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DEL.ICIO.USSpring Break: Bacchanalia or Mid-March Breather?
Where do you go for Spring Break?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Spring break beauty is in the eye of the beholder. With the beaches of Georgia, South Carolina, Florida and Alabama a few hours away and most Caribbean destinations just a short flight from Atlanta, it’s easy to plan a spring break trip in the southeast. The hardest part is figuring out what kind of break you want.
I have spent many a spring break in the southeast. Back in the 1980s, as a high school senior, I begged my parents to let me go with my friends to Myrtle Beach. They relented when I offered to pay my way and one friend’s mom agreed to take her younger kids along on the trip. Our chaperone stayed in the same hotel - but not hotel room - as me and 7 other silly 17-year-old girls.
We managed to avoid any trouble. In fact, the only late-night run we made was to a pharmacy to get aloe for our lobster-red sunburns. No beer or even Boone’s Farm for us - not exactly the wild spring breakers you see on TV.
I tried wild-and-crazy when I graduated to Panama City for one college spring break. I had a good time at the beach and with my friends, but my spring break personality is apparently more BBC than MTV.
Not all spring holidays require a beach or raucous behavior, as this AJC article by Elsa Simcik shows. One of the advantages to living in Atlanta is that the southeast offers numerous opportunities for spring breakers to enjoy beautiful cities, gardens in bloom, golf getaways, mountain hikes and lakeside retreats relatively close-by.
Several other websites offer lists of great family spring break destinations, volunteer opportunities for the break, grown-up alternatives to the student bacchanalia and general tips for making the most of your spring vacation.
Where have you gone on Spring Break through the years? What was the best destination when you were young and single? Did your Spring Break choice “mature” as you grew older, coupled or started a family? If you aren’t in school or don’t have family members in school, will you still take some sort of mini-break this spring?
Permalink | Comments (14) | Post your comment | Categories: Southeast travel
Comments
By JJ
February 27, 2008 9:50 AM | Link to this
I have done the Florida thing for spring break for years. Panama City, Destin, Ft. Walton, etc. Loved spring break at PCB when I was younger, but it’s not the same when you are there with your own teenager.
I enjoy taking a week off from work, hanging out around the house, doing the little things that need to be done and taking time for myself. Going to lunch with my Mom or my girlfriends, playing Putt Putt with the kids, hiking up in the mountains, etc. Nothing to do and all week to do it. I sure hope the weather is nice….
By beege
February 27, 2008 11:18 AM | Link to this
When my girls were young we used to take off to St Simons for Springbreak, they enjoyed the beach & just rambling around the island…biking etc. Now my husband & I take our vacations when the grandkids on spring break (they’re ages 4-14 , 3 girls 2 boys. We try to do things at different places for them and also a place we can fish which they enjoy too. We have an RV & a boat so we all usually have a good time & give the parents some time for themselves too.
By Theresa
February 27, 2008 11:28 AM | Link to this
hey Keith — We’re thinking about taking the kids to visit Washington D.C. for Spring Break. It seems like the perfect time during an election year to explore our nation’s capital. But I’m also hearing it’s going to be very crowded — it could be a mistake!! We need to get on the stick on pull the trigger though if we’re going to do it!
By NICK
February 27, 2008 11:34 AM | Link to this
Where ever there is warm weather, the beach, alcohol and a buch of w*******!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
That’s where I’m going.
By Keith
February 27, 2008 11:59 AM | Link to this
Hi Theresa — DC is a great place to go and it’s beautiful there toward the end of March and early April (Cherry Blossoms are in full bloom round the Tidal Basin and Mall), but MANY other people think so too — especially school groups.
When we lived there and worked on the Hill, we always knew it was Spring Break by the throngs of students packing the Capitol elevators, the Mall and museums.
That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t go, but be prepared. You might also find it difficult to get tickets for White House tours/House and Senate galleries, etc. The tickets are free, but will be hard to come by with the crush of people there that week.
It’s always good to contact your Congressional and Senate offices to see if they can procure these tickets for you. The more notice you give them, the better.
If you go, make sure you stop by the Georgia House and Senate offices. Visitors are always welcome, and they usually hand out packs of Georgia peanuts and cold Coca-Colas to constituents.
If you don’t make it over Spring Break, there’s always the summer. Fall is an excellent time in DC too if you have a short fall break. Crowds will be thinner and you’ll be there at the height of election season.
By Acy
February 28, 2008 12:06 PM | Link to this
I am going to JAPAN!!
By cant--wait
February 28, 2008 1:37 PM | Link to this
In the past we have vacationed mostly in Florida and Myrtle Beach. This year my family is going on a Disney Cruise. This will be our first cruise. We are looking forward to fun in the Bahamas.
By Shelley
March 10, 2008 2:39 PM | Link to this
Hi! My girlfriends and I are going to Orlando for Spring Break! We are trying to do everything we can to keep it affordable with the rising cost of travel. We actually used Casey Wohl’s new book, Girls Getaway Guide to Orlando-Leave Your Baggage at Home, to plan our trip in advance. She has everything detailed in this cute guide from where to stay, eat, spa and shop! She also lists out price categories which is really helpful with planning on a budget! Her e-newsletter is awesome as well and she keeps readers up to date on the latest travel tips and trends! You can sign up on her website at www.GirlsGetawayGuide.net.
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