Vacations on the Cheap

Vail, CO: $89.00 for 4-Star Lodge in Rocky Mountains ($262.00 value)

4-Star Vail Retreat in Rocky Mountains

In the Rocky Mountains, about two hours west of Denver, trails wind beneath a canopy of aspens and ponderosa pines, leading to the doorstep of Vail Cascade Resort & Spa. Echoes of the landscape's rugged beauty can be found throughout the resort. Natural light illuminates exposed wood beams inside the lounges and restaurants, and decks with fire pits boast sweeping views of the surrounding mountains.

Year-round outdoor activities are a big draw at this recently renovated lodge, which was recognized in 2011 as one of Travel + Leisure's top 500 hotels in the world. In the winter, you can go skiing, sledding, or tubing downhill or navigate nearby cross-country skiing trails on relatively level ground. Afterward you can warm up at the resort's Aria Spa & Club, which features aromatherapy steam rooms and a heated outdoor saltwater pool.

The resort?s upscale restaurant, Atwater on Gore Creek, serves Colorado lamb meatballs, rainbow trout with ginger kale, and other creative American dishes alongside local craft beers. On Saturday and Sunday mornings, you'll find a full breakfast buffet with made-to-order omelets and vegetarian selections.

Vail, Colorado: Mountain Playground in the Heart of the Rockies

Set amid towering pines and snowcapped peaks, Vail stands at the center of Colorado's mountain recreation scene. About 5 miles east of the hotel, White River National Forest is crisscrossed with snowmobiling trails and sledding areas set in the shadows of the Rockies. The 2.3-million-acre woodland encompasses an array of wildlife habitats and recreational ventures, allowing you to take in fresh mountain breezes while hiking, snowshoeing, or playing freeze tag with boulders.

After a day of alpine adventures, visit the Colorado Ski & Snowboard Museum for a glimpse into the evolution of bib overalls. On Tuesdays, Vail Village historical walking tours branch out from the museum into the charming, European-style village.

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Denver, CO: $99.00 for Romantic Suites at Mansion near Downtown Denver ($199.00 value)

Victorian Mansion Steeped in Lore Right Outside Downtown Denver

In 1890, John Mouat?a prominent figure in America's booming lumber industry?built his family an elaborate Victorian mansion in Denver. Fittingly for a logging tycoon, Mouat decked out the rooms with intricately carved sycamore, maple, and walnut woodwork. A century later, Walter Keller and his wife Julie transformed Mouat's mansion into the Lumber Baron Inn & Gardens. The name of the place is a tribute to the original owner, who might be pleased to know much of the original woodwork has been carefully preserved. Then again, maybe he already knows: paranormal experts claim the bed and breakfast can count a ghost or two among its regular guests.

Each of the inn?s four rooms feels like a meticulously curated museum exhibit, with authentic Victorian decor and sumptuous imported furnishings. These are set amid modern touches, such as flat-screen TVs, jacuzzis, and an iPad in each room. The Valentine suite features an Indonesian wedding bed carved from teak wood and imported from Java. In the Anniversary suite, stately columns impart a sense of Grecian grandeur, augmented by drapes of gold brocade and a bedside bust of John Stamos.

Downtown Denver, Colorado: Artsy Neighborhoods and Victorian Architecture in Mile-High City

A full mile above sea level, the glittering skyscrapers of Colorado?s capital city cut an imposing figure against the Rocky Mountains to the west. Downtown, contemporary architecture stands alongside historical landmarks such as the Denver Mint and Union Station, which has been a stop on the railroad since the 1880s.

Lumber Baron Inn & Gardens lies just outside downtown in the city's historical Highlands area, which CNN Travel dubbed "one of Denver's best-kept secrets." There's a nice mix of Victorian architecture and chic stores throughout the area. The highest concentration of boutiques, bodegas, and galleries can be found in the Tennyson Street Cultural District.

If shopping doesn?t appeal to you, you can learn about Rocky Mountain flora and fauna at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science. Through January 13, it will be showing A Day in Pompeii, an exhibit full of preserved artifacts from the Roman city that was covered in volcanic ash.

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Santa Fe, NM: $79.00 for Pueblo-Style Condos in Santa Fe ($199.00 value)

Pueblo-Style Condos near the Historic Santa Fe Plaza

Pueblo-, Spanish-, and Territorial-style buildings line the streets of the historic Santa Fe Plaza, a square in downtown Santa Fe that?s served as the city center for hundreds of years. Some of the buildings date back to the early 1600s, including the San Miguel Mission, one of the oldest surviving churches in the United States. Today, the Plaza is a popular community gathering spot that?s home to art galleries, museums, and summer festivals, all within a mile of Fort Marcy Hotel Suites.

Learn more about the Santa Fe Plaza on a two-hour historical and cultural walking tour, an option included with this Getaway. This tour strolls past the St. Francis Cathedral Basilica and other distinct examples of Santa Fe architecture. You can also embark on a guided ghost tour, art tour, or hiking tour through the Santa Fe National Forest.

Each of the pueblo-style condos at Fort Marcy has a full kitchen and living and dining areas decked out with southwestern decor. Many have a wood-burning kiva fireplace, a nice spot to warm up on a chilly night or destroy all evidence of an addiction to folding origami swans. Private patios or balconies look out across nine acres of landscaped grounds and gardens; some even have distant views of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains.

Santa Fe, New Mexico: Old West Architecture and Fiery Southwestern Cuisine

Santa Fe's vibrant mosaic of cultural influences includes pieces of Native American, Latino, and western traditions. On a walk through Santa Fa Plaza, you'll see old buildings made of adobe, the red brick-like material that defines much of Santa Fe's architecture. Centuries of colorful southwestern artwork are also on display in the New Mexico Museum of Art, which is located in the Plaza.

Fiery chili is the signature flavor at many restaurants in Santa Fe, which earned a place on TripAdvisor's Top 10 Food & Wine Destinations in the United States in 2011. It's worth it to sign up for a walking food tour of the area, which has sprung up with popular eateries, each offering its own spin on zesty southwestern cuisine.

