The 10 most affordable travel destinations in January

At the start of a new year, many consumers find themselves pinching pennies and tightening their budgets due to holiday spending. This still holds true as American shoppers outdid themselves in 2018. According to expert predictions, holiday sales are set to surpass $1 trillion for the first time ever -- and many retailers also reported record-breaking sales.

With all of the spending, it doesn't seem like many travel lovers have vacationing at the top of mind, but you may be surprised to learn that there are a few destinations that are less expensive to visit in January.

READ MORE: The biggest travel trends of 2019

While January may seem like an unexpected month to vacation, leisure travel destinations such as financial hub cities, European getaways and Asian hot spots are cheaper than ever. And if the cheap airfare isn't a big enough selling point, many of these locations have smaller crowds and better accommodation packages during this time, too.

Take a look at the most affordable domestic and international destinations, according to Travelzoo senior editor Gabe Saglie: