Whether it’s culture, skiing, the beach or just some crazy parties you’re seeking, Spring Break is the time to unwind. Check out this list of the hottest places to visit on spring break this year:
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Dominican Republic
Gulf Coast
Jackson Hole, Wyoming
Koh Phangan, Thailand
Lake Havasu, Arizona
Miami
Montreal
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
San Diego
Check out WatchMojo’s suggestions for Spring Break destinations:
Get this: One million revelers in Times Square for New Year’s festivities generated over 40 tons of garbage. Sanitation crews started clean-up shortly after midnight, and due to high winds, confetti and trash was scattered as far as the East River. But good times were had by all! Read more…
You’re on vacation and you want to go somewhere special. It’s hard to say what makes a bar sexy, but good music, good drinks and good-looking people probably have a lot to do with it. Fortunately for you, here is a list of some of the world’s sexiest bars. Use it at your own risk… (*Wink*):
Le Ti St. Barth, St. Barths
Denis Simachëv, Moscow
Bellini Bar, Hôtel du Cap Eden-Roc, Antibes, France
Nublu, New York City
Buzz Beach Bar, Ölüdeniz, Turkey
Moon Bar, Banyan Tree Hotel, Bangkok, Thailand
Nuth Lounge, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Dino’s Beach Bar, Tofo, Mozambique
Giardino d’Inverno, Hotel Principe di Savoia, Milan, Italy
Shalvata, Tel Aviv
Better cancel your standing Sunday squash game this week, because White Night hits Madrid this Saturday. According to Jaunted:
Traditionally, White Nights take place around the summer solstice in cities close to the Arctic Circle where the sky never gets dark for several days straight. To embody that spirit in Madrid, throughout the night, museums will be open, concerts will be on and all public transport will be free.
Events go until 6am.
According to Reuters:
BELGRADE (Reuters Life!) - After almost two decades off the tourist map, Belgrade is making a comeback with a reputation as a 24-hour party city. Reuters correspondents with local knowledge help visitors make the most of the Serbian capital, a city on the crossroads of Europe and the Orient.
Read about 48 hours in Belgrade…
There’s no doubt that Sin City is hot… I’m talking temperature, course. When you’re there, you may want to refresh yourself with a dip in the pool. But don’t let that cool down your fun. Check out these pictures of the hottest party pools in Las Vegas, as compiled by the LA Times.
NASSAU, The Bahamas, May 22 /PRNewswire/ — Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon recently wed at a surprise ceremony on the picture-perfect island of Eleuthera, adding to the growing list of stars that have planned their perfect day in The Bahamas. With ideal weather year round, breathtaking beaches, lavish hotels and amenities, not to mention privacy, this tropical paradise has long been a favorite locale for celebrities to walk down the aisle in style.
Always the trend setter, supermodel Cindy Crawford said “I do” to hubby Rande Gerber in May 1998 at the swanky Ocean Club on Paradise Island. Since then, A-list couples have continued to flock to the 700 Islands Of The Bahamas including current NFL commentator Deion Sanders who was married on Nassau Paradise Island, Richard De Niro, son of Oscar winning actor Robert De Niro, who also said his vows on Nassau Paradise Island and Solange Knowles, younger sister of pop icon Beyonce, who wed on Grand Bahama Island. Also married in The Bahamas was Google co-founder Sergey Brin to bio-tech specialist Anne Wojcicki. The sweethearts said their nuptials in May of 2007 on Musha Cay Island on a private property owned by magician David Copperfield.
You don’t have to be rich and famous to get married in The Bahamas. Whether planning a large wedding with hundreds of guests or an intimate ceremony with just close friends and family in attendance, The Bahamas can fit the needs of all personalities, themes, and budgets. With endless hotel and resort options, restaurant choices and activities for the young and young at heart, this chic destination makes planning a wedding effortless. What’s more, possibly the most distinct feature of The Bahamas is the ability for newlyweds to cut the cake on one island and then leave their guests behind to escape to their honeymoon on yet another secluded island in The Bahamas!
Life in The Islands Of The Bahamas is as culturally diverse as it is vibrantly beautiful, from the carefree Out Islands to exciting Nassau/Paradise Island and Grand Bahama Island. With world-class diving and fishing, gorgeous turquoise water and miles of picture perfect beaches, the 700 islands of The Bahamas offer visitors the opportunity to do everything or nothing at all. To plan your own destination wedding in The Bahamas visit www.weddings.bahamas.com for all of your wedding planning needs. For more information on travel packages, activities and accommodations, call 1-800-Bahamas or visit www.Bahamas.com . To experience The Bahamas at home, visit www.EShopBahamas.com .
