You Don't Have to Win the Lottery

A university student in Australia hit it big when she cashed in some long-forgotten lottery tickets this week to help her parents. It turned out that one of the tickets (just 2 months away from expiring) was worth $10 million, and now the anonymous student will be able to "fulfill my dreams and the dreams of the people around me." The student also said that "the people close to me will be looked after," so hopefully that means everyone will be heading out on a vacation to celebrate their great fortune. Here's one of the coolest lavish vacations out there for you to enjoy.

Venice, Italy can be utterly opulent if you choose the right spots to visit in the city. Book a stay at the Hotel Cipriani & Palazzo Vendramin, which is just a five minute walk from St. Mark's Square. Take a break from visiting the art galleries, historical treasures, and glass works to sit by the heated, Olympic-sized pool. When you stay at the Hotel Cipriani & Palazzo Vendramin, you're right next door to one of the most lavish of Palazzi, the Red House in Venice. This spot, which costs $47,000 per week, is just a stone's throw away from your hotel, but you'll be paying a fraction of the price near the same canal. If you're going on a multiple-city vacation in Italy, hit up Rome to check out gorgeous ruins and plenty of authentic eateries.

Not all of us can afford a luxury hotel at a fantastic location, so how about traveling domestic for a visit to Santa Barbara, California? It's been referred to as a luxury destination for budget shoppers, so it provides good value for money and plenty of diversions. You can stay at the Four Seasons Resort, The Biltmore, which provides a perks package when booking with Whatahotel.com, or the Ojai Valley Inn and Spa. When you spend time in Santa Barbara, leave time in your schedule for the high-quality restaurants and impressive entertainment scene, from film tours to dinner theatre. If you're the adventurous type, you can go horseback riding or hiking instead.

Where are you headed this summer? Lotto winner or not, you can find a place that suits your budget.