10 budget friendly all-inclusive resorts

This 658-room resort in Punta Cana gives you a lot of choices for how to spend your evening: There are eight restaurants, plus nine bars, including a piano bar and a sports bar. See more photos of the resorts at BudgetTravel.com

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Majestic Colonial, Dominican Republic

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(CNN) -- It's a fact that all-inclusive resorts can be expensive, with the average nightly rate at some of the bigger chains running $450 -- per person. And when you find one in your price range there's usually a caveat -- the beach is a 15-minute drive away, or the "all" only includes non-alcoholic beverages (those margaritas by the pool really add up).

Though it wasn't easy, Budget Travel found 10 affordable beachfront all-inclusive resorts in the Caribbean, Mexico and Central America (plus one Mediterranean resort so charming we couldn't resist including it) starting at $100 per person, per night.

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And they really are all-inclusive: a double room, three meals a day, drinks (from soda to cocktails), and lots of activities. And each one has an added bonus, too, from tennis lessons to scuba instructions. The only thing not included? Caveats.

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Majestic Colonial, Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

This 658-room resort in Punta Cana gives you a lot of choice for how to spend your evening: there are eight restaurants, plus nine bars including a piano bar and a sports bar.

Not that there aren't choices during the day as well: The main pool is more than 1,300 feet long (there is also a children's pool and a whirlpool) and catamarans and windsurfers are available on the beach. The snorkeling right off the beach is top-notch, and all the equipment you need is also included.

Bonus: Every room at the resort is a suite with a terrace or balcony (and a Jacuzzi tub).

Playa Bavaro, Punta Cana, 809/221-9898, majestic-resorts.com. From $150 per person, per night.

Krystal Cancun, Mexico

This Riviera Maya resort makes the most of its location: the pool runs lengthwise along the sand, and there's even a beachfront infinity whirlpool.

The Krystal, which is in the heart of the Hotel Zone on Punta Cancun, has 453 rooms, and each one has a view of either the Caribbean Sea or Cancun Lagoon. The rooms were also renovated in December 2011 with updates like marble floors, flat-screen TVs, and rain showers -- perfect for washing off all that sand.

Bonus: One of the downsides of an all-inclusive resort is that you have to eat every meal on-site. Krystal includes a Discover Cancun pass that covers one dinner at a local restaurant.

Paseo Kukulcan Km 9.5, Cancun, 800/437-9605, krystal-hotels.com. From $100 per person, per night.

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Iberostar Costa Dorada, Puerta Plata, Dominican Republic

Iberostar operates six hotels in the Dominican Republic, but this resort 10 minutes from Puerto Plata gives you the most for your money. The 516 rooms (which all have either a terrace or balcony) are located in thatch-roof buildings painted cheerful shades of yellow and purple. The entire property underwent a full renovation in 2011 resulting in completely remodeled rooms, a new lobby and a renovated kids' club.

There are three a la carte restaurants (Brazilian, Mexican and seafood from the local waters) plus a buffet restaurant. If you aren't content to just sit on the beach or the massive pool, there are activities all around the resort, from archery to merengue lessons.

Bonus: While some all-inclusive resorts only serve house-brand liquor, bartenders at Costa Dorada pour from imported names as well (Tanqueray, Stoli, etc.).

Carretera de Luperon Km 4, Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, 888/923-2722, iberostar.com. From $100 per person, per night (three-night minimum).

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ClubHotel Riu Negril, Jamaica

Head out to the far western tip of Jamaica and you'll find this lively beachfront resort in Negril. It is right on the beach, but the place to be is by one of the umbrella-shaded loungers around the two gigantic pools (both are well over 3,000 square feet).

There is a party atmosphere here, and the complimentary mini bars and liquor dispensers in the 420 guest rooms are regularly restocked. If you want to go all out, head to the Pacha nightclub, where reggae is sure to be spinning. If you are looking for quiet, try the solarium terrace.

Bonus: The resort often adds credits to the Renova Spa in the all-inclusive packages, such as $20 per person toward a 50-minute massage (massages start at $100).

Norman Manley Blvd., Negril, Jamaica, 888/748-4990, riu.com. From $101 per person, per night.

Royal Decameron Golf Beach Resort & Villas, Farallón, Panama

This 1,170-room mega resort does things big from its spot on a mile of secluded beach. There are eight pools, 10 restaurants and 11 bars (including one swim-up), which means you'll rarely do or see the same thing twice.

Play in the Pacific with free paddleboards, kayaks or windsurfers, or check out the local underwater residents with the provided snorkel gear. The nightlife is also big here and the party goes long after the sun sets (which probably has something to do with the open bar).

