1) Alpbach

Atmosphere is the name of the game at Alpbach, and boasts absolutely gorgeous scenery for beginners and pros alike. While Alpbach is more tailored for those new to the sport, good snow conditions will pose a challenge for skill sets of all levels. A nursery slope is a mere five minutes away from the main ski area, perfect for practicing snowploughs after a tough lesson, so bring the kids!

A view from Alpbach ski resort, Austria by mapryan

2) St Anton

There are a few reasons why St Anton is one of the top 3 ski resorts in all of Europe, but don’t be lured in by the beauty of this place. St Anton is primarily for serious skiers, and is not recommended for those new to the sport. However, there are a few resorts for the less-serious just a short bus ride away, so don’t let that stop you from encouraging a few of your beginner friends to tag along.

Skiing in St Anton, Austria by vuorikari

3) Kitzbühel

Kitzbühel is known primarily for its beauty and charm. While the annual Hahnenkamm — one of the toughest downhill courses in all of Europe — is held here, what Kitzbühel is really known for is its charm. Warmly welcoming skiers of all skill levels, Kitzbühel is both gorgeous and family-friendly. Even the non-skiers will enjoy their stay here, as the streets are lined with quaint boutiques, luxury hotels, and other trappings that rarely show up at an Austrian ski resort.

Skiing in Kitzbühel, Austria by Mahmut

4) Ischgl

Ischgl is for all you party people out there that love the nightlife just as much as your pair of skis. While Ischgl is not the cheapest of ski resorts, the atmosphere from late afternoon into the early morning hours is electric. Jovial and amicable people dance around every corner, making Ischgl party-central as far as Austrian ski resorts go with some great Austrian ski chalets that you can stay in and recover after the nights activities.

Ski slope in Ischgl, Austria by Leo-setä

5) Obergurgl

Last on the list is the family-friendly Obergurgl, the best Austrian ski resort to take the little ones to. At an extremely high elevation of 1,930m, Obergurgl guarantees snow for a longer season that most ski resorts you’ll find in Austria. While the ski area is somewhat small which will likely irritate experienced skiers, this cozy resort will always have your children within eyesight.

Skiing in Obergurgl, Austria by BeardyRob

There you have it! The five best Austrian ski holiday resorts — now get out there and hit the slopes!

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1. Visit Rialto Bridge

If breathtaking views are what you are searching for head straight for Rialto Bridge. A visit to this breath will yield views of the Grand Canal. Best of all, it won’t cost you a dime to take in the scenery.

Rialto Bridge, Venice, Italy / Photo by admin

2. Window shopping

Even if you don’t have a dime to spend in the expensive stores in Venice, window shopping can be an enjoyable experience. Many of the shops look like glass museums and are beautiful works of art.

3. Take a walk

Take a trip back to the 15th century by taking a walk down the winding streets of Venice. There will be countless sites to see along the way so be sure to bring your camera along.

4. Visit the churches

While some churches in Venice do charge a fee for entry to help maintain the property, others are free! San Vidal is free and open to the public. Not only will you see the magnificent structures of the churches, but many of them boast famous historic artwork.

Church in Venice, Italy / Photo by admin

5. Free concerts in the churches

While visiting the churches in Venice, look for signs that announce free concerts. Many times the churches will offer concerts or music for free of charge. Plan your trip accordingly.

6. Take an island trip

It will cost you a little money to get to the islands but once you get there, exploring the islands is free. Sightseeing in areas such as San Michele or exploring is free. You can also visit Murano Island, the birth place of famous murano glass and learn more about the World’s finest glass sculptures.

7. Visit the festivals

If you are Venice during a festival, this can provide tons of free entertainment. From a parade of boats to the Festival of San Marco to Carnevale di Venezia wearing handmade masquerade mask, choose to plan your visit during a festival to help save you money when trying to find things to do.

Festivals in Venice, Italy / Photo by admin

8. Museo della Musica

Choose to visit the museum of music to view a collection of instruments and find information about making violins. If music is a passion of yours, this is sure to be a free venue that you will love.

9. Visit the Jewish Ghetto

This is the historic area where the term “ghetto” came about. Walk on the very same roads as the thousands of Jews who were forced into segregation. You can see the areas where they lived and also visit synagogues in the area.

