A weak Euro across Europe combined with economic struggles and austerity measures in Greece means the cradle of Western civilization has become more affordable to visit than it has been in a very long time. Forbes picked the country as one of its top cheap travel destinations of 2017, and a new Air Canada deal dug up by Airfare Watchdog is making that trip even more tempting for Houstonians.

If you don't mind a last-minute vacation, this deal may be just right for you: a $689 round-trip ticket to Athens from Houston, with a layover in Montreal. Tickets are normally more than double that amount. The Air Canada flight departs Saturday, May 13 and arrives back in Houston on Friday, May 19—giving you nearly five days to do some serious sightseeing in one of the world's great ancient cities.

The famed Acropolis was recently joined by the award-winning Acropolis Museum, which opened in 2009, housing a vast collection across its 150,000 square feet, including a Lego replica of the Acropolis itself. In nearby Plaka, the oldest residential district in Athens, you'll find charming alleys filled with charming cafes, markets and shops. The Parthenon and the Agora are also in the neighborhood, but you may be tempted to leave the hustle and bustle of the city behind for the day and make a short drive to Cape Sounion, on the southernmost tip of the Attica peninsula. Here, you'll find the Temple of Poseidon along with other less tourist-frequented ruins and a stunning view of the Aegean Sea. 

The flight isn't the only cheap portion of the trip: four-star hotels like the Amarilia Hotel, steps away from the Athenian seashore, or the boutique-chic Golden Age Hotel can be had for under $100 per night. But, naturally, you'd better book now...