How to Do Cape Town on a Budget

Research suggests that 40 percent of American don't take all their vacation days. We're here to change all that! We've rounded up 10 brag-worthy places that are affordable and having their moment in 2015—the year we hope you'll take ALL your vacation days. Not sure which of these 10 amazing destinations is right for you? Take our QUIZ to find out! 1. Northern Italy Best for: Big-city culture and natural beauty Why 2015. If you've always wanted to go to Italy, this is the year to do it. Expo Milano (expo2015.org), a World's Fair event expected to bring in more than 20 million visitors, starts May 1 and runs through Oct. 31. The theme is Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life and so far more than 130 countries are participating in this global effort to promote a healthier lifestyle and sustainability worldwide. What to do. There's so much more to Milan than shopping. Stroll the easy-to-navigate streets of Milan's historic city center and visit the Duomo, one of Italy's most spectacular churches—the view from the top is well worth the $15 price of admission. Craving the countryside? Don't miss Lake Como, a beautiful natural haven home to George Clooney and hundreds of tiny picturesque towns like Gravedona, Bellagio, Brunate, and Como that are begging to be explored. For a little adventure along the Italian Riviera, try Portofino, a beautiful seaside resort town just a two-hour drive from Milan—you can also get there by taking the train from Milan to Santa Margherita Ligure, Rapallo, or Genoa and connecting to Portofino by boat, bus, or taxi. Where to stay. Hotels in Milan can be expensive, especially when conventions are going on. For a unique, authentic Italian experience, try staying in a local neighborhood rather than a pricey chain hotel—Airbnb has a number of options all over town starting at just $75 a night for a one-bedroom apartment in the city center. In Como, stay at Hotel Barchetta Excelsior for great views of the lake, the perfect spot to serve as your base for exploring the rest of the area by boat or funicular (hotelbarchetta.it, from $159). Stay at B&B Tre Mari Portofino for beautiful views of the Piazzetta and the Ligurian Sea below (bebtremariportofino.it, from $122). 2. BALI Best for: Dreamy beaches and romance Why 2015. If you've considered this Pacific paradise off-limits financially, this may be your year. Hotel prices on the Island of the Gods—the most popular tourist destination in Indonesia—are down 12 percent, according to the Hotel Price Index. What to do. Take your pick: Relax on a distinctive black-sand beach (the color comes from iron, titanium, and other minerals deposited by Bali's once-active volcanoes), get in the water for world-class surfing and diving (if you're so inclined), explore the island's jungle interior with its volcanoes and 10,000 temples (including the popular hillside temple Pura Luhur Batukau), or just hang by a hotel pool in one of the friendliest, gentlest environments on earth. When you're ready for the Balinese version of a bustling metropolis, Ubud will delight you with its stunning royal palace and traditional market. (And you shouldn't miss a chance to hear the island's unique gamelan music, played primarily on traditional percussion instruments.) Whether you plant yourself on a beach or in the heart of Ubud, remember that you've come to Bali to be soothed into a state of perfect relaxation by the natural beauty and unique music and cultural traditions of this perfect island. Where to stay. The Indigo Tree, in Ubud, is a short distance from the major sites but feels like a comfy cocoon, with coconut trees, a pool whose turquoise hue rivals the ocean's, and lovely views of the island's jungles and rice terraces. Want home-cooked meals served poolside? Just ask (indigotreebali.com, from $70). 