10 Essential Vacations for Every Bucket List

What does cool mean to you? Miles Davis? Scarlett Johansson? Lititz, Pennsylvania? I'm serious. For hundreds of thousands of Budget Travel readers, Lititz—the winner of our 2013 Coolest Small Towns contest—is that perfect blend of edge and heart that we consider cool. The town's journey to Coolest began last fall when thousands of supporters—residents, fans, and folks from all over the world who'd visited the Lancaster County gem and loved it—nominated the town right here. Well, it's that time of year again! Nominations are now open for our 2014 Coolest Small Towns contest. Visit early, visit often, and nominate your pick for coolest town ever. We're looking for American towns with fewer than 10,000 people and a certain something that no place else has—a world-class food scene, jaw-dropping locale, great music, innovative art, and the kind of community spirit that motivates supporters to take to Facebook, Twitter (use the hashtag #AmericasCoolestTowns to help spread the word from Budget Travel's Twitter feed!), Pinterest, and Instagram to propel their cool town to the top of the list. And please, keep it cool. Sure, everybody's got a "favorite" town or an opinion about which town is "best"—those phrases are hopelessly vague when it comes to actually planning your vacation. But tell us why your town is coolest? We're on our way!

Where are you going next? That's a question I ask myself all the time—both as executive editor at Budget Travel and as, well, someone who loves the word next almost as much as the world going. So I'm really psyched to announce that Budget Travel is making it easier than ever to book an amazing travel deal. We've vastly expanded the number and variety of our Real Deals to help get you where you want to go for the right price. That means in addition to the sweet package deals our editors serve up every day, we are now offering affordable getaways courtesy of Travelzoo (recent deals include vacations in the Caribbean, Ireland, Italy, Spain, and other must-see locales around the globe). You'll find new deals here every day, you can search by destination or by the area you'll be leaving from, and you can arrange deals by price or trip length. With more deals, more variety, and unbeatable prices—not to mention our award-winning feature stories, photography, and up-to-the-minute blog posts—Budget Travel is more committed than ever to giving you everything you need to choose your next dream trip. Me? I've got my eye on Ireland. How about you? Where are you going next?

Sophie Gackowski writes for HomeAway UK It's almost Halloween, and while we don't celebrate the 31st of October with quite as much gusto as the USA, we've more than our fair share of ghosts and ghouls. Indeed, many historical sites in the U.K. claim to be some of the most haunted in the world; whether they're hotels, public houses or harbours, they attract hundreds of tourists looking for hair-raising holidays. If you're planning a break in the U.K. anytime soon, you'll find dozens of phantasmal sites; but before you start considering where to stay and what to do, why not spook yourself senseless with seven of our most nerve-tingling sites? Princes in the Tower of London. Situated in the English capital, the Tower of London is—undisputedly—one of the U.K.'s most haunted historical sites; anywhere that's been home to hundreds of prisoners awaiting the death sentence has got to be pretty ghastly! Two of the most famed of the tower's prisoners are undoubtedly the little princes: Edward V and Richard, Duke of York. Imprisoned when they were just twelve and nine-years-old respectively, they were supposedly smothered on the orders of their uncle Richard III. While not proven, two small skeletons were unearthed here in 1674, and later buried at Westminster Abbey. Spectral Children at Llancaiach Fawr Manor. Located in Caerphilly, Wales, Llancaiach Fawr Manor is set in a spectacular, but spooky, spot. Numerous members of staff have detailed uncanny events (smelling roast beef is one of the stranger experiences!), and visitors continue to experience odd happenings. One of the most haunted sites in Britain, the manor is said to be home to several spectres: the most tragic is a little boy who fell to his death from the upper floor, and today tugs on sleeves to get attention. Headless Horses at Pluckley. Pluckley is a pretty village situated in the heart of picturesque Kent; and a famously haunted hotspot, said to house some 12 separate ghosts (according to the Guinness Book of World Records!). From an old woman selling watercress to a schoolmaster once found hanging, there's a seemingly different ghost for every street. The best known apparition is probably the spectral coach, said to be led by galloping, headless horses. Halloween here marks a spooky celebration like no other. Lord Soulis at Hermitage Castle. If you're taking a trip to bonny Scotland on your vacation, consider visiting Hermitage Castle in Roxburghshire. It's not only said to be the most perfect example of a Borders medieval castle, but also home to several spectres, too. Once in the possession of William de Soulis—a warlock thought to have abducted children for black magic rites—the ancient castle's halls are said to be stalked by his unfortunate victims, with unexplained sounds just one of the reported oddities. Florrie at the Red Lion. Fancy something a little more fun in way of ghouls? Then head to Avebury, England, where you'll encounter the Red Lion's feisty resident Florrie. Thought to have lived during the inn's 17th century heyday as a farmhouse, Florrie's tale is more tragic than her movements: said to have been murdered by her husband in a fit of rage, today she makes chandeliers spin and favours bearded men. Afterwards, why not take in Wiltshire's spectacular Stonehenge, nearby? Pendle Witches at Newchurch-in-Pendle. Nestled in the lovely landscapes of Lancashire, you'll find the hamlet of Newchurch-in-Pendle. Peer behind its pretty facade, however, and you'll find that in 1612, this was home to the largest legal witch hunt in England's history. Claims from a nobleman that he was attacked by witches on Pendle Hill resulted in the trials, convictions and deaths of ten people, now said to haunt the hillside. Today, Halloween sees dozens of people climb its slopes in the dead of night. Wounded Jacobites at Culloden Moor. Culloden Moor is famed as the setting of the last battle to have ever taken place on British soil; but the bloody events of 1746 left more than just words in the history books. Today, the boggy ground around Invernesshire, Scotland, is said to be home to the remnants of Bonnie Prince Charlie's army; namely, the ghosts of wounded Jacobites who fought for the Stuart family's right to the throne, but were slaughtered in their thousands that day. Even birds are said to avoid the area! Follow Sophie Gackowski on Google+

Darley Newman is the five-time Daytime Emmy Award nominated host, writer and producer of the lifestyle travel TV series Equitrekking, which broadcasts on PBS and international networks in over 82 countries. Looking for an affordable ranch vacation? If you've done your research, you know that prices vary widely from under $1,000 per person per week to over $4,000. While many ranches offer all-inclusive weeks, others charge for additional activities and may be in remote locales, which means figuring out the total cost of getting there and what you'll do when you arrive can involve crunching the numbers.  With multi-generational travel trending and many families interested in giving their children an experience in nature, it's even more important to find ranches that offer a good value for families and groups. If you're ready for a ranch vacation, check out these inexpensive ranches located throughout North America, where you can ride the great outdoors and take in nature without compromising your bank account. Sundance Trail Ranch, Colorado. This family-friendly and pet-friendly dude ranch, located only 2 hours from Denver, offers horseback riding, hiking, rock climbing, whitewater rafting, and more in the Colorado Rocky Mountains. Lodge and cabin suites accommodate up to 24 guests with some offering wheelchair accessibility. Hearty western meals are served family style, with homemade breads and desserts. (Sundance Trail Ranch operates as a summer guest ranch and fall, winter and spring bed & breakfast. All-inclusive summer rates for 7-day/ 6-night stay, including lodging, meals, and activities, start at $1,610 per adult. This ranch offers 4-day/3-night stays starting at $970 for adults with lower rates for kids. Airport shuttle service and tips are additional.) Marble Mountain Ranch, California. This California dude ranch is surrounded by a half a million acres of Northern California's Klamath National Forest, making for plenty of room for adventure. Offering a multi-sport "saddle-paddle" vacation, guests can mix horseback riding with whitewater rafting, fishing, and shooting sports. This guest ranch offers a strong kids program for "Young Buckaroos." Marble Mountain Guest Ranch's location in Somes Bar is close to the scenic Trinity Alps and Russian Wilderness Areas. (5-night/ 6-day all-inclusive package rates
