Thanks to a booming U.S. currency, Americans abroad can stretch their dollar a whole lot more this year. For instance, trips to mainland Europe are 20 percent cheaper in some countries, Japan is surprisingly reasonable and greenback users can get double their money in Brazil and South Africa. If you’ve ever wanted to visit one of the above or especially the below, consider making 2016 the year you do it.
Vietnam
“It’s still cheap but not as cheap as it used to be,” remarked my friend James after returning from Thailand recently. Enter Vietnam. With a similar Asian flavor at half of what it costs to jaunt through its trendier neighbor, the slender country on the South China Sea is brimming with inviting beaches, Buddhist pagodas, placid rivers and terraced rice fields. Trademarks also include pho noodles and those killer conical hats. Best time to visit: Spring or Fall.
Eastern Europe
Not in Western Europe and notably cheaper than before. That’s about the only thing Estonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Hungary have in common. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t care. From the rocky beaches and old-growth forests of Estonia, the Balkan mountains and outdoor turquoise of Bosnia and Herzegovina, to the timeless Danube River and neoclassical buildings of Hungary, there’s a lot to learn and a lot to like from all three. Best time to visit: May to September.
Canada
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