Prices aren't cheap but if you go before the summer peak, you can save 25 percent to 30 percent on air fares.

We know that traveling on a budget can be difficult if you aren't familiar with where to find the best deals. 'Escapes Under $500' offers our readers details on all aspects of a trip to help make it not only affordable, but enjoyable as well. In fact, each column is based on my actual travels, so we can give our readers a real, first-hand experience of traveling for less.