For more than 300 days a year, Santa Fe soaks in sunshine. Such consistently great weather, paired with New Mexico?s varied terrain, makes the region ideal for hiking and biking. The Sangre de Cristo Mountains have peaks that stand over 13,000 feet high, and they're traced with trails that wind past picturesque meadows filled with Indian paintbrush, purple lupine, and undomesticated landscape painters. From late fall to early spring, up to 300 inches of snow falls on the slopes of the mountains, which offer miles of downhill-skiing and snowboarding trails.

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Park City, Utah: $89.00 for Condos near Mountains and Skiing in Park City ($189.00 value)

Spacious Condos Steps from Skiing and Mountain Recreation

In the early 20th century, skiing in Park City, Utah, wasn't just done for fun: Silver miners skied from worksite to worksite. Telephone-line repairman Emmett ?Bud? Wright did his job while swooshing around the slopes on handmade, mismatched wooden skis. Today, a statue of Wright stands tall on historic Main Street, and he's still clutching those makeshift skis, immortalized in bronze. The Silver King Hotel was named for the largest of the old Park City silver mines; it tips its hat to the city's past with rustic mining tools accenting the lobby decor.

Today, Park City has blossomed from a mining village into a world-class ski destination and outdoor playground; the gorgeous landscape is just steps from the doors of the Silver King Hotel. Beyond the living-room windows of certain condos at the hotel, you can see ski trails snaking their way skyward. The Silver King sits among the lively lodges and private homes huddled at the base of the Park City Mountain Resort.

Silver King Hotel's studio condominiums are individually decorated; they're lined with framed family portraits hanging above the mantle and rustic bric-a-brac set upon end tables. All rooms feature a full kitchen and wood-burning fireplace, and double-wide jetted bathtubs.

Park City, Utah: Historical Mining Town Turned Utah Skiing Mecca

Steps away from the Silver King Hotel, there is fantastic skiing and snowboarding at Park City Mountain Resort?a venue for the 2002 Winter Olympic half-pipe and alpine giant-slalom events. Of the mountain's eight peaks and nine bowls, you can test out alternative theories of gravity on more than 114 trails and three terrain parks.

Park City's former boomtown saloons and boarding houses have given way to more than 100 independent boutiques, 30 art galleries, and 50 restaurants along historical Main Street. The 12,000-square-foot Park City Museum chronicles the town?s history with artifacts and interactive exhibits. In the eerie museum basement, you can check out the former territorial jail?nicknamed ?the dungeon? for its dim lighting, stone walls, and rusted leg irons. Interactive "Wanted" posters are embedded in the space between the cells; they have videos showcasing the outlaws, murderers, and thieves who passed through the subterranean slammer.

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Catalina Island, CA: $79.00 for Resort in Catalina Island Foothills ($159.00 value)

Mediterranean Resort in the Southeastern Foothills of Catalina Island

The mountains in southeastern Catalina Island are crisscrossed with multilevel hiking and biking trails that wind past rugged terrain speckled with St. Catherine?s lace and prickly-pear cacti. The dirt trails are open year-round, but in 2006 the San Diego Reader recommended attempting them between late October and March when ?crystal-clear days?[afford] an ever-changing panorama of the blue ocean, San Clemente Island to the south, and the snow-capped summits of the San Gabriel Mountains on the mainland.? Many of the most popular trails, including the Trans-Catalina Trail that stretches along the entire island, are just a short walk from Catalina Canyon Resort & Spa in Avalon.

The Mediterranean-style resort overlooks the town of Avalon from the foothills of southeastern Catalina Island. The private balconies of some guest rooms open to views of the mountains; others look out onto the resort?s heated pool, set in an outdoor courtyard shaded by towering palms.

In the morning, use your dining credit toward a California-style breakfast or dinner at the Canyon Bar & Grill, also located in the courtyard. At the Spa at Catalina, you can get an organic seaweed body wrap in a candlelit room.

Santa Catalina Island, CA: Desert Foliage and Secluded Coves in the Pacific Ocean

Santa Catalina Island, most often referred to as Catalina Island, is just 22 miles southwest of Los Angeles, but it?s a world away from the crowded metropolis. The island?s unpopulated interior is home to a vast array of desert foliage and wildlife, and its many secluded coves are nice spots to soak up rays or snorkel among starfish, sea urchins, and bright-orange garibaldi. Travel + Leisure called these coves ?ready-made for romance,? naming Catalina one of the most romantic islands in the world.

Much of Catalina Island is accessible only by dirt hiking and biking trails, but you can see many of its endemic plants in town at the Wrigley Memorial & Botanic Garden. The memorial, which was constructed with blue flagstone rock from the harbor and hand-painted tiles from Catalina Pottery, is just a short drive or half-hour walk from Avalon, the island?s only major city. To see a little more of the interior, take the all-levels Garden to Sky Hike from here for spectacular views of the island and surrounding ocean.

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Durango, CO: $149.00 for Elegant French Manor amid Colorado Wildlife ($358.00 value)

Top 5 Reasons to Visit Lightner Creek Inn

• It?s only 5 miles from downtown Durango and 33 miles from Mesa Verde National Park, known for its Native American cliff dwellings.
• The inn resembles a French country manor; it has landscaped gardens and a backyard pond.
• Each morning, the innkeepers prepare a fresh breakfast, served in the sunroom or on the veranda.
• You might see wildlife, as the inn is located across the street from a peregrine falcon sanctuary and next door to an elk preserve. In nearby Durango, you can hike, bike, whitewater raft, or shop downtown. *The famous jumping scene from the classic film Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid was filmed at Baker?s Bridge, which is located above the Animas River, about 13 miles north of Durango.

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Gatlinburg, TN: $59.00 for Gatlinburg Lodge in Great Smoky Mountains ($119.00 value)

Expansive Lodge Surrounded by Great Smoky Mountains Woodlands

The old-school Gatlinburg Trolley connects all the big attractions in town, including Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies and Great Smoky Mountains National Park; it even makes a stop at Glenstone Lodge. Tucked amid rolling hills covered with ash and hickory trees, the rustic lodge exudes backcountry charm, though it's just a short ride away from Gatlinburg's family destinations.

The surrounding mountains and nearby attractions are the main draw, but there?s plenty to do at the lodge. You can hone your short game on the putting green, or train for the 400-meter individual medley in the outdoor pool. There?s also a two-level indoor pool fed by waterfalls within a cavernous, tropical-plant-filled atrium. The guest rooms are accented by warm green hues and offer views of either the pool or surrounding woodlands.

