BEFORE YOU GO

You're excited to get away from campus for a week, but if you take the time to plan your trip well, there will be nothing to keep you from having a great time. Before you jump into the car or onto a plane, check out these sections with tips on how to choose your destination, how to pack for the trip, and how to stay safe and keep out of trouble, as well as a look at why an alternative spring break might be just the kind of trip you want.

• Choosing a Destination
• Packing 101
• Staying Safe
• Alternative Spring Break

CHOOSING A DESTINATION

Everyone's looking to have a great time on their spring break, but not everyone has the same definition of a "great time." Some people like wet T-shirt contests and doing keg-stands in hotel hallways, and some prefer just kicking back with a few friends and seeing the sights.

We designed this guide to include a wide variety of options to help you find a place that fits your own idea of a great time. Remember that the most popular destinations will entail huge crowds and scarce accommodations, but quieter spots can limit your chances at meeting new people. And always keep the legal drinking age of your destination in mind. Police do still enforce it, spring break or not, and nothing ruins a vacation like being arrested.

Popular Student Travel Agencies

AAA
www.aaa.com
AAA offers savings on all aspects of travel, including airfare, hotels, rental cars, cruises, and full vacation packages.

Apple Vacations
(800) 517-2000
www.applevacations.com
Apple Vacations offers a variety of all-inclusive packages at varying prices and locations.

Inertia Tours and Events
(800) 821-2176
www.inertiatours.com
Inertia's spring break packages include airfare, transfers, hotel, meals, and a party pass.

Liberty Travel
(888) 271-1584
www.libertytravel.com
Liberty Travel features vacation packages for everyone, including adventurers, beach lovers, and golf fanatics.

Spring Break Direct
(410) 635-8550
www.springbreakdirect.com
Packages include airfare, hotel, free drinks, and special discounts. All-inclusive options and meal plans also available.

Spring Break Discounts
(888) 844-6578
www.springbreakdiscounts.com
Spring Break Discounts offers students low prices and an individual online account to access personal information.

Spring Break World
www.springbreakworld.com
Spring Break World offers packages to many destinations, including Cancun, Jamaica, Key West, Lake Havasu, Panama City Beach, and South Padre Island.

STA Travel
(800) 705-8212
www.statravel.com
Packages include airfare, hotel stay, and transfers. A discount wristband and pregame parties are also included. All-inclusive options are available.

STS Travel
(800) 648-4849
www.ststravel.com
Packages include round-trip airfare, tranfers, hotel. Optional add-ons include a meal plan, party package, and excursions.

Student City
(888) SPRING-BREAK
www.studentcity.com
Student City caters specifically to spring breakers. Select from packages that include flight and hotel or hotel only. All-inclusive options available.

Student One Travel
5080 Robert J. Mathews Pkwy.
El Dorado Hills, Calif.
(866) 777-4642
www.studentonetravel.com
Packages include airfare, hotel, transfers, and optional excursions and party plans.

Sun Splash Tours
(800) 426-7710
www.sunsplashtours.com
Specializing in spring break, Sun Splash Tours offers packages to popular destinations throughout the Caribbean, Mexico, and the southern United States.

Travel by Jen
(800) 603-3178
www.travelbyjen.com
Check out Travel by Jen for discounted vacation packages to Mexico and the Caribbean.

PACKING 101

How and what you pack for spring break will be determined by where you are going and how you are getting there. If you're traveling by air, you must consider carry-on and luggage size restrictions. If you're driving, you're only restricted by how much stuff you can pack into the car and still have room for you and your friends.

Before you start packing, call your hotel or rental property to confirm what your room will be stocked with (like hair dryers, irons, sheets, towels) and leave everything you don't need at home. It's also good to sit down with your friends and discuss what everyone is taking so that you can avoid doubling up on items everyone can share. Finally, be sure to check the weather before you leave, and pack accordingly. If you're heading for the beach, you can get away with just one or two long-sleeved items, but if you're going to the mountains, skip the tank tops and load up on thermals and other layers to keep you cozy and comfortable.

