Twenty years ago, many Phoenix-area resorts shut down for the summer because of the heat, but now substantial deals are offered that attract locals and tourists alike. (AP Photo/JW Marriott Camelback Inn Resort & Spa)
AP Photo/JW Marriott Camelback Inn Resort & Spa
As the dog days of summer quickly approach, travel expert Laura Powell says the key to snagging a deal is to scout destinations where July and August are considered the off-season. Twenty years ago, many Phoenix-area resorts shut down for the summer because of the heat, but now substantial deals are offered that attract locals and tourists alike. (AP Photo/JW Marriott Camelback Inn Resort & Spa)
AP Photo/JW Marriott Camelback Inn Resort & Spa
Resort prices in the Caribbean and parts of Florida are greatly reduced in the summer, and hotels in Phoenix and Scottsdale, Arizona, typically offer major discounts on their normal rates during summer's hottest months. (AP Photo/Franklin County DC via Visit Florida, Lou Kellenberger)
AP Photo/Franklin County DC via Visit Florida, Lou Kellenberger
Sun, surf and sand are the main draws to the tropical Caribbean island of Barbados. Traveling to the Caribbean at the end of summer can save you money if you are willing to risk hurricane season. (AP Photo/Barbados Tourism Authority)
AP Photo/Barbados Tourism Authority
Discount subscriptions, such as Groupon Getaways and Living Social, offer ideas for local getaways for a fraction of the cost. (WTOP Screen Shot)
WTOP Screen Shot
Looking for a local adventure? Check out New River Gorge or Charles Town West Virginia. Both towns offer rafting, hiking and more. (AP Photo/Jon C. Hancock)
AP Photo/Jon C. Hancock
Don't have any time off from work? Travel expert Laura Powell says a weekend trip out to Maryland's Eastern Shore is a relaxing overnight trip. (AP Photo/David Branigan)
AP Photo/David Branigan
Touring Virginia's many vineyards makes for another easy day trip. Or, stay overnight in a bed and breakfast. Wines from vintners in Virginia are drawing favorable attention and holding their own against products from more established regions, which has led the state to focus on growing wine tourism. (AP Photo/Michael Felberbaum)
AP Photo/Michael Felberbaum
The Homestead, in Hot Springs, Virginia, has hosted 23 U.S. Presidents during its storied history. Often times, the resort will offer deals through discount travel sites. (PRNewsFoto/KSL Resorts)
PRNewsFoto/KSL Resorts
Instead of staying in a hotel, more travelers are tapping into the growing "sharing economy" -- opting to rent out someone's apartment or book a room in someone's house through Airbnb or a similar site. In this Oct. 10, 2013 file photo, Mishelle Farer poses for picture in her apartment, where she rents a room on Airbnb, in New York. Farer is an avid user of Airbnb, a website that allows travelers to rent other people's homes or rooms. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File)
AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File
Travel expert Laura Powell says there are a few international cities that are great deals for American tourists. Her top choice is Greece. A tourist takes pictures as she stands in front of the ancient Parthenon temple on the Acropolis hill, in Athens on Tuesday, June 24, 2014. The Association of Greek Tourism Enterprises (SETE) increased its estimate for international tourist arrivals in 2014 to 19 million from 18.5 million last year. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)
AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris
A recent Trip Advisor survey found the cheapest international cities are Hanoi, Jakarta and Bangkok. This photo shows a man as he reads a newspaper in front of his stall in the Old Quarter district in Hanoi, Vietnam. The Old Quarter is arguably the epicenter for the city's connections to its past. (AP Photo/Chitose Suzuki)
AP Photo/Chitose Suzuki
A recent Trip Advisor survey found the cheapest international cities are Hanoi, Jakarta and Bangkok. A couple of Western tourists snap a souvenir photo at a Wat Pho temple in Bangkok, Thailand Tuesday, May 27, 2014. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)
AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit
The most affordable European cities include Sofia, Budapest and Prague. St. Stephen's Basilica church offers visitors panoramic views of Budapest. (AP Photo/Carey J. Williams)
AP Photo/Carey J. Williams