Gatlinburg, Tennessee: Family-Friendly Fun amid the Great Smoky Mountains

Gatlinburg sits amid the Great Smoky Mountains in eastern Tennessee, near the border of North Carolina. Glenstone Lodge is less than a mile from Great Smoky Mountains National Park, one of America?s most popular national parks. Here, you can hike more than 100 trails that wend past waterfalls and pioneer-era log cabins tucked deep within the densely forested mountains. Or, take a bicycle ride on the 11-mile loop through Cades Cove, a broad valley known for its ample wildlife-viewing opportunities; deer, black bears, wild turkeys, and vacationing college mascots are known to frequent the open meadows. One of the best places to catch a glowing sunset is Clingmans Dome, the park?s highest point of elevation at 6,600 feet.

Downtown Gatlinburg is packed with attractions geared toward vacationing families. There are indoor water parks, ghost tours, and quirky museums, which include Ripley's Believe it or Not Odditorium, Guinness World Records Museum, and a museum showcasing more than 20,000 salt and pepper shakers.

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Colorado Springs, CO: $119.00 for Colorado B&B with Views of Pikes Peak ($238.00 value)

Queen Anne Victorian B&B with Views of Pikes Peak

As the innkeepers in residence at Lennox House Bed and Breakfast, James and Julia Fife make sure no guest goes without a housemade, gourmet breakfast each morning. It?s part of the commitment to hospitality that permeates this charming bed and breakfast housed in a Queen Anne Victorian home whose very exterior seems to offer a friendly welcome, with its cheerful yellow paint job and front porch filled with inviting rocking chairs. Built in 1891, the house retains many of its original features, including a carved oak staircase, stained-glass windows, and an Italian-tile fireplace.

The inn's five spacious guest rooms are each decorated according to a different seasonal theme. The elegant Summer Escape room stands out with its handsome oak four-poster bed and a private bath with a romantic tub for two. Inspired by the snowy slopes of the Rockies, the Winter Hideaway room might inspire you to construct alpine dioramas in the claw-footed bathtub. The most spacious of the group, the Falcon's Nest suite, includes two bedrooms and a sitting room, plus a full kitchen and a dining table.

Colorado Springs: Thriving Cultural Scene Where the Mountains Meet the Plains

Among Colorado cities, Colorado Springs is second only to Denver in population, but it still has a frontier feel, thanks to its towering mountains, vast plains to the east, and grizzled prospectors panning for gold in public water fountains. Pikes Peak anchors the landscape, beckoning hikers to ramble along its craggy slopes. You can also enjoy the scenery by taking the 19-mile Pikes Peak Highway, which doubles as a racing course during the annual Pikes Peak International Hill Climb.

Closer to the hotel, downtown Colorado Springs boasts an assortment of cultural attractions and eclectic restaurants. The Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center and the Colorado Springs Philharmonic are both within walking distance of Lennox House Bed and Breakfast, and the United States Air Force Academy is just about 13 miles to the north.

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Dublin, Killarney, Kilkenny, Galway: $999.00 for See Castles and Countryside on Tour of Ireland ($1,399.00 value)

Drive Across Ireland with Stops at Dublin, 5-Star Hotel, and Historical Castles

Though Ireland is nicknamed the Emerald Isle for its lush vegetation and verdant pastures, the island is actually made up of several landscapes, ranging from the western causeway?s spectacular basalt columns to the towering Cliffs of Moher. On this six-night Ireland vacation from Sceptre Tours, you?ll get an up-close view of the unspoiled countryside as you travel through the country?s rural farmlands and historic cities. The package includes roundtrip airfare from New York (JFK), Boston (BOS), or Chicago (ORD), nightly accommodations, and a manual-shift rental car for the duration of the trip. Click here for more information and policies.

Day 1: After touching down in Dublin (DUB) and picking up your rental car, drive about an hour southwest to Heritage Golf & Spa Resort in County Laois. Fodor's called this five-star golf and spa resort "a haven of peace, calm, and elegance." Set against the dramatic backdrop of the Slieve Bloom Mountains, the resort is bathed in grandeur, from its lavish European-style decor to its pristine 18-hole golf course that was partially designed by golf legend Seve Ballesteros.

During your stay, roam the grounds at the nearby Rock of Dunamase, a stone fort that served as an important stronghold as far back as the 9th century.

Days 2?3: On your way from Heritage Resort, take a tour of Kilkenny Castle, a stone structure built in the early 13th century that housed the Butler family for nearly 600 years.

Venture farther southwest through the breathtaking countryside towards Killarney, a popular tourist town that lies just off the island's Atlantic coast. While in Killarney, guests settle in at Scotts Hotel for a two-night stay. While you?re here, explore Killarney National Park and its more than 25,000 acres of waterfalls, lakes, and deep green mountainsides.

You could also visit some relics from Killarney's 4,000-year history. The national park?s Ross Castle dates back to the 15th century and overlooks a supposedly haunted lake. The castle rests on the Ring of Kerry, a 110-mile road with so many picturesque vistas that it can take up to a day to explore. Along the way, you?ll see centuries-old forts, scenic bluffs, and ancient monoliths carved with early Celtic writings.

Days 4?5: Wind your way north to Galway, a charming bayside city that?s home to the National University of Ireland as well as plenty of Gaelic history and culture. Hit up one of Galway's pubs for a pint of Irish beer and some live entertainment, which ranges from fiddlers to folk dancers.

At Galway Bay, you can gaze on the waters that inspired works by James Joyce and John Lennon. The bay is popular for deep-sea fishing and sailing. In warmer months, the waters are filled with dozens of Galway hookers, the town?s traditional fishing boats. You can also take a ferry ride to the Aran Islands, where ancient walls gird seaside bluffs covered with wildflowers in springtime.

During your stint in Galway, you?ll spend both nights at the posh Clayton Hotel, a four-star hotel with an indoor pool and gourmet dining.

Day 6: On the way to Dublin, you can pause in Kildare Village to enjoy the sights and do some shopping.

Your final accommodation is at the Ballsbridge Hotel, located in downtown Dublin.