3. NASHVILLE Best for: Music and hip neighborhoods Why 2015. The buzz about Nashville has reached a fever pitch for 2015. No longer a sleepy country music mausoleum, the newly hip city has reported 48 straight months of growth. Go now, and you'll be visiting the town at the height of its renaissance—but before everyone else is in on the secret. What to do. Anywhere you wander in Nashville—whether you're ducking into historic Hatch Show Print letterpress shop downtown or waiting for your flight at the airport—you'll hear gorgeous live music wafting out of doorways. Free music is so prevalent in the city that there's an app for finding it: the Nashville Live Music Guide (free on iTunes, Google Play). Cello, guitar, or drum, Nashville is all about that bass: Just ask Music City resident Jack White, of The White Stripes, who built an outpost of his Third Man Records here. The Nashville Symphony wins Grammys, and the Country Music Hall of Fame isn't your grandfather's museum: Upcoming exhibit Dylan, Cash, and the Nashville Cats spotlights the city in the late 1960s/early '70s. Food-wise, fuel up with Nashville's signature hot chicken, cayenne-slathered fried bird proffered by several joints in town. Hattie B's generously provides diners with five heat options, from "no heat" to "burn notice." Where to stay. Hotels in the heart of downtown are difficult to find for cheap, but the brand-new Fairfield Inn & Suites in the Gulch comes close (marriott.com, from $129). Plus, it's within walking distance of Party Fowl, a new chicken restaurant that pours $4 local drafts during happy hour and mixes craft cocktails like Kill the Wabbit. Up for something funky? Hotel Preston, halfway between the airport and downtown, can loan you a pet fish for the night (hotelpreston.com, from $101). 4. GREAT BARRIER REEF Best for: Diving with beautiful coral and tropical fish Why 2015. Flight prices to Cairns have dropped nearly 30 percent, and package deals are down more than 40 percent, according to Expedia. What to do. Get up close and personal with the planet's biggest coral reef system, including more than 1,000 varieties of tropical fish, plus dolphins, reef sharks (totally harmless to divers!), sea turtles, and more. The Great Barrier Reef offers more than 1,400 miles of snorkeling and scuba diving, and you don't have to be an experienced diver to drink it all in. Hop aboard a catamaran or sailing ship from the coastal city of Cairns to the reef, then get as adventurous as you wish—explore in a glass-bottom boat or try snorkeling with the help of experts. Experienced scuba divers can sleep on a boat for several nights (known as a "liveaboard" excursion in these parts) and spend most of their days in the water exploring the depths that snorkelers can't. And don't forget that the nearby Whitsunday Islands offer sugary beaches that rival the underwater spectacle! (For day trips and liveaboard trips from Cairns, visit reeftrip.com. To explore the Whitsunday Islands, including snorkeling and kayaking the reef, visit isailwhitsundays.com.) Where to stay. Cairns is the closest major city to the Great Barrier Reef, and airfares to Cairns from Cali, though always pricey, are as low as they've been in years. In between reef adventures, relax at the Hotel Cairns, which feels like a traditional Queensland plantation, with elegant rooms and some private balconies (thehotelcairns.com, from $97). 5. ISTANBUL Best for: High style and world-class shopping Why 2015. Istanbul was named the world's No. 1 travel destination by TripAdvisor, but paradoxically, hotel prices are falling because of unrest in other parts of the Middle East, according to the Hotel Price Index. What to do. Immerse yourself in the intoxicating environment of Istanbul's Grand Bazaar (a souk that includes dozens of ancient streets and thousands of shops) and you'll realize that there's a whole other level of shopping to aspire to! The city so nice they named it thrice (Constantinople, Byzantium, and now Istanbul) straddles Europe and Asia and is the world's greatest coming-together of Eastern and Western cultures, food, and music. Don't miss the Hagia Sophia, a cathedral-turned-mosque that's now a UNESCO World Heritage site; the iconic minarets of the Blue Mosque; and gorgeous Greek and Roman ruins. Take your pick of cuisines, including Asian fusion and Italian—but to truly savor Turkish food like a local we strongly recommend authentic kebabs and fresh-caught fish. And don't forget to get outside the big city, too: We love the Turkish Riviera on the country's southwestern Mediterranean coast (long popular with Eastern Europeans), and the wild, otherworldly mountains of Cappadocia—where you can hike from village to village filled with structures that were carved out of volcanic rock, or get above it all in a unique hot-air balloon ride! Where to stay. The Ascot Hotel, on Istanbul's Büyükada island, delivers affordable opulence and a resort-like vibe, with crystal chandeliers, private balconies, a beautiful pool, and a Finnish sauna, just a short ferry ride from the city's bustle (ascot.com.tr, from $118). 