PART I. SPRING BREAK FOR COLLEGE KIDS
Every year it seems like travel experts try to ‘predict’ new hot spots for spring break. Come on! It’s the same old thing…
For years, the top destinations remain pretty much the same and the reason is simple: The majority of college students want to party and have FUN during their school break. The following list appeared in an article by The Daily Mail and in addition to being the “trashiest spring break” places, they are also consistently the most popular among college co-eds. Duh!
TOP TEN U.S TRASHIEST SPRING BREAK DESTINATIONS
1. Las Vegas: Home to gambling, strip clubs and the only Hooters Hotel. Vegas makes up for not having a beach with its popular pool parties.
2. Key West, Florida: Garden of Eden, a clothing-optional bar, is a spot the site recommends.
3. South Padre Island, Texas: Coed says ‘How can it get any trashier than South Padre, a beach that essentially exists for the sole purpose of having wild parties?’
4. Daytona, Florida: This city’s high number of underage-drinking arrests helped win it a spot on Coed’s list.
5. Myrtle Beach, S.C: Coed makes a distinction between North and South Myrtle Beach and advises that if it is trashiness you’re after, South Myrtle beach is where you want to be.
6. Miami Beach: The online magazine points out that The Jersey Shore taped a season here.
7. Panama City Beach, Florida: Coed, again, uses the reality to show to measure the trash factor, saying that stars from the Jersey Shore were among last year’s celebrity visitors.
8. Fort Myers, Florida: Lana Kai hosts a daily ‘booty contest’ during high season.
9. Lake Havasu, Arizona: A tattoo convention is held during Spring Break. According to the site, Kokomo Havasu and Martini Bay are two of the trashier destinations.
10. San Diego: ‘We know that most of the people who live in the San Diego area head to other destinations for Spring Break,’ Coed writes, ‘but that just means the people left partying here are extra trashy.’
From article in Daily Mail: http://http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2098799/The-10-trashiest-U-S-cities-Spring-Break-Florida-home-them.html#ixzz1nAW0FwAV
Now here lies the problem. Parents want their kids to have a good time during spring break, just not TOO much fun…
Here is a list of Spring Break Ideas for those seeking something more than wet t-shirt contests, jello shots, and Girls Gone Wild and for parents who would like some fun alternatives to present to their kids:
1. Skiing and Snowboarding. There are lots of options but the top places are Jackson Hole, WY; Whistler, B.C.; and most of Colorado, including Telluride, Aspen, Breckenridge, and Crested Butte. While none of these resorts are cheap, most offer student spring break packages. Good places to start: www.coloradoski.com and www.jacksonhole.com
2. A one-week cruise to Mexico or the Caribbean are all-inclusive and reasonably-priced. http://www.cheapcruises.com (In case you’re wondering about the safety of Mexico, most cruise lines are no longer docking at any ports that may be unsafe).
3. Europe. These places are expected to be popular this year: Italy, Spain, Great Britain, and Greece. Or go off the beaten path to beautiful, uncrowded places like Croatia, but be sure to do your research to make sure it is reasonably safe and you know what to expect. Students qualify for cheap airfares and discount rail passes. A great place to start is www.statravel.com
4. Stick close to home. Someone you know probably has a beach or mountain house that could be used, just be respectful that this is someone’s property. Leave it the way you found it! This is an inexpensive and fun alternative for those on a tight budget or looking for a spring break compromise with mom and dad.
5. Alternative Spring Break. An increasingly popular spring break idea is volunteerism. To spend a few days helping those that have so little due to poverty or natural disaster can be the most rewarding experience of your life. Combine travel to exciting destinations like Morocco, Costa Rica, and Thailand with all kinds of one-week volunteering opportunities. A good place to start is www.crossculturalsolutions.org. Or check your local campus for other opportunities.
No matter what the destination and activity, be sure to conduct thorough research beforehand regarding visas, inoculations, safety concerns, health risks, etc.
Whatever you decide, do something different this year. The most satisfying life is one filled with lots of different experiences…
PART II. SPRING BREAK FOR FAMILIES
Here are five great ideas regardless of the ages of your kids and your budget.
1. Great Wolf Lodges offer a dozen locations throughout the U.S. and always have discounted spring break “blast packages.” The huge indoor waterpark has on site lodging and dining. www.greatwolf.com
2. Orlando has lots of dining and shopping options, as well as seven major theme parks including Disney, Universal, and SeaWorld. www.visitorlando.com is loaded with tourism information and discounts.
3. Rent a beach house. Good deals can usually be found along the Florida Panhandle, Outer Banks (NC), and Myrtle Beach (SC) and there’s lots of entertainment options for the entire family, not to mention saving money on dining out.
4. Head for the mountains and go camping, rent a cabin or motel room. A few ideas include Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge (TN), Blowing Rock/Boone (NC), and Colorado for skiing and hiking.
5. Visit a national park or historic site, such as Mammoth Cave (KY) or Colonial Williamsburg (VA). Or, if money’s tight, stick close to home. There is bound to be some fun stuff to do just up the road, such as the zoo or aquarium or science center or a state historic site. Or even better–go check out someplace that’s reportedly haunted! So pack a picnic and get going!
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