Top Five Bargain Destinations for Summer 2012

Catalina Island

Because Catalina Island is closely flanked by many other popular beach destinations (like Newport Beach, Laguna Beach, and Dana Point), competition for vacationing beachgoers is high. As a result, alluring summertime deals can be found for the Southern California destination.

If you're already stationed near Los Angeles, you can virtually get to Catalina Island for free. The local ferry, which departs from several points in the Long Beach/San Pedro area, costs about $70 round-trip for an adult (it's less for kids). This summer, there's an easy way to get around that cost. Lots of Catalina Island properties are offering lodging packages that bundle round-trip ferry transportation with lodging. Stay at an eligible hotel, meet the minimum-night requirement, and you'll basically get your ferry tickets on the house. See a list of participating properties on the Catalina Island Visitors Bureau website.

With or without the ferry discount, it's not difficult to find Catalina Island accommodations prices to fit even the tightest of budgets. According to SanFranciscoBayAreaToday.org, average hotel rates on Catalina Island are $90 per night. We found summer nightly rates at Hotel Atwater for as low as $109 and at Zane Grey Pueblo Hotel for as little as $95.

Bermuda

Bermuda's not a tropical island. So prime travel season there is summer, when sun seekers flock to the destination's famous pink-sand beaches. Still, there are high-season savings to be had in Bermuda, including the following whopper of a deal from the Bermuda Tourism Board. Receive up to $600 credit when you stay at participating Bermuda hotels. Your savings depend on your length of stay: Save $400 on a four-night stay, save $500 on a five-night stay, or save $600 on a stay of six nights or longer.

Getting to Bermuda can be an economical prospect as well. This summer, you can fly to the island from Toronto for $181 CAD round-trip (about $182 USD). Book by May 16 to get this special price. For more information, visit the WestJet promotion page on the Bermuda Tourism Board website.

Additionally, U.S. discount airlines AirTran and JetBlue regularly offer cut-rate flights to the island, even during the summer high season. In recent limited-time sales, we've seen flights from major U.S. hubs to Bermuda for less than $300 round-trip (for travel in late June on JetBlue). Sign up for our newsletter to be notified when JetBlue and AirTran offer systemwide sales.

Amelia Island

Florida is, for the most part, easy to get to without spending an excessive amount of money—if you're based in the U.S., that is. And in summer, it's even better. George Hobica, founder of our sister site Airfarewatchdog, told Business Insider that flights to Florida are generally cheaper during summer. Priceline's Brian Ek concurs. Says Ek, "Summer airfares to Ft. Lauderdale are down 3.1 percent year over year, to $299 on average."

Every legacy carrier, plus domestic discounters Southwest and JetBlue, serves Jacksonville, Amelia Island's closest major hub; due to all that competition, fares to the Floridian destination generally stay low. A recent search on Kayak turned up round-trip fares from New York to Jacksonville for less than $200 in June.

Before you board that plane, be sure to check out the array of summer specials on offer from various properties on the island. Addison on Amelia Island's Dog Days of Summer promotion features a free fourth-night stay from June through September. Also, Hampton Inn Amelia Island at Fernandina Beach is doling out free third-night stays (call 904-321-1111 for more information).

Want more freebies? The Amelia Island Tourism Board is running a summertime free nights promotion: Get a free night's stay (after meeting a minimum-night requirement, which varies by property) at over a dozen hotels and B&Bs around Amelia Island.

Chicago

According to Brian Ek (also known as "The Travel Ekspert") of Priceline, 2012 is the year to see the Windy City on the cheap during summer. Writes Ek, "The average summer airfare to O'Hare is $339 (down 4.4 percent vs. last year), while Midway is an even more affordable $305." Ek also spotted several discounted prices for Chicago stays, including cheap rates (as low as $163 per night) at Hotel 71, a downtown Chicago property with high ratings on Priceline.

To double the discounts, bundle hotel and airfare together with an all-around affordable vacation package. Packages often offer an easy way to save on travel, and they also simplify the trip-planning process. We found a weeklong package on Southwest Vacations, including round-trip airfare from New York, at Hotel Lincoln for $1,258 (including all taxes and fees, from July 11 through 18). Hotel Lincoln is located in Chicago's North Side and has a four-and-a-half rating (out of five) on our sister site TripAdvisor.

We also spotted weeklong Southwest Vacations packages as cheap as $529 per person, but the hotels featured in these exceedingly economical trips were located a ways outside of Chicago. Still, the savings are considerable. If you're willing to travel a bit to get into the city, you can plan a seven-night Chicago escape for two for just over $1,000.

New Brunswick

With a wealth of islands, an unspoiled coastline, and rich forests, New Brunswick is best explored in summer with a good pair of hiking boots and a sense of adventure. To dig up some really good summer deals, try changing your travel style: Go rugged, as this maritime province is a nature lover's paradise.

Arrange an outdoorsy escape and see significant savings by trading a stay in a standard hotel for cabin accommodations. Chalets Restigouche, a collection of log cabins overlooking the Restigouche River, offers a summer family package that covers three nights' accommodations, a pizza dinner, and excursions for a family of four. The price: $588 CAD for the whole gang.

Moreover, New Brunswick is peppered with campgrounds and RV parks. For an even cheaper trip, try sleeping in the great outdoors. Find a full list of local campgrounds on the New Brunswick Tourism Board website.

Another way to visit New Brunswick inexpensively is to go by sea. Cruising is often a very budget-friendly way to travel, especially if the ship leaves from a port close to home, thus cutting out the need to purchase airfare. We found a four-night Canada and New England cruise on Carnival Glory, sailing round-trip from New York in July and stopping in New Brunswick, for $399 per person on Expedia. Additionally, Disney Cruise Line will be visiting St. John for the first time ever this summer. We found rates on Cruise.com starting at $1,255 (per person based on double occupancy) for a five-night sailing on Disney Magic in July, sailing round-trip from New York and stopping in New Brunswick.

You Might Also Like:

• 10 Best Off-Season Beach Bargains
• 10 Best Airlines You've Never Flown
• Most Unforgettable World Heritage Sites