All-inclusive or not?

Upon researching spring break destinations, you and your friends had a decision to make: Is it better to book an all-inclusive resort or a non-inclusive hotel?

However, I’m here to tell you the answer to your question is: it depends. If you are planning on traveling for spring break, your hotel/resort accommodations are most likely already booked (at least I hope so!) In that case, you have already made the decision whether or not to go for an all-inclusive resort, but I hope this tidbit of information will be helpful when planning your next beach getaway!

From personal experience, I have come up with four important factors to help you decide whether an all-inclusive resort or a non-inclusive hotel is right for you! 

#1: Budgeting

Personally, the money factor is always number one when planning a vacation because hey, I’m working on a college budget! If you are, like me, anxious and apprehensive every time you pull out money, an all-inclusive resort may be the way to go! After paying the all-inclusive lump sum, money won’t be a worry anymore. However, if you aren’t bothered by the amount of times you will need to pull out your wallet, then a non-inclusive hotel may be best because you will know exactly how much money you are spending and on what. This will ensure you aren’t overpaying for some things, which may happen at an all-inclusive resort.

#2: Food

At an all-inclusive resort, you have the ability to eat whenever and whatever you want without worrying about the price! The quality of the food, however, can’t be guaranteed and may vary from resort to resort. If you are interested in trying local restaurants, you might want to explore non-inclusive hotels. Since the food is included in the all-inclusive price, most people eat of all their meals at the resort.

#3: Alcohol

At most all-inclusive resorts, the sheer sign of a wristband will provide you with drinks at any time of the day. For those who hope to indulge in a large number of drinks during their stay, all-inclusive resorts may be much more affordable in terms of alcohol consumption. If alcohol isn’t a big part of your vacation, a non-inclusive hotel might be a cheaper option for you!

#4: Exploring

All-inclusive resorts are generally designed so that guests don’t have to leave the property during their stay. Some all-inclusive resorts aren’t even in a safe location for guests to leave the resort and explore. If you can’t seem to fathom the idea of staying in one location the entire vacation, then an all-inclusive resort may not be right for you. Non-inclusive hotels are generally better for those travelers who hope to do some exploring in the area!

All in all, these are four important factors to me, but there are many other factors to consider when deciding which type of resort/hotel will be best for you!

Happy and safe travels over spring break!!

Ready, Set, PACK!

If you all are anything like me, packing lightly and adequately is not my forte. However, I seized this opportunity to research some rules, tips and formalities to educate myself and to share with you all, considering I am hopping on a plane in two days. Yikes! Whenever flying, you always risk luggage troubles. I think I have had more luggage failures than successes in my personal flying experiences. However, since I am going to Florida this week for only 4 days, I must pack smart and light to stay under American Airline's weight limit and save my money. Depending on the airline, they can charge you a pretty penny to check your bag in, which is hard to do after the hundreds of dollars you already given them for your plane ticket. There are obvious circumstances where you must check a bag in, like if you are going somewhere for an extended period of time and your bag can not fit their carry on criteria. My best advice to save some money and stress, would be to bring a smaller suitcase onboard as your carry on. American Airlines specifies carry on luggage dimensions on their website. In order for your carry on to fit in their overhead compartment, your bag must not exceed the dimensions of 22" long by 14" wide by 9" tall. What's worse than cramming an oversized suitcase into a small compartment? You don't want to be that person.

Once you have made sure your bag is within these dimensions, it is important to think about the contents that you will be packing. Flying restrictions have immensely impacted our packing and travel habits post 911. It is important that we are aware and cautious of all of the restrictions to ensure a smooth transition through security. No longer can we pack liquids greater than 3 fluid ounces in our carry on bags. The most recent restriction being absolutely NO toothpaste regardless of its size on your carry on. My advice would be to first make a list of your liquid bottled essentials, then go to Target and buy them in their travel sizes. It is always good to put them in a zip block bag, to prevent any leakage.

