Places that are Cheap Now part 1

Earlier this month, the New York Times announced the coming of a "double dip recession:" The United States economy seems to be approaching a financial danger zone for the second time since December 2008. That means the penny pinching is going to continue well into the foreseeable future. And when it comes to saving money, many of the sacrifices we usually make have to do with leisure travel.

But for those of you watching the summer breeze by without so much as considering a trip, we have good news for you: Bargains lie in wait for those who look closely. U.S. News Travel has teamed up with Hotwire.com to show you how to take advantage of these last weeks of summer. To help get you started, we've compiled a list of seven destinations that are cheap now. These vacation spots have shown the most significant drop in airline and hotel prices since this time last year, according to Hotwire's Year-Over-Year pricing analysis.

Note: The average prices listed below and in the accompanying slideshow were calculated by Hotwire based on its analysis of all hotels and flights available for each destination.

Orlando, FL

Orlando is known for its budget-friendly
hotel rates.

Courtesy of wdwnews.com

Family-friendly Orlando is a regular front-runner on Hotwire's Travel Value Index (which annually evaluates cities based on their rates, available "discounts, affordable entertainment and overall appeal"). While pricey Disney World is the main attraction, Orlando does feature a variety of cheaper -- and even free -- attractions. O-Town's hotel and airfare rates haven't dropped since this time last year, but the city's already low prices continually allow thrifty travelers to stretch their vacation budget. And as the new school year draws nearer, more deals become available for last-minute getaways.

For more savings… Purchase combo tickets. If you must visit the theme parks, you can save several hundred dollars by investing in Flex Tickets that grant you entry to five or six parks -- including Universal Studios and SeaWorld -- for a little more than you'd spend on one individual entry. 

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