As the value of the Canadian dollar continues to drop, you may feel tempted to put your travelling plans on hold — especially anywhere in the United States. But if the announcement last week of Myrtle Beach offering discounts to Canadians proved anything, it's that our dollar may still be worth the trip after all.
"Canadians shouldn’t feel discouraged and feel the need to put their vacation plans on hold or cancel them," says Rishi Modi of travel deal site Next Departure, based in Toronto. "Instead, take this opportunity to explore budget friendly destinations where our dollar is strong without breaking the bank."
"Take advantage of airlines that offer free stopovers like Reykjavik with Icelandair, Paris with Air France, Beijing with Air China or Dubai with Emirates." —Rishi Modi, Next Departure
Modi says the best time for Canadians to travel in general is between September to early December and January to May. "Avoid overcrowded tourist attractions, extreme hot weather, overpriced airfare and accommodations by travelling during off-peak season," he says.
And with his expertise on finding a good deal without working for an airline or as a travel agent — Modi has caught flights to Spain for $375 and Paris for $250 — he has somehow mastered the technique.
From what he will share with us, he says the best way to save money when you travel is to use multiple search engines like Google Flights or Kayak to compare deals, put up with multiple stopovers and find airlines with "free" stopovers.
"Get the most out of your airfare dollar by visiting two countries for the price of one. Take advantage of airlines that offer free stopovers like Reykjavik with Icelandair, Paris with Air France, Beijing with Air China or Dubai with Emirates."
Below, Modi pinpoints 10 vacation spots still worth our dollar. From Asian beaches to historic European cities to even some U.S. destinations, here are the best places to go in 2016.
Best Travel Destinations For Canadians
Spain(01 of10)
Open Image ModalPortugal(02 of10)
Open Image ModalBest time to travel: April, May, September, October Average price: $700 to $900 Why you want to go: For Canadians, Lisbon is one of the cheaper European cities to fly into. "It's a lively city with delicious seafood and cheap drinks. Take advantage of its inexpensive public transit to visit the historic Sintra, go to a winery in Porto and enjoy the Mediterranean weather on a beach in Faro." (credit:Mapics via Getty Images)
Thailand(03 of10)
Open Image ModalBest time to travel: December to MarchAverage price: $900 to $1,200 Why you want to go: Getting to Thailand can be pricey depending on the time you go, but once you're there, everything can fit into your budget. "Food from street vendors and markets costs you $4 to $5 and accommodations can run you as low as $20 a night [depending where you stay]. Thailand has tons of attractions to offer travellers, from trekking in the jungles of Chiang Mai to relaxing on tropical islands like Ko Samui." (credit:saiko3p via Getty Images)
Morocco(04 of10)
Open Image ModalBest time to travel: October to May Average price: $900 to $1,200 Why you want to go: Marrakech was named Tripadvisor's number one destination in 2015, according to travellers. "Explore the ancient palaces, shop in the markets of Marrakech and stay overnight in the Sahara desert. Food is inexpensive in local restaurants and street stalls, while accommodations are reasonably priced." (credit:Peter Adams via Getty Images)
Vietnam(05 of10)
Open Image ModalBest time to travel: Depending if you go north or south, you want to avoid cold or rainy seasons. Late December is usually the best. Average price: $900 to $1,100Why you want to go: If you're an urban explorer or nature lover, Vietnam offers both. "Vietnam is another South Asian destination that continues to be budget-friendly with beautiful sights, including cruising along Halong Bay and visiting the rice terraces. Food is remarkably cheap — a meal and beer can cost under $3." (credit:fototrav via Getty Images)
Eastern Europe(06 of10)
Open Image ModalBest time to travel: April, May, September, OctoberAverage price: $900 to $1,100Why you want to go: If you want to go to Europe and still have spending money, Modi suggests avoiding popular destinations like France and Italy and opting for Eastern Europe instead. "From Hungary to Romania to Bulgaria, these Eastern European countries are rich in diverse culture and its modern and historical architecture." (credit:Janoka82 via Getty Images)
Peru(07 of10)
Open Image ModalBest time to travel: April, May, September, OctoberAverage price: $700 to $900Why you want to go: "Peru is known for its geographic diversity, from exploring the vast Amazon jungle to hiking the Inca Trail to relaxing on the beach coast," he says. But Peru’s most famous attraction is the ancient site of Machu Picchu — a must-see if you decide to go to this South American country. (credit:WIN-Initiative/Neleman via Getty Images)
Indonesia(08 of10)
Open Image ModalBest time to travel: April, May, September, OctoberAverage price: $1,000 to $1,200 Why you want to go: Indonesia has thousands of islands and Bali is one of the most luxurious and popular ones. "Food and hotels are extremely cheap, where you can enjoy tasty meals from $1 to $2 and spend as little as $20 per night on accommodations." However, if you do plan on renting out a villa or eating on Seminyak's main tourist strip, it can feel like dining and living in a major Canadian city. (credit:Michele Falzone via Getty Images)
Cuba(09 of10)
Open Image ModalBest time to travel: January to March; September to November Average price: $600 to $1,000 Why you want to go: If you haven't been to Cuba, you probably know several Canadians who have — the Caribbean island is one of the most popular beach destinations for Canucks. "All-inclusive packages are affordable and offer a bang for your buck. If you’re really flexible, you can often find last-minute cheap deals on flights and all-inclusive packages." (credit:frankix via Getty Images)
Yes, The U.S.(10 of10)
Open Image ModalBest time to travel: January to April; September to December Average price: $350 to $650 Why you want to go: We're not saying you should head to pricey destinations like Hawaii or Las Vegas, but some U.S. spots have taken advantage of our falling currency. "Myrtle Beach, Kissimmee, and Scottsdale are starting to offer deep discounts — around 20 to 30 per cent off accommodations, free meal vouchers and discounts off activities. Also, expect major airline carriers alongside the low-cost carriers stateside such as Allegiant and Sprint to offer discounts and seat sales as well." And when you look at your budget as a whole, many U.S. destinations tend to be cheaper than leaving the continent. (credit:Kelly Verdeck Photography via Getty Images)