PALM ISLAND, The Grenadines, March 28 /PRNewswire/ — Palm Island, an exclusive 135-acre private island resort in the Caribbean’s pristine Grenadines island chain, provides vacationers with a special 25 percent summer savings off all-inclusive rack rates when reservations are booked by May 19, 2008 for five night minimum stays. This intimate hideaway is also giving guests a $250 resort credit to be used towards fascinating adventures such as a snorkel trip to the pristine reefs of the Tobago Cays, a Champagne Sunset Cruise, spa treatments, or a island-hopping day cruise-or towards an accommodations upgrade. The credit, along with the 25 percent savings off the all-inclusive rack rates, is valid for travel between June 1 and August 31, 2008.
Low season all-inclusive rack rates start at $690 per room, based on double occupancy; with the Summer Promotion savings, the starting rate drops to $518. The promotional rate cannot be combined with other special offers and applies only to new bookings.
“With only 43 rooms, Palm Island in the Grenadines offers the opportunity to truly escape and unwind. Palm Island features many complimentary activities, however, we hope that our guests will take advantage of the resort’s incredible summer savings and resort credit to experience a private island vacation for themselves that is filled with many exciting experiences like a Sunset Cruise or indulgent spa treatment,” said Steven E. Heydt, president of Elite Island Resorts, a distinctive Caribbean resort collection that includes Palm Island.
Ringed by five glorious beaches and traversed by nature trails, this casually elegant private island resort caters to discerning travelers with superb food, caring service and an unspoiled natural setting. The resort features a freeform freshwater swimming pool with a waterfall surrounded by boulders and sun terraces, as well as a spa, fitness center and tennis. Windsurfing, snorkeling, kayaking, Hobie cat sailing, bicycling and evening entertainment are among the complimentary activities. Spacious accommodations, delightfully free from TVs and telephones, allow guests to revel in the natural sounds of this rare tropical escape.
All-inclusive rates include meals, afternoon tea, weekly managers’ cocktail parties, top-shelf beverages, tips, taxes and service charges. For reservations, call 800-345-0356 or visit www.eliteislandresorts.com or www.palmislandresortgrenadines.com
By Christopher Sherman, Associated Press Writer
SOUTH PADRE ISLAND, Texas — Michigan State senior Paul Bonenberger avoided temptation during this island’s season for wild spring break partying by leaving his passport at home.
“I’ve heard tons of (stuff) about the border,” said Bonenberger, 21, two beers in hand and surrounded by hundreds of Midwestern spring breakers on the beach. “I’ve heard it’s unsafe. I’m not about the border anymore, it’s not worth the risk.”
Once, most South Padre spring breakers visited nearby Matamoros, Mexico, for the touted “Two Nation Vacation.”
But news of gun battles between soldiers and drug cartels in Mexican border cities this winter appears to have reached even the frigid campuses of the upper Midwest. Tourists have not been targeted, but students and tourism officials on both sides of the border say spring breakers are keeping their toes in U.S. sand this year.
The young, tan masses have not been surveyed lately, but Dan Quandt, executive director of the island’s convention and visitors’ bureau, said “we have noticed over the past few years a decline in the number of students going to Matamoros.”
Debra Fassold, who manages a cross-border shuttle service, said she used to ferry several hundred spring breakers daily and now gets only a few dozen. She has canceled night trips.
“I’ve had no reason to schedule them this year,” Fassold said, adding that no one has even asked for the once-popular excursion.
Those partying on South Padre Island said they opted to stay domestic this year not just because of safety concerns, but also because of tighter identification requirements for returning to the U.S.
Rachel Padgett, of Austin, has been coming to South Padre Island for more than half her life. It was traditional to go over to Matamoros for a haircut and to shop for jewelry, but not this year, said the 21-year-old Michigan State student.
“Not right now, there’s a drug war,” Padgett said.
Students from the University of Texas and Texas A&M descend on South Padre this week, the apex of spring break on the dune-covered island off the coast of South Texas.
Matamoros and other border cities in Mexico are now patrolled by Mexican soldiers sent to the border to quell drug cartel violence. Their armored personnel carriers and machine guns are far from inviting.
Arturo Morales, tourism promotion director for Matamoros, said the military is there to protect residents and tourists.
Morales said fewer spring breakers were visiting the city across the Rio Grande from Brownsville, but said spring breakers need to learn more about the military’s security role. Morales noted Winter Texans — northerners who spend the winter in Texas and then return home in the spring — have become accustomed to the military presence and continue visiting border cities.
