With most of us preoccupied with the economic situation, we’re reconsidering whether vacations to long-popular destinations are prudent. Actually, if you have a little money to spend, now is the time to go.

Right now you can find great deals on airline tickets. I have managed to get last minute roundtrip airline tickets from Houston to Paris for as little as $ 600. Since the flights have not been full, I have been able to stretch out in the seats to cross the Atlantic very comfortably.

When it comes to hotels, even with discounts, you should expect to pay around $ 150 a night for a decent hotel room in a good location in Paris. If you are traveling with your family, a group of friends, or if you are thinking of spending more than one long weekend in Paris, you may want to consider renting an apartment. This may not be as easy as opening Expedia in your web browser, but you will be rewarded with a nice apartment and great savings. You’ll find that there are many great apartments with great amenities and locations that can comfortably sleep four or more people for the price of a small hotel room. In addition, you will have a kitchen at your disposal.

Speaking of kitchens, dining may be your third biggest expense. As I’ve already hinted, you can save money by preparing your own meals. You may not find the giant supermarkets that you may be used to in America, but there are plenty of supermarkets and, more interestingly, open-air markets, so don’t worry about the food.

You can also save a great deal of money by avoiding the restaurants and cafes on the famous boulevards. Often going around the corner from the tourist cafes you will find better food and better prices. It’s nice to experience the famous tourist attractions, but try the restaurants on the quiet streets frequented by the locals.

If you can’t resist going to one of the cafes or restaurants on, say, the Champs-Elysées (and who can blame you), be smart about what you order and how you order it. Sometimes you will see the locals getting take out and then sitting on a bench on the Champs Elysees, just a few steps from the cafe. If you were to look at the menu, you might notice that take-out items do not have a surcharge (for example, you can pay two euros less for a sandwich if you take it). Also, when ordering a drink, consider buying a glass of wine with a Coke or similar soda – the wine is likely to be less expensive.

One of my favorite things for a simple meal when I’m away from home is to do what some locals do (I mean plumbers, construction workers, and the like): buy a baguette, some cheese, or something else to put on the loaf of bread and a drink (you can get all of this for about 5 euros). Then I find a nice park to enjoy my food.

Paris has a lot to offer in terms of entertainment and you don’t have to spend a lot of money. You won’t get into the Moulin Rouge for free, but exploring the back streets in this area (Montmartre) is free and you can take a walk to the Sacré-Coeur for a closer look and a panoramic view of Paris. There are probably street performers here too.

On a similar note, many people visit Notre Dame, but far fewer will take the bridge behind the cathedral to explore Ile Saint-Louis. After visiting Notre Dame, I suggest you visit Ile Saint-Louis, buy an ice cream, find a place to sit and enjoy the street performers on the bridge that connects Ile Saint-Louis with the island of Notre Dame. After this, walk down the main street of Ile Saint-Louis.

You can find many inexpensive ways to enjoy Paris even when you are on a budget. It may require a bit more planning and perhaps be a bit more adventurous than following the herds. In return, you will be rewarded with a unique, enjoyable and memorable trip.