Cheap holiday destinations

I’ve never spent Christmas away from home so I’m fascinated with trading in a fragrant douglas fir for a margarita on the beach or map of Paris. If you are considering traveling instead of visiting family (or perhaps traveling with family), there are many affordable places to visit. Getting a cheap flight is possible, too.

Hotel prices in major American cities are 75% lower than rates in the summer in some cases. Hotels in New York, San Francisco, Chicago, Atlanta, and San Diego are lowing rates dramatically over the holidays as business travel approaches zero, said Gabe Saglie, a senior editor at Travelzoo. The site blasts top travel deals to its 21 million subscribers daily. There are some bargains in Florida, too, because of unrealized fears about oil reaching the beaches.

“The holidays are a time when people priced out of luxury hotels can stay in 4-star properties,” Saglie said.

Look to pay about $200 a night in New York City, less than $125 a night in Chicago, and about $130 in San Francisco. Atlanta has 4-star hotels for less than $100 per night. The best time to find hotel bargains is between Nov. 21-27 and between Dec. 19-27. Or, push back your trip to begin the first week of January to get a steal.

Internationally, Mexico’s Cancun, Playa Carmen, and Riviera Maya have the best deals, Saglie said, especially if you book a vacation package. Worried about the drug wars? Tourist destinations have been largely untouched, reports MSNBC.

Still, take precautions when traveling abroad. Carry an international phone, keep a photocopy of your passport in your hotel, and let family or friends know where you are staying and how they can reach you. It’s also a good idea to register your trip with the Department of State in case of disaster.

Are you traveling during the holidays?