The article says that Grand Turk is a great place to go to get away from the crowds. With a population of 4,500, Grand Turk is a small town feel, except that it has perfect beaches.

Front Street is where you’ll find all the “action” and the pretty-in-pink oceanfront Osprey Beach Hotel. Rubbing up next to weathered wooden shacks and elegant British colonial architecture dating from the turn of the 20th century, the inn’s breezy rooms and tiny courtyard pool overlook the shimmering blue expanse beyond, offering the perfect place to hole up and shun the modern world.

That is a classic description of the Caribbean islands that used to be British colonies. I really need to go to the Turks and the Caicos islands sometime. I always thought that they were a bit expensive, however, the Osprey Beach Hotel mentioned above is $151 in the low season and $169 in the high. That isn’t bad at all.

The Grand Turk has crystal clear water, and some of the best snorkeling in the world. You can go snorkel and see coral and rays, and snapper and grouper then go up the beach and eat that same snapper or grouper in a beach restaurant.

The Grand Turk does have empty areas of undeveloped beach. That is perfect for me. 7 Miles of untouched sand, with almost no people (because they are all having a party at Pillory Beach at Bohio Dive Resort.

The page links to VRBO.com, but the listing has changed, here is the right page for the Aloha Island Coffee guest house.

What a view.

However, they have some rules that you won’t find in many places. No children under 12 at all. children up to age 25 must be accompanied by an adult. That’s pretty strict, but that’s the rules. They obviously are trying to create a relaxing atmosphere, and realize that not everyone finds small children relaxing. They are also concerned about the pool being so close to the house that it would be a safety hazard for small children.

I definitely want to try go to this place. My wife said that Jamaica was great, but she really wants to go to Hawaii, and I think I’ve already found the place to go.

Here are some more posts about Hawaii:

• Top 10 Beaches in America 2009
• Inexpensive and Cheap Vacations
• The World’s Sexiest and Most Beautiful Beaches of 2008

Sweet Spice was a small little local restaurant with nothing fancy. Not usually the place to see any tourists. In fact, there were no others until right before we left. It was full of local Jamaicans, which is always a good sign when the locals are there.

Our meal started off with a fish tea, which may sound strange, but it was very good. It was basically a fish stock. Then I ordered the fish, conch and shrimp platter, and my wife got the lobster, conch and shrimp dish. Both of them were excellent. Neither of us had ever eaten conch before, and we were both very happy that we tried it. One of the great things about vacation is trying new things and new foods.

Some people on travel review sites have said that the service at Sweet Spice was poor if you weren’t a local, but sometimes you just have to expect that; you aren’t that important everywhere you go. Also, in the US, we have definite issues with speed, we want everything as soon as possible, and it is just not the same in other countries.

I definitely would recommend going to Sweet Spice for lunch or dinner, and don’t be afraid to eat something completely new and different than what you are used to.

The rest of the day was spent at the beach.

You can see the rest of our Vacation to Jamaica.

Dr. Beach (Dr. Stephen Leatherman) is the Director of the Laboratory Coastal Research at the Florida International University. He takes into account the water and sand quality, plus safety, facilities and environmental management when he settles on the Top Ten American Beaches each year.

This year, the Top 10 Beaches are:

Hanalei Bay – Kauai, Hawaii

With a sandy beach in front of mountains and cliffs, Hanalei Bay is one of the most beautiful spots in Hawaii.

Siesta Beach – Sarasota, Florida

White sand beaches are what set Siesta beach apart from many others. The subtropical climate doesn’t hurt either.

Coopers Beach – Southampton, New York

Southampton is one of the oldest settlements in NY, so you will be sure to also have some history along with your beach.

Coronado Beach – San Diego, California

A beach in Southern California. Do I need to say more?

Hamoa Beach – Maui, Hawaii

Another beach from Hawaii, but from Maui. Hamoa Beach is surrounded by cliffs and thick vegetation. Also there is an island just off shore (Alau island) with coconuts growing on it.

Main Beach – East Hampton, New York

Located at the end of Long Island, you are sure to enjoy both the beach and the Village of East Hampton.

Cape Hatteras – Outer Banks of North Carolina

The Outer Banks are a great place to get away from a lot of the commercialized beaches that you find in other parts of North Carolina.

Cape Florida State Park – Key Biscayne,Florida

You can do most anything at Key Biscayne, Florida; swimming, snorkeling, walking, fishing, anything you can think of (within reason).

