Home & Garden

We only have a limited number of days left before summer ends and fall begins, so if you're thinking of trying to squeeze in a last-minute summer vacation, now is definitely the time to book. (Like right now. I mean today. Not tomorrow or the next day.)

And taking a spontaneous trip doesn't necessarily have to mean booking a cheap motel at the shore, because there are a few surprisingly affordable deals out there to some pretty amazing destinations. 

One of the best options out there for a last minute vacation that won't bust your budget is scoring an unclaimed summer season week on a beach house. Sites like homeaway.com and vrbo.com have hundreds of rental ads from eager owners who give major discounts on their remaining weeks. Take a look at the listings and score your own little piece of paradise at a fraction of what you'd normally expect to pay.

The photos below show four more great destinations where if you act quickly, you can still enjoy one last summer vacation before it's time to bust out the jackets and sweaters.

Are you planning any last-minute getaways before the kids go back to school?

Image via Joe Shlabotnik/Flickr