Bonus: Though the base-rate is for a garden-view room, each one has a terrace or balcony overlooking the tropical foliage.

Avenida Principal Farallón, Km 115, 011-507/993-2255,decameron.com. From $106 per person, per night.

Coral Beach Hotel & Resort, Paphos, Cyprus

While the other resorts listed here are close to the U.S., this all-inclusive trades the Caribbean for the Mediterranean -- and it's worth the trip. The 420-room resort is located on the edge of the UNESCO-protected Akamas Peninsula on Cyprus's western coast.

The beach is lined with blue loungers, as is the 164-foot pool (keep an eye out for members of the British Olympic swim team; they use the pool for training). Have dinner overlooking the boats bobbing in the harbor from the terrace where blue-and-white-checked tablecloths flap in the sea breeze. Then watch some local folk dancing. Who knows, after a glass or two of zivania, you might join in.

Bonus: If the scenic surrounding inspires your creative side, the resort offers free art classes in pottery and glass-painting.

Coral Bay, Paphos, 011-357/26-88-10-00, coral.com.cy. From $144 per person, per night.

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Sunscape Dorado Pacifico Ixtapa, Mexico

The Sunscape's budget friendly price makes it a deal, but most people travel here for the location on a sandy beach on quiet Playa del Palmar. The resort re-opened in November 2011 after a $10 million upgrade to all the rooms (including new furniture, flat-screen TVs and fully renovated bathrooms) and restaurants as well as the addition of a new spa (alas, massages aren't covered in the all-inclusive rate and start at $68).

There are only 285 rooms, but you'll find the choices typical of a much larger resort. There are four bars plus eight restaurants ranging from seafood to Italian to Mexican (and the small size means no reservations are required).

Bonus: Embrace your inner Serena Williams or Roger Federer and perfect your serve at the free tennis clinics.

Paseo de Ixtapa S/N Lote 3-A, Ixtapa, 800/087-4890,sunscaperesorts.com. From $151 per person, per night.

Jolly Beach Resort & Spa, Antigua

Set on 40 acres (including a mile of white sand), the Jolly Beach Resort & Spa is great for those who want to get out on the turquoise water. Kayaks, Hobie Cats and paddleboats are all at the ready and there are also two pools.

Would you rather just take in the view of the waves? The 464 rooms all have at least partial ocean views. The resort also has five restaurants, ranging from a casual beach take-out place to the Italian Bocciolo.

Bonus: A proper afternoon tea with scones and cucumber sandwiches is also offered every day in the courtyard -- a nod to the island's British roots.

Bolans Village, Antigua, 866/905-6559, jollybeachresort.com. From $171 per person, per night.

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Barceló Langosta Beach, Tamarindo, Costa Rica

Staying here affords travelers the best of both worlds: The resort is on a secluded beach surrounded by rainforests and a national park, but is less than a mile from the popular town of Tamarindo.

This is a low-key resort, with just one buffet restaurant and one a la carte restaurant serving Mediterranean cuisine (there is an additional $36-$42 fee for the a la carte restaurant) and one bar, plus a small casino and an amphitheater with daily entertainment. But the 134 rooms have views of the Pacific Ocean or the estuary of Las Baulas (part of the national park).

Bonus: Tipping for the staff is included in the rate, so no need to reach for your wallet every time you order another round.

El Robledal, Tamarindo, 800/227-2356, barcelo.com. From $180 per person, per night.

Paradise Island Harbour Resort, Bahamas

At just 246 rooms, this family friendly resort is a fraction of the size of the 4,000-room Atlantis next door. But it's also a fraction of the price for the all-inclusive option. Paradise Island is on a private beach and has a large pool and three places to dine (a pool-side grill, a buffet, and a steak and seafood a la carte restaurant).

Unwinding is the first order of business here, so you won't find the same 24/7 whirl of activity here as at the mega resorts. But that doesn't mean anyone in your family will be bored. The kids' camp keeps them busy with sand castle building and craft making, plus sports like pool volleyball and beach bowling.

Bonus: If you've ever wanted to learn how to dive, this is the place: the resort offers a complimentary scuba lesson in the pool.

Harbor Dr., Paradise Island, Nassau, 888/582-0192,paradiseislandbahama.com. From $200 per person, per night.

http://www.cnn.com/2012/07/19/travel/budget-all-inclusive-resorts/index.html?iid=article_sidebar

13 of Europe's hidden hot spots

Once abandoned, this ancient Italian town carved out of a limestone gorge has been made a UNESCO World Heritage Site thanks to repopulation by artists and hippies. Take a dip in its natural rock springs before touring cave dwellings and other relics of the past.