Coast Guard Beach – Cape Cod, Massachusetts

One of the favorite tourist beaches in Cape Cod, Coastguard beach has no parking. You have to take a shuttle from a parking lot.

Beachwalker Park – Kiawah Island, South Carolina

With 11 miles of beach located on a barrier island, you will be sure to enjoy Beachwalker Beach in South Carolina.

These beaches have all been on the Top Ten list before, but in different orders. Do you have any comments about beaches on this list, or ones that you think should have been? Let us know in the comments.

Here are some more Top 10 Beaches;

• A Cheap Beach Vacation Top 10
• Top 10 Most Exotic Beaches in the World
• The Top 10 Beaches in America

However, in today’s economic climate it’s not always easy to get to a warmer climate. That’s why I am posting this list of the Top 10 Cheap Beach Vacations from Away.com. I have talked many times about inexpensive and cheap beach vacations, and they are always popular, so here is another.

Top 10 Cheap Beach Vacations

10. Destin, Florida

With over 100 miles of beach on the Gulf of Mexico, there is plenty of room for you to find some privacy. Destin is in the Florida Panhandle, where the fishing can’t get much better. Since you never leave the country, the costs are already lower than other beach destinations.

9. Outer Banks, North Carolina

I was stationed in NC for a few years, and the beaches are great. The Outer Banks is an awesome place to go for fishing and wildlife watching. There are lighthouses, Kitty Hawk (the Wright Brothers first flight), and the North Carolina aquarium. There are over 15o miles of beaches, usually on a strip of land no more than a mile wide. There are also some great seafood places for relatively cheap.

8. Huntington Beach, California

A little bit north of Laguna Beach in Orange County is Huntington Beach. It’s a different crowd than what you would get in Laguna, and is more popular with surfers. It even has the International Surfing Museum. The beach itself is about 8 miles long, but that should be enough since most people will try to show themselves off at Laguna Beach.

7. Cape Ann, Massachusetts

In Cape Ann, you will find the oldest fishing port in America, Gloucester. I have been here and I loved it. I am a New Englander at heart, and this is pure New England. With beaches lined with cliffs and mansions, Singing Beach is similar to the beaches in Newport, Rhode Island. Cape Ann is about 40 miles north of Boston, which itself is worth a visit. Of course, no visit to New England is complete without eating some Maine lobster, but Woodman’s in Essex claims to be the seafood place that invented the fried clam in 1916. That is worth checking out.

6. Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica

If you are looking for something outside the US, then you should try Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica. I have a map of Costa Rica so you can see where it is (on the right side, the Caribbean side). With beaches all along the coastline, you won’t run out of sand, unless you walk along the beach all the way to Panama.

5. Negril, Jamaica

Finally, we get to Jamaica. I was just in Negril, Jamaica this last summer, and you can definitely save some money in Jamaica. You just have to watch yourself and plan. The beach is around 7 miles long, and is just about perfect. You could spend the entire day on the beach, there are enough people selling food that you would never have to leave. We practically didn’t. My own tip, get a taxi to take you to Sweet Spot restaurant. You will be the only tourist there, but you will be happy when you eat the food.

4. Morro de Sao Paulo, Brazil

With 4 beaches (named First, Second, Third and Fourth) you will certainly be able to find the beach that fits you. From luau and dance parties on Second, to quieter Fourth beach, with is good for snorkelers and those wanting to get away.

3. Placencia, Belize

Placencia is one of the most popular beaches in Belize. over 16 miles of white sand beaches are sure to satisfy your winter blues. If you get tired of the beaches (can you ever get tired of the beaches?) you can kayak through Monkey River and see monkeys, manatees and crocodiles.

2. Tulum, Mexico

No beach list would be complete without Mexico. If you don’t want the crowds and parties of Cancun, head south to Tulum, Mexico. Along with great beaches, Tulum also has Mayan ruins that you can explore. It is also one of the cheaper places to stay on this list.

1. Cannon Beach, Oregon

If you want to go to the Pacific Northwest, then try Cannon Beach, Oregon. With the iconic Haystack Rock, Cannon Beach is definitely a picture takers paradise. Ancient Spruce trees, cliffs, beaches and the ocean all make Cannon Beach a very picturesque place.

For example, this Tree House in India;

Wild. That would be a pretty cool place to stay. I’d feel like Tarzan.

How about this one, an underwater lodge in Florida;

Now that is cool. Except for the divers looking in the porthole, I would stay here anytime.