Some students have crossed the border without worry. Joseph Cook and Ariela Ruiz, students at Evangel University in Missouri, enjoyed a day of shopping and sight-seeing on the recommendation of the concierge at their hotel.
They drove to Brownsville, walked across the bridge and took a taxi to Matamoros’ main market area. They saw federal soldiers stopping and checking cars, but had no problems.
Asked if anyone had warned them about going to Mexico, Cook said: “Just my parents. They said ‘be careful.’”
As we all know, spring break isn’t just for college students anymore. It’s not just margaritas, clubs, and hanging out on the beach. Many families and young professionals are joining the annual trend of a post-winter break in the sun. Another trend? Many students are ditching a week of fun in the sun to spend their days volunteering in a foreign country.
Regardless of their reason or destination, thousands of “spring breakers” are preparing for their upcoming travels and Europ Assistance USA, providers of travel and related assistance services, wants to make sure they have safe and smooth trips.
From a reminder to behave yourself to advice on exchange rates to something simple as knowing how to phone home or call for help, Europ Assistance is offering tips and advice that will help any spring breaker … whether partying in Mexico, relaxing with family in Bermuda, or building houses in Panama.
Travel Tips Help Ensure Smart, Safe and Healthy Trips
WASHINGTON, DC–(Marketwire - February 27, 2008) - Every year, millions of students participate in the annual rite of passage that is spring break. However, each year more families, young professionals, and other travelers join coeds in ditching the dreary days of winter for a week of fun in the sun, a cross-country road trip or giving their time on community service-based trips. As Americans prepare for their travels, Europ Assistance USA, the professional ally for people in crisis or distress, offers the following tips to ensure smooth spring break trips.
1. Do your Homework. Find out whether you will need to have a passport or visa to travel to your destination. The U.S. Department of State website ( http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/safety/safety_2836.html )provides this information. Get background information about where you are going by visiting the CIA Factbook site (https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/index.html), which features overviews of the history, climate, political situation, demographics and industries of countries around the world.
2. It’s All About the Benjamins. Read up on exchange rates and make sure you know how much you are really paying for your purchases. Contact your bank and credit card companies with your itinerary so they know to authorize payments. You may also want to ask them about ATMs and getting the best exchange rates.
3. Get to Know the Phone. Learn how to make phone calls from your destination, whether you are in an emergency or just to check back with friends and family at home.
4. Share Your Plan. Make sure to leave copies of your itineraries and passports with family members at home. If you should lose your passport or luggage, having additional copies of these important documents can help you get out of a jam.
5. Lock it Up. Once at your destination, make sure to secure your personal documents. Take advantage of in-room or front-desk safes by locking up passports, credit cards, and other important documents and valuable.
6. Speak the Language. If you have food allergies, be sure to write down how to say those foods in the language spoken in the country you are visiting. It is amazing how people can communicate without speaking the same language, but if your throat swells after eating shellfish, you may want to learn how to say shrimp in Spanish.
7. Empty Your Wallet. Avoid carrying excessive amounts of money and multiple credit cards and make sure to have a back-up credit card. If you become a victim of theft or lose your card, you won’t be stuck without money. When you return home, make sure to check your statements to ensure safe transactions occurred.
8. Get Covered. Check with your health insurance company to see what medical coverage you have in your destination country. Make sure to get the necessary vaccinations if there are country specific health warnings where you are visiting. Avoid illness by visiting your health care provider 4-6 weeks ahead of time, following his or her recommendations for preparation and treatment in the case of sickness.
9. Look Both Ways. Too many spring breakers are hurt or injured each year while vacationing. Make sure to set and follow personal rules for safety: always travel with at least one other person, limit exposure of valuables including jewelry, avoid excessive drinking, and beware of unmarked taxis or other public transportation.
10. Behave Yourself. For Real. Respect local customs, establishments and people and remember that spring break is an excuse to relax, not to act inappropriate. Many countries have different laws regarding public safety, water safety, and violations of law, so make sure you know these rules before visiting. If you find yourself in trouble, contact the closest U.S. Consulate.
“Expect the unexpected couldn’t ring more true when it comes to travel, especially during spring break when spirits are high and often carefree,” said Europ Assistance CEO Guillaume Deybach. “Lost passports, sudden illness, or unforeseen expenses can turn a dream vacation south. By taking precautions to ensure our safety and well-being we can, perhaps, achieve peace of mind when it’s most desired.”
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