10. Visit the Parks of Venice

While you will certainly find more stone in this beautiful city, there are a few parks that still have some greenery. Take a stroll through the parks or have picnic. Spend the day relaxing and enjoying the beautiful surroundings.

11. Tour the Art Galleries

While many of the galleries will cost you money to visit, there are some that are free of charge. The Contini Art Gallery is one of the galleries that you can enjoy for no cost to you.

12. Visit the beach

Visiting the beach in Venice can be quite expensive if you don’t look for areas that have free access. Walk along Lido until you find a point of entry that won’t cost your money.

If you are planning a trip to Venice in the near future, use the list of 12 free things to do in Venice to help you make the most of your trip without spending tons of money. While Venice is an expensive city, if you know where to go and what to do, you can spend very little money enjoying the beautiful city. The sites and scenery of the city alone are enough to appease even the pickiest of tourist. What will you do in Venice?

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Street in Alicante, Spain / Illustrative photo by admin

From travel to lodging to food and everything in between, some people aren’t taking vacations because they can’t afford them. Rather than dish out your life savings to go on a trip you really can’t afford, try out these three cheap vacation alternatives.

1. Go Camping

Camping is one of the cheapest vacation options available today. Live off the land for a weekend (or longer, if you can handle it) and enjoy the time spent together without the chaos of the city and the constant need for technology.

If you don’t have camping gear, you will need to spend some money on these items up front, but they will last you for a very long time. If you don’t feel like buying, ask your friends and family members to see if anyone has gear you could borrow. Tents, sleeping bags, blankets, lighter/matches, pillows, toilet paper, cooking utensils—all of these items will help make your camping trip more enjoyable.

If you don’t want to hunt for your food, stick with easy meals that can be prepared over a burning fire. Items such as hot dogs and beans tend to work well, just make sure to bring a can opener with you.

Most campsites allow you to camp overnight for a very minimal fee, usually between $10 and $30 per night, which is much less than the cost of a hotel. You can either visit a campsite somewhere close to home or you can travel a bit further and go out of state. Obviously, the further you go, the more expensive the trip will be due to the price of gas.

There are plenty of activities to do while camping, too. If you camp near a lake, you can go swimming. During the day, you can take hikes and watch wildlife in its natural habitat. And at night, you can sit around the campfire making s’mores and telling ghost stories.

If tents are not your idea of a vacation, campsites also rent out log cabins. Though they’re more expensive than tents, they’re much cheaper than hotels and can provide you with more comfort than the tent but still offer the camping experience.

2. Visit Out-of-State Family and Friends

Visiting friends and family allows you to travel to new parts of the world on a small budget. As long as you are staying with your friends or family, the only cost you’ll really have is that of travel and possibly buying dinner a few nights per week (or at least splurging on groceries and cooking dinner for your hosts).

If you opt for this cheap vacation, make sure you don’t overextend your stay. Even the closest family members and friends can get sick of each other after a while. Make sure to limit your visit to three days maximum so not to be a bother.

It’s also a great idea to pitch in with chores and make sure that you and your family are respectful at all times. Let your host know that even though you are staying in their home, they don’t have to be your cook, maid and tour guide while there. Allow them to continue to live their normal life, and don’t force them to take off work or chauffeur you around .

3. Staycation

This word can take many forms. Some people use staycation to literally stay home, which isn’t a bad thing. Use this time to catch up on a good book, enjoy a community event or take a tour of your own neighborhood. If you live close to a big city, you may want to visit it for the day and take in all the free attractions, such as parks and window shopping.

Set up a tent in your backyard one day, grill out on another day, break out the sprinkler on another day. Staying home doesn’t have to be boring. You can make it fun. Just try to relax and keep yourself from doing too many of your normal chores. Those will still be there when it’s time to re-enter the real world.

Some people use staycation to stay overnight in a hotel close to home. Simply getting out of your house for one night may be the experience your family needs to have a good time. Opt for a hotel that has a pool or other amenity that your family would enjoy. Though you’re still spending money on lodging, you are eliminating the high cost of travel.

If a vacation is on your to do list this year, but you can’t afford to travel somewhere exotic, opt for camping, visiting friends and family or having a staycation. As long as you are with friends or family, and as long as you make the best of it, you could end up having one of the best vacations of your life.

Carrie Johnson lives in Houston and works with a traveling agency.  She likes to travel and recently won a trip to the bahamas island resorts.

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