Check out the Unusual Hotels site and tell us if you have stayed anywhere you think should be on their list.

Mazunte, Mexico

Originally known for the turtles coming ashore, and therefor turtle meat and turtle soup, Mexico has since declared Mazunte a reserve, and the area has started to focus on sustainable eco-tourism. So if you are in to saving the planet, but doing it from the comfort of a beach, then this is for you.

Goa, India

Goa, India has a number of beaches. From very well touristed beaches to secluded ones. If you can find a spot for yourself, you could definitely enjoy the view.

Skiathos, Greece

Back to the Mediterranean, to Skiathos, Greece. Skiathos is a small island that is a protected environment, so it will never see much development. That is excellent news for those wanting to head to the beach. It will always be a very natural beach setting.

Ambergris Caye, Belize

Ambergris Caye is the largest island in Belize, which is in the Caribbean. No matter what you like to do, you can find it here. Exploring Mayan ruins, trekking through the jungle, snorkeling and scuba on the second largest coral reef in the world, and of course, swimming in the Caribbean and laying on the beach.

Hawksnest Bay, St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands

Hawknest Bay Beach is a National Park Beach. That means no hotels, no restaurants, no resorts no interruptions. Just you and the beach. Maybe some coral formations and forests and rocks to climb, but mostly the beach.

Santa Catarina, Brazil

If you are into surfing, then you definitely want to check out Sanata Catarina, Brazil. Many international surfing championships have been held here, and you can get a piece of the action. Also, Brazilian nightlife, beaches, the southern Atlantic, what else would you want?

Montauk, Long Island, New York

At the end of Long Island, Montauk claims to be one of the best spots in East Hampton. If anyone has watched the new USA Network show Royal Pains, you’ll have seen the Hamptons. However, it stretches the truth a bit, the median income is around $42,000, not millions. Although quite a bit north of many of our other beaches, it does have a warmer climate zone than you would think. Plus, on a clear day you can see Rhode Island.

Sometimes I think I shouldn’t read these lists, because they just make me want to leave everything behind and head for some waves.

For past years lists, see the Sexiest Beaches for 2007, and the most beautiful and sexy beaches for 2008. Here is part 1 on the list for 2009;

The Baths, Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands

With natural pools and grottoes formed by giant slabs of concrete, you will almost always be able to find some privacy at The Baths in Virgin Gorda, BVI.

The Baths are also a great place for snorkeling and Scuba diving with lots of great coral formations.

Muizenberg Beach, Cape Town, South Africa

Muizenberg Beach is a perfect beach for almost every activity, nice moderate waves, yet still some great ones for surfing. Dolphin and whales can be seen not far from here. Muizenberg Beach is set in a Victorian style town for added atmosphere.

Zuma Beach (Malibu), California

Located in Southern California, Zuma Beach is one of the best known beaches on the West Coast. Some rate it as one of the best for surfing.

You can also see dolphins many times when you swim at Zuma Beach.

Manuel Antonio National Park, Costa Rica

South of San Jose on the Pacific Coast, this is what I call a beach bum paradise. Beaches surrounded by forests, mangroves and lagoons. Coral reefs make this great for snorkeling and scuba, and rain forests make it perfect for those looking for some adventure and wilderness. Here is a Costa Rica map.

Hvar, Croatia

If you are looking to go to the Mediterranean, then check out Hvar, Croatia. It has been a center of tourism for over 140 years, and is considered one of the top 10  most beautiful islands in the world.

Homegrown grapes and olives make Hvar the only place if you are into local food and wine.

Gold Coast, Australia

It’s Australia. Do I need to say more?

With many, many beaches, you can pick and choose the beach that fits you, from beaches for kids, for surfing, for snorkeling, everything you want is on the Gold Coast.

Varadero Beach, Cuba

Varadero Beach is known by many as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world.

It has over 20 miles of beaches, which should make it easy to find a nice private spot. However, it is also one of the largest resorts in the Caribbean, so there will be a lot of people.

This isn’t the end of the list, read part 2 of the world’s most beautiful beaches.