Sample Packing List

• 2-3 versatile bottoms (pants, shorts, skirts, etc.). If you can limit yourself to 2-3 bottoms that can easily be mixed with different tops, you'll save space and maximize outfit options.
• 8-10 tops (t-shirts, tank tops, etc.). To save space in your suitcase and reduce wrinkles in your clothes, try rolling pants and shirts instead of folding them.
• 1-2 dressy outfits. If you plan to eat out at any nice restaurants or visit any upscale clubs, be sure to bring at least one or two dressier options.
• Sweater or jacket. Nights at the beach can get chilly, and chances are you'll be glad you packed a wamer layer for walking around after dark. Students heading for the slopes will also need warm layers, ski pants, and a heavy coat.
• Bathing suits. Even if you're not spending your break at the beach, chances are your hotel will have an indoor pool. Bring a spare suit as a backup, and don't forget a cover-up.
• Pajamas/loungewear. Comfortable clothes for sleeping and lounging in your hotel room are a must, but keep it basic.
• Socks and underwear. Pack at least five extra pairs of underwear and enough socks for every day of your trip, even if you plan to wear sandals all the time.
• Appropriate footwear. Flip-flops are great for a day at the beach, but if you'll be doing a lot of walking, or if you're heading to the mountains, you'll need to bring sneakers or boots. One pair of dressy shoes is also a good idea.
• Travel-size toiletries. Packing small bottles of shampoo and other necessities won't just save you trouble at the airport---not needing to bring them home means more room for souvenirs. Store them in a ziplock bag to protect against spillage.
• Personal necessities. Besides basic toiletries, be sure to bring any other personal items that you'll need for the week, including feminine hygiene products, glasses or contacts and solution, hair styling products, makeup, and/or a razor. If hooking up is in your plan, consider packing condoms as well.
• Basic first-aid kit. In addition to bandages and antiseptics, consider packing diarrhea medication, insect repellent, painkillers, and travelsick pills, depending on your destination.
• Medications and birth control. If you take daily medications, be sure to bring enough to last a few days beyond the end of your trip in case of unexpected travel delays.
• Passport and ID. If you are visiting a foreign country, be sure to bring your passport and a photo ID, health insurance information, electrical converters, and a phrase book or translation dictionary, if necessary. Keep separate copies of your passport and ID in your luggage in case of emergency.
• Money. Bring a combination of cash, credit cards, and traveler's checks, and budget enough money to last you through the week. If you're traveling abroad, exchange some spending money into the proper foreign currency before you leave.
• Fun stuff. What will you need to have fun? This can include beach or ski gear, a beer bong, a camera, a deck (or two) of cards, reading material, music and music player, sunglasses, or travel games.
• Miscellaneous items. Think about other potential necessities for your trip. These might include an alarm clock, batteries, cell phone and charger, a cooler, an extra day bag, a hat or two, resealable plastic bags, a travel sewing kit, or an umbrella.

STAYING SAFE

Spring break is a time for college students to kick back and have some fun during the semester, but staying safe is a personal responsibility. No matter where the break may take you, know your surroundings and the local laws. It's important to stay in groups, especially at night, and to make sure that everyone who goes out makes it home. Plan for ways to get home before going out, and have taxi numbers and extra cash ready for a ride home. Though drinking is a major part of most college students' spring break, know your limit and drink responsibly. Be certain to never leave a drink unattended, and never drive after drinking or get into the car with someone who has been. If someone is too intoxicated, don't leave them alone, and never be afraid to seek medical help if necessary.

Though it's easy to meet new friends and have a good time, be cautious and avoid putting yourself in regrettable situations. Never leave with someone you just met or bring strangers back to your room. Drinking makes it easier to become a victim or perpetrator of a sexual assault, so be aware of the situation and ready to make your own decisions. If you are going to get intimate over Spring Break, use protection and be smart. STDs and unwanted pregnancies are never good souvenirs to bring home. And remember, if you ever feel like you have been assaulted, alert the authorities immediately.

TOP 10 Things to AVOID on Spring Break

1. Driving under the influence or riding with someone who has been drinking.
2. Leaving any friends behind while out, especially if intoxicated---no soldier left behind!
3. Agreeing to appear in any "Gone Wild" videos---it might haunt you for years to come.
4. Losing all inhibition and self-respect, especially around members of the opposite sex.
5. Attempting to consume your body weight in alcohol.
6. Trusting (or sleeping with) every person you meet.
7. Sun poisoning---it's a great way to ruin spring break.
8. Walking alone, especially at night.
9. Trying to prove superhuman feats.
10. Believing what happens on spring break will actually stay at spring break.

ALTERNATIVE SPRING BREAK

If you're looking to get more out of your spring break than a sunburn, you're probably a good candidate for an alternative spring break. These trips involve anything from rebuilding flooded houses in the Midwest to saving the rainforest in Costa Rica. The experience is also a great résumé booster that can provide you with great answers to typical interview questions like "Tell me about a challenge you overcame," or "Give me an example of your leadership skills." Still not sure you want to devote a week to volunteering while your friends party it up? Some programs offer the perfect compromise, where you can spend the first part of your trip volunteering and the last partying. Service trips can be just as costly as a traditional spring break, but you'll get so much more out of it---plus, some trips are even tax-deductible!

Alternative Spring Break Resources

Cross-Cultural Solutions
www.crossculturalsolutions.org
CCS has programs in Central and South America, Africa, and Asia, where volunteers can experience new cultures by working with locals.

Habitat for Humanity
www.habitat.org
Habitat's Global Village program takes volunteers all over the world to build or repair homes for needy families.

i-to-i
www.i-to-i.com
Take i-to-i's volunteer test for a list of trips that will best use your strengths in areas such as independence, resourcefulness, experience, and risk taking.

STA Travel
www.statravel.com
In addition to typical alternative spring break trips, STA offers a volunteer-and-vacation "hybrid" in the Dominican Republic---spend three days helping a village
and four days partying and relaxing on the beach.

Other Places to Check Out
Amizade
Global Volunteers
Globe Aware
Think MTV
United Way