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Planning Ahead=Having FunFeb 17 '02 Write an essay on this topic.The Bottom Line Plan, plan, plan. Little things like insurance numbers and a responsible friend make more of a difference than where you travel to. So far, I've been really lucky with all my spring break vacations. Now that it's my senior year and I'm going on my last break, I thought I'd pass four years of wisdom on down to anyone who's interested in having a great time. Choose your destination Do you want to party all night, every night? Try Panama City Beach or Cancun. Want to be warm, but don’t want to be in such a crazy atmosphere? Think about Myrtle Beach or Mazatlan. There are hundreds of different ways to find a great spring break destination. Call a travel agent. Search the web. Or, best of all, ask your friends for ideas. Most people have stories about previous breaks, both good and bad. Maybe the guy across the hall has been to a beachfront town in Texas where it never rains and you can rent a condo for $30 a night. Or maybe your lab partner ended up going through a student travel group, and had to sleep on a concrete slab with thirty other people for a week in Cancun. More often than not, asking around can give more quality information than a search on the internet. If you go with a travel group, always make sure to check them out thoroughly. Although a lot of companies really do help students have a great time for less money, there are also a lot of people out there who want to make a fast profit. Know who you’re traveling with. Believe it or not, choosing who to travel with is more important than choosing a destination. You’re going to be in cars, planes, hotels, and clubs with these people for a solid week. Do you want to spend your time and money with the guy who thinks that the best nights are the ones that he can’t remember? Or the girl who is so obsessed with building codes that she checks the occupancies of every club that you’re in? Of course, a lot of faults can be ignored. But before you agree to sit in a car with someone for 28 straight hours, think about how many times you’re going to want to stuff them in the trunk so they’ll shut up. Make someone responsible. If you’re traveling in a big group, think about asking one person to temporarily take care of group expenses. If one person has a Gold card with a $10,000 credit limit, ask them if they would mind putting the expenses on it for a week. Keep all your receipts for common expenses—gas, hotel, etc. After the week is done, and you’re back, have everyone meet one more time with checkbooks in hand. Figure out the total expenses for the week, divide it evenly, and write Mr. Gold Card a check on the spot. As long as you keep track of your receipts and trust your record keeper, figuring out how to split costs doesn’t have to be a headache. Read the fine print. Before you sign a contract with a travel company or give the hotel your credit card number, make a list of every possible question you can think of. If you think that a travel deal is too good to be true, it probably is. Most states charge a lodging tax, which can be anywhere from 5 to 20 percent. Ask about furnishings—are linens, towels, and maid service free, or are they extra? Also, a lot of places charge extra to people under 25 years old. Sometimes, it’s just a deposit up front, but other times, the charge in non-negotiable. Ask the people you are dealing with—travel agent, hotel, resort, or group travel planner—to mail, fax, or email you the full contract before you sign. And most importantly, READ. Plan for the worst. Bring emergency cash with you. Keep it separate from the rest of your money, so if the worst happens, you’re not totally stranded. Give your itinerary with contact information to your parents or friends so they can reach you if you’re needed back at home. Keep an envelope with everyone’s insurance information, allergy warnings, and emergency contacts to give to a doctor if, for whatever reason, someone ends up in the emergency room. If you’re driving, give your car a tune up before you head out. On a lighter note, plan a few activities in case it rains. A lot of movie theaters in tourist towns have inflated prices, since most people coming from the cold north woods don’t think about it raining in Florida. Save some money. Believe it or not, spring break doesn’t have to break the bank. Do you have a friend that conveniently lives on the route to vacation paradise? Ask if they would mind giving up a living room floor to a carload of breakers in sleeping bags. Also, look into renting a unit with a kitchen. It may cost a little more, but you can save a lot more money by buying your own groceries and cooking in your room, rather than eating at restaurants every single night. Think about it: a brick of cheese, some lunch meat, and a loaf of bread can be lunch for a week. Even if the money doesn’t make it back home, it could be spent a lot better on Jet Ski rentals instead of a week of overpriced hamburgers. Just a little planning ahead can save a lot of headaches in the future. Have a great spring break!  |
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