Austin, Texas

Why in 2009: For years, the capital of down-home cool (and Texas) has been working to become the nation’s capital of pop culture—at least among cities of a similar size. This city of 1.6 million residents has succeeded in its mission, especially as a venue for indie rock, bluegrass, and country music. Its largest music festival is South by Southwest, a multi-day, 1,700-band extravaganza that draws serious music fans nationwide (sxsw.com, Mar. 18–22, 2009). Austin’s economy, meanwhile, is well diversified between public and private sectors, which means that Austin is poised to weather the economic downturn reasonably well, says University of Texas at Austin economy professor Daniel S. Hamermesh. So it should be full speed ahead on spending for free and affordable cultural events. A bonus: In the past year, discounter JetBlue has added flights to Austin. Rival airlines are feeling the pressure to keep airfares low.

[Flights can be the most expensive part of a vacation, so a company light JetBlue can save you a lot.]

Main events: Thousands of music fans converge on the city each year for two festivals: South by Southwest (mentioned above) and the Austin City Limits Music Festival (aclfestival.com, Oct. 2–4). Art lovers come for the Texas Biennial (texasbiennial.com, Mar. 6–Apr. 11) and the open-air Art City Austin (artallianceaustin.org, Apr. 25-26). Even if you’re not in town for a big event, keep in mind that Austin has pretty weather for eight months of the year (summer’s the sweltering exception). With its extensive Greenbelt park as well as 10 miles of waterfront paths, it’s easy to get outside and enjoy a little nature.

[Music festivals are a cool thing to do. You can pay a lot less money for a bunch of people, than you could for one person by themselves.]

Price check: Round-trip tickets between Austin and Chicago recently started at $210, a 9 percent drop from a year earlier, says Farecast. Affordable lodging isn’t hard to come by. Hotel rates should average a modest $104 a night, says a forecast by PKF Hospitality Research. We like the stylish Austin Motel, starting at $70. 1220 S. Congress Ave., 512/441-1157, austinmotel.com.

Washington, D.C.

Why in 2009: It’s not just the presidential inauguration, the Capitol’s freshly minted visitor center, or the recently re-opened National Museum of American History—all reasons enough to drop by D.C. in 2009. It’s also the built-in, year-round cost containment: Free admission to national monuments, the Smithsonian’s many world-class museums, and the Smithsonian National Zoological Park make the capital a perennial choice for an affordable family vacation. (For other ideas, check out Destination DC’s list of “100 Free (And Almost Free) Things to Do in D.C.“)

[As nerdy as it may sound, I love museums, especially ones with medieval armor and dinosaurs.]

Main events: The popularity of the upcoming presidential inauguration is jacking up prices temporarily around January 20. [Yeah, I'm a little late getting this post up.] But there’s plenty else to see in D.C. during the rest of the year. On April 12, for example, a re-creation of contralto Marian Anderson’s famous 1939 open-air concert at the Lincoln Memorial will commemorate the bicentennial of Abraham Lincoln’s birth. This year’s rendition showcases Denyce Graves, the Chicago Children’s Choir, Sweet Honey in the Rock, and the Washington National Opera (lincolnindc.com, free and non-ticketed).

[Woohoo Abe Lincoln]

Price check: If you plan wisely, free admissions should yield huge savings for your family. To save even more, fly into Baltimore/Washington International (BWI) airport, roughly an hour’s ride by Amtrak rail or by public transportation to D.C.’s Union Station. Southwest’s strong presence at BWI makes fares more competitive than those at the more central Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.

[Free admission to stuff can make a big difference in your budget.]

Hawaii

Why in 2009: The Aloha State received positive, high-profile press coverage when president-elect Barack Obama recently visited, but it’s still hurting from the downtown of the national economy. This always-popular destination saw about a 10 percent drop in visitors in 2008, a statistic that represents a tourism drought for Hawaii. Tour operators are responding by aggressively discounting un-booked rooms and car rentals and bundling them into packages. As we enter 2009, there are remarkable package deals, air inclusive, from both the west and east coasts.

To save a bundle, consider a timeshare rental instead of a standard hotel stay. Rental rates are dropping to as low as $100 a night for beautiful properties, says Timeshare Users Group (tug2.net), a site tracking timeshare rental inventory in Hawaii and elsewhere. Many of the timeshare properties are owned by people who are now anxious about making their mortgage payments, and you can rent their spacious units at a significant discount, without listening to any sales spiels.

[Great point, sometimes a hotel isn't the cheapest way to go. There are many people who have nice big houses and have turned them into Bed & Breakfasts. These can be great deals.]

