In a tight economy, vacations are usually the first things to go. After all, when you’re scrimping on the basics, it’s hard to justify the luxury of a leisure trip.
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You don't have to break the bank to go to a Caribbean beach. — Stephen Wilkes/Gallery Stock
Here are five budget-friendly trips you may not have thought of.
1. Hut-to-hut hiking. If you like to tramp through the woods but aren’t so crazy about camping out, hiking from hut to hut could be the answer. The nonprofit Appalachian Mountain Club operates a network of back-country huts in New Hampshire’s White Mountains, each a day’s hike apart. Charmingly spartan, the huts are maintained by cheerful bands of college kids who not only cook a mean dinner and breakfast, but entertain you as well.
Meals are served family-style and sleeping is in coed bunkhouses (bring earplugs—there’s always someone who snores). The huts are open from early June to mid-September or mid-October, depending on the location (some are open earlier and later in the season for self-service stays, i.e. no meals). Info and reservations at 603-466-2727.
Meals are served family-style and sleeping is in coed bunkhouses (bring earplugs—there’s always someone who snores). The huts are open from early June to mid-September or mid-October, depending on the location (some are open earlier and later in the season for self-service stays, i.e. no meals). Info and reservations at 603-466-2727.
Pros: a roof over your head; someone else does the cooking; flush toilets.
Cons: lights-out and wake-up times strictly enforced; no showers or hot water; must reserve months in advance.
Cost: $88 per night for members, $97 for nonmembers (less for extended stays), including dinner and breakfast. Annual membership is $50 (currently on sale for $40), $75 for families (now $60) and $25 for those 70 and older.
More options: 10th Mountain Division Huts in Colorado (970-925-5775); Parc National de la Gaspésie in Quebec (800-665-6527); Rendezvous Huts in Washington state (509-996-8100).
2. Volunteer vacations. Spend a few hours a day doing volunteer work for a nonprofit organization and you could be rewarded not only with a warm glow, but with free food and lodging.
For example, the Pacific Crest Trails Association needs volunteers year-round to help maintain the 2,650-mile national scenic trail that runs through California, Oregon and Washington. Jobs include cutting brush, repairing stream crossings and rebuilding rock walls.
No experience is necessary, but you must be in good physical condition. Participants camp and work along the trail. Food, tools, instruction and supervision are provided. Info: 916-285-1846.
Pros: plenty of down time for hiking, wildlife viewing, fishing, photography, bonding with new friends.
Cons: you may be too tired to play after all that physical labor.
Cost: free, but you must get to the site on your own.
More options: Bob Marshall Wilderness Foundation in Montana ($50 optional donation, 406-387-3808); Colorado Trail Foundation ($60 per week, $30 for weekends, 303-384-3729); World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms, United States and abroad (from $30, 949-715-9500).
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