How to Book Your Own Grand European Tour

1. BUZZSAW FALLSAlabama Adventure, Bessemer, Ala.Considering that Bessemer averages 91-degree highs in June, a five-story supersoaker waterslide is likely to hit big. alabamaadventure.com, adults $36, children $26. 2. DARE DEVIL DIVESix Flags Over Georgia, AtlantaThe coaster cranks you nearly 100 feet into the air and pauses before hurling you straight down—and then some. Just as you're recovering from the 95-degree swan dive, you'll hit the zero-gravity hill. sixflags.com/overgeorgia, adults $50, children $35. 3. GREEN LANTERN—FIRST FLIGHTSix Flags Magic Mountain, Los AngelesThis crazy concoction of stacked, 360-degree loops almost looks like it's made out of ribbon candy. When the cars start swinging back and forth and upside down, you'll be glad it isn't. sixflags.com/magicmountain, adults $60, children $35. 4. FLIGHT OF THE HIPPOGRIFFWizarding World of Harry Potter, OrlandoIn Harry's World, the Flight of the Hippogriff is the butterbeer of rides—a sweet and light roller coaster that's fun for the whole family. universalorlando.com/harrypotter, adults $82, children 3-9 $74. 5. STAR TOURS—THE ADVENTURES CONTINUEDisney's Hollywood Studios, OrlandoThe redesigned 3-D flight simulator offers a different intergalactic story line every time. You might pod-race on Tatooine, flee from Boba Fett, or skim across the surface of the planet Coruscant. May the g-force be with you. disneyworld.disney.go.com/parks/hollywood-studios, adults $82, children 3-9 $74. 6. CHEETAH HUNTBusch Gardens, TampaMuch like its namesake, this cat purrs along slowly, then springs to life, pouncing from zero to 60 in seconds. Then it leaps 130 feet down into an underground trench, twisting all the way. buschgardens.com/bgt, adults $78, children 3-9 $70. 7. WINDSEEKERKnott's Berry Farm, Buena Park, Calif.Like a playground swing for folks with a death wish: First your seat gets hoisted 300 feet up, then it spins so quickly you feel like you aren't sitting at all. knotts.com, adults $57, children 3-11 $25. 8. SOARIN' EAGLEScream Zone, BrooklynLegendary Coney Island is getting back in the coaster game with two major new rides: the 65-foot Steeplechase and the 66-foot Soarin' Eagle. lunaparknyc.com/screamzone, admission free, individual rides from $3. 9. THE LITTLE MERMAID: ARIEL'S UNDERSEA ADVENTUREDisney California Adventure Park, Anaheim, Calif.Pink clamshell buggies and a dose of Disney magic will have you feeling like you really are under the sea. Too "princess" for your crew? Wait until Ursula's evil eels emerge. disneyland.disney.go.com/disneys-california-adventure, adults $76, children 3-9 $68. 10. SCREAMIN' GATOR ZIP LINEGatorland, OrlandoThe world's first zip line built over a natural alligator habitat. You'll sail 65 feet above those snapping jaws, but trust us: They'll feel closer. gatorland.com, $70 including water-park admission.   SEE MORE POPULAR CONTENT: 10 Best Affordable Beachfront Hotels 25 Greatest Travel Books of All Time Peer-to-Peer Car Rentals Perfect Summer Lake Towns 7 Most Common Gas-guzzling Mistakes

Memories from your beach vacation should involve the breeze in your hair and the sand in your toes—not the bill at the front desk. Our challenge? To find 10 getaways under $150 that are less than a five-minute walk to the ocean's edge—a tall order for summer's peak season, when the average price of a waterfront hotel starts around $250 per night. We steered clear of the Caribbean (hurricanes) and Southeast Asia (monsoons) to focus only on the most desirable summer destinations in places that don't strand you in the middle of nowhere (unless that's the point). The resulting collection of hotels and resorts, from the family-friendly mainstay of Myrtle Beach to Barcelona's sizzling shoreline, proves that wherever you want to go this summer, you can be right on the shore without breaking the bank. SEE THE PLACES: 10 BEST AFFORDABLE BEACHFRONT HOTELS Azul del Mar Key Largo, Fla. Retro-glam rooms next to turquoise waters.Near the top of the arc that forms the Florida Keys sits Key Largo, long celebrated for its glamorous watering holes and unspoiled beaches. In 1948, Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall shone a spotlight on the town with a film of the same name. Today, about 200 feet away from where the stars cracked wise at the Caribbean Club, stands Azul del Mar. Thanks to husband-and-wife proprietors Karol and Dominic Marsden, the eight-year-old hotel evokes the island's heyday. Facing Blackwater Sound and Florida Bay, guest rooms feature round porthole windows, faux Ionic columns, and colorful accents throughout. Lounge on the lawn amid tropical trees, key-lime bushes, and frangipani, or oceanside on the private, man-made shale beach. The hotel can also arrange excursions, including sunset cruises, snorkeling adventures, and fishing trips (if you'd like, you can choose to bring back your catch and cook it on Azul's grill). 104300 Overseas Hwy., 305/451-0337, azulkeylargo.com, from $139.MAP IT! Best Western Plus Beach Resort Monterey Monterey, Calif. The scenic Pacific Coast and classic American attractions.Finding affordable waterfront digs in coastal California can be a daunting task—which makes this spot right on the beach such a pleasant surprise. Here, you're also adjacent to the 18-mile-long Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail, which leads right to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, San Carlos beach (popular with divers), and Fisherman's Wharf. This is a "Best Western Plus" (as opposed to a straightforward "Best Western"), which means perks like free Wi-Fi. The 196 rooms are painted in sweet, muted tones of cream with cranberry accents and are furnished simply with wicker furniture. Floor-to-ceiling windows maximize the star attraction—the view of Monterey Bay. The restaurant prepares local seafood, such as clams and sand dabs, to order. 2600 Sand Dunes Dr., 831/394-3321, montereybeachresort.com, from $150.MAP IT!       Caribbean Resort & Villas Myrtle Beach, S.C. A water-park resort near America's newest boardwalk.This summer, the year-old Myrtle Beach boardwalk has added a 187-foot-tall Ferris wheel to its already long list of attractions (cafes, street performers, fireworks displays). Just 16 blocks north is a stretch of beach that's sugary white, with shallow waters and low waves that are perfect for beginning swimmers. The Caribbean Resort & Villas is strung along the shore, with 438 rooms and suites spread across four beachfront buildings: the Cayman and the Dominican Towers, the Chelsea House Villas, and the Jamaican Motor Inn—which is where you can still find mid-summer bargains. (Bonus: Guests here have access to the inn's own pool and beach deck.) The Cayman and Dominican Towers are both geared toward families with small children—they have indoor and outdoor tubing pools, a lazy river, and hot tubs, plus an outdoor waterslide area on the north side of Cayman. The hotel is also popular with duffers, given that the town has 115 golf courses, including stately Pine Lakes (tee times from $79 if you book online). 3000 N. Ocean Blvd., 800/552-8509, caribbeanresort.com, from $125.MAP IT! The Chelsea Atlantic City, N.J. A second act for America's iconic boardwalk town.The Chelsea lit up its retro neon sign in July 2008 along the southern end of Atlantic City's salt-and-pepper shoreline. With a distinctly Rat Pack vibe, the Chelsea channels the easy glamour of a bygone era with its poolside cabanas, fireplace lounges, and in-house supper club, the Chelsea Prime, which serves classics like duck ragout and homemade pappardelle. Each of the 331 rooms and suites has boutique touches, like parrot-shaped white lamps, blue velvet curtains, and upscale FACE Stockholm toiletries, and the hotel's expansive spa includes a seasonally heated saltwater pool. All guests have access to the Cabana Club, a 15,000-square-foot deck on the fifth floor, whose outdoor swimming pool and indoor lounge provide ocean views. The hotel itself is free of game tables, but if you are in need of some action, the Tropicana casino resort is just a block away. 111 S. Chelsea Ave., 800/548-3030, thechelsea-ac.com, from $129; valet parking from $10 daily.MAP IT! El Encanto de Cabo Pulmo Baja California Sur, Mexico Artful casitas at a diver's paradise.Though it's only about 60 