Magazine gives top 10 budget destinations

Magazine gives top 10 budget destinations

NEW YORK — Undiscovered places, important events and tumbling foreign currencies helped define Budget Travel Magazine’s list of the top 10 budget destinations for 2009.

Austin, Texas, made the list as a venue for affordable and free cultural events. Washington was included because of the inauguration, but also because so many of the museums and monuments are free to visit. The magazine also lauded Hawaii because a drop in visitors last year has led to discounts this year.

Abroad, Budget Travel recommends Mexico, Hungary and Iceland as places where the dollar goes farther than it used to.

Destinations getting ready for big events include Berlin, which marks the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall this year, and Vancouver, which will host the 2010 Winter Olympics.

Finally, the magazine’s list includes Cambodia for its affordable guesthouses and must-see temples, and Panama, for its eco-tourism and wildlife.

For more information, visit www.budgettravel.com.

Seeking nominations

WASHINGTON — The National Trust for Historic Preservation is looking to recognize people and projects in the field of historic preservation.

Individuals who have been involved in a major preservation project completed in the past three years, or those who know of an individual, organization, agency or business that has helped save or preserve a place, landmark or other piece of American heritage, are encouraged to submit a nomination.

Nominations for all awards must be postmarked by March 2. For more information, visit www.preservationnation.org.

2009 W.Va. travel guide

SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Appalachian crafts, whitewater rafting, Civil War re-enactments and much more are included in the 2009 official West Virginia travel guide.

The guide lists accommodations, campgrounds, restaurants, parks, shops, galleries and museums and a calendar of fairs, festivals, performances and historical re-enactments.

To request a free copy of the new guide, contact the Division of Tourism at (800) 225-5982 or visit www.wvtourism.com.

Associated Press