All of your friends are leaving for Spring Break, and you think it’s too late to plan a trip.
Well, it’s not – there are still many options available for students who have yet to reserve their own paradise.
“The main destination offered this year to students is Cancun,” said Chris Chasteen, a vacation agent at World Travel. “Cancun is always a big destination.”
A trip to Cancun is about $900 or more for a hotel on the beach. Students should act fast if Cancun is where they crave to be, because availability is rather limited.
Another hot spot is Jamaica.
“Jamaica will cost you at least $700,” said Scott Pearson, STA Travel office manager. “Some are less than that, but they’re not recommended. The nicer hotels are $900 to $1,000.”
If you want to leave on a jet plane out to Jamaica, act fast because seats are limited.
“The planes to Jamaica out of Nashville are sold out, and there are only 30 seats left on the flight from Atlanta,” he continued.
If the exotic islands of Jamaica and Cancun are too much for your budget, maybe you should consider the beaches of Florida.
“Students usually choose Florida more at the last minute,” Pearson said.
When choosing a location in Florida, there are a couple of items to consider. First of all, one must think weather.
“If they’re going to Florida, students should consider more southern destinations,” said Jennifer Rice, an STA travel adviser. “Around now, you’re not going to get guaranteed warm weather, and people want to spend time on the beach in their bikinis.”
Miami and Key West are safe bets for warm weather.
Secondly, students need to think about their surroundings – the type of hang outs are based largely on the city.
“Miami is (for) the more sophisticated Spring Break crowd,” Pearson said. “Daytona and Panama are more laid-back. You don’t have to dress up to get into clubs.”
Lastly, the group of Spring Break buddies should chat about how to get there. Remember, Florida is a long drive from Knoxville. For those who can’t afford to fly or just don’t want to, you should consider taking a bus.
“Since UT has the same Spring Break as a lot of other schools, we’re offering a bus that starts in Michigan and picks up at all the major universities,” Rice said. “They pick you up and take you to Panama City, Miami, Fort Lauderdale or Daytona. This option is really affordable for the college student.”
Like all Spring Break retreats, Florida also fills up quickly, and the good hotels tend to go first.
Las Vegas is another city growing in popularity for Spring Breakers and is only $500, which includes plane and hotel accommodations. Furthermore, food also tends to be cheaper in the City that Never Sleeps.
“A lot of people are coming in to ask about Las Vegas,” Pearson said. “It’s getting bigger and bigger for partiers.”
For those who don’t have fun in the sun, there are other options to pursue.
Consider a European country, which are reasonably cheaper this time of the year.
“It’s not high season for Europe; so, it’s cheaper than Cancun and Jamaica,” Rice said. “For people who love museums and culture, it is an excellent option.”
If fun in the snow sounds dreamy, consider Colorado. Colorado packages start at $400 for four days, which includes a three-day lift pass but not a plane ticket.
“Mostly West Coast students go for snow instead of warm,” Pearson said. “This is also their last chance for good skiing conditions.”
When choosing a vacation packet, keep in mind that prices on fliers don’t normally include tax. So, the deal you see advertised probably doesn’t exist.