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Matera, Italy

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STORY HIGHLIGHTS

• From ancient castles to modern club scenes, Europe offers many hidden treasures
• Ancient history buffs will enjoy the cave dwellings and rock churches of Matera, Italy
• Local nature lovers flock to Île de Noirmoutier, France, a hot spot flush with wildlife
• Looking for energy? Try Formentera, Spain's celebrity-friendly beaches and clubs

(Travel + Leisure) -- Americans can't get enough of Paris, as becomes painfully clear each summer, when it swarms with tourists.

Relief waits a train ride away in Île de Noirmoutier: You'll be greeted by the scent of mimosa and the sight of bobbing yachts and families picnicking on the beach.

Thankfully, Europe is still full of under-the-radar gems like this French retreat. And we can't resist spreading the word about the latest emerging hot spots, from Eastern Europe's hippest art scene to a sleepy district of lakes and castles.

It takes extra effort, sure, to reach these European spots, but the reward comes with that sense of being let in on a fantastic secret -- and the opportunity to experience a place rooted in local tradition before it's really discovered and altered. And if you just can't forget Paris, consider you'll probably get to transit through one such glittering European hub along the way.

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Matera, Italy

Tourists are taking their sweet time to get the message about this starkly beautiful, monochromatic town of ancient architecture. Yet Matera has been a favorite of film directors (Pier Paolo Pasolini, Mel Gibson) for decades, and Francis Ford Coppola is opening his sixth hotel in nearby Bernalda, where his grandfather was born.

Carved out of a limestone gorge, the millennia-old town in the southern region of Basilicata -- the arch of Italy's boot -- was abandoned for decades, until artists and hippies began repopulating it in the 1950s and UNESCO declared the old town a World Heritage Site in 1993.

From the natural-rock pool at the Locanda di San Martino, you can float while surveying the sassi (ancient cave dwellings) and hundreds of rock churches that date back to the Byzantine era.

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Fermanagh Lakelands, Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland's self-styled lake district isn't as dramatic as its English sister, which has given it reprieve from the millions of visitors who come to the region's shores. Here, instead of membership-only clubs and helipads, you get crenellated castles from the 17th and 18th centuries, misty loughs (lakes), and views of the distant Donegal Mountains.

For a truly Irish experience, stay in the west wing of Crom Castle, the historic seat of the earls of Erne for more than 350 years. Its 1,900 rolling acres are filled with every possible amenity to fulfill your outdoor Gaelic fantasies -- and reachable within a two-hour drive from Belfast or Dublin.

Muhu Island, Estonia

On the tiny island of Muhu -- accessed by an ice road in winter -- you'll find working windmills, thatched cottages, and a 13th-century pagan church. The population is only around 2,000, but this island 100 miles from Tallinn is rich with tradition, dating back to 1227 when an army of Christians crossed the ice and ended the Estonian Crusade.

Padaste Manor may not be that old, but it still has some 700 years of history under its Danish-style eaves. Experience what a descendant of one of those crusaders (the last private owner, Baron Axel von Buxhoeveden) thought of as impeccable taste in the hotel, whose outbuildings merge the old world styles of St. Petersburg (to the east) and Denmark (to the west).

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Matarranya Region, Southern Aragon, Spain

Spain's answer to Tuscany is striped with vineyards and rivers, then dotted with olive groves and tree-lined peaks. It rests at the confluence of the ancient Aragon, Valencia, and Catalonia kingdoms, and the feeling is still a bit regal (one can imagine a king, on horseback, hunting for buck).

The pace of life is typically slow, leaving plenty of time for long walks in the hills, mountain-bike rides, and visits to vineyards. The center of it all is at Hotel Torre del Visco, a 15th-century palace in Fuentespalda (population: 368) that is often host to Europe's remaining royalty; its remoteness is hard to match elsewhere. And it's surprisingly affordable -- about $200 per night including breakfast; seems even landed gentry like a good deal. Wander the labyrinthine fortress and pretend you're on the set of the Spanish version of "Game of Thrones."

Lewis Island, Outer Hebrides, Scotland

Thrown into the North Sea, out past Skye, is a tiny island that only the hearty Scottish could conjure. Lewis is part of the Outer Hebrides, but it's also a world of its own. Its beaches look straight out of the Caribbean -- careful, that water is cold. The language is still Gaelic, and Harris Tweed (from the island adjacent) is worn even in summer.

