💰Big Adventures, Small Budgets: 3 Dreamy Escapes Under $100 a Day 🌞

TravelReport Weekly Issue 057

AuthorAuthor

Daniel Lowry & Sasha
November 21, 2025

In partnership with

👋 Hi Besties!

Let’s be real — travel is magic, but those flight prices? Not so much. Luckily, there are still corners of the world where your wallet can rest while your wanderlust runs wild. This week, we’re exploring three stunning destinations that blend adventure, beauty, and affordability — all under $100 a day (including meals, stays & fun).

Ready to travel smarter, not pricier? Let’s go 💼✨

❓ Travel Trivia

Question:
Which country’s currency features colorful banknotes with images of musical instruments and traditional dancers? 🎶

💬 Reply with your guess — answer below!

🩺 Health & Safety Tips (Nov–Feb)

✅ Bring a refillable water bottle — tap water varies by region; bottled or filtered water is safest in SE Asia and Latin America.
✅ Travel insurance is non-negotiable — even for budget trips.
✅ Keep digital copies of your passport and insurance card in your email.
✅ In winter destinations, pack thermal layers + hand warmers — even budget lodges can get chilly!

Want more safety tips? We’ve got you covered: Navigating Offbeat Destinations Safely. Travel insurance is your BFF. Missed flights, lost bags, or weather hiccups? You’re covered. ✅ Understand the true benefits of travel insurance here…

🌍 Spotlight Destinations: 🌍

🏝️ Hoi An, Vietnam — Lanterns, Noodles & Coastal Calm

Hoi An feels like stepping into a watercolor painting — riverside cafés, golden alleys lit by silk lanterns, and that slow, timeless rhythm of old Asia.

🌸 Why go: Gorgeous UNESCO-listed Old Town, insanely affordable food, and beaches just a bike ride away.
🍜 Can’t miss:

  • Bowl of Cao Lau noodles for $2 at a street stall

  • Tailor-made clothes at 1/10 the Western price 👗

  • An Bang Beach for sunset cocktails and sand between your toes

💡 Budget tip: Rent a bike for $1/day and cycle everywhere. Stay in a family-run homestay — breakfast often included, with smiles that feel priceless.

🏔️ Oaxaca, Mexico — Culture, Colors & Mezcal Dreams

Oaxaca is one of those cities that wraps you up in warmth — from its cobblestone streets to the scent of mole simmering in the air.

🌮 Why go: Affordable art, ancient ruins, and markets bursting with flavor.
🎨 Don’t miss:

  • Monte Albán ruins — a $4 ticket to 2,000 years of history

  • Mercado 20 de Noviembre for smoky grilled meats & street churros

  • Hierve el Agua — natural mineral pools that look straight out of a fantasy

💡 Budget tip: Skip hotels — guesthouses and hostels near the Zócalo start around $25/night. Don’t miss mezcal tastings — often free if you buy a small bottle.

🏞️ Bansko, Bulgaria — Europe’s Hidden Ski Steal 🎿

Yes, you can ski in Europe without going broke! Bansko is a charming mountain town in Bulgaria where alpine beauty meets bargain pricing.

❄️ Why go: Europe’s most affordable ski resort — with a cozy Old Town vibe.
⛷️ Do this:

  • Ski passes around $40/day

  • Stay in lodges with mountain views for $30/night

  • Warm up with banitsa (cheese pastry) and Bulgarian wine 🍷

💡 Budget tip: Visit in early winter (December) for discounts on both flights and ski passes.

💳 Points & Miles Tip of the Week

✨ Stretch Your Budget with Rewards:

  • Use Capital One Travel or Chase Sapphire portals for discounted hotel redemptions (as low as 5,000 points/night).

  • Flying to Asia or Europe? Transfer points to Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles — you can often snag U.S. to Europe one-ways for 45,000 miles in business class or 30,000 in economy.

  • Pair a cheap destination with a rewards flight — that’s how you travel luxe for less.

🌎 Travel Trend Watch — “The $100-a-Day Rule” 💼

Frugal travel is having a glow-up. The new wave isn’t about roughing it — it’s about smart, slow, and local.

🔹 Travelers are swapping resorts for homestays and boutique guesthouses.
🔹 Budget doesn’t mean boring — it means immersive. Think street food tours, bike rentals, and sunset hikes.
🔹 Gen Z and millennials are driving this — making experience-first travel cool again.

🎉 Trivia Answer Reveal

It’s… Mexico! 🇲🇽
The Mexican peso notes celebrate the country’s art, heritage, and spirit — perfect for a destination as vibrant (and affordable) as Oaxaca./

💌 Until Next Time...

Wherever your budget takes you, remember — travel isn’t about spending more; it’s about feeling more. The laughter at a night market, the mountain chill on your face, the taste of something new for $2 — those are the real riches.

✨ Keep dreaming, keep exploring, and keep proving that the world belongs to the curious — not just the wealthy.

With love,
— Sasha 💫🌍

7 Ways to Take Control of Your Legacy

Planning your estate might not sound like the most exciting thing on your to-do list, but trust us, it’s worth it. And with The Investor’s Guide to Estate Planning, preparing isn’t as daunting as it may seem.

Inside, you’ll find {straightforward advice} on tackling key documents to clearly spell out your wishes.

Plus, there’s help for having those all-important family conversations about your financial legacy to make sure everyone’s on the same page (and avoid negative future surprises).

Why leave things to chance when you can take control? Explore ways to start, review or refine your estate plan today with The Investor’s Guide to Estate Planning.

Links and Guides:
To assist you in planning your next adventure, here are some valuable resources: