As the calendar creeps towards 2009, Americans with unused vacation time stand to lose it at the end of the year. But with the troubled economy dominating the news and impacting our wallets, a long vacation may seem out of reach. The reality is right now may be the best time in recent years to travel as hotels, resorts and even car rental companies compete for your business. Combine great deals with all that vacation time and you've got everything you need to take an extended trip. Here are five ideas for a maximum vacation on a minimal budget, all priced under $100 per night.

Anguilla
Anguilla is known for its white-sand beaches, fine dining and upscale resorts. What this island in the northern Caribbean is not known for, however, is being inexpensive. Anguilla makes this list for one reason ? a deal offered at the Arawak Beach Inn geared at guests staying for one month or longer that makes living the good life affordable. Guests who book extended stays are eligible for a rate of $825 per month (less than $30 per night), with a three-month stay. According to the website, a two-month stay is an additional 20 percent, and 25 percent more for one-month stays. Accommodations are in an oceanfront room with a kitchen.

Asia, Australia and New Zealand Cruise
How does a month-long tour of three dream destinations sound? Great if you've got the time. Princess Cruises has an itinerary on offer that starts in Asia, ends in New Zealand and is priced from $2,395 (not including airfare), or less than $80 per night. A great value, considering the price includes your accommodations, all meals and transportation between ports. The ship departs from Bangkok, Thailand, and calls on exotic locales like Vietnam, Singapore, and Sydney, before its final stop in Auckland. That should give you enough bragging rights for a lifetime. This cruise departs in November; there are many shorter cruises and different itineraries available, depending on your needs.

House Swap
If you live in or near a big city or popular tourist destination, you've already got your ticket to a free vacation ? your home. Home exchange is a popular way to experience a new destination for next to nothing, provided you're willing to let strangers stay in your home while you're away. If you've always dreamed of a villa in Tuscany or a beach house in Hawaii, this is your chance to do it for free. Depending on the deal you strike, you may even get use of the home owner's car and access to information from a local on what to see and what to skip. Home exchanges last for any length of time, from a weekend to months at a time. Rule of thumb: The more you give, the more you get in return. Check out IgoUgo.com for more information on home exchange and other free (or nearly free) vacations.

South America Cruise
The favorable exchange has long made South America an economical destination for U.S travelers, and now is the perfect time to go as winter in North America means summer sun in South America. For most, it's a once-in-a-lifetime destination and you'll want to see as much of the continent as possible on the trip. Consider a cruise: The ship calls on multiple ports and provides your transportation between cities. Option 1: a 13-night Royal Caribbean cruise from Buenos Aires, Argentina, to Sao Paulo, Brazil, from $499 (about $40 per night), stopping in Chile and Uruguay. Option 2: a 14-night Celebrity cruise from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., to Valparaiso, Chile, from $649 (about $47 per night), calling on Columbia, Panama (and taking in the Panama Canal), Ecuador and Peru. Remember to factor in airfare from your city; both cruises depart on Dec. 7.

Volunteer Vacations
Bad economic news means you probably aren't feeling too fortunate these days, but try to keep things in perspective. A volunteer vacation is a great way to do just that and enable you to accomplish some real good with your time off. There are limitless opportunities to volunteer based on various interests: Options range from traveling to South Africa to observe and collect data on the meerkat colonies of the Kalahari to working in an orphanage in Brazil to caring for the elderly in Costa Rica. These trips last from one week to three months depending on your interests and available time. Volunteer vacations aren't free, but in many cases they are tax deductible. Travelocity's Travel for Good program has ideas to get you started; there are also grant applications to help eliminate or offset costs.