What’s the price of a great summer vacation? For many travelers right now, the answer is simple: too much. At a time when accommodations and airfares have experienced mind-numbing levels of inflation—luxury hotel rates in Europe are up 50% from last year, according to data from industry analyst CoStar—uncovering deals can feel like a full-time job.
But that hasn’t quelled demand for summer trips to Europe, where the Mediterranean breeze and spritzes on the sand are a priceless lure.
Even with the season fast approaching, you can get all that and more at a relative bargain if you know where to look. Whether you’re dreaming of decadent meals in the British countryside, a weeklong adventure in suddenly cool Romania or just your own private corner of Italy, here’s how to fulfill all your sun-drenched fantasies—without spending a fortune.
Illustrations by Pete Gamlen