6. BARCELONA Best for: Food and art Why 2015. Americans finally seem to be flocking to a sweet spot that's long been a great vacation getaway for Europeans: Cataluña (Catalonia), a region in southern Spain that includes trendy cities like Barcelona as well as off-the-beaten-path places like Sitges, Figueres, and Montserrat. Rates are on the rise, but still more affordable here than in other parts of Europe. What to do. Get your Gaudí on by visiting La Sagrada Família, Park Güell, and La Pedrera at Casa Milà—just be sure to book your tickets online ahead of time to avoid being locked out of something you came all the way to Barcelona to see. The options are endless: Stroll La Rambla, get your fill of tapas and sangria, visit La Boqueria market, relax on the beach at Barceloneta, watch the free Magic Fountains of Montjuic light, music, and fountains show, or see a flamenco show at Tablao de Carmen. Viator offers several day trips from Barcelona for those wanting to visit nearby Montserrat Mountain, Sitges, or artist Salvador Dalí's former home in Figueres (viator.com). Where to stay. Use Barcelona as your base for exploring this part of Spain, as most places can easily be done as day trips from the city. Hotel Novotel Barcelona Cornella (novotel.com, from $87) is located midway between downtown and Barcelona-El Prat Airport, but there are lots of other Accor Hotels that offer budget-friendly options throughout the city, and the metro is really easy to navigate. 7. CAMBODIA Best for:  Exotic, spiritual sites like nowhere else Why 2015. It doesn't get more exotic than Cambodia, with its enchanting ruins and intoxicating blend of cultures. The good news is that, according to the Hotel Price Index, hotels in Siem Reap, gateway to the unforgettable Angkor Wat temple complex, are down 10 percent, while hotels in the capital Phnom Penh are down 3 percent. What to do. Angkor Wat, in northern Cambodia, is a UNESCO World Heritage site and the largest religious monument in the world, covering nearly 500,000 acres. With archaeological relics that date back as far as the 9th century and Cambodia's distinctive Khmer architecture on display, Angkor Wat represents Cambodia's Hindu and Buddhist heritage. We suggest you set aside at least three days to take in Angkor Wat's splendor at a relaxed—and respectful—pace that leaves time for peaceful contemplation. Get there via taxi, which will run you about $25. And, yes, you can take an elephant ride around some of the structures for about $10 to $20. Cambodia offers at least two drastic contrasts to Angkor Wat: Spend a few days in Phnom Penh for the unforgettable sights and tastes of the big city, or get way, way, away from it all on Koh Rong, or "Monkey Island," said to be the site of a real-life King Kong and home to one of the most beautiful white-sand beaches in the world. Where to stay. Hanuman Alaya Boutique Residences, Siem Reap, with its traditional Khmer decor, includes an outdoor pool (perfect for a post-temple cooldown!), and on-site spa and Khmer-style restaurant (hanumanalaya.com, from $81). 8. DENVER Best for: Kicking it "Amsterdam style" Why 2015. Denver first made news back in 2013 when Colorado became the first state to legalize recreational marijuana; since then, a number of cannabis tours and "420-friendly" hotels have sprung up to accommodate the initial tourism surge. Also worth checking out are Denver's booming brewery and food scenes: Take a free behind-the-scenes tour at The Great Divide Brewing Co. or Breckenridge Brewery, or check out several neighborhood hotspots on the Denver Brews Cruise for $42 per person. Don't miss Denver Restaurant Week Feb. 20 through Mar. 1, where you can score fancy multicourse dinners from $30 per person. What to do. Art lovers can view contemporary masterpieces by Matisse, Picasso, and O'Keeffe at the Denver Art Museum free of charge the first Saturday of the month (tickets are normally $13 for adults, $10 for students and seniors, $5 for ages 6–18). Get back to nature at Denver Botanic Gardens, a beautiful place to visit in every season—be on the lookout