tesoro Manzanillo
5. Gran Festivall All Inclusive Resort

Sam Sears

Sam, our Lead Writer & Journalist based in San Diego has visited 30 countries and written over 400 articles with a focus on sharing his own travel experiences and shining a light on lesser-known gems.

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Last Updated 5 days ago

Ancient history, rich culture, and some of my favorite food in Europe. The reasons for visiting Athens this summer are endless.  

And now we’ve got one more reason to add to that list: A new budget nonstop flight from LAX straight to the City of Wisdom.  

This will be the only nonstop route between Los Angeles and Athens, making it easier than ever to visit this iconic Greek hub.  

A New Route For Norse Atlantic  

Norse Atlantic will operate this new nonstop transatlantic flight and will offer the budget fare options that the brand is known for.  

If you’re not familiar with Norse Atlantic, they’re a relatively new Norwegian low-cost airline, having only been founded in 2021. This isn’t the only transatlantic flight from Los Angeles operated by Norse Atlantic. They already fly nonstop from LAX to London, Paris, and Rome. 

The new route to Athens will launch on June 3^rd 2025 and will operate 4 times a week with fights on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Giving sought-after flexibility to your travel dates.  

Flights are already available to book now, so I did a little research to see how much they would cost.

Flying out on Friday, 6th, June, and returning on Friday, 13th, June, will cost $372 for the outbound flight and $236 for the inbound flight, giving a total price of $608.  

It’s worth noting that for roundtrip flights, a discount of up to 20% is applied, so these prices will be a little higher if you only want to fly one way for whatever reason.  

As is always the case when you choose a low-cost airline, the price will increase if you want any extras. The prices above are based on the cheapest ‘economy light’ tickets, which give you one personal item and one carry-on bag but don’t include any checked baggage. 

You will also be the last to board and won’t receive an in-flight meal if you select this ticket. This may be tricky when the outbound flight will take 12 hours 40, and the inbound flight will take 13 hours 30!  

To upgrade to an ‘economy class’ ticket, which includes an in-flight meal service and one checked bag, will cost an additional $72 each way at the time of writing.  

Why Visit Athens?  

Athens is often referred to as the cradle of Western Civilization, and if you have any interest in mythology, art, or history then there’s nowhere better to visit.  

One of the first things you should do in Athens is visit its many archeological wonders. The Acropolis, the Parthenon, and the Temple of Olympian Zeus often attract huge crowds of tourists, but for good reason. They’re spectacular and well worth exploring.  

Make sure you allow for plenty of downtime, though: Greek hospitality is legendary, and although the ingredients are simple, there’s no such thing as a simple meal. You’ll find that you’re encouraged to take your time when eating, and the service is so warm and attentive. Eating out in Athens is an experience!  

In fact, the people in Greece are one of the main attractions of the country for tourists. They’re warm and welcoming, and because the Greek economy relies so heavily on tourism, they’re genuinely pleased to see you.  

Whether you’re buying souvenirs or lost and asking for directions, expect big smiles and warm conversation.  

Of course, you can’t visit Greece without going to the beach, and Athens is well-connected to several highly regarded beaches. Edem Beach in Palio Faliro is a free-to-enter beach in the Athens Riviera and incredibly easy to get to from the city center.  

Want to explore a little further afield? As well as being well worth visiting in its own right, Athens is also the gateway to wider Greece.

Head to Athens port, and you’ll find regular boats to the islands of Aegina, Spetses, Poros, Hydra, and Andros.  

At just a 40-minute ferry ride away, Aegina is the closest Greek island to Athens and is a popular weekend getaway for locals. If you’re looking for a day trip or a short break, this is a great choice.  

Tor Brierley

Tor has been writing for more than 20 years and has visited 25 countries (and counting!) She specializes in European and family travel and never says no to new adventures.

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Are you heading to Europe this summer, but you’re dreading the thought of spending hundreds of euros a night, if not thousands, on an Amalfi or Greek island getaway?

Despair not: there is a much cheaper alternative, with seas an unbelievable turquoise color, an Old Town dating back to ancient times, and the cheapest all-inclusive hotels across the pond.

Experts at Britain-based agency TravelSupermarket have scoured the map of Europe for the most affordable sunny getaway this year, and they’ve reached the conclusion it’s Alanya, in Türkiye (formerly called Turkey), that takes the crown:

Turquoise Seas, Ancient Wonders & It’s Dirt Cheap

You might have heard of Antalya, with its lively Konyaaltı beach and a plethora of Greek and Roman ruins, where beachfront stays start from an affordable $62-a-night and grabbing a takeout Döner kebab for dinner will cost you an average of five bucks.

Antalya is one of Türkiye’s most popular destinations, and it tends to overshadow smaller, more offbeat spots nearby.

This includes a similarly-named Alanya, roughly 83 miles east of Antalya, that does not benefit from having its own international airport and a constant influx of tourists.

Despite its relative anonymity, it boasts an incredibly picturesque historic center, with cobbled streets bordered by colorful Ottoman houses, featuring the iconic overhanging, covered wooden balconies and a wall-encircled port hugging the teal waters of the East Mediterranean.

Alanya is a cultural treasure of Türkiye, with a long history spanning thousands of years and the rise (and fall) of many an empire.

Its golden-sand Cleopatra Beach is said to have been visited by the Egyptian queen herself on her visit to the then-Roman provinces in Anatolia, and standing on a rocky outcrop towering over the beach, there is the monumental Seljuk fort.

Perhaps Alanya’s most distinguishable sight, the octagon-shaped Red Tower, dating back to the 13th century, rises high above the sea of red-tiled roofs, and it now houses the Ethnographic Museum of Alanya.

How Cheap Is Alanya Effectively?