Main events: It’s Hawaii—beaches, volcanoes, and luaus will continue to be the big draws. But this year marks Hawaii’s 50th anniversary of statehood, and a party is planned at the Capitol for March 18 (free, hawaii.gov/statehood). Obama watchers can take a do-it-yourself tour of the president-elects’s childhood haunts by using a map from Obamasneighborhood.com; or hop on a two-and-a-half-hour bus tour of his grade school, the Baskin-Robbins where he once worked, and several picnic spots that he loved (Guides of Oahu, obamatourhawaii.com, $40 per person).

[I'm sorry, but I don't get this. It's great that Pres. Obama broke the color line at the White House, but seeing where went to school or where he worked just doesn't make much sense to me.]

Price check: Pleasant Holidays has numerous Hawaii promotions, including three-night air/hotel packages starting at $427 per person from Los Angeles and $472 per person from San Francisco (pleasantholidays.net). Apple Vacations also has deals, such as a recent offer for six-night stays at the Sheraton Princess Kaiulani, including a $150 per-room voucher for meals at Sheraton restaurants. The package rates begin at $999 (applevacations.com, from Baltimore, Newark, and other airports).

[When tourism is down, it is a great time to go places. You can get great deals, and even better service.]

Budapest, Hungary

Why in 2009: Budapest has become the sort of expatriate haven that Prague was in the ’90s, back before the Czech capital’s cafés started charging $4 for an espresso and tour groups suddenly outnumbered locals. Recently, the U.S dollar has surged in hard-hit Hungary, gaining 30 percent against the declining local currency, the forint. In addition to savoring the city’s glorious art nouveau architecture, anchored by the imposing Museum of Applied Arts in the center of town, you can shop in the well-preserved Great Market Hall, explore the miles of caves under Castle District (former hideouts for soldiers during wartime), and catch a show at the Hungarian State Opera House, where standing-room tickets go for only $2.

[Budapest just doesn't sound like your average vacation spot, which makes it low on tourists most likely. Great to get away from the crowds.]

Main events: Budapest’s monthly design market WAMP is well on the way to renown as an international fashion destination. The market, which spotlights contemporary handcrafts, jewelry, prints, and other items from Hungarian craftsmen, is held in the summer and fall in Erzsébet Square and in winter at Gödör Klub (wamp.hu/en, free). Hungary’s two largest cultural and foodie events are the Budapest Spring Festival, a collection of 200 free and ticketed concert music performances (festivalcity.hu), and fall’s 18th Budapest International Wine Festival, which encompasses tastings and workshops at Buda Castle (winefestival.hu, free).

[Got to love food events.]

Reykjavik, Iceland

Why in 2009: The dramatic collapse of Iceland’s currency, the kronur, has hung a 48-percent-off sign on virtually everything for American tourists. A hot dog (an Icelandic specialty) in downtown Reykjavik, for example, runs about 210 kronur—that’s $3.50 in U.S. dollars at last year’s exchange rates, but about $2 today. Meanwhile, in a bid to lure tourists, Icelandair has recently rolled out steep airfare discounts. Published fares to Iceland for early 2009 are down 22 percent from a year earlier, says Expedia.

[Maybe not the best place for the beach, but they do have hot springs.]

Main events: Astoundingly, beer was illegal in Iceland until 1989. On March 1, Beer Day, Reykjavikers toast its legalization with parties at pubs, clubs, and restaurants (goiceland.org). On June 21, the summer solstice, locals cheer the midnight sun on the longest day of the year. Cuteness alert: Watch the island’s adorable baby puffins as millions of them leave their nests in early August for that first oh-so-awkward attempt at flight. See the event as part of many organized tours (visiticeland.com).

[Beer day. Huh.]

Memorable moment: Soak in one of the city’s seven hot pots—outdoor thermal pools. Save by purchasing a Reykjavik Welcome Card, which includes admission to the hot pots plus five museums, a family park and a zoo, as well as transport on city buses and a ferry trip to Videy Island (a noted spot for bird watching). A 24-hour card is about $11 at today’s exchange rates (visiticeland.com).

Price check: Rates at the Park Inn Island Hotel, for instance, start from $87, and it has amenities that are roughly comparable with the ones offered at a Radisson in the U.S. Look to Icelandair.com for fare sales and air/hotel packages to Reykjavik. But shop aggressively for a rental car, which can be expensive in Iceland, by comparison shopping at metasearch websites such as Kayak.

[I would say that vacationing in Iceland would be much more less touristy than many other places, and it would definitely be different than anyone elses vacation that you know.]

