4 spectacular (and cheap) European destinations

Puedes leer esta historia presionando aquí.

Europe is one of the regions most visited by tourists and it's no surprise. Its beauty, its history, its diversity and its attractions have everything that many travelers seek. However, many people think that traveling to that continent entails high expenses since its most visited cities are usually costly destinations, such as Amsterdam, London and Paris.

Through my years of traveling, I have discovered beautiful destinations in Europe that you can visit with more modest budgets. Here are four European countries where you will have a spectacular time without spending a fortune:

Albania

This country has been one of the great surprises in my life. From crystalline beaches to mountains with beautiful views like Switzerland, Albania offers tourists a little bit of everything.

Prices for transportation, lodging, and food are very affordable. For example, in Tirana, you can get very good hotels for less than $59 per night. Do not forget to visit its famous region of Theth or the towns of Berat, Kruje, Shkodër and Ksamil.

Two vacations in one: How to add a second destination to your trip (for little or no cost)

Croatia

One of the most beautiful countries in Europe. It has a gastronomy of the first order. Taking a tour of its Adriatic coast will take you to see several of the most beautiful coastal towns in Europe.

I recommend you visit Dubrovnik, Split, Pula, Trogir, Rovinj, Hvar and Zadar, among others. You cannot leave out the beautiful Plitvice Lakes. Croatia recently entered the euro area. If you want to save on arrival flights to this destination, you can consider the airports of Zagreb, Split, or Dubrovnik.

Czech Republic

The romantic country in the center of Europe. Its capital, Prague, is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. However, many tourists only visit the capital and forget other towns and cities such as Karlovy Vary, Český Krumlov, Kutna Hora, or Brno. Moving between them is very cheap. For example, the bus between Prague and Český Krumlov starts from $6.99.

African trips: Want to do a safari trip in Africa, but don't know where to start? Here are my tips to get organized.

Portugal

What I consider one of the best destinations in the world to travel. Portugal has it all: gastronomy, history, architecture, activities, beaches, nature, vineyards, etc. In short, a long list of many offers and activities that you can do in one place. Flights from New York, Washington, D.C., Boston, Chicago, Miami, Los Angeles and Seattle to cities like Lisbon or Porto can often be had for less than $499-$599 round trip. Be sure to visit, apart from its two main cities, Cascais, Sintra, Nazaré, Aveiro, Coimbra and Evora. Portuguese gastronomy has some delicacies that you must try, such as Pastéis de nata, octopus, bacalhau (salted cod), or duck rice.

Europe has many destinations that are sometimes off our itineraries because they are simply not the most frequented and we have not seen much about them. If you want to venture on a trip to Europe, without spending a lot of money and without sacrificing a unique experience on your trip, here are four options that you will fall in love with.

Wilson "Wil" Santiago Burgos is the founder of Mochileando.com, one of the largest travel platforms in Puerto Rico and the Latin American market in the U.S.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Get off the beaten path: 4 cheap European destinations