miles northeast from the well-known resort community of Cabo San Lucas, the village of Cabo Pulmo has a rustic vibe that makes it feel a world away. A two-minute walk down a sandy path from the town's beach brings you to El Encanto de Cabo Pulmo, an inn comprised of three private suites with palm-thatch roofs, rattan chairs, vintage Oriental carpets, and Mexican artwork. Opened in 2008, the solar-powered inn is hemmed by bountiful gardens designed and maintained by owners Robert Lerner and Diane Varney, who, now retired, both hold graduate degrees in botany. Set inside the eponymous national park, the town of about 100 residents has long been a haven for divers seeking out rare living coral reefs in some of the world's clearest waters. At night, the skies are nearly free of ambient electric light, presenting spectacularly clear views of constellations. Take in the view from your private patio before settling into your four-poster bed. Lot 5, Phase II, Cabo Pulmo Beach Resort, 619/618-1248, encantopulmo.com, from $90, three-night-minimum stay. MAP IT! GBB Hotel Front Marítim Barcelona, Spain The beach-vacation trifecta—culture, cuisine, and coastline.Barcelona has it all, so why not drop your bags at the beach to ensure your downtime here is well spent? Across the street from La Nova Mar Bella Beach—where you can rent sun beds and umbrellas and stroll the boardwalk—the four-star Hotel Front Marítim's 177 earth-toned guest rooms feel like they could have come straight out of an Ikea catalogue, with clean lines, big windows, and parquet floors. A night in means dining on Mediterranean cuisine such as grilled tuna topped with tomato and fried fillet of monkfish served with crisped garlic (a Catalonian specialty) at the house restaurant, Forum, which changes its menu weekly. The nearby metro will get you into the heart of the city in 20 minutes. Paseo García Faria, 69, 011-34/933-034-440, hotelfrontmaritim.com, from $129.MAP IT! Hotel Napoleon Menton, France An affordable corner of the French Riviera. On the bright blue Bay of Garavan, about a 10-minute walk from the center of town, this chic retreat is just across the street from the beach—and less than a mile from the Italian border. (You can jog there on your morning run.) The 44-room hotel features light colors, airy rooms, and soft, square armchairs in the lounge, which is right next to a small pool. It's worth spending extra for a room facing the sea—you'll be rewarded with a great view and a wooden balcony with a table and chairs. A road lines the entire seafront of Menton, but once the double-paned windows are closed, the whoosh of traffic is gone. Breakfast is served on the downstairs patio, under the banana trees. For the true Riviera experience, rent a lounge chair and umbrella (about $18 per day) on the private beach and have a waiter from the beach restaurant bring you a drink. The hotel even has its own ice cream parlor next to the beach. 29 Porte de France, 011-33/4-93-35-89-50, napoleon-menton.com, doubles from $149.MAP IT! Pacific Shores Resort & Spa Vancouver Island, British Columbia A waterfront escape in one of the world's most diverse ecosystems.Vancouver Island is a nature-enthusiast's paradise. Not only is the region one of the best places in the world for birding and whale-watching, but it's also comprised of a surprising number of ecosystems, including rain forest, mountains, and beaches. The Pacific Shores Resort & Spa makes it easy to take full advantage of the location, with a beach and 15 acres of nature trails and botanic gardens right outside your doorstep. Head out on your own or let guest services point you to one of the hotel's popular nature walks (if you want to head off-site, they can recommend full- or half-day forest hikes, wine tours, or boat trips). The 64 suites all have balconies, and select rooms also feature fireplaces, washer/dryers, and Jacuzzi tubs. There is a spa on the property, and families will appreciate the playground, kid-friendly pools, and barbecues. 