In sum, this is as Turkish a city as it gets, with minarets dotting the skyline, its fair share of kebab takeout spots, and a lively marina lined with upscale seafood restaurants where a three-course dinner will cost only a small fraction of what you’re used to pay in Western Europe.

Ordering the full Turkish breakfast spread served at Kaleiçi Meyhanesi Alanya will set you back by $15 tops, while dinner with a view at the Sade Lounge, overlooking the port, can run you up an acceptable $29––and that’s if you’re eating lavishly.

For those on a budget, eating out at any local-frequented eatery in the Old Town is an inexpensive $8.46, on average––you can easily find them by avoiding the bustling squares flooded with European tourists.

When it comes to accommodation, the research shows us the average price for a 7-day, all-inclusive break in Alanya comes at a cheap US$708, so let’s have a look at some of the hotel listings in offer and check if this adds up:

Beachfront Hotels From $253 For The Entire Week

There are exactly 84 hotels in and around Alanya offering all-inclusive deals in the high season, with the cheapest one being Keopatra Ada Hotel, where an all-paid-for, week-long stay costs a mere $253.

At this rate, you shouldn’t expect an overload of luxury: we’re talking a single room with a balcony, a decent breakfast, and chances are your dinners won’t be prepared by a renowned chef.

Think a $30 all-you-can-eat Japanese buffet, but make it Turkish.

The top-rated hotel for customer score and low price is Ramira Joy, only a few steps from Cleopatra Beach, and equipped with an on-site restaurant, a hamper for spa services, and 4-star amenities, starting from $402.

Now, for the truly luxurious properties, they’re not a far cry from what you’d expect to pay in 5-star resorts in places like Cancun or Punta Cana: for instance, a double deluxe room at the stately Serenity Queen Hotel on Konakli Beach, costs $2,046 to book for the week.

The hotel features spa facilities, a kid-friendly water park, fitness areas and lush gardens, and higher-quality food is served.

Similar service can be found at the Green Gardens Suites for $2,462 and at the adults-only Supreme C-Lounge for $2,083.

According to Booking.com, 57 out of the 84 all-inclusive hotels will cost under $638 to book for the week, which seems to support the average rate reported by TravelSupermarket.

It’s safe to say that whether you’re traveling on a strict budget or you’re used to that Caribbean level of splurging, Alanya will feel like a steal of a deal.

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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You may know Mexico already for its white-sand beaches, glitzy resort zones and buzzing beach bars, but that’s only the tip of the iceberg:

With a history spanning thousands of years, it is one of the most culturally-charged countries in the Americas, and if it’s Old World charm you seek, rest assured you’ll find as much of it south of the border, a short 3 to 4-hour flight away, as you would across the Atlantic.

Perhaps it’s not surprising, then, that a growing number of U.S. travelers is flocking to an offbeat Queretaro instead of the usual beach hotspots in the Mexican Caribbean: not only is it among Mexico’s finest offers in terms of city breaks, but it’s also European-pretty:

Queretaro Is One Of The Prettiest Cities In Mexico

A gem of central Mexico, Queretaro is a UNESCO-listed settlement dating back to the early period of European colonization, famous for having a historic center that’s been largely preserved as the centuries passed.

When you think of a city in the Americas, you probably picture steel-and-glass and endless rows of skyscrapers lining buzzing boulevards, and though that may apply to other larger cities, including Mexico City, it’s not the aesthetics that apply to Queretaro:

Picture narrower, pedestrianized streets lined with brightly painted facades, a plethora of Baroque churches, each of them unique in character and just as ornate as the next, and numerous plazas bordered by laid-back eateries.

Oh, and if you’re wondering whether Queretaro is just surface-level beautiful, you should know it is oftentimes considered the birthplace of Mexican Independence: it is here the revolt against Spanish rule erupted in the 19th century.

An Intact Colonial Center Awaiting Discovery

Among Queretaro’s most historically significant sites, there’s a pink-stone Temple of Santa Rosa de Viterbo, built in 1752, a Franciscan monastery now housing the Regional Museum of Queretaro, housing art that spans from the pre-Columbian to the colonial era.

In the heart of town, the Teatro de la República is a stunning Neoclassical venue that was once at the front of Mexico’s war for independence: it is where Emperor Maximilian I was tried, the same monarch who opposed freedom from Spain and got executed as a result.

Speaking of whom he would meet his tragic end up, Cerro de las Campanas, a centrally-located hill now topped with a chapel marking the place where the execution took place––regardless of the dark past, the view from the top is breathtaking, dare we say.

Looking for more important historic landmarks? From Casa de la Corregidora, formerly owned by Josefa Ortiz de Dominguez, the woman of the hour of the Mexican War of Independence, to the 74-arch, 18th-century aqueduct, Queretaro’s rich Spanish heritage is boundless.

It’s European Pretty And This Affordable?

Other than architectural value and history, Queretaro is one of the most affordable destinations in the sun-drenched center of Mexico, from the local-owned eateries, serving delicious enchiladas queretanas and strawberry tamales for around a dollar, to the inexpensive accommodation:

A 5-star standard room at Casa Inn Premium Hotel will cost you from $68 a night, and the City Express by Marriott is even more budget-friendly, starting at $63 for a queen room, with breakfast included, and within walking distance of the main attractions.

Looking for cheap eats while in town? Make sure you add the locally-run Zandunga to your list, especially if you love huevos rancheros ($5), and a well-frequented Santa Cecina, for a big selection of tacos and parrilladas, with prices ranging from a mere $1.26 to $4.35.

Queretaro is a world-class cultural city break. It has beautiful sights evocative of the bygone Spanish Empire, at its most elegant at that, and it will hardly break the bank if you think places like Cancun or Cabo are a bit out of budget for you.

What’s not to like?

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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