for intricate displays by visiting artists like Dale Chihuly ($12.50 for adults, $9 for children ages 3–15). Kids will love the Denver Zoo, which has several free admission days in 2015. Admission is $13 for adults, $9 for children ages 3–11. Where to stay. The Hampton Inn & Suites Downtown Denver is located just three blocks from the 16th Street Mall, a 1.5-mile-long pedestrian plaza lined with more than 350 shops, bars, and restaurants—keep an eye out for street fairs and festivals here year-round. Sports fans will love the hotel's proximity to Coors Field, the Pepsi Center, and Sports Authority at Mile High (hamptoninn.hilton.com, from $149). 9. COLOMBIA Best for: Adventure and colorful festivals Why 2015. Vibrant festivals, exotic flora, acclaimed coffee plantations, and diverse terrain from rain forests to Caribbean beaches are all authentically Colombia. Security in large cities has improved in recent years, the U.S. State Department says, and thanks to increased supply, hotel prices in Bogotá are down 11 percent. Go now and use the hashtag #colombianotcolumbia to broadcast your whereabouts: Execs dreamed it up this year to promote a country eager for visitors. What to do. Catch a glimmer of Colombia's mining tradition via pre-Hispanic artifacts at the Gold Museum in Bogotá before snapping a panoramic shot of the metropolis from Mount Monserrate's summit. Crime and cocaine have given Colombia a bad rap that tourism officials want to shake; that said, if the country's gritty history and/or TV's Entourage have piqued your curiosity, Pablo Escobar tours exist in Medellín. For a gentler experience, August's Medellín Flower Fair celebrates the "city of eternal spring" with a silleteros parade—participants carry blooms on their backs. Romance your partner amid bay views from the walled city of Cartagena, then scan its plazas for vendors selling arepas de huevo (fried cornmeal bread with an egg tucked inside). A packed itinerary calls for a swig of caffeine: Colombia's Coffee Triangle, in the rural Paisa region, has UNESCO World Heritage status. Tour a finca (coffee plantation) like Hacienda Venecia in Manizales to see beans go from plant to mug.  Where to stay. Go affordable, isolated, and eco-friendly by living on a coffee farm—Hacienda Venecia's shared-bathroom lodgings start at $35 a night; the Colombian Coffee Cultural Landscape guide has more options (rutasdelpaisajeculturalcafetero.com). In Bogotá, travelers like Hotel Augusta's central location (hotelaugusta.com.co, from $66). Five-star digs are a bargain at Cartagena's La Passion Hotel Boutique, a Spanish Colonial house with a rooftop pool (en.lapassionhotel.com, from $139). 10. EGYPT Best for: History and brag-worthy sights Why 2015. Recovering from political unrest after 2011's ousting of president Hosni Mubarak, Egypt saw its worst tourism numbers in decades in 2013, with hotel occupancy in some cities at zero percent. The country is poised for an uptick in visitors this year, and you can be a part of the recovery by taking advantage of rock-bottom hotel rates, bargains at bazaars, and short lines for legendary antiquities—as long as you take safety precautions. What to do. Float along the Nile in a traditional sailboat called a felucca for a few hours—or a few days. Ask your hotel to book one, or negotiate a rate with a tout at the docks in Cairo, Luxor, and Aswan. Now that you have practice haggling, bargain with vendors at Cairo's Khan Al-Khalili market, a souk stocked with everything from exotic perfumes to toy camels; just be prepared to get the hard sell. Reward yourself with a cup of mint tea at El Fishawy café. Marveling at the Great Pyramids of Giza is a quintessential postcard experience, but indoor exhibits deliver too: The Egyptian Antiquities Museum in Cairo houses artifacts unearthed from King Tutankhamen's tomb, including his iconic blue-and-green-striped burial mask. Have a staring contest with its obsidian and quartz eyes...if the curse doesn't faze you. Where to stay. Major hotel chains like the Marriott, Hilton, Fairmont, Starwood, and Radisson all have outposts in Egypt, many for less than $125 a night. Want an unforgettable vista when you wake up? The American-owned Pyramids View Inn B&B looks out onto the Sphinx and the Great Pyramids (pyramidsviewinn.com, from $30). One reliable way to ensure that you