You can breathe in the smell of peat being cut and head out for a fishing jaunt in the choppy waters. For a little socializing, there'sAuberge Carnish, a five-room farm retreat with a restaurant overlooking the rocky bay. Owners Richard and Jo Leparoux grow their own produce and breed chicken and lamb to create the best meals this side of Skibo Castle.

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Île de Noirmoutier, France

Lovingly called the Poor Man's Île de Ré, this nature destination on the Vendée coast is rife with wildlife: on the beaches, in the marshes and dunes, and in the forest. Take the TGV from Paris, and four hours later you'll be greeted by the scent of mimosa blossoms, even in winter, and the sight of yachts grabbing the wind for white-knuckle races.

For families, this is French paradise -- picture your kids harvesting oysters and their own salt for a beach picnic, exploring the aquarium and the nature reserve teeming with birds, then curling up with a good book back in the villa. As if they'd even think of cracking open that iPad here.

Lodz, Poland

The third biggest town in Poland comes from industrial roots (it was called the Manchester of the East), but lately, for culture, few evolving Eastern European cities can compare. Art in all forms is everywhere -- from Hollylodz, the center of Polish cinematography (its film school has three Oscar-winning alumni, including Roman Polanski) to the Lodz Atlas Arena, where Elton John will perform in Summer 2012.

Along Piotrkowska Street, one of the longest in Europe, there are more than 100 bars, often heaving with live music, and restaurants serving fantastic Polish and Jewish dishes (try Anatewka, where a violinist serenades guests). All roads eventually lead toManufaktura, a 74-acre 19th-century industrial campus now filled with shops, museums, a carousel, cinemas, party spaces, and everyone you need to meet in Lodz.

Bergen, Holland

Historically, artists and writers came here to be inspired by the coastline, just a 45-minute ride from Amsterdam, but Bergen has seen a recent influx of the newly monied, creating a scene that suggests the Hamptons with clogs. The good news is that if you're not lucky enough to own a local vacation home, you can rent one of the funky, if basic, villas scattered around for a few hundred dollars a week (try holiday-rentals.co.uk).

The luncheon spot SB Noord, whose weather-worn wooden terrace is strewn with chairs, overlooks the sunniest spot in the Netherlands. Rent a bike to cycle to the beach (three miles from town) and the pine forest, then head for microbrews and calamari at Fabel's, all done up in oak and bluestone and set beside a ruined church and cobblestoned streets.

Ikaria, Greece

Thanks to its remote placement six hours by ferry from Athens, the island of Ikaria has all the beauty of the Aegean Islands, without the crowds. Perhaps it's the fresh air, crystal waters, and abundant food, but Ikarians mysteriously live long (and full) lives. They are four times more likely to pass their 90th birthdays than Americans, despite eating heaps of fried fish and rich dips, not to mention smoking and drinking wine by the carafe-load.

Check into the six-level Cavos Bay Hotel, where every pared-down room overlooks the sea. Don't bother bringing a watch; nothing happens "on time" here. So go for a leisurely swim at Seychelles Beach and stroll along the ancient stone walls that date back to the 5th century B.C.

East Anglia, United Kingdom

Built up by the wool trade centuries ago, East Anglia fell off most travelers' maps when that industry declined. Cambridge, at the heart of the region, has been one exception, but if you can look beyond the university town's ivy-strewn stone buildings, you'll be rewarded with thatch villages; Holkham Hall, the first Earl of Leicester's Palladian mansion; and Sandringham, where the queen and her ancestors have holidayed for generations.

Along winding roads dotted with sheep, you'll also find the antiques'-lovers towns of Lavenham and Long Melford, the 640 medieval churches of Norfolk, and the only two-Michelin-starred restaurant around, Midsummer House. Unless twee B&B owners and their cats are your cup of tea, explore by day and return at night to Cambridge's Varsity Hotel & Spa, where Londoners come for weekend breaks to row along the River Cam and relive their glory days at "uni."

Rovinj, Istria

The Istrian Peninsula is the best of Tuscany and Venice rolled into one languid destination. Hillsides nurture vineyards, preservation-minded towns lie just steps from the beach, and Croatians live off the same land their great-great-grandparents did. Though some towns are overhyped (see Porec and Pula), the most built-up of Istrian tourist destinations can actually be its most atmospheric -- if you time it right.

During the off-season, the crenellated town of Rovinj feels like a quiet Siena writ small, its 18th-century bell tower of the Church of St. Euphemy standing guard above the spartan cobblestoned streets below. Try the local vintages at the romantic Wine Vault restaurant, then spend the night in the region's first design hotel, The Lone, whose swooping nautical shape commands prime real estate in a deep forest beside the Adriatic.