Now we get to the tricky part...clothes. The hardest part about traveling is to resist temptation of packing your entire wardrobe. I realize you need your options, but that is just not realistic. It is (sometimes) OK to wear something more than once on a trip, or to do some laundry. Thinking about what you really need versus what you may want is the hardest obstacle to overcome. It is also crucial to check the weather forecast of your destination when packing to ensure you are fully prepared for anything mother nature might throw your way. Depending on your trip's duration, you may only really need 1 pair of flip flops, not 5 that look slightly different. 

Each trip and travel experience will be different for everyone. Different climates, different durations and different destinations all bring different needs. If you find yourself in a similar situation like me, take the worries out of packing, keep it simple and have fun!

Beyond the Norm: Alternative Spring Breaks

Teaching in Cruz Verde, Dominican Republic! Spring Break 2012

Are you turned off from the raging college spring break? Does the sand between your toes gross you out? Are you searching for an outside of the box vacation? An alternative spring breaks sound like your next travel plan.

Alternative Spring Breaks give you an opportunity to go somewhere new, help others and force you to go outside of your comfort zone to learn about yourself.  There are a range of international and domestic trips to decide from.

International trips allow you to go to exotic countries without being a tourist. It is a full immersion into local culture by living with host families or in small towns or villages where they may not speak English. Time is well spent by serving others in what the program requires you to do. Life altering changes for the community may not be achieved in the week you are there, but you show that you care and the value of one person.  The perspective shift you gain from being in an unfamiliar cultural situation will change your thinking in a beautiful way.

Working in a soup kitchen in Camden, New Jersey! Spring Break 2013

Adventure within our own country expounds from domestic spring breaks. Domestic trips are eye opening experiences to see the poverty within our own countries as well as view the rainbow for subcultures in the United States contains. These trips tend to be cheaper with less travel costs and more familiar knowledge of government and general customs. Although the shock factor of another country’s culture isn’t present, looking at issues and attitudes under the red, white, and blue will leave you changed.

You can find more information on alternative spring breaks on your university’s website. Many other external solutions are to be found on the web and organizations you are a part of. Just browse! Some sites I found are:

Crossculturalsolutions.org

Breakadifference.org

Globalcitizen.org

Find your niche in where you want to go, how you want to serve and dare to do something outside of everyday travel!

Where to go, where to go?

Spring Break creeps up on the college student faster than one would expect. It feels like it's going to be January forever, and before you know it the winter months turn into spring's March and April. 

My boyfriend and I at the lake during a break!

Most Universities give their breaks in March, which for Virginia students, the surrounding states, and northern states, does not provide for a very warm climate and vacation atmosphere. If you and your friends are interested in the beach or a lake, then you'd need to migrate south or go tropical. Some popular options for that are Panama City, Miami, or Daytona in Florida. Others will opt for a cruise to Cancun or the Bahamas. It all depends on the money you have to spend or what you saved up. All of these can be slightly pricey options. That's why most of the people who go that route have been planning it out since Fall Semester. The beach option is a nice getaway from reality, from winter weather, and the books. It's fun in the sun and relaxation. 

Us in Pittsburgh on another break! At a Pirates game. 

If you're not so much a beach goer or maybe more of a late planner, then you could opt for the city route. There's places like New York, Atlantic City, Ocean City, or one break I spent in Pittsburgh. These can also be a fun alternative. You could sight see, learn the local history, go to some shows, do tastings at a local brewery, or maybe take a turn at gambling (if you're of age of course). Going the city route gives you a chance to immerse yourself in new surroundings or get a feel for somewhere you've never been. The city atmosphere is fast paced, full of history, and can be a whirlwind adventure. 

Whether planning late for the break or planning early, there are many sites dedicated to helping the student. There are cheap travel sites and spring break options alike, all one needs to do is click their google search and enter in a destination. Travelocity, Expedia, and Groupon are just a few of the resources that can be used to find vacation packages and deals. Finding a good vacation is just a click away, as long as you compare and contrast all your options. 