have a safe trip is by booking your vacation through an operator, like Your Egypt Tours (day trips from $20, youregypttours.com). A special note on safety in Egypt: Although there is no current Travel Warning about Egypt in effect, staying alert and practicing good personal security measures is imperative, says a U.S. State Department official on background. Be vigilant in crowded tourist areas, and avoid demonstrations as well as dark isolated areas, especially if you're a woman—female tourists have reported being groped in public places and taxis. Traveling outside of the Cairo metropolitan area can be unsafe, and the northern Sinai area is dangerous. The Egyptian Tourism Authority recommends sticking to cities like Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor, and Aswan for cultural tourism and the beach town Hurghada for watersports. Before you go, read through the U.S. government's Traveler's Checklist (travel.state.gov).

A glitzy getaway to Los Angeles doesn't necessarily require a hefty price tag that only celebrities can afford. Savvy visitors can soak in the City of Angels like the locals do—and find some hidden budget-friendly surprises along the way. In fact, the city of Angels offers an array of great freebies and activities that are easy on the wallet, offering a fun and relaxing escape for the entire family. Catch a show: LACMA Jazz nights Who says you can't find culture in Los Angeles? Locals make it a point to head over to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art every Friday night, as this stunning cultural center hosts an outdoor jazz night under the stars. Visitors bring their own blankets, snacks, and wine, and spread out on the massive lawn (or relax on benches) listening to various types of jazz throughout the evening performed by several bands—you'll hear everything from smooth sounds to big band music. This family-focused event captures the cool vibe of the art scene in L.A. and gives visitors the chance to check out the many art exhibits. In 2015, the Jazz Night program starts April 23rd. Surf's Up: Enjoy a day at the beach You just can't visit sunny SoCal without spending a day hanging out by the Pacific Ocean and playing by the waves. Although the Los Angeles area boasts a number of beaches, each with its own distinct personality and amenities, a go-to family-friendly spot is the Annenberg Community Beach House at Santa Monica State Beach. Steeped in history and a former private escape for the rich and famous, the beach house is now open year-round and free to everyone. It features easy beach access, a swimming pool, a children's play area (called a splash pad), showers, and changing rooms among other perks. With a casual beach café complete with tables on the sand along with plentiful parking, it's an ideal family destination for all. Get back to nature: Hike Runyon Canyon—and take a free yoga class! It's easy to embrace the fitness lifestyle in L.A. and get your adrenaline pumping. In the heart of the city, Runyon Canyon is a popular, centrally located hiking spot that attracts throngs of health-conscious celebrities, locals (along with their canine pals), and tourists alike. Hiking here is totally free, as is street parking, and on a clear day the city views are priceless. From easy to challenging, there are several trails to choose from. What's more, this park offers an added bonus—visitors can enjoy free outdoor yoga classes that take place several times each day. Donations are encouraged; check the link above for schedules and details. Don't Miss: Happy Hour at the Napa Valley Grille In L.A.'s Westwood neighborhood, the Napa Valley Grille is all about an affordable happy hour, which is offered every day in the cozy bar as well as the outdoor patio. A favorite among locals and tourists alike, the restaurant's specialties include small bites and signature favorites like chorizo mac n cheese, turkey meatballs, and a chopped kale salad. The prices are as friendly as the staff, and range from $4 to $10. Select California wines by the glass, local beer, and cocktails are available starting at $5. The best part? The Napa Valley Grille's happy hour takes place every day: Monday to Saturday from 3 to 7 p.m. and then 9 p.m. until closing. On Sunday, the happy hour specials run almost all day (from 3 to 11p.m.) Where to stay: Culver City A