1. Look for seasonal round-trip international budget air carriers from a big city close to you to Central Europe (e.g. French Bee, Norwegian, Condor, et. al.) Many budget airlines there. Ryanair, easyJet, and Wizz Air, Vuelling, and Volotea dominate the European budget scene, but for the Middle East, look at Pegasus and Flydubai. They're known for affordable fares. If you are near an airport that has Turkish Airlines, sign up for their Miles and Smiles frequent flyer program which sometimes has great promotional offers. I have flown them many times at great round trip fares from LAX to and beyond Istanbul. They are a global airline with great routes and service.
2. Consider Hostels by booking ahead at the nicest ones (which go fast as summer gets closer). Also some hospitality apps have great offers.
3. For 2 weeks - Consider choosing two or three destinations and explore them. My first timer favorites are Rome, Athens, Istanbul with perhaps a 3-4 day trip to Marrakesh, Morocco, staying at a Riad (like a B&B) in the Medina there. And do sit and charm a cobra in the market place while there!
4. There are tons of things to see and do in and near these cities. Rome, Athens, and Istanbul are very walkable and highly accessible cities. Must see day trips above locations: a. Rome to Florence on the Frecciarossa train from Rome Termini to Florence takes about an hour and 22 minutes. It's a super-fast and comfortable ride. On another day, take the Frecciarossa to Naples and bus to Sorrento. b. Organized tour from Athens to board boat trip to Saronic Islands. It will include a stop at Aegina island, famous for being a headquarters for the Greek Orthodox Church, particularly the Monastery of Saint Nektarios. Plus, it's known for its delicious pistachios. The pistachio ice cream in a little hilltop cafe you will visit is unlike any you will have ever had before. Any “pistachio” ice cream you ever have after that will be a sad disappointment. c. The Blue Mosque (and the nearby underground Basilica Cistern you will recognize from a couple of the John Wick movies), Taksim Square and street, The Grand Bazaar (must see established in the 400’s one of the oldest markets in the world).
5. Between public transport and Uber, getting around in the above 3 cities will be fast and reliable.
6. Beteen destination Internet guides and AI (Co-pilot is my favorite for these topics) these days, discovering what there is to do in these locales has never been easier.

[I am 78 yrs old and have lived, studied, or traveled in 92 countries on 7 continents and speak 3 languages. These places will change how you see yourself and the world around you.]

Buon viaggio e buon apprendimento!