I’m calling shenanigans on this whole notion of a staycation. Sure, money may be tight, but your company gives you vacation days for a reason and if you’re in school, they don’t call it summer break for nothing. A summer vacation should be in the Constitution.

Travel is good for the soul and there is no better time to do it than in the summer. The weather is great, it’s easier to coordinate a trip with your friends and it’s just feels good to be outside.

Here’s a few tips on ways to save a few dollars on your summer vacation:

1. Hostels - Don’t turn up your nose, hostels are quickly becoming a lot more than just a dorm-style place to lay your head. As we noted in our list of the top 10 hostels in Europe, many hostels now offer flat screen TVs, pools and other amenities usually reserved for higher-priced accommodations.

2. Free Stopovers – Did you know that on certain international flights, you may be able to get a free stopover instead of a standard connection? Spend a day or two exploring a city along the route to your destination without having to shell out for an extra airline ticket.

3. Campgrounds – In addition to hostels, many travelers are checking out new luxury campgrounds. In Florence, the Plus Camping Michelangelo has the same level of accommodations as many hostels, but since you can get your own luxury tent that is lockable, you get a little more privacy than a standard hostel.

We Warned You

4. Free Breakfast – If your hotel or hostel offers a free breakfast, even a continental one, make sure to grab a few extras to take along as snacks. A few rolls or biscuits with some jam can tide you over so you can save your money for full meals, rather than snacks.

5. Outdoor Activities – It’s summer; hang out outside. Most cities have amazing – and free – parks (like Phoenix Park in Dublin) that have plenty of space for you to toss a Frisbee, start a makeshift five-a-side game or just relax with a good book.

6. Rent a Bike – Skip the bus and rent a bike. Not only it is better for the environment, you’ll be able to travel on your own schedule. Plus, bikes are pretty common across Europe, so you won’t stick out like a sore thumb riding your bike in the city.

7. Go Domestic – Maybe your budget can’t handle a trip to Bangkok or Tokyo, but have you checked out Chicago or Boston lately? There are a lot of great things to do right in the good ol’ US of A that won’t break the bank.

8. Go Shopping – At your destination, check out the local grocery store and pick-up a few key ingredients for meals for the day. Most hostels have full kitchens – or at least a microwave – so you can keep your budget in check by cooking a few of your own meals. Plus, visiting a local grocery can often be an adventure in itself.

9. Visit Friends – It may not be as exotic as Nadi or the French Riviera, but if you have a friend in another city in the U.S. you can visit for a few days you’ll save some serious coin on accommodations and food. Plus, you’ll already know you’ll have someone to do stuff with.

10. Vegas - We don’t endorse gambling, but if you need to raise some funds as a last resort, taking a trip to Vegas offers that opportunity and is a pretty cheap vacation destination in itself if you lose all of your money. With luxury hotels on The Strip offering great deals right now, it might be the right time to make your way to Sin City. Just don’t steal Mike Tyson’s tiger.

Photo Credit: claudiogennari on Flickr