Day 7: Say farewell to the Emerald Isle as you board your flight back to the States.

Downtown Dallas: $95.00 for 4-Star Landmark Hotel in Heart of Dallas ($209.00 value)

Four-Star Landmark Hotel in the Heart of Dallas

In 1912, brewing tycoon Adolphus Busch spared no expense when creating the baroque-style Adolphus Hotel as a love letter to Dallas. It was the city?s tallest building at the time, and attracted notable guests, including Babe Ruth and Queen Elizabeth II, with its mix of opulent decor and high-quality service. Today, the Adolphus Hotel is as celebrated as it was when it first opened?it was recently named one of America?s Best City Hotels by Travel + Leisure magazine. The hotel still has its old-world glamour, too, visible in the lobby?s vaulted skylight, Flemish tapestries, and 1893 Steinway grand piano that once belonged to a Guggenheim. Guests gather here in the afternoon for a three-course serving of English tea.

Of the three onsite restaurants, the AAA Five Diamond?rated French Room is the most buzzed about, both for its classic French cuisine and for its pastiche of frescoed ceilings and gilded sconces. You?ll find a more casual dining area at the barbecue-centric Rodeo Bar & Grill or at The Bistro, which serves traditional American breakfast and lunch fare.

Bedecked with vintage furniture, deluxe rooms are as refined as The Adolphus Hotel?s public areas. Ten-foot ceilings and 500 square feet of floor space give the rooms an airy quality. The executive suites have even more space, and sleep up to five guests.

Dallas: Historical Parks and Rejuvenated Urban Districts in North Texas

Though some know Dallas only for the massive Cowboys Stadium (which is actually in Arlington), the city is also an enclave of arts and nature, overflowing with botanical gardens, art galleries, and live theater. Historical Main Street connects many of the city?s recently rejuvenated urban districts, as well as the popular Main Street Garden, a block-long public park surrounded by architecturally significant buildings. Locals come here to picnic on the expansive lawn or watch a movie under the moonlight in the summer and fall.

A short walk from downtown Dallas, you?ll find horse-drawn carriages clopping along brick streets in the city's historic West End district, which dates back to the 19th century. The West End became especially notable when President Kennedy was assassinated at Dealey Plaza in November 1963. At The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza, you can visit the sixth floor of the former Texas School Book Depository, from where Lee Harvey Oswald is believed to have shot at Kennedy?s presidential motorcade.

Joggers and bikers can zip through the fashionable Turtle Creek neighborhood, located about 4 miles west of downtown, via the Katy Trail, which follows an old interstate railroad. Back near downtown Dallas, the 277-acre Fair Park is the location of North America's largest ferris wheel and seven museums and four performing-arts centers, many of which are inside art-deco buildings built for the 1936 Texas Centennial Exposition.

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San Jose del Cabo, Mexico: $417.00 for All-Inclusive Beachfront Resort in Los Cabos ($1,635.00 value)

Live Shows and International Fare at All-Inclusive Beachfront Resort

The southern tip of the Baja Peninsula is best known for Cabo San Lucas, thanks to a massive tourism campaign carried out by the Mexican government in the 1970s. But neighboring San Jose del Cabo dates back much further. Spanish explorers began docking there in the 17th century to draw fresh water from a nearby estuary. Today, the town's colonial legacy can be seen in colonnaded buildings and an iconic mission adorned with mosaics. Along the beachfront, the Royal Solaris Los Cabos ties into local history with hacienda-inspired architecture and traditional musical performances incorporating Mexican folk dancing.

The resort's all-inclusive setup gives you access to an array of live shows and restaurants. Though an all-day buffet at Caf? Solaris makes snacking easy, it's worth putting in a dinner reservation at Pancho's, where authentic Mexican dishes include cochinita pibil, a helping of tender pork slow-roasted in citrus juice. Bartenders pour beer, wine, cocktails, and sodas to wash it all down. You can order poolside from a swim-up barstool, or wander into the lobby bar to hear musicians interpret popular ringtones. Performances take place nightly (except on Tuesdays) from 9:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.

Though the crashing surf offshore makes it difficult to wade further than waist-deep into the ocean, the sea spray provides a magnificent backdrop?and you can always swim in one of the courtyard's three pools. Nearby, a kid-size water park brims with splash pools and water slides. It's part of the complimentary kids' club, where bilingual counselors supervise children aged 4?11 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Hugging the pools and playgrounds of the central courtyard, the resort forms a giant U. Inside, deluxe rooms overlook tropical foliage and the colonial city beyond.

San Jose del Cabo, Mexico: Colonial Architecture and Waterfront Wildlife

Whereas the beach known as Playa Hotelero sparkles with high-rises, San Jose retains a traditional vibe. The historical downtown boasts jacaranda trees, garden courtyards, and trickling fountains. Local artisans breathe new life into old adobe houses in the Art District, which hosts art walks on Thursday evenings between November and June.

Cabo's raucous nightlife lies a half-hour drive west, but heading east reveals secluded nature reserves. Cabo Pulmo Park shelters North America's only hard coral reef, and flocks of white egrets inhabit the San Jose Estuary.

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Seaside, Oregon: $84.00 for Sandy Cove Inn near Beach in Seaside, OR ($168.00 value)

Chic Inn Steps from Pacific Ocean

In just a few short years, the Tucker family has transformed the Sandy Cove Inn from a timeworn motor lodge into a stylish and comfortable retreat, and it?s located just two blocks from the beach and the promenade. Managers Mike and Betsy Tucker bring enthusiasm as well as expertise from their former roles in advertising and event planning to provide personalized, concierge-like services, including a carefully vetted guide to local eateries and a welcome doggie bag for four-legged guests.

The family's resident decorator, Ann Tucker, has given each of the inn's 18 rooms a unique design scheme?ranging from the whimsical Monopoly and Wave rooms adorned with hand-painted murals to the elegant Garden and Country Charm rooms, accented with French furnishings and artwork collected at Parisian shops and flea markets.

Seaside, Oregon: Historical Coastline Where Mountains and Rivers Meet the Sea

"More than just a day at the beach" is Seaside's well-deserved motto?a reference to the many year-round activities available beyond the town's stretch of sandy coastline. Along the oceanfront, you'll find an eclectic mix of carnival rides and one of the West Coast's oldest aquariums. The Seaside Aquarium offers seal shows and a touch tank inhabited by sea anemones, starfish, and sea urchins.

Among the area's numerous hiking trails, the winding Clatsop Loop Trail at Ecola State Park follows in the footsteps of Lewis and Clark past ancient sitka spruce trees. From December to April, the trail?s scenic promontories also make for ideal spots to view migrating gray whales as they swim past Seaside twice a year on their way to and from their homes in northerly Arctic waters.

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Las Vegas: $97.00 for Spacious Suites Minutes from Vegas Strip ($178.00 value)

Quiet, Spacious Suites near Las Vegas Strip

The Las Vegas Strip has no shortage of glitz, from the Bellagio fountains' kaleidoscopic light show to the dozens of casinos, nightclubs, and sparkling neon signs everywhere you turn. Yet just a few blocks east of the Strip, the city's casual side emerges. Here, the Alexis Park All Suite Resort?the first nongaming hotel in Vegas?cultivates a tranquil atmosphere with three sparkling pools and secluded courtyard gardens. Come nightfall, you won't hear the jingle of slot machines or banter at the blackjack table, but there's still plenty of entertainment in the stylish sports lounge. And if you should heed the siren call of Sin City, the action is just a few minutes away.

Quiet walking paths lead to more than a dozen two-story guest-room buildings. Along these walkways, you'll pass swimming pools encircled by lounge chairs, palm trees, and colorful flower beds. At the Pegasus Bar & Lounge, bartenders pour ice-cold cocktails, and the Alexis Gardens Restaurant?where guests enjoy 20% off meals during their stays?serves prime rib and surf 'n' turf specialties on a poolside patio.

Renovated in 2011, the Crown Loft suites' unique two-story layout includes a whirlpool tucked halfway up the staircase. Downstairs, you'll find a kitchenette and a living area, where you can stretch out after a long night or build replicas of Mount Rushmore with your chip winnings. The Monarch suites feature a simple layout and a stylish palette of crimson and cream.

Las Vegas: The Strip Past and Present

Mentioning Las Vegas usually conjures up images of spinning roulette wheels and stone-faced poker players. If that?s what you?re looking for, you?ll want to make a beeline for the casinos lining the neon-lit Strip. But for lower-stakes gambling in a throwback Vegas atmosphere, head downtown to Fremont Street. Vintage signs and showgirls crowned with headdresses recall the days of Sinatra and Martin, but this Glitter Gulch burns much brighter today than it did in the Rat Pack era: beginning at dusk, a canopy of more than 12 million LED lights erupts in a psychedelic light and music show every hour.

Educational attractions have never been Sin City's strong suit, but the Mob Museum boasts a winning formula: bank robberies, prostitution, and money laundering. Exhibits profile legendary Mafiosos from Capone to Gotti, and mob artifacts include the bloodstained, bullet-pocked brick wall from the St. Valentine?s Day Massacre. Within the former federal courthouse, you can fire a Tommy gun simulator, participate in a police lineup, or enter witness protection for the rest of your life.

Read the Fine Print for important info on travel dates and other restrictions.

New Orleans: $57.00 for Landmark Boutique Hotel near French Quarter ($95.00 value)

Boutique Hotel in a Landmark Building Steps from French Quarter

New Orleans simply has a better soundtrack than other cities. Instead of top 40 or classic rock, the background music in every shop, restaurant, and cab is something you've never heard before but know you want to hear again. In the lobby of The Queen and Crescent Hotel, the mix is mostly Dixieland jazz, with a little R & B thrown in for good measure. "Music is important," says front office manager Stacey. "It's something visitors can relate to when they get here, to start to get the feeling of New Orleans."

Named for the rail line once headquartered in the building?it ran from New Orleans, the Crescent City, to Cincinnati, the Queen City?this boutique hotel makes a comfortable base for exploring the nearby French Quarter. Strict preservation laws prevent major changes to the structure, which was the tallest in the city when it opened in 1913. The rooms, small but comfortable, house simple, elegant furnishings. Tasteful floral prints accent the deluxe queen rooms, and an armoire conceals the flat-screen TV.

On the hotel's fourth floor, a modest fitness center stays open 24 hours a day. Off the lobby, the Club Car Lounge pours local brews such as Dixie and Abita alongside the house-special Fire Starter cocktail, a potent concoction served with a flaming cherry on top. Every morning, the bar hosts a basic cereal-and-pastries breakfast buffet.

New Orleans's French Quarter: Vivid Local Color and Generations-Old Culture

"Stop thinking of New Orleans as the worst-organized city in the United States," writes author Dan Baum. "Start thinking of it as the best-organized city in the Caribbean." There's definitely something foreign about New Orleans, where life moves at a different pace and priorities incline toward enjoying life and living in the moment.

In the French Quarter, located a few minutes' walk north of the hotel, historical buildings with intricate wrought-iron balconies line the narrow streets. Just off Jackson Square, the legendary Caf? Du Monde serves beignets under heaping piles of powdered sugar, as well as cups of iced or steaming caf? au lait. Most evenings, street musicians set up shop on the north side of the square. At the open-air Caf? Pontalba, you can take in the scene while feasting on a roast-beef po boy and downing an Abita amber.

Deeper in the Quarter, the city's rich gumbo of cultural influences becomes even more apparent. Bennachin Restaurant on Royal Street serves excellent African cuisine, and nearby Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop Bar claims to be the oldest saloon in the country.

And then there's Bourbon Street. Considered a mecca for some partiers, it might feel like a neon-lit level of perdition if you're in the post-collegiate crowd. Nearby Frenchmen Street, just north of the Quarter, offers an authentic alternative. Small jazz and blues bars line the street, drawing locals with performers such as trumpeter Kermit Ruffins, known to out-of-towners for his recurring role on HBO's Treme. At The Spotted Cat Music Club, where jazz and smoke fill the air, a sign warns that drinks and drunks are both barred from the piano?but like all rules in New Orleans, it's one that's bound to get bent from time to time.

