Spring Break Travel Tips

by Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger

04 Mar 2007 06:51 PM

My college co-ed cousins go on spring break next week. (They will be sunning it up in a tropical location while I sit here shedding tears on my fading tan.) Typically, college students make up round one of the revolving door of spring breakers who collectively crowd the nation's highways, beaches, and skies this time of year.

If you plan to spend the spring recess journeying to sunny (or snowy) destinations on a much-needed family vacation, consider keeping some of my favorite tips in mind:

Do Your Homework. Does anyone dare enter the Magic Kingdom without a plan? Don't answer that. It was a rhetorical question to help me segue to my first tip. The better you grasp where you are going and what you want to do there, the happier you'll be. I'm not suggesting you create a minute-by-minute itinerary, however, I would suggest at least creating an outline. Make a list of the attractions you want to visit... and be sure to include all members of your party in the decision making process.

Steer Clear Of Crowds. This is challenging, especially during spring break season. But, here's a quick tip that serves our family well. Regardless of what attraction you are visiting, upon entering go LEFT. This rule applies to national parks, amusement parks, museums, zoos--basically any crowded venue. Nine out of ten times crowds veer right. Another tip: start at the rear of an attraction and work your way to the front. Most tourist stop at the first thing they see.

Bring Along Reinforcements. In a previous blog I detailed the benefits of multi-generational travel. Simply put: bring the grandparents. Older folks enjoy being kids, too (did I tell you about how my 2-year-old got my father to play hopscotch in the rain), so why not see if grams and gramps want to come along for the ride.

Be Flexible. I've told you about some of our family's notorious "unplanned adventures." The fact is rarely does a vacation go off without a hitch. Planes get delayed, kids get sick, rental car places lose reservations, you get a seat next to someone you swear hasn't showered for months---life happens. Plan for mini-disasters by packing activity bags for children, making copies of all your travel documentation, and if you are investing a lot of money in your vacation---get travel insurance.

Learn more about Michele Cheplic

Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism.

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