BUDAPEST, HUNGARY

Why it's hot: You can enjoy Old Europe charm without paying for it in euros. Budapest is split by the Danube into the rolling green hills of the Buda districts and the commercial hub of the Pest districts.

Months for the best deals: August and September. You'll save on hotel rooms because it's less busy, but the weather is still nice.

Top bargains: Classic culture comes cheap in Budapest. For less than $20, you can buy a ticket to a production at the State Opera House, a Gothic landmark. With a Budapest card, you get discounts on museums and restaurants plus unlimited use of public transportation. A two-day card costs $35 and is available at the city's tourism office.

What $20 will buy: A boat tour of the city traveling along the Danube river.