7 global vacation spots that are a bargain for Americans

The strong American dollar may provide a bonus for your spring travel plans.

Since 2014, the greenback has soared against many other currencies, providing good deals for even far-flung locations such as Australia and Indonesia. On top of that, airfares have plummeted in recent months, thanks to lower fuel prices. Ticket prices to destinations in Europe declined almost 12 percent last year, for instance, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

So, where should travelers consider for spring travel options? Several locations offer a mix of favorable currency conversions and reasonable lodging costs, which may help pinpoint a destination. Many expensive cities, including London and Paris, are also more affordable today, thanks to the strong U.S. dollar.

In 2012, a weekend trip to London would have required an outlay of $930, according to UBS Wealth Management, which estimates the cost of a weekend trip based on two nights at a luxury hotel, two dinners, local transportation and theater tickets, although not including airfare. Today, a London weekend escape will cost a couple about $750, or almost 20 percent less than in 2012.

Of course, that weekend trip to London might be even more affordable if a traveler books through a vacation rental service such as Airbnb or chooses a less expensive hotel.

Travel experts are recommending visits to locations that are off the beaten path to find even better bargains. Read on to learn about some unusual vacation spots that offer good value from a currency and lodging perspective, based on rates found on TripAdvisor Vacation Rentals and Airbnb.

1. Canary Islands, Spain

This archipelago, which sits off the coast of Africa, may be relatively unknown to American tourists, but it's long been a popular tourist destination for Europeans because of its climate, beaches and rugged landscape.

As a territory of Spain, the currency in the Canary Islands is the euro, which has declined 20 percent against the U.S. dollar during the past two years. Rentals can be relatively affordable, with the average weekly cost of renting a two-bedroom vacation house at about $709, according to TripAdvisor Vacation Rentals. On Airbnb, the average nightly cost for a rental for four people is $97, or $679 for seven nights.

The high season spans the winter months through Easter, so prices may be more expensive at these times. The cheapest time to fly is in early May, when some travelers find deals as low as $720 round-trip from New York City, according to airfare analytics site Hopper.

2. Cape Town, South Africa

A favorite destination of many world travelers, Cape Town now offers the best value to Americans since 2008, thanks to a decline in South Africa's currency, the rand. In the last year alone, it has lost 28 percent of its value against the U.S. dollar.

A week at a two-bedroom vacation home will set travelers back by $1,268, according to TripAdvisor. At Airbnb, an apartment for two people in central Cape Town averages about $136 per night, or $956 for a week.

The lowest airfares to Cape Town from New York City can be found for late April, according to Hopper. Prices range from about $870 to $1,020, although some fights were as low as $850.

3. Montreal, Canada

Canada may be one of the best bargains for American travelers, given that many destinations are within driving distance and airfares tend to be lower than the cost of traveling to other continents.

Montreal, the largest city in the provence of Quebec, provides a taste of Europe combined with North American convenience. Given that the Canadian dollar has declined 18 percent against the buck, going out for a meal of poutine is more affordable than in prior years.

The average cost of a family rental for four in Montreal is $101 per night, according to Airbnb, while a two-bedroom rental on TripAdvisor is about $88 per night.

Even better, flights between New York City and Montreal are around $240 to $280, with a few as low as $220, according to Hopper. The cheapest time to fly is early March.

4. Provence, France

This region was made famous by the book "Toujours Provence," and it remains a popular destination, although it's not quite the same tourist haven as Paris.

Because the euro has declined 20 percent against the U.S. dollar since 2014, it's more affordable to visit today than in prior years. Two-bedroom vacation rentals cost an average of $1,296 for a week, or about $185 per night, according to TripAdvisor. On Airbnb, rentals for four guests command an average of $172 per night.

Round-trip flights to Marseille may set you back about $720 to $820 per person, but some flights have been as low as $570, according to Hopper. The best time to fly to Southern France is mid-April.

5. Bali, Indonesia

While one might consider flying to Bali as a splurge, the cost may not be far off from a trip to Europe.

The average price of a one-week family vacation rental is $1,305, according to TripAdvisor, while two-bedroom homes can be found on Airbnb for an average of $224 per night.

Round-trip flights cost about $820 to $850, according to Hopper, which says the cheapest time to fly is late April. Even better, the Indonesian rupiah has declined about 13 percent against the U.S. dollar during the past two years.

6. San Miguel de Allende, Mexico

While Americans may worry about the safety of traveling to Mexico, the Lonely Planet guide notes that in San Miguel de Allende "any worry of drug violence (is) a distant rumor."

One-week family rentals in the Unesco World Heritage site will set travelers back by an average of $172 per night on TripAdvisor, while rentals for four people require an average of about $204 per night on Airbnb.

The Mexican peso has declined almost 18 percent during the past year, which has made traveling to the country more affordable for Americans. Round-trip flights to Silao, the closest airport to the city, cost about $521 from New York City, with Hopper noting that flight prices have been relatively stable.

7. Melbourne, Australia

Travelers to Down Under typically make a beeline for Sydney, but Melbourne is an elegant, sophisticated city that's worth its own visit.

Vacation rentals for a family of four cost roughly an average of $177 per night on both TripAdvisor and Airbnb. Dining out, sightseeing and other costs are more affordable in early 2016, given that the Australian dollar has declined almost 9 percent against the U.S. dollar during the past year.

Flights will set travelers back more than those to other destinations, however, thanks to the distance from most American cities. Round-trip flights to Melbourne can be found for about $1,100, with the best prices as low as $1,070, according to Hopper. The best time to travel is mid-May, which is when Australia is just starting to head into its winter season.