Berlin struck me as very stiff. The food was fantastic, but people were not quite as friendly. In Prague, people were incredibly friendly, and many of them went out of their way to help you. Part of the reason is that they have finally started to become a popular destination for travelers, and their money comes from that. They don't have a lot of engineering or manufacturing, like Berlin does. Our last night in Prague we had a large dinner and our waiter was just the nicest, most hilarious guy. He was new at his job, and he paid extra attention to our orders. He cracked jokes, asked about our trip, it was fantastic.

We stayed right in the city, walking distance from the museums.

@DENiZ8, @veronykah, & @aop1980: Excellent comments. No excuses and no special treatment for Americans. And yes we should definitely be worried that the dollar is going in the... mudhole.

Armenia you have to be kidding me. The place is far to lawless if one does not understand the culture and the language. I would not recommend it.

Oops I meant gray desparity. But referring to Gary I guess that would be a pretty cheap destination too.

The perception that many of these places are "backwater mudholes" are exactly what keeps them cheap and makes them desirable destinations for the savvy traveler.

Some think of the Czech and Slovak country as post communist relics filled with abandoned factories and gary desparity rather than this:
[www.futuregringo.com]

@ Troy. I agree. Prague's central area is as bad as Disneyland. The neighborhoods opposite the river are more residential with small shops and markets, and an easy 10 minute tram ride to the touristy sights

@Buran:

Again, why should they think their prices are too high? Are they seeing a dropoff in tourism? Not as far as I can tell.

Make the world your oyster and explore some, dammit!

I just got back from a trip to Guatemala (not on the list, but it SHOULD be). My boyfriend and I had a week full of beaches, drinks, and good food, and we spent less than US$500 for the both of us (including hotel stay). Yep.

Visit Guatemala (go to the cities of Antigua and Monterrico!), a beautiful country you don't hear too much about.

"What? It's like you don't want flag jumpsuit wearing, fanny-pack toting people screaming 'do you speak English' in your face!"

@MissJ:

Prague is fantastic.

Now, that number doesn't include plane tickets, but it does include the ridiculous expenses in Spain as well as all transportation to, from, and inside of the country. A nice double room in a Moroccan hotel usually will run you no more than 100-150dh/night.

If you do go, I could suggest skipping Marrakesh, but making sure you made it to Essaouira, Fes and Chefchaouen.

Don't confuse the people with the government. It's not nice when people do that to Americans is it?

@Buran:

Seems like both Europe and Australia have plenty of tourists, they're either (a) people with plenty of money, (b) people who don't get paid in USD, or (c) people who have modified the terms of their trips.

Why NOT go to those places? Live a little, people. Any big city in America relatively presents the same dangers as anywhere else in the world. And it's silly comments, actions, politics, and unwillingness to soak in other cultures that cause people around the world to "hate us".

Eastern Europe as well. I was in Munich last May and my drinks were 5E each, which is $7. One country over in the (non euro yet) Czech Republic I was eating veal, potatos, and downing Czech beer for $10 a plate.

And you have to know where to go IN a city. The prices in restaurants of Pragues Old Town are that of London standards, as it caters mostly to tourists. A few subway stops north or south in New Town or north of the river you find little cafes, bars, and delis which treat your U.S. dollar very well.

It's not always the city you're in, but the neigbhorhoods you're at within a city...

Definitely planning on Mexico and Morocco trips sometime in the relatively near future, too.

Consider Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay. Costs are generally 3/1 in favor of the dollar, (although climbing) Wonderful cities with European style and culture, great food, welcoming people, and tons of musuems, arts, clubs, and theatre, plus beautiful beaches south of Buenos Aires and along the coast of Uruguay. People there are smart, educated, and take an active interest in politics.

I'm not a big shopper, but I was in Buenos Aires in '05 and when I found cool clothes and realized how much of a deal it was, (different styles than the same mall fare here) I went on a shopping spree, spent $300 and filled a huge duffel bag full of shirts and stylish jeans.

You can't beat a city where you can have a steak dinner and wine for $7, coffee for 75 cents, and plates full of empanadas for $3.

Yes the airfare is higher, around $800 -$900 or so, but for a weeks trip in an exotic, safe, modern, and culturally rich country you can't beat it. Unfortunately many people still equate everything south of the U.S. border as Mexico standards, and countries like Panama or South South America don't get the credit and respect they deserve.

james [www.futuregringo.com]

Now I'm going to have the Dead Kennedys' "Holiday in Cambodia" in my head for the rest of the day (yes, I know Cambodia wasn't on the list).

Mexico deserves some love here.

My wife and I just got back from our second trip to Oaxaca and are recommending it to everyone.

"What? It's like you don't want flag jumpsuit wearing, fanny-pack toting people screaming 'do you speak English' in your face!"

Venezuela? Seriously? They hate us, remember?

I'm surprised Iran is not on the list.

@Buran:

And somehow, I think their tourism industries will get over the trauma of struggling along without your business.

No thanks. I'm staying home. So much for your tourism budget. Charge me sane prices and I'll come. Don't? Fuhgeddaboudit.

@NoWin: You have a pretty good chance of being bribed by the police, mugged, kidnapped, and/or killed in Venezuela - but not for political reasons. It is a horribly unsafe place regardless of your political views, nationality, skin color, et cetera.

I'm surprised anyone would actually encourage people to go to Venezuela on vacation... If anyone is considering the trip, please do some Googling beforehand as a deterrent!

re: CASSIFRAS' comment

Amazingly beautiful Palau is in Micronesia, but I'll 2nd your why on most of the other options....

I guess you could technically go to those places... but why?

I was thinking more along the lines of in-states when I read the headline. On that note, not being an international traveler myself, New Orleans is still real cheap to visit. I stayed in some very fancy hotels (e.g. Hotel Monteleone) for $69 + valet parking. Last time I went (pre-Katrina) I spent $99 to stay in the bad part of New Orleans at a Best Western. :|

Seriously...Thailand? I guess after the $1500 plane ticket, you'd be getting a lot of bang for your buck...wait, that came out wrong. I mean, you'd be getting a favorable exchange rate and low prices. But the plane ticket cost would probably discourage people trying to save on travel.