1-1600 Stroulger Rd., 866/468-7121, pacific-shores.com, from $119.MAP IT! Postcard Inn St. Pete Beach, Fla. Surfer chic and BBQ on a quiet coastline.Not to be confused with St. Petersburg, six-mile-long St. Pete Beach is an island off the coast of Florida. With flour-fine white sand and shallow Gulf of Mexico waters, the coastline is graced with mellow swells that are excellent for beginner surfers learning to ride. When Stephen Hanson upgraded a 1950s motel into the Postcard Inn in 2009, he played off the local surf vibe: The 196 rooms feature a mix of vintage longboards, surfing-themed photo murals, retro light fixtures, and flea market finds, ensuring that no two are alike. As if the ocean weren't enough, the hotel has a beachfront pool, shady courtyard, and shuffleboard and volleyball courts. The Beachwood BBQ & Burger restaurant is notable for the gourmet spin it puts on grilled comfort food, with specials like smoked chicken glazed with apricot barbecue sauce and sprinkled with pickled jalapeños. 6300 Gulf Blvd., 800/237-8918, postcardinn.com, from $89.MAP IT! Thalassa Seaside Resort & Suites Santorini, Greece Blue skies and black sand on one of Greece's most enchanting islands.Thalassa Seaside Resort & Suites is right on the shore in Santorini and draws both couples and families looking to relax. The 60 simply furnished, comfortable rooms, each with a private balcony or veranda, are housed within a postcard-perfect white exterior. Two pools, a beach bar, and a spa offer plenty to occupy your time on and off the sand, and the on-site restaurant's Mediterranean options range from steak frites to safridi (a local fish) and, of course, Greek salad. To get here, you could fly, but most of Thalassa's guests come via a five-hour, high-speed ferry from Athens to the port of Thira. From the port, it's worth renting a car if you'd like to explore farther afield—the brilliant blue water in the island's caldera (the result of an ancient volcanic explosion) is a popular stop, as is Port Athinios, where you can take a five-hour sunset tour on one of two replica 19th-century Greek schooners (from $45 per person). Episkopi Gonias, 011-30/22860-32688, thalassa-santorini.com, from $129, breakfast included.MAP IT!   SEE MORE POPULAR CONTENT 10 Beach Products You Never Knew You Needed 25 Most Photographed Places on Earth\ America's Best Food Regions 8 Record-Breaking Theme Park Thrills 7 Most Common Gas-Guzzling Mistakes  

Great local meal...The Kingham Plough. This is a must stop for foodies! At lunch, my husband, Bryant, and I had a pork pie with chutney. At dinner, I had a tomato tart with Cerney goat cheese and Bryant had asparagus soup—from asparagus that were picked that very morning! I had a cheese soufflé as my main course, and he had mutton—the meal was incredible. They also had the local Oxfordshire brewery's Hook Norton beer on cask. Our favorite part...Walking from the Swan Inn in Swinbrook to Burford and back. It was only about four miles round trip, and the setting was lush green and bucolic. There were plenty of farm animals to see on our walk, including the little newborn lambs because it was "lambing" season! Wish we'd known that...We should have stayed near Oxford our last three nights. We wanted to have flexibility to spend more time in the country or in town and in the end had to stay at a Holiday Inn Express. It was fine, and on a bus line, but not nearly as charming as the inns we enjoyed earlier on our journey. What we should have packed...Sunblock! We had no idea that it would be so warm and sunny in England in early April. Maybe we were lucky? We got sunburns one day and realized the error of our ways! Worth every penny...Touring the Bodleian Library. It's not that expensive, but you do have to pay and should sign up in advance. I recommend the one-hour tour—it's amazing and fascinating! Never again...Will I plan a trip where we stay only one or two nights and then move on to the next location. Since our whole journey was perhaps 100 miles in total, we could have easily stayed at two inns for our entire stay and used our rental car to have our day trips. We also rented our car for too long. We should have returned it as soon as we got to Oxford, but we kept it on hand just in case and then never used it since we could take the bus into the city. Total rip-off...Early in