Mexico

Why in 2009: Our southern neighbor has always been relatively affordable, but this year is special. The U.S. dollar’s exchange rate against the Mexican peso is at its most favorable point in 15 years. Prices should be down across Mexico, including in high-profile destinations like Mexico City, Oaxaca, and Cancun. Resort destinations that have become newly popular, such as Riviera Nayarit and Puerto Peñasco (Rocky Point) should be positively cheap this year.

[I don't know about this. There have been thousands of people murdered on the border, and Mexico City is the number one kidnapping city in the world, of course followed by Phoenix, Arizona. However, I'm sure that you would be safer n a resort area.]

Main events: Catch some sun in Riviera Nayarit, a trendy tourist region recently launched by Mexican officials. About 20 miles north of the Puerto Vallarta International airport, the new hotspot stretches along 100 miles of Pacific coast (rivieranayarit.com). March brings the 25th anniversary of the Festival de México, an 18-day celebration of arts and culture held in the country’s vibrant capital (festival.org.mx, free and ticketed). Starting May 10, residents of Oaxaca come together for a week of dance and processions (oaxacainfo.com).

[It's on the coast, which means beaches.]

Price check: Budget Travel’s Web tool can help you pinpoint the Mexican resort towns that are linked to your nearest airport by nonstop flights (budgettravel.com/nonstopmexico). For example, an all-inclusive package at the Tesoro Resorts in Ixtapa—on Mexico’s Pacific Coast—includes food, alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks, and lots of entertainment, starting at just $170 per room, per night, and children under 12 stay for free (tesororesorts.com, 866-998-3767).

Berlin

Why in 2009: It’s the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. Plus, the city’s been on a long construction spree: Berlin now has one of the world’s most dynamic skylines, thanks to innovative buildings such as the swoopy O2 World stadium and the city’s vast, sleekly modern main train station. Despite all the moving and shaking, Berlin remains a bargain. Even in the financially flush year of 2007, four- and five-star rooms averaged €130 a night; comparable rooms in Paris and London priced out at more than twice as much. Splurge by opting for a fancier hotel than usual. Swissôtel Berlin, our pick for best value hotel in Europe, has rooms from $188 (011-49/30-220-100, swissotel.com/berlin).

[Growing up in the 80's during the Cold War, Berlin was never thought of as a vacation destination. But hey, the wall is down.]

Main events: Throughout the year, Berlin will commemorate the fall of the Wall with concerts, memorials, and an open-air-exhibition in Alexanderplatz. On November 9, at the Brandenburg Gate, a symbolic wall of hundreds of five-foot-tall stones decorated by children will fall like dominos, launching a fireworks display (mauerfall09.com). Also in autumn, the rebuilt Neues Museum will open on Berlin’s central Museum Island, displaying masterworks that include the world-famous bust of ancient Egypt’s Queen Nefertiti.

[That would be cool to be involved in the anniversary of the Wall coming down.]

Price check: Rooms in many of Berlin’s three-star hotels will go for about $90 this year. Pension ABC, for example, is a squeaky-clean, family-run inn near Potsdamer Platz with doubles from $89 (011-49/30-2694-9903).

[That is pretty cheap, even for this list.]

Vancouver, B.C.

Why in 2009: Americans heading to Canada finally have the U.S. dollar back on their side. Exchange rates have rebounded to 2005 levels. And fares into Vancouver for the first three months of 2009 are down 24 percent from a year earlier, says Farecast. Meanwhile, the city has been busy glamming itself up to prepare for February 2010, when it hosts the Winter Olympics. It’s spent lots of money to retool infrastructure and unveil cool new venues. The Vancouver Convention and Exhibition Centre, for instance, is now topped with a six-acre rooftop garden of 400,000 native plants and wild grasses that are partly irrigated by a sophisticated rainwater collection system.

[Still, it's cold in Canada.]

Main events: Olympic host cities love to premiere cutting-edge architecture in advance of the Games, and Vancouver is no exception. Visit in 2009 to get a sneak peek (vancouver2010.com). A case in point is the Richmond Oval, a new 8,000-seat arena with a speed-skating track and a glass façade that yields clear, expansive views of the rugged North Shore Mountains (richmondoval.ca). Vancouver will also be trading on all the Olympian attention to tout its local arts and entertainment scene. The Cultural Olympiad’s 400-plus events include ice sculptures, circus acts, and a concert by the band Arcade Fire (vancouver2010.com/culturalolympiad, Feb. 1–Mar. 21). Among the city’s other events, Grammy-Award-winning saxophonist Sonny Rollins returns to the TD Canada Trust Vancouver International Jazz Festival on June 29 (admission from $67, coastaljazz.ca).

