Travel websites can help you find the right short vacation for your budget. Travelocity, for example, offers the option to search for flight and hotel packages under a certain price from every major US metro area. If your heart is not set on a particular destination, this search might inspire you to explore a new place: recent searches yielded three-night packages from New York to under-the-radar cities like Norfolk, Virginia and Burlington, Vermont for less than $250.
If you live in or near a big city, chances are there are plenty of areas to explore within a day's drive, saving you hundreds on airfare. Driving a few hours outside Boston, for example, will take you to Maine, with its charming coastal towns and rugged countryside. The seaside town of Ogunquit offers gorgeous sandy beaches and stunning coastal hikes, as well as a burgeoning nightlife and restaurant scene. The Seacastles Resort offers off-season three-night packages for $285, which include lodging and a three-course dinner for two. If you're afraid of the cold weather, don't worry--the resort has an indoor jacuzzi to keep the winter chill away.
If you're in the mood for a more exotic destination, but still want to stay within your budget, you may be surprised to find some very affordable three-night getaways in places that seem worlds away. Southern Californians can take advantage of their proximity to the Mexican border by heading to a location such as Rosarito, a beachfront community on the Baja Peninsula just 30 miles south of San Diego. Discount packages abound in this area, including a President's Day weekend package at the Rosarito Beach Hotel that includes an oceanfront room, dinner for two and a spa discount coupon for only $230.
A cruise can make three nights at sea seem like weeks away from reality. Cruises are especially budget friendly, since all your meals and entertainment are included in the price. Fantastic deals can be found on trips departing from most coastal cities. Norwegian Cruise Lines offers a three-night Bahamas cruise from Miami starting at only $159 per person -- which is only about $50 per person per day for a truly stress-free tropical getaway.