Tonto National Forest: $129.00 for Rustic Arizona Lodge amid Tonto National Forest ($303.00 value)

Log-Cabin-Style Lodge with Onsite Fishing and Horseback Riding

Central Arizona?s seemingly endless stretches of rugged terrain and its soaring Mogollon Rim sparked creativity in writer Zane Grey. The scenery served as his inspiration for 64 novels, more than 300 short stories, and 130 movies during the early 20th century, culminating in the western classic Riders of the Purple Sage. To immerse himself in the grandiose landscapes he admired, the scribe lived near Payson, Arizona; Kohl?s Ranch Lodge sits amid the same picturesque vistas that served as the backdrop of Grey's classic western fiction.

There's a rugged, cowboy feel to the log-cabin-style property?it's lined with wagon wheels, saddles, and southwestern blankets. At Zane Grey Steakhouse and Saloon, the menu has classic breakfast dishes with names such as Outlaw Cakes and Rangers Repast. A highlight of the entrees: rainbow trout fished directly out of the adjacent Tonto Creek.

Horseback rides, fishing, and hiking are all available onsite. An ample collection of lounge chairs surrounds the heated outdoor pool, which reflects the towering trees that line the perimeter of the lodge.

Payson, Arizona: Historical Western Culture on Rugged Mogollon Rim

Pine trees and saguaro cacti cover the nearly 3-million-acre Tonto National Forest, which surrounds Payson in central Arizona. About an hour's drive from Kohl's Ranch Lodge is one of the most popular outdoor destinations in the state: the Mogollon Rim, a towering cliff about 2,000 feet high that stretches for roughly 200 miles. Hundreds of miles of roads slink through the rim?s awe-inspiring scenery, passing campsites, hiking trails, and lakes good for fishing. Among the forested hills, black bears, bobcats, and white-tailed deer have been spotted.

Read the Fine Print for important info on travel dates and other restrictions.

Ridgway, CO: $199.00 for Mountainside Adobe Lodges in Southwest Colorado ($506.00 value)

Luxurious Adobe Lodgings in San Juan Mountains

The Hollywood producers behind the 1962 epic film How the West Was Won needed a shooting location that would do justice to the film's huge budget and star-studded cast. They found a stunning backdrop amid the San Juan Mountains in a tiny town called Ridgway, where bighorn sheep, deer, and elk roam the green fields south of town. You can experience the film's iconic backdrop at Chipeta Solar Springs Resort, which is dotted with adobe-style lodges.

Each lodge at the resort exudes southwestern style: there are rough adobe walls, tiled baths, and knotted-wood furnishings. Some lodgings overlook the property?s solarium, and the Loghill and Mears rooms feature private covered porches looking toward the mountains. For the best view, head to the rooftop of the Four Corners Cafe, an onsite restaurant manned by chef Adrian Musgrove, who recently won the Master Chef competition at the annual Taste of Ouray. If you?re undecided on what to choose from Four Corners' menu, Chipeta Solar Springs general manager Roger Gardner recommends chef Adrian?s Cajun shrimp, followed up by a signature mojito at Skybar.

The resort's spa provides massage treatments with herbal oils, marble stones, and other natural elements. You can also unwind in Chipeta's saltwater thermal pools, which are heated by solar panels. Stop for a cup of tea at the solarium, too, a two-story room teeming with indigenous plants.

Ridgway, Colorado: Old West Town near Telluride Ski Area

Known as the "Gateway to the San Juan", Ridgway lies between the Cimarron and San Juan Ranges in southwestern Colorado's Uncompahgre Valley. Vestiges of old Ridgway are on display at the Ridgway Railway Museum, which houses a collection of antique rail cars. Nearby Telluride's slopes and the renowned Telluride Ski Area draw skiers until early April. Here, they slice through powder skiing, test limits on a vertical drop, and revel in free gondola rides. Ten miles south of the hotel, climbers scale the town of Ouray's public ice climb park. Ouray's historical Victorian buildings house boutiques and art galleries, where artisans blow glass, handcraft metals, and whittle wooden statues with sharp rhetoric.

Read the Fine Print for important info on travel dates and other restrictions.

Online: $69.00 for Contemporary Hotel in Seattle Metro Area ($120.00 value)

Family-Friendly Hotel Minutes from Seattle and Tacoma

The old real-estate maxim ?location is everything? holds true for Auburn, a suburb set between two rivers, in the shadow of Mount Rainier, and about 25 minutes from both Seattle and Tacoma. But the town has more than strategic placement, as it also boasts an entertainment district that could rival those in its neighboring cities. You can play slots and competitive poker at Muckleshoot Casino, one of the largest casinos in the northwest, or see Broadway musicals at the historical Auburn Avenue Theater. Best Western Plus Peppertree Auburn Inn lies just a stone's throw away from both of these venues and offers complimentary shuttle service to nearby attractions and restaurants.

There?s plenty to do at the hotel, too. You can watch movies in the hospitality room, which has plasma TVs and an old-fashioned popcorn machine, and play pool and Wii games in the PepperZone lounge. The heated indoor pool and spa stays open 24 hours a day, so guests can unwind at their leisure.

In the morning, head down to the lobby for a complimentary breakfast buffet that includes make-your-own waffles, burritos, and breakfast sandwiches. Best Western Rewards members can also enjoy complimentary beer, wine, and appetizers at the hotel happy hour Monday through Thursday. It's free to join, and you can sign up online or at the front desk.

Auburn, Washington: Historic Farming Village with Big-City Entertainment

Back in the 19th century, swamps and forests covered the riverside land Auburn now occupies. Early settlers recognized it as an ideal spot for raising hops, a harvesting tradition that continues today at the historic Mary Olson Farm. Recent efforts have restored the estate?making it the most intact 1880s farm in the county?and visitors can now tour the century-old barn and orchard. It?s also worth it to head to the nearby White River Valley Museum, which manages the farm, to see historical artifacts and photographs that document the area?s pioneers. Other permanent exhibits include a Japanese-American farmhouse and a walk-in model of 1920s downtown Auburn.

Though farming has always been the town?s leading industry, the 1902 railroad built nearby brought in a slew of businesses that helped put Auburn on the map. Visitors today can enjoy that commercial legacy at venues such as Muckleshoot Casino and Emerald Downs, one of the northwest?s premier thoroughbred racing tracks. Head to the SuperMall if you?re in the mood to shop; the indoor hybrid mall houses more than 100 stores, including a Nordstrom Rack and Banana Republic Factory Outlet.