are $1,590 per adult. Gift shop purchases, jet boat tours, and gratuities are not included. The ranch does not charge a single supplement, making it a good choice for single travelers. The ranch also offers shorter 3-night stays during certain times of the year. Before the Memorial Day holiday and after Labor Day, you rent cabins a-la-carte without the all-inclusive full service packages starting at $125 per night double occupancy plus $20 for additional occupants.) New Haven Working Cattle & Guest Ranch, Wyoming. This family owned and operated working cattle ranch is situated on the edge of the Black Hills of Wyoming near Devils Tower National Monument. With a maximum of 8 guests at a time, travelers at New Haven Ranch can take part in various ranch activities, like moving cattle from pasture to pasture, doctoring cattle, round-ups, checking on fences and reservoirs, and more. Guests stay in comfortable rustic bedrooms, each with its own bathroom. ($1,365 per person per week, all-inclusive for 7-days, based on double occupancy. Lower rates available in the off-season in October. There is an additional 10% gratuity charge and $23.10 per week lodging and sales tax.) Southern Cross Guest Ranch, Georgia. This year-round family-owned guest ranch and horse farm located about an hour East of Atlanta in Central Georgia has over 200 horses. An unusual feature of this dude ranch, besides its location in Georgia, is that experienced horseback riders can take out a horse from Southern Cross and ride unguided. This Georgia dude ranch gets good reviews from travelers, especially horseback riders, for the riding activities, horses and food. (This ranch offers a variety of rates, ranging from B&B to all-inclusive. The all-inclusive plan includes twice daily horseback riding, three meals, snacks and desserts, lodging, unlimited non-alcoholic beverages, use of mountain bikes, and more starting at $100 per person per night, based on seven nights double-occupancy.) Bar W Guest Ranch, Montana. This year-round guest ranch nestled at the base of a mountain on Spencer Lake in Whitefish, Montana offers a wide range of warm and cold weather activities including cattle drives, archery, fishing, square dances, dog sledding, snowmobiling and more. With up to 50 guests, Bar W offers Western style accommodations in either lodge or cabin suites, as well as "glamping"—luxury camping. (6-night/ 5-day all-inclusive rates, which include accommodations, meals, and all ranch activities, range from $1,695 to $2,265 during June, July and August. Rates are lower in the fall, winter and spring and 3-night/ 2-day stays are also available. There is a 10% service charge added to the bill upon checkout.) Elkhorn Ranch, Arizona. This winter season Arizona guest ranch in the Baboquivari Mountains southwest of Tucson, Arizona has been continuously owned and operated by the Miller family since 1945. With only 20 cabins and an average capacity of 32 guests, this intimate desert escape offers birding in Sonoran Desert, a heated swimming pool, tennis court, horseback riding, hiking and special workshops, like digital photography. Elkhorn Ranch's 10,000 acres provide plenty of remote canyon and mountain country to explore, making for a true wilderness experience for the whole family. (Weekly rate is $1,524 per person per week single or double cabin, plus 15% gratuity and tax, with lower rates available for longer stays and additional guests in the same cabin.) HorseWorks Wyoming, Wyoming. This ranch is a good fit for travelers who want to play cowboy or cowgirl on an authentic working horse and cattle ranch. Along with owner Nate Brown, a well-known Wyoming cowboy now in his 90's, guests can participate in ranch chores and focus on horse related activities, including trail rides through sagebrush flats and grassy slopes, cattle drives, barrel racing and roping lessons. Meals are hearty and accommodations are simple in rustic cabins with bunk beds. HorseWorks Wyoming is located in north central Wyoming in the town of Grass Creek, a little over two hours drive from Yellowstone National Park's East Gate and less than an hour's drive from the Buffalo Bill Historical Center in Cody and hot springs in Thermopolis. ($1,100 per person for Sunday to Friday night stays. Price includes round-trip transportation by local shuttle service between Cody and the ranch, unlimited riding, cabin accommodations (up to 4 people each), meals and snacks, and an overnight camping option.) Rancho Los Banos, Mexico. This working cattle ranch and eco-adventure destination on 30,000 acres in northeast Mexico welcomes adventure travelers to experience horse riding, cattle work, biking, hiking, bird watching, kayaking and more. With only 12 to 14 guests at a time, you can bank on personalized attention. Positioned at the foot of the Sierra Madre, the Mexican Rockies, Rancho Los Baños mixes traditional guest ranch activities with sustainable tourism, nature and adventure. The ranch ranges in elevation from 7,400 feet above sea level in the northern border to 3,200 feet in the southern canyon country, which includes the stunning El Cajon Canyon. This guest ranch offers immersion in pristine wilderness and a true off-the-grid experience (no internet or cell phone reception). (Prices are all-inclusive, including transfers from Tucson, Arizona, and start as low as $139 per person per night, double occupancy for a 5-night minimum stay, not including taxes.) Learn more about great ranch vacations in the Equitrekking Vacation Guide, an online, searchable travel guide to great dude ranches, guest ranches and global horseback riding vacations, and at Top20Ranches. Check out exclusive ranch and riding vacation travel deals on Equitrekking Travel Deals.