Spring break stimulates thoughts of hot weather, bikinis, no homework, and good times with family and friends. For many students, planning is the essential step to the ultimate spring break experience.
According to Melissa Puicon, a junior Spanish major, good planning includes choosing an appropriate location and keeping time and budgets in mind.
Often, students make plans with their friends to go to particular destinations, only to realize it's not in their budget, and then may decide upon a cheaper and more convenient destination.
"My friends and I had plans to go to Cancun, but couldn't afford it. Now we are going to Florida instead," said Marlee Jones, a sophomore social sciences major.
According to Jones, Florida seems to be a popular vacation spot for students across the country, as it has all the spring break necessities; warmth, great attractions, and good price ranges.
Searching is necessary to find great prices, according to Dana Miele, a sophomore communication major. Miele said using student status to get discounts and receive cheaper prices is a deal that many college students forget to snag.
Booking vacations early and through the appropriate business is important when it comes to budgeting, Miele said.
"StudentUniverse.com or Orbitz.com are good sites to look," Miele said. "All inclusive hotels are convenient because you can pay one price and get everything."
According to Puicon, Travel2000.com and StudentCity.com are also good Web sites for students to find cheaper tickets.
"I always search different Web sites to find the best deals, because it's possible to get really good deals, and it is worth it," Puicon said.
According to Peter Altholz, CEO of The Best of Buffalo Promotions, there are two other ways students can save money. At times it can cost more money to fly out of Buffalo International, and if students are willing to drive to a bigger city, it could save them a great deal on flight costs, Altholz said.
Students may also want to look into rep programs; they can volunteer to help with the sale of tickets and, in turn, they're given opportunities to receive tickets for themselves, according to Altholz.
"A lot of spring break companies have rep programs that want you to sell tickets on campus to get a free trip. An alternative is to get a group discount if you have a lot of friends willing to go," Altholz said.
Taking a plane may be the most convenient means of transportation for students who find long drives tedious and gas expensive.
"Driving is just not a relaxing way to spend half your vacation, and gas really adds up on longer trips," said Jacob Richman, a junior sociology major. "I like flying, but the long waits at airports lately are definitely a put off."
Planes are not for everyone, and for some students like Andrew Leising, a freshman undecided major, driving is the way to go for spring break.
"I plan on going to Virginia with my girlfriend for spring break to visit my brother," Leising said. "We are driving because it will be a better experience for the both of us. We will be able to enjoy the atmosphere."
According to Altholz, a fun idea for large groups of people during spring break is to rent out a Villa, with a cook that does the grocery shopping and a personal driver.
"AlcopocoVillaRentals.com is the site to go to for the rentals, and they are not too much more than a hotel, but a lot of fun," Altholz said.
Some students are not just seeking warm weather on their spring breaks, but also adventure.
"I am going to Colorado to visit a friend and do outdoor adventures, such as hiking and snowboarding with friends," said John Trimper, a junior psychology and cognitive neuroscience major.
According to William Ng, a freshman business major, a majority of students do not have the financial ability to travel. They instead look forward to going home for a week and spending some quality time with their family and friends or doing activities that they may enjoy.
"I just go back home to the city and hang out with my friends, relax, go bowling, shoot pool or hit the gym," Ng said.
While some students don't mind going home, others are ready to escape the northeast and hit the beach.
"I'm ready to get out of here and enjoy some sunshine," said Brian Tabaczynski, a freshman biotechnology major. "I will not be sad to say goodbye to Buffalo for the Bahamas."
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