Read the Fine Print for important info on travel dates and other restrictions.

Tempe, AZ: $69.00 for Southwestern Resort near Phoenix ($139.00 value)

Palm-Shaded Southwestern Resort near Airport

Among the rough-and-tumble prospectors pouring into Arizona in the 1860s, there was an Englishman and self-appointed aristocrat who called himself "Lord" Darrell Duppa. Drawing on his Cambridge education, he named one town Phoenix to suggest its rebirth from the ashes of older settlements and another Tempe, after the Valley of Tempe in Greece. Today, the two cities are inhabited by more than 14 million people and are still growing. Within Tempe is the Fiesta Resort Conference Center, which lies a few miles from the Phoenix airport. The hotel simplifies travel plans by offering a complimentary 24-hour airport shuttle and a business center equipped with touchscreen printing stations.

The hotel's southwestern decor includes sunburst carvings, geometric fabric prints, and paintings of saguaro cacti posing as stadium goalposts. The guest rooms are housed in low-slung buildings inspired by the work of Frank Lloyd Wright, who built his winter home, Taliesin West, in nearby Scottsdale.

Slender palm trees shade the outdoor pool, and cacti flank Milagro's, the onsite restaurant. You can sample the eatery's signature chicken-tortilla soup at lunch or dinner or show up for complimentary snacks during Kachina Lounge's happy hour (4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays). Outdoor patio seating surrounds a fireplace shaped like a step pyramid.

Tempe, Arizona: University Town near Downtown Phoenix

If you hear Tempe natives referring to "A Mountain," there's no need to ask which one. It's the local nickname for Tempe Butte, a steep-sided hill with a giant letter A painted near its peak to represent Arizona State University. The butte rises above the school's campus, which dates back to 1885. Along the western edge of campus lies the Mill Avenue District, an area popular with students for its brewpubs and shops.

Downtown Phoenix, a 15-minute drive away, boasts an ASU satellite campus as well as several acclaimed museums. Escape the sun in the air-conditioned confines of the Children's Museum of Phoenix or the Phoenix Art Museum, which includes a collection of Thorne Rooms?miniature dioramas of ornate interiors kept tidy by a fleet of tiny Roombas.

Read the Fine Print for important info on travel dates and other restrictions.

Ocean City, New Jersey: $319.00 for Victorian B&B Near Ocean City Boardwalk ($558.00 value)

Restored Grand Victorian B&B Steps from Boardwalk

In 1905, the Reverend James E. Lake built a grand Victorian home in Ocean City, New Jersey, the resort town he and his brothers founded some 26 years before. Rev. Lake's house still stands today?it's now the Atlantis Inn Luxury Bed & Breakfast, which holds a 2012 Certificate of Excellence by TripAdvisor, and it brims with Old-World details such as the gables and turrets on the rounded exterior. Inside, an original grand circular staircase fills the entryway and chandeliers dangle from the high ceilings in the dining room and common areas.

The hotel is also located just steps from Ocean City's historic boardwalk, which is lined with mini-golf courses, amusement parks, and a concert hall. You can get sweeping views of the boardwalk and its brightly lit Ferris wheel on the inn?s mahogany rooftop deck.

Each of the suites has decor influenced by European locales. The wrought-iron bed in the Biarritz, for example, was inspired by the Charlemagne collection of France. The Cinese-Avignon suite has an in-room fireplace, and all suites feature two-person jacuzzis. In the morning, head down to the sunny dining room for a full American breakfast of coffee, pastries, and fresh fruit.

Ocean City, New Jersey: Historical Beach Town Close to Atlantic City

A short walk from Atlantis Inn Luxury Bed & Breakfast brings visitors to Ocean City's 2.5-mile boardwalk, which is packed with beach-themed shops, family amusements including mini golf and rides, and old-fashioned ice-cream and candy shops.

Just about a 25-minute drive away from Ocean City, you can see the bright lights of Atlantic City come into view. There's a wealth of casinos here and a lively boardwalk. On the boardwalk, it's worth it to check out the Absecon Lighthouse, which is more than 150 years old. It's possible to climb its 228 steps to the top, which features sweeping views of the city skyline and the sea. Down at the base, you'll find a replica of the original light keeper's lonely cloister and the collection of sock puppets he created to keep him company.

Read the Fine Print for important info on travel dates and other restrictions.

Southern California: $64.00 for Ramada Inn near Newport Beach and Theme Parks ($117.00 value)

Family-Friendly Hotel near Newport Beach and Theme Parks

Southern California's Newport Beach has some key links to Disneyland: the legendary theme park is located about a half hour away, for starters. You can also find Disneyland's original bandstand in a gazebo in Newport. Newport Harbor, meanwhile, served as inspiration for Peter Pan's fantastical Pirate's Cove. Just minutes from this harbor is Ramada Inn and Suites Costa Mesa/Newport Beach.

Though it's situated right off the famed Pacific Coast Highway, the Ramada is set apart from the whirlwind of nearby Los Angeles and Anaheim. Families often use the hotel as a home base to check out SoCal's beaches and theme parks; it?s also just a half-hour drive away from Knott's Berry Farm and Soak City water park.

The decor at the hotel is straightforward and simple, and guest rooms feature contemporary amenities such as wireless Internet access and pillows that sing you to sleep. In the morning, you can enjoy breakfast made to order in your room?s chic breakfast nook. After fueling up for the day, head out to explore the Santa Ana Zoo and the numerous nearby attractions.

Costa Mesa, California: Art Galleries and Eclectic Shopping near Newport Beach

The city of Costa Mesa is set in Orange County in Southern California, tucked away about 20 miles from downtown Anaheim and about 45 minutes southeast of Los Angeles. The New York Times called Costa Mesa "a cultural beacon," singling out its many art galleries as well as the stunning architecture of Segerstrom Concert Hall. The concert hall is decked out in hundreds of crystalline globes and a 48-foot-tall pipe organ.

For a dose of Costa Mesa's artsy shopping scene, visit the LAB?a self-proclaimed "anti-mall" that puts on outdoor concerts and exhibits by local artists and features a vintage-clothing boutique.

