I’ve been away from things like blogging or “being social” because I’ve been out of the country in Canada snowboarding. Awesome, Eh? The best part was I got a cheap flight and found an extremely cheap place to stay, so my vacation wasn’t expensive at all. WOOT! Anyways, it got me thinking about vacations and how valuable they are. So I thought I’d write a post that may or may not be helpful when trying to plan a vacation.

Let’s say you have to take a vacation before your head explodes, like mine felt. But your budget is a little tight and you only have about $500 bucks to spend on a vacation. What to do?

Well, you may be surprised at all of the great vacation packages available to you in a “neighboring” town.

1. Time for the theater - If Opera is your thing, then a get away to Duluth can give you a fix. The package for the Barber of Seville Opera Indulgence Getaway will only cost you $400 for a single room. It includes one night at the Holiday Inn in downtown Duluth, champagne and chocolate tasting at a Duluth chocolatier, tickets to the opera, brunch on Lake Superior, and a pedicure/manicure or massage or a day kayaking on Lake Superior. Now all you have to do is pay to get there.
2. Now You’re Cooking - For an interesting twist, try a cooking class at the Hartstone Inn in Camden, Maine. Prices start at $325 up to $485. Your package will include two nights lodging, breakfast each morning, and a cooking class (that includes recipes, hands on participation, wine and lunch).
3. Dieing for a Night Away - Sometimes the only way to have a good time is to kill someone off. There are many bed and breakfasts that offer great Murder Mystery Weekends. The Munro House B&B in Jonesville, MI not only provides the entertainment but also dresses you for the part. The mystery will unfold around a five course dinner. The complete package is for two and starts at just $489. You will also receive a 4 course dinner on the Friday when you check in at a local restaurant. Each morning you will receive a full breakfast. During the day on Saturday, you are free to shop, tour the local attractions or indulge in some of the spa services that are available.
4. Leaving on a Jet Plane – You can fly to England and enjoy touring the country side by car with a package through Go-today. The only down note is that the price doesn’t include a hotel. If you are the adventurous sort, this could be the best way to see the English countryside.

From the mountains, to the prairies, to the sea – there is a vacation that you can take for under $500. Your money doesn’t go far these days, but if you keep an eye out for cheap flights and cheap vacation packages you will be suprised of how good of a vacation you can have for cheap.

Oh, and remember to get your passport long before you go on a vacation out of the country. Unfortuantely, you now need a passport to enter Mexico and Canada from the United States so this process takes awhile becuase of the demand.