Price check: The Listel Hotel, a highly rated, artfully decorated boutique in the city’s West End, recently put its rooms on sale via Orbitz starting at $65 a night—75 percent off the hotel’s average price.

[Probably the cheapest on this list of budget and inexpensive vacations.]

Cambodia

Why in 2009: It’s no longer a backpacker’s secret. In 2008, the country drew about 2 million visitors, more than 10 times the number it drew a decade ago. Cambodia’s still off the radar for most Americans, but it’s poised to take the same path as its better-known neighbor Vietnam, which saw a similar number of visitors nine years ago and now draws roughly 4 million visitors annually. Look for independently owned guesthouses because the major resort chains haven’t built much here yet; and by all means, go before the crowds get too thick.

[Like Berlin, I grew up in the late 70's and 80's in the aftermath of the Vietnam war, and Cambodia was just always thought of as a warzone to me. Yet it must be a very beautiful country.]

Main events: The sprawling Angkor complex and its magnificent Hindu and Buddhist temples between the 9th and 15th centuries will always be the star attractions here. Expect to spend at least two days exploring. In nearby Siem Reap, shop at the Artisans d’Angkor collective, where those making traditional handicrafts gain a guaranteed percentage of the profit (011-855/63-963-330, artisansdangkor.com).

Price check: For recommendations for independently owned guesthouses, turn to Asiarooms.com, which recently listed rooms at Monoreach Angkor Hotel in Siem Reap at a starting rate of $33 per night. If you’d prefer an expert’s guiding hand, consider Intrepid Travel’s Heart of Cambodia tour. A guide will escort you around Phnom Penh, arrange a sunset viewing over Angkor Wat, and walk you through the depths of the Phnom Chhnork caves. The 15-day tour costs $1,400 per person (whether traveling single or as part of a couple), covering lodgings but not airfare—less than $100 a day (intrepidtravel.com).

Panama

Why in 2009: Panama has led tourism growth in Central and South American countries for two years running, posting back-to-back 20 and 30 percent gains in 2007 and 2008, respectively. Last year, the country surpassed the one-million-visitors mark, welcoming 1.2 million leisure travelers. That’s about how popular Costa Rica was in 1999—before it emerged as a solidly mainstream destination. Compared with Costa Rica, Panama has more animal species and a larger amount of preserved terrain filled with colorful macaws, monkeys, and endangered shore birds.

[It's tropical, and it has beaches, on both the Caribbean and the Pacific. Good enough for me. Here is a map of Panama.]

Main events: The Panama Jazz Festival, held January 1–17, will feature saxophonist Wayne Shorter’s quartet (panamajazzfestival.com, from $10). Panama’s Carnival celebrations, running February 2–24, are some of the largest pre-Lenten parties in the world. The bulk of the parades and revelry will take place in Panama City and Las Tablas (visitpanama.com).

[Cool, music and food festivals.]

Price check: American Airlines Vacations has a three-night winter stay at the Veneto Hotel & Casino from $87 per person per night (aavacations.com). Keep a lid on costs by booking at locally owned inns. Among TripAdvisor’s top rated B&Bs in Panama is La Estancia (011-507/314-1581, bedandbreakfastpanama.com, from $75 for singles and doubles). It’s on a hill next to a nature reserve.

[That is a pretty good price for a tropical beach vacation.]

I hope you have enjoyed this list of affordable and inexpensive vacations. I would rather be visiting them than just blogging about them, but that’s just the way it is.

Molokai, Hawaii

This island, often called Hawaii’s “real” island, is so laid back there’s not a single traffic light and no building is bigger than a palm tree. Chances are, yours will be the only footprints you’ll find on any of its deserted white sand beaches. Travel authority Pauline Frommer says Molokai’s unspoiled, pristine beaches are among her favorites worldwide and she imagines they look a lot like the Hawaii Capt. Cook first laid eyes on. From Honolulu, it’s a 25-minute and $135 flight to Molokai’s Hoolehua Airport (MKK). A one-way ticket to Maui from Honolulu costs about $61. Unlike Maui, there are no direct flights to Molokai from the Mainland.