convenient base to explore Los Angeles and the surrounding neighborhoods is the Courtyard Marriott Los Angeles Westside in Culver City. This chic, mid-priced hotel is in close proximity to the LAX airport, as well as walking distance to plenty of restaurants, shopping, such as the Westfield mall, and art galleries. Recently renovated, the rooms are affordable, modern, spacious, and offer an array of amenities that make visitors feel at home. This property's friendly staff is accommodating and helpful, while the on-site restaurant serves up casual fare at breakfast, lunch, and dinner. And what's a trip to L.A. without spending an afternoon poolside? The hotel's swimming pool area is a mini oasis for sun-seeking guests, featuring lounge chairs, tables, and luxe beach-sized towels. Courtyard Marriott Los Angeles Westside, 6333 Bristol Parkway, Culver City, CA 90230.

If you're a Grecophile, visiting Bronze Age Greece's ruins is probably on your bucket list if you haven't already checked it off, specifically the island of Crete's ancient Palace of Knossos, with its dolphin frescoes and proto-theater. Touring Crete's mountainous landscape and gorgeous beaches is one way to get a sense of Minoan civilization—but you can have an actual taste of it by trying petimezi, a non-fermented grape molasses used as a topping for everything from seafood to salad, or as substitute for honey. Sweetening food with the syrup was standard practice in Ancient Greece—evidence exists that even the Minoans used it.  Greek-born chef Michael Tzezailidis is bringing "Hellenic" food back at his new New York City restaurant Death Ave with modern spins on old-world dishes, like crostini troufes ($9) and fig ice cream ($8), and traditional Greek preparation techniques, such as brewing coffee with a Hóvoli (hot sand) system and squashing grapes in house for the petimezi. To tide you over until your Grecian adventure, we asked Chef Tzezailidis to share his petimezi recipe, below, which you can make at home with just one ingredient—and a little patience. And if your trip takes you closer to Athens than to Crete, Tzezailidis has two must-dos to squeeze into your itinerary: • Tsi Tsi taverna, in Glyfáda, Greece (near Athens). "Their souvlaki is excellent!" • Lalária Beach, on Skiáthos, Greece. "It is only reachable by boat, but it’s completely worth it! The beach is entirely made up of round white rocks that go from small-sized at the beach to large in the deep water. The clarity is incredible, and the colors are fairytale." Death Ave Petimezi Recipe Ingredients:10 pounds of ripe grapes 1 Tbsp wood ash (optional) Yields:Approx 1 1/2 cups petimezi Steps: 1. Thoroughly crush grapes by hand in a large bowl one bundle at a time. 2. Pour crushed grapes over a strainer to separate juice from pulp and stems. Repeat until you have all the grape juice. 3. Optional (but traditional) clarification step: Place 1 Tbsp of wood ash into a tied cloth and put it in a pot with the grape juice. 4. Bring the grape juice to a boil, and then set it to simmer for 1 hour, taking care to skim all foam. At the 1-hour mark, you can start checking the consistency of the syrup with a spoon. Boil it down until it has the consistency of maple syrup. If you added wood ash, you may remove it at this point and discard it. 5. Continued optional clarification step: Allow the syrup to sit in the pot overnight without being moved around. The wood ash helps the liquid rise and the sediment fall.   6. Pour the petimezi into another bowl. (If you took the optional steps, you would at this point disregard the sediment on the bottom of the pot by slowly pouring until you see sediment. Whether or not you added wood ash and allowed it time to settle, which is a quality-grade issue, does not really matter; the end product will be delicious. Although, the extra steps do tone down the bitterness.) How to Use Petimezi As a salad dressing: Mix it with red wine vinegar, and then later mix it with olive oil. With dairy products: Pour it over ice cream, yogurt, or artisan cheese. In tea: Use it instead of honey. On meats: Pour it over spice-rubbed pork or chicken. On seafood: Drizzle on grilled spicy shrimp, or as a salmon glaze. For breakfast: Use it on toast, pancakes, or french toast. With desserts: Eat it with bread pudding, rice pudding, or anything that needs a sweetener.