A short drive west is Newport Beach, where you can switch gears to take advantage of more outdoorsy activities along the coast. On the beach's Balboa Peninsula, you can body surf at The Wedge?a jetty renowned for its massive waves. If traveling with kids, it's worth popping by Balboa Fun Zone, an old-fashioned beachside amusement park.

Read the Fine Print for important info on travel dates and other restrictions.

Belize: $529.00 for Sustainable Cabanas in Belizean Jungle ($1,370.00 value)

Sustainable Cabanas Surrounded by Lush Jungle

When Chris Crowell and Jeff Pzena opened Cotton Tree Lodge in 2007, they set out to create a ?magical place where visitors could get in touch with the land, the people, and themselves.? Connecting with the land is easy: the resort?s sustainable, solar-powered cabanas blend in almost seamlessly with the jungle. You?ll also have a chance to learn from the people of Belize during visits to local villages. And if you're looking to just relax and enjoy the scenery, you can head out to the hammock on your own private balcony.

Hailed by O, The Oprah Magazine and the New York Times for its sustainable design, Cotton Tree Lodge aims to live in harmony with its tropical surroundings. The resort occupies 100 densely forested jungle acres in southern Belize. Elevated boardwalks connect thatched-roof cabanas, which are propped up by stilts near the banks of the Moho River.

Chefs prepare the daily breakfast from freshly grown fruits and vegetables harvested from the resort?s onsite organic garden, which is run by Sustainable Harvest International. The nonprofit group supports local farmers throughout Central America and also takes Cotton Tree?s guests on daylong service projects; in the past, volunteer groups have planted organic gardens at schools and built stoves that aim to conserve wood.

Belize's Toledo District: Hidden Caves and Mayan Ruins amid Unspoiled Jungles

Located on Central America's eastern coast, just south of Mexico, Belize is covered with tropical jungles and fringed by Caribbean beaches. Cotton Tree Lodge is surrounded by the primeval forest, but if you travel about 15 miles, you can find Punta Gorda, the capital of the district. It's a seaport where you can go snorkeling or kayaking or just lounge at the beach.

Another way to experience the landscape is by joining one of Cotton Tree's guided tours (included in the package). The resort schedules up to three excursions each day, and the trips may take you through nearby villages, Mayan ruins, or caves. Belize's tropical lowland climate is also ideal for growing cocoa; on the resort?s chocolate tour, you?ll get to learn how chocolate is produced, how to make your own batch, and how to eat it without using silverware.

Read the Fine Print for important info on travel dates and other restrictions.

Newport Beach, CA: $89.00 for Boutique-Style Hotel Steps from Newport Beach ($189.00 value)

Top Seven Reasons to Stay at the Best Western Newport Beach Inn

• The hotel is located across the street from Newport Beach and a half mile from the world-famous Huntington Beach, where one of the country's largest annual surfing contests?the US Open of Surfing?takes place.
• You can enjoy mild winter temperatures at the hotel?s heated outdoor pool, which is lined with lounge chairs and shady umbrellas.
• Many of the newly remodeled deluxe guest rooms are equipped with flat-screen TVs, while all include mini fridges where you can store goodies from the onsite convenience store.
• Each morning, dig into a complimentary breakfast spread of belgian waffles, eggs, seasonal fruit, and more.
• The hotel is a short commute from a handful of oceanfront bars and a variety of restaurants, including two Italian eateries adjacent to the hotel.
• Designer shops, including Louis Vuitton and Kate Spade, line the open-air plazas and walkways of Fashion Island, just 5 miles east of the Best Western Newport Beach Inn.
• You can take a short ferry ride to Catalina Island, known as "the island of romance," where you'll find unspoiled beaches and waterfront seafood restaurants. Boats depart daily, just 2 miles from the hotel.

Read the Fine Print for important info on travel dates and other restrictions.

Orcas Island, WA: $89.00 for Rustic Cottages on the San Juan Islands ($149.00 value)

Log-Cabin Cottages and Century-Old Restaurant Along Deer Harbor

For more than a century, people have stayed at The Deer Harbor Inn for a taste of small-town hospitality on Washington?s Orcas Island. The property got its start in 1891 as an apple orchard that attracted Seattle teachers on summer vacation. In the early 20th century, its owners transformed the orchard's modest cabins into a full-fledged resort, bringing in visitors with home-cooked meals at the onsite restaurant?still in operation today?and unparalleled views of Deer Harbor and the Olympic Mountains. You can still find the same downhome hospitality and tranquil scenery at Deer Harbor Inn, which accommodates those visiting to watch the whales in the spring, hike through the forests, or ride horses to the waterfalls in Moran State Park.

The inn's cabin-like cottages are scattered throughout five wooded acres where you might spot rabbits, deer, and bald eagles. The Boutique Lodge feels like an upscale cabin, with a wooden exterior and propane fireplace plus a communal six-person hot tub. You?ll find private, four-person hot tubs on the back decks of the two homey Orchard cottages, which are surrounded by apple trees in a nod to the property?s history as an orchard. Inside, quilted bedcovers top comfy handmade beds.

Each morning, wake up with a complimentary breakfast basket. The Deer Harbor Inn Restaurant has been around for nearly a century and serves entrees made with fresh seafood and seasonal produce. The inn also has an onsite spa, located inside a tiny cottage, where you can receive an organic facial or a couples massage.

Orcas Island, Washington: Whale Watching and Scuba Diving near Artsy Hamlets

The largest of Washington's San Juan Islands is Orcas Island, nicknamed the "emerald isle" for its douglas firs, rolling hills, and waterfalls. The island's bays are filled with sea anemones, eel, and sunflower starfish?massive starfish that can have more than 20 arms. Between the months of March and October, you can take whale-watching tours to see native birds, seals, and pods of resident orca whales rehearsing the musical version of Moby-Dick.

Take a scenic 20-minute drive east to the island's artsy Eastsound village. There?s no official mayor of this cozy hamlet, although cows, sheep, and dogs have all held honorary mayoral office here in the past. The village is home to a number of art galleries and studios.You can also visit the Orcas Island Histo

Source: http://kansascityonthecheap.com/2012/10/vacations-on-the-cheap-7/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=vacations-on-the-cheap-7

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