The Caribbean Coast of Costa Rica

Frommer says this wildly beautiful region–with its pounding surf and prehistoric rainforests–is quite distinct from the others Costa Rica surfers and expats have been flocking to in recent years. Not only are the music and food different (think Reggae and spicy jerk chicken), gorgeous white-sand, coconut-tree-lined beaches are peaceful and desolate. To get to Puerto Limon, the capital of Limon province, from San Jose, take Highway 32 (also known as the Guapiles Highway) that connects this region to the rest of the country. Check out this map of Costa Rica.

Holbox Island, Yucatan Peninsula

Holbox (hol-bosh) is part of the Yum Balam ecological reserve, separated from land by the Yalahua Lagoon. The 26-mile-long island boasts many secluded fine white-sand beaches peppered with beautiful seashells. The Gulf of Mexico’s jade green waters are calm and swimmer-friendly. But don’t expect nightclubs or wi-fi. Or cars, for that matter, as everyone travels in golf-cart buggies. From Cancun airport you can take a taxi to Chiquila, about two hours away, to catch a ferry; or hire a water taxi on the spot to take you to Isla Holbox, 14 km (nine miles) away. Total travel time from Cancun is about three hours. There’s a rustic airport on Holbox for private planes. The more expensive hotels ($200 to $400 a night) will help arrange private launches.

Whitehaven Beach, Australia

Nestled on Australia’s dreamy Whitsunday Island (the largest of the Whitsunday chain), Whitehaven Beach offers four miles of silky soft, milky white sand courtesy of pure silica grains. A lush acacia forest backdrop keeps things as cool as the turquoise waters. Although this is one of Australia’s most photographed beaches, it’s also one of its less trampled thanks to strict visitation limits enforced by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (you must register with a tour operator to access the area.) A number of tour operators offer daytrips, overnight stays or scenic flights to Whitehaven Beach from the islands, Shute Harbour or Airlie Beach. A catamaran trip from Shute Harbour is $100 per person.

Oswald West State Park, Oregon Coast

At this state park south of Cannon Beach, the 15-minute walk through the woods to the beach keeps most people at bay–save for the die-hard surfers. The crescent-shaped beach is on a secluded cove backed by dense forest. If you like dramatic and desolate, this is your beach. Best bet is to fly into Portland, then drive a rental car to the coast.

Barbuda, Caribbean

Antigua may tout its beaches, but Caribbean travel expert Ryan Ver Berkmoes says it’s her sister island Barbuda that’s really got something to crow about: Its unspoiled beaches are natural, sprinkled with pink sand and miles long. On the deep blue Atlantic side expect driftwood and shells; on the calmer Caribbean side, you’ll find turtles and tropical fish in calm, limpid turquoise waters. But don’t expect to see anyone else. No wonder Princess Diana vacationed here several times. Fly to Antigua first, then hop on a small Carib-Aviation plane for the 20-minute ride–about $200 round-trip (two flights a day).

Colombier Beach, St. Barth’s

Accessible only by boat or a 25-minute hike along a rugged goat trail (take the path just beyond Flamands Beach), Colombier is a sweet little cove perfect for swimming, snorkeling or eating a French picnic. Private yachts and sailboats often moor here while their passengers frolic in the water. (If you have a boat or like to hike, this day beach is free.)

Playa Medina, Venezuela

Club Med has a reputation for staking out some of the prettiest beachfronts in the world, which is why it had its eye on this palm-fringed patch of sand on the isolated Paria Peninsula. Local opposition prevented it from happening. That, and the 10-hour drive from Caracas, explain why the gold-sand beach with placid waters remains as pristine as ever–save for a bunch of bungalows and a low-key restaurant. There is a very small airport in Carupano, an hour east of Playa Medina. The “fanciest” hotel on the beach–guest cottages about $150 a night–arrange for airport transfers.

Pink Beach, Bonaire

When people think of Bonaire, they think of scuba diving, says Ver Berkmoes, but this island’s bountiful beaches should not be overlooked. Since people tend to spend their time underwater here, you can find miles and miles of desolate beach on the south side of the island. Pink Beach is particularly beautiful, its sand tainted pink by Bonaire’s signature coral reef. Major airlines provide direct flights to Bonaire’s Flamingo (also pink) airport from Houston, Newark, Atlanta, and San Juan.

White Sand Beach, Bali

Most of Bali’s beaches are layered in dark black sand with the exception of this gem, tucked in a tiny cove on the East Coast. When travel writer Ryan Ver Berkmoes first discovered it, there were only a handful of fishermen on the beach. Now that seafood grills and day beds have arrived, the crowds are sure to follow.