On New York City's Coney Island—once home to infamous freak shows—the bizarre tradition of sprinting directly into the icy-cold waters of the Atlantic Ocean, then submerging yourself, baptism-style, goes way back. All the way back, in fact, to 1903, the year that the Coney Island Polar Bear Club was founded by a kooky bodybuilder with more machismo than you'll see on all the episodes of The Sopranos combined. He was convinced a wintery ocean dip could increase stamina, virility, and immunity. (Hey, if a sissy juice cleanse is supposed to do that, who are we to argue with this guy?) Watching and participating in Coney Island's annual New Year's Day Swim has become so popular that adventurers undeterred by freezing their tuchuses off travel from all over the world to participate. This year's roster included plungers from Australia, Canada, Germany, and England. There's even a beer named after the swim: "The Plunge," dreamed up by the Coney Island Brewing Company (naturally). Brave Aussie Michele Hayes, 50, a college anatomy and physiology teacher, came all the way from Torquay, Victoria, to do the Coney Island plunge, her first cold-water dip, which was her idea of a tourist activity while visiting her brother in New York. Here's what it feels like: "When we are all grouped together on the sand, in front of the start ribbon, before they let us go, the feeling was one of solidarity of mad people, we were clapping and laughing so much. We had to be vocal and move, as it was freezing. The wind-chill factor took the temperature lower than what it actually was. "Once we had the call to 'Go!' it was amazing to run in with everyone. The water felt like it had slapped me, and slapped me hard, but I was so excited I just laughed and laughed and squealed and kept running. The water was choppy, due to the strong winds. One wave came up to my chest that took my breath away. But the exhilaration made me keep running out past the pack, and I saw someone duck-dive beside me. Only one other person was out as far as I was, so I duck-dived a couple of times. I felt free and exuberant and alive. But the warnings and my knowledge of hypothermia made me turn and run back to shore. My brother and niece found me and wrapped me in a towel. I did not feel cold at all, but my skin was red, as if I had been slapped. I changed quickly and congratulated everyone I passed, as it was a shared experience, one that we had been in together." Convinced? Find out more about participating in the Coney Island Polar Bear Club's New Year's Day Swim at polarbearclub.org. It's free; the suggested charitable donation benefits Camp Sunshine, a retreat for children with life-threatening illnesses, held in the woodlands of Maine's Sebago Lake area. Wanna try a plunge near you? It's not too late! Here's a list of free charity-driven dips: Throughout the United States The Special Olympics hosts cold-water plunges for charity all over the country, from California to Michigan to Virginia. Check out the calendar at specialolympics.org. East Coast U.S. Camp Sunshine, the same charity that benefits from Coney Island's swim, offers East Coast dips throughout the winter, including Maine, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts: Pick your plunge at campsunshine.org. Canada The Courage Polar Bear Dip for World Vision in Oakville, Ontario, raises money to provide clean water to countries that need it—the 2015 January 1 plunge benefitted Gashora and Rugarama, Rwanda. Toronto's Polar Bear Dip supports Habitat for Humanity. Texas The Annual Barton Springs Polar Bear Splash in Austin, Texas, raises cash for the local Save Our Springs Alliance every January 1. Washington Seattle's New Year's Day Polar Bear Plunge benefits Seattle Parks and Recreation's Learn to Swim Scholarship Fund for underprivileged youth.