Early spring-break planning alleviates last-minute stress, reduces trip costs and provides you with more options. Airline rates increase and hotel rooms fill up the longer you postpone planning. Don’t spend spring break this year at home with your parents! Start making moves now with these tips:
Destination
What do you want from your excursion? Are you looking for adventure? Do you want to party or relax?
Popular spring break destinations that are adventurous, exciting and relaxing include:
- Las Vegas
- Fort Lauderdale
- Miami
- Key West
- Cancun
- Cabo San Lucas
- Jamaica
- The Bahamas
In these locales you’re guaranteed to meet people and find fun places for partying. You can relax on a gorgeous beach or resort pool, catch some rays and work on that tan.
Another option is to plan a trip around a concert or music festival or an activity such as surfing, scuba diving or snowboarding. Also keep in mind the journey can be just as exciting as the trip itself. A scenic road trip is bound to create unexpected memories and adventures. Remember to road trip in a vehicle that’s safe and reliable like a Kia Sportage or Ford Explorer.
Volunteering is a non-traditional spring break trip, yet also a priceless experience for someone who values selflessness and helping others. Habitat for Humanity is one of many volunteer groups that builds homes for families in need domestically and internationally.
Budget
Establish a vacation budget and look for the package deals. Between hotel and attraction special discounts, you will be surprised by how much you can save after doing some research. Look at Groupon Getaways, travel in large groups to cut costs and make reservations for a weekend rather than a full week. Save money by visiting a city where you can stay with a friend or family member who already lives there. Also, StudentCity.com and STSTravel.com offer all-inclusive student packages for fun vacations, special events and activities in Panama City Beach and Punta Cana, for example.
Airfare & Accommodations
As opposed to an airline or hotel’s official website, sites like Expedia and Travelocity offer cheaper hotel and flight prices. Avoid “too good to be true” heavy discounts for safe spring break planning and steering clear of scams. Red flags include companies that force you to pay cash or wire money. Question companies that don’t accept credit cards or clearly stated refund policies.
Be aware of the following:
- Pressure to buy now
- Hidden costs
- False reservations
Frommers, Fodors and Lonely Planet provide useful information for travelers, from cultural events and attractions to restaurants and guides suggested by people with first-hand experience. Also, if you plan to travel by plane, choose a location close to local attractions so you can walk and have inexpensive cab fares.
Spring Fashions
Half of the fun of traveling is buying new, stylish clothes and accessories for your trip. Spring break is the excuse to buy sexy bikinis, new beach gear and gadgets. Wherever you’re going, do what you do in style. Spring break is an opportunity to strut spring fashion following the cold winter months. While planning outfits ahead of time, check out catalogs, fashion blogs and celebrity magazines to see upcoming fashion trends. Mimic hot looks and pack separate pieces that layer and coordinate well together.