Ticino, Switzerland

The capital city of Lugano is also the spiritual home of Italians in Switzerland, which adds a sexy slouch to an otherwise buttoned-up country. True, there is a Michelin-starred restaurant (the Galleria Arté al Lago), and Ticino is only a motorboat ride from the paparazzi-happy Lake Como region, but because this is technically Switzerland, the trains always run on time (to the ticking of Patek Philippe watches), and a politeness and white-glove service perseveres.

Spend your nights in the Villa Castagnola, the former residence of the czars on the shores of Lake Lugano, and you'll be instantly initiated into the lifestyle of long lunches, boat trips to the lake, and perfectly toned guests sunning themselves in the private gardens. Hiking and biking are popular activities, and there just happens to be Alpine skiing up the hill.

Formentera, Spain

True, Kate Moss and Jade Jagger have been spotted on Formentera, but this Balearic Island is still far removed from the tabloid headlines and flash of its sister, Ibiza. A ban on beachfront building has kept the thumping clubs and flophouses that serve them from coming ashore, leaving the unspoiled beaches and the rustle of palm trees as backdrop and soundscape to a holiday of sunset cocktails and afternoon siestas.

Still, if you're looking to sunbathe with Leo and his ilk, you'll find them at Gecko Beach Club; just avoid August, when the Spaniards somehow manage to bring the party to this bohemian haven on earth.

http://www.cnn.com/2012/08/29/travel/european-hot-spots/index.html?hpt=tr_c1

Officials: Lindsay Lohan a suspect in burglary, but no charges planned

The prosecutor's report confirmed Lindsay Lohan and her assistant, Gavin Doyle were suspects, along with another man identified as Andrew Payan.

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

• Cash, house keys, sunglasses and a credit card holder were missing, the report says
• The alleged victim "had a longstanding relationship" with Lohan, the prosecutor says
• "Lindsay is glad this matter has been cleared up," her publicist says
• She remains on probation for a shoplifting conviction from last year

Los Angeles (CNN) -- Investigators targeted Lindsay Lohan and her assistant as suspects in a Hollywood burglary, but the district attorney decided Tuesday there was not enough evidence to prosecute them.

"Lindsay is glad this matter has been cleared up so she can focus on her upcoming projects," her publicist said in a statement sent to CNN soon after the district attorney's office released a summary of the investigation. "It is unfortunate that many media outlets were quick to point fingers and jump to conclusions without having all the facts."

Celebrity news website TMZ previously quoted an unidentified law enforcement source saying Lohan and her assistant, Gavin Doyle, were suspects in the burglary.

The prosecutor's report confirmed the actress and Doyle were suspects, along with another man identified as Andrew Payan.

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The people burglarized are Sam Magid, a wealthy investor who the investigation report said "had a longstanding relationship" with Lohan, and a woman who was staying in his Hollywood Hills home.

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Missing from the home and the woman's car were cash, house keys, sunglasses and a credit card holder, the report released by the Los Angeles County District Attorney said.

Lohan had been denied entry into the home at 2:45 a.m. on Saturday, August 18, according to a security guard, the report said. "What, is he in there f--king some other girl!?" the guard quoted the actress as saying.

Magid called for police five hours later when he saw a suspicious man, who the report said resembled Doyle, outside the home. He and his female friend declined to prosecute after Lohan was identified as a suspect, the report said.

The detective on the case saw Lohan's car parked at Magid's home three days later, it said. He stopped the car as she was leaving and found Lohan in a BMW with Doyle, Payan and a juvenile.

Doyle acknowledged to the detective that he, Lohan and Payan had been at Magid's house twice in the early morning of the day the items were reported missing.

Doyle said "he ate some meatballs and drank some vodka, but did not take anything at the residence," the report said. Doyle "said one of them did take property" but he "would not reveal who took the property at the residence," it said.

This was not enough to persuade the district attorney's office to prosecute the case.

"One of the suspects makes a vague admission that he and the others were there, and that 'someone' took something but is not more specific than that," the report said.

The victims "indicated that they are not willing to prosecute anyone for this burglary" and there was not "sufficient evidence to prove this case beyond a reasonable doubt."

The story becomes another chapter in more than six years of brushes with the law for Lohan, who is attempting a career comeback after stints in rehab, jail and home confinement. She remains on probation for a shoplifting conviction last year.

http://www.cnn.com/2012/08/28/showbiz/lindsay-lohan-burglary/index.html?hpt=en_c1