The key to planning your spring break is not only deciding if you are more beach, city, or something else entirely, but deciding on a budget and a plan. Once you have your goals laid out, a group to go with, and a destination picked, it'll be easy to achieve the means to make it happen. 

Follow The Rules!

Myself, like thousands of other college students, are busy preparing for a fun-filled spring break. After weeks of stress and exams and projects, it is past time to wind down and relax!  A group of my friends and me are going to Panama City, Florida for break this year and cannot wait! However, a couple of days, ago we received a rather stern email from the owner of the hotel we are staying at regarding what actions are considered appropriate and which aren't.  This was an extreme wakeup call for us and I want to use its contents as an example of how important it is to follow the rules.

Even though spring break can be crazy and exciting, it is important to remember that you are staying on private property and not in a fraternity house.  Damages can add up quickly, especially when the hotel is calculating them.  The email specifically stated that damages that total above $500 are considered a felony.  Felonies are extremely serious and stay on your permanent record.  

The next portion of the email listed the behaviors that would cause us to be evicted. If evicted, we would not receive a refund of any of our payments or the security deposit.  Spring break is an investment, and losing over $200 because these rules were broken on the first night and not having a place to stay is a complete waste of precious funds.  Eviction can occur for something as simple as having more than the allotted number of people in the room at once or having non-registered guests stay on the property overnight.  While this seems harsh, and it is, the owners are very serious about their establishment being kept safe and secure. 

Unfortunately, as young college students on spring break, we are faced with certain misconceptions and connotations that automatically come with us.  This can cause our behavior to be evaluated very harshly and our actions to be judged immediately.  If you respect the place where you are staying, they will have no reasons to not respect you.  

So this Spring Break, use this email as a reminder that, even if they do not blatantly tell you, the rules are there and are taken very seriously.   In no way am I telling you to not have fun. Have lots of fun and make lasting memories with your friends, that's what spring break is for!  Just be smart about it and you will have a better time in the long run!

Spring Break Survival Guide: Do's & Don'ts

Whether you are headed to Panama City Beach, Key West, or Mexico here is the ultimate, official spring break survival guide: do's and don'ts! 

If you're one of the 1.5 million students that will travel this upcoming March to a spring break destination, you are on your way to what might be a trip that will forever define your college years. Whether this is your first spring break trip or not, you are in for some great memories and experiences under the sun!

Do: Take lots of pictures! Vacation is the time to take tons of pictures of friends, views and much more. However, once the trip is over, think twice about posting those fun pictures on Facebook, Instagram, or other social media. In the long run, professional employers may stalk your sites for jobs and they certainly do not want to see you having way too much fun on spring break. 

Do: Have a buddy system! Always hang out in groups and have someone to go to in case something goes wrong. Never leave a friend alone at a party or in a taxi.  

Don't: Keep checking your cell phone! Spring break is about spending time relaxing and having fun with your college friends. Updating Twitter, Facebook and Instagram can wait until your back in reality. So put the phone down and enjoy yourself! 

Do: Carry all your information with you at all times. Know your the name of your hotel, have your room key, and always have ID and cash. If you get lost, this information will help you!

Do: Use sunscreen! In Florida and Mexico, the sun is extremely stronger and clouds are rare. Keep applying sunscreen of the correct SPF to make sure you do not burn. Looking bronzed is great, but looking like a lobster isn't. 

Don't: Do anything stupid or something you will regret. Spring break is the time to have fun in the sun. However, make sure you control your actions and do not do anything illegal! Your parents might hate if they get a call from the police department  the first night. 

Do: HAVE FUN! After spring semester midterms, spring break is the time to catch a break and relax with your closest friends. You only get to be a college student once so enjoy it while you can. 

With spring break quickly approaching, hopefully this survival guide of do's and don'ts helps! Just remember be safe and have fun!