our journey, we didn't realize that tipping was more optional than not. A bartender finally told us that tipping in many bars just means that the tips go to the sponsoring breweries. We figured this out after tipping considerably for almost the entire trip, and the dollar is weak compared to the pound, so the cost really added up. Fun surprise...The Cotswold Falconry Center. We watched the handler's show, which included flying demonstrations of a Harris's hawk, a golden eagle, and a falcon, who rose to heights of several thousand feet and was barely a discernible speck in the sky until the handler held out a piece of meat on his glove—and the falcon plummeted at amazing speeds to snatch up his treat! Overrated...The strange upstairs tour at Blenheim Palace, birthplace of Winston Churchill and currently the home of the 11th Duke of Marlborough. The palace and grounds are amazing—I definitely recommend taking the grounds tour—but you can skip the hokey automated tour that's upstairs. Moment when things got tense...Walking back from Burford to Swinbrook, our footpath went through someone's fields. (It is very common that the public is allowed to travel through farmland, and there are great markers to point you in the right direction to stay on the path.) We reached a point where we were completely blocked by cows. Not being used to herd animals made us wonder...will they simply move when we approach? Will we be trampled? Obviously, we survived. Hotel we liked...The Swan Inn in Swinbrook. Signage at the inn says "Dogs on Leads. Bantams on Loose." They have chickens walking around the grounds; the restaurant uses the chickens' eggs. We also loved the Falkland Arms in Great Tew—it had the best pub atmosphere of our trip.

MEGABUSMidwest & NortheastCities Served: 50+Everything about Megabus is mega. The British brand's blue double-decker fleet (each emblazoned with a smiling cartoon of a driver) now serves over 50 cities in the United States and Canada, making it the biggest player on the block. If it were an airline, it would be: United Airlines Contact Info: 877/462-6342, us.megabus.com BOLTBUSNortheastCities Served: 8BoltBus is operated jointly by old-school Greyhound and Peter Pan, but it's much hipper than its parents. For example, send a complaint via Twitter, and the issue will often be addressed by the techie team before you step off the bus. If it were an airline, it would be: JetBlue Airlines  Contact Info: 877/265-8287, boltbus.com LUX BUS AMERICAL.A., San Diego & VegasCities Served: 4Sure, Lux Bus offers door-to-door service between Southern California hotels. But the line's bread and butter is its cushy L.A.–Vegas route: leather seats, free snacks, and free beer and wine so you can start the sin before you hit Sin City.If it were an airline, it would be: Singapore AirlinesContact Info: 877/610-7870, luxbusamerica.com VAMOOSENortheastCities Served: 4With service between New York and the D.C. metro area, Vamoose has options for any capital commuter. Senators can choose the $50-each-way Gold Bus (which has added legroom), while interns can pay with campus cash from local colleges. If it were an airline, it would be: Delta ShuttleContact Info: 212/695-6766, vamoosebus.com TRIPPER BUSNortheastCities Served: 3Tripper Bus, which runs between New York and the D.C. area, values loyalty: after buying 8 one-way trips, you'll pick up a one-way for free. In addition, each ride includes one $1, one $5, and one $10 ticket—a steal for frequent buyers.If it were an airline, it would be: Southwest AirlinesContact Info: 877/826-3874, tripperbus.com REDCOACHGeorgia & FloridaCities Served: 16Debuting last spring, RedCoach still has that new bus smell. And with only 27 business-class leather seats per coach—each reclines to 140 degrees—you'll be relaxing in style. Consider it training for those sunny Florida beaches.  If it were an airline, it would be: Virgin AmericaContact Info: 877/733-0724, redcoachusa.com   SEE MORE POPULAR CONTENT: 10 Coolest Small Towns in America 4 Most Common Reasons Airlines Lose Luggage Confessions of an Oktoberfest Waiter North America's Most Charming Fall Islands 8 Foreign Fast-Food Chains You Need to Know