Yes, this is a real place.

Not only are the Himalayas a gorgeous, physical element of history, they are also dirt cheap.

Leave the Swiss Alps to the mean characters from eighties

skiing movies and connect with the spiritual peaks of the Himalayas instead, some of the highest in the world.

Food is inexpensive, mostly because this region is still incredibly poor. Keep

an eye on your belongings and choose carefully from menus, and you'll have a safe and healthy trip for little more than the cost of your lodging.

For the person who

loves the rugged outdoors, there are no cheaper or more magical locations to go on guided hikes or rafting trips, all gear included.

America's battlefield.

Famous today for the battle that turned the Civil War, and President Lincoln's historically pithy address, Gettysburg is also the birthplace of the first American Saint: Elizabeth Ann Seton.

Beautiful hikes, classic American architecture, and dramatic re-enactments of the Civil War battles are all on offer, and the housing prices are incredibly affordable.

Yes, Princess Jasmine lives here.

Luckily, you don't have to be a princess to afford the place. You'll spend about twenty bucks less per day than you would in nearby Dubai,

and experience ancient palace architecture for comparatively reasonable prices.

Alternatively, take to a Turkish spa and pamper yourself with the full treatment for just thirty bucks.

Istanbul, famously once called Constantinople, was

founded as Byzantium in around 660 BCE. A keystone between cultures then and now, it ranks by any measure as one of the most significant cities in history. 

Tea party, y'all.

Take-in one of the birthplaces of America for much less than a trip to New York. Stroll through Boston Common and feed the swans, or dine at

the top of the Prudential center for a view of the town.

Any number of historic institutions pepper this sweet little burg, from Harvard and MIT to Fenway Park and

Bunker Hill.

See where the American dream got started and practice your Boston accent. Hint: Locals are fond of the term "kid," for some reason. Try it out by asking a stranger "How do you like them

apples, kid?" They'll probably think you're cool and offer you some baked beans.

East meets west in the capital city of Thailand, also its most populous.

Founded as a trading post in the fifteenth century, the current city became home to two other capitals, Thonburi

in 1768 and Rattanakosin in 1782, before settling into the unified business hub it is today.

At less than half the daily cost of Tokyo, Bangkok is a great place to

experience the bustle of the Asia-pacific without paying an arm and a leg.

Grab a dish of pad-thai on the street for under a dollar on your way to the

Buddhist temples, or have a custom outfit tailored for under a hundred.

Camelot. The vaunted shining city on a hill. Love politics or hate them, this is the brain of America.

Rent a cheap apartment for half the price of a hotel, then

walk around the center of the city, filled with free, historic sites.

Visit the Capitol building, the National Museum of African American History and Culture, the White House or the Supreme Court

to see the rooms where they make the sausage, or just stroll amongst the statues of former sausage makers.

Many of the museums along the mall, run by the Smithsonian,

are completely free to enter, and have some of the best curated exhibits in the country.

Connecting to this city will give you a more personal sense of the United

States, whether you're a proud citizen or skeptical visitor.

Looking for the river romance of a European capital, but don't want to sell your house for the hotel rooms? Try Budapest!

Founded by the Celts, then appropriated by the

Romans and eventually Hungarians, Budapest is steeped in history, but will cost you only about a third of what Paris runs, per day.

Sample cheap wine, enjoy free views of

the Danube River, and bundle a whole batch of tour activities with the city's inexpensive three-day pass to transportation and attractions. Wander the ancient streets and paths of any of these places, and

appreciate the wonder of our common humanity, without setting fire to your wallet.