For most American college students, this is Spring Break Season!
If you are unfamiliar with this American holiday, check out this news report featuring Glasgow comedian, Kevin Bridges as he finds out first hand what American partying is all about!
Spring Break Spring break actually starts for some schools in mid February and starts as late as the second week in April for a few. Traditionally, this is a sacred right of passage for many students who take the opportunity to let their hair down and party during their term break.
When is Spring Break?
February 20-24, 2012 -- 251,000 students(Universite du Quebec, University of Toronto, University of Waterloo)
February 27 - March 2, 2012 -- 263,000 students(Georgia State University, U of Michigan at Ann Arbor, U of Ottawa, Universite de Montreal)
March 5-9, 2012 -- 1,214,900 students (Ball State, Central Michigan U, Florida State University, Michigan State U, Penn State [Pennsylvania State University], U of Central Florida, U of Florida, U of NC at Chapel Hill, Université de Montréal, Gonzaga, U of Central Florida, MSU [Michigan], U of Virginia, U of Wyoming)
March 12-16, 2012 -- 1,112,500 students(U of Arizona, Colorado State U [CSU Fort Collins], Gonzaga, Harvard, ISU [Illinois State], Indiana State at Bloomington, Iowa State U, Montana State U [Bozeman], New York University, Ohio State University, Purdue, Texas A&M, Tulane, U of Alabama, U of Georgia, U of Houston, U of Idaho, U of Iowa, U of Kentucky, U of New Mexico, U of North Dakota, U of Rhode Island, U of South Carolina, U of Texas, Utah State, Washington State, U of Waterloo)
March 19-23, 2012 -- 1,321,000 students(ASU [Arizona State U], Arkansas State, Clemson, Kansas State U, Kent State, Oklahoma State, Princeton, Purdue, Rutgers, U of Arkansas, U of Cincinnati, U of Hawaii, U of Maryland, U of Massachusetts, U of Oklahoma, U of St. Thomas [Virgin Islands], U of Tennessee, Wellesley, U of Wisconsin Milwaukee, Wichita State)
March 26-30, 2012 -- 500,002 students(CSU Pueblo, University of Colorado [UC Boulder], Idaho State University, OSU [Oregon State University], San Diego State, UC Berkely [California], U of Delaware, U of Missouri-Columbia, U of Oregon, West Virginia University)
April 2-6, 2012 -- 100,000 students (Augusta State, U of Wisconsin, Binghamton)
Top Ten Most Popular Spring Break Destinations10. North American Ski Resorts
Unlike current economic conditions, snow conditions are awesome and ski resorts are still on the list of cool spring break hot spots for 2012. Though there will be smaller numbers of them this year than last (just tooo spendy), you'll find plenty of fellow partiers boarding the days away and doing the apres-thing at North America's best ski resorts for spring break 2012, though. These are the slopes welcoming you in Colorado, Jackson Hole, Heavenly, Canada's wild Whistler, a few quieter spots, and some places you may want to give a pass.
9. Baja (Rosarito Beach, Cabo), DR, Puerto Rico
You need no passport to drive back from Mexico if you have a PASS card, and Rosarito Beach in North Baja will get some last minute driving traffic through San Diego (you need a passport to fly home from Mexico). Cabo in South Baja, Mexico, will have the usual hot weather and cool clubs (fly, don't drive to South Baja).
8. South Pader Island, Texas
South Padre Island, where vacations are big Texas style, is more popular than ever this year as an easy (easy to get to, not too expensive) and easygoing US beach town ...and with recent hurricane damage to South Padre, neighboring Corpus Christi will see its share of folks looking for the action, too. If you go, know that the sandy spit near Corpus Christi is windblown but sunny, and Padre Island proper has hundreds of miles of beach. The gang's all at South Padre, though, where you can find fresh shellfish and every conceivable kind of water sport, along with events galore. Surf's sometimes a little rough. Scooters are a great way to get around the whole island.
7. Bahamas and Jamaica
Both of these beautiful Caribbean countries will see plenty of people in 2012: the blue, blue water and white, white sand of extremely accessible Nassau, Bahamas will bring boatloads of breakers to its balmy beaches in 2012 (even though Nassau's sometimes not so friendly). Rent a scooter or hit the Straw Market; gambling's on nearby Paradise Island. Bahamas spring break packages are uber cheap, and you can choose a cruise. Meanwhile, the forecast for spring break 2012 in jammin' Jamaica is sunny and the outlook is partly party, party with scattered water sport fun in happening Montego Bay and quieter Negril. If you go, remember that parts of the island can be a walk on the wild side: don't fear to adventure -- just be safe.
6. Acapulco
Acapulco's not Mexico's best beachside city (that might be Puerto Vallarta), but it's tried, true, and ready for you. Mind your Mexico manners and consider student travel safety tips, and you should be as safe as you would in any US city.
Acapulco beaches range from quiet hideaways, like Playa Pie de la Cuesta, to elbow-to-elbow humans, like La Condesa. Stay in a hotel on the Costera (main drag) -- drop by the small Puerto Marques village for an afternoon.
5. Puerto Vallarta
Puerto Vallarta's a beach-meets-Mexican-mountains city that will again have a lot of what you want for 2012 -- friendly folks, awesome nightlife, beautiful beaches, great all-inclusive hotel deals -- and all the action's not just at the beach, either: parasail or mountain bike, for instance. Hasta pronto!
4. Europe
Amsterdam, London and Paris will be the cities in which you'll see the most American students, followed by Rome, Florence, Madrid, and Berlin. All chilly cities this time of year, so the social scene will be indoors (your hostel's always the best bet for finding the party place), but sights will be free of summer's mobs: great time to be in Europe.
3. Miami and South Beach, Florida
Welcome to prime time, South Beach and Miami Beach! Just east of Miami, South Beach is bordered by Biscayne Bay on one side and the Atlantic on the other (which is where you'll find the beaches you'll like). South Beach is a tres cool club scene. Just up the sand is Miami Beach -- bit cheaper and less of dress-with-the-best thing.
2. Panama City, Florida
Panama City and Panama City Beach (PCB) have Florida's spring break top dog billing yet again in 2012, though Miami, especially South Beach, will once more offer some serious competition. MTV was all about Panama City in 2009 (this year's mtv blowout is in Las Vegas), showing the planet that Panama City's a sure bet for the kind of fantastic fun that makes a break memorable for the rest of your life. Take some time, too, to see Panama City's 27 miles of sugary sweet sand on the Gulf of Mexico (west coast of Florida, where it can be blessedly cool at night).
1. Cancun
This little piece of Mexico is pure craziness during March and April: margarita madness and a massive influx of students doing the spring thing on drop-dead gorgeous beaches and in late-late-late night clubs. Hop the ferry to Cozumel or the bus to Playa del Carmen for slower-paced sandy paradises. Xel-Ha is fun for snorkeling, and Tulum is worth a visit (90 miles south; go early a.m.) -- great beach and unba ruins, but don't expect nightlife (the quiet nights - generator-powered lights out by 10 - are part of the charm).
Source : (About.com)
Although Spring break is known as a time for partying - FirstPoint USA would always recommend staying safe and responsible, and does not condone underage drinking. Make sure you are familiar with local laws. Travel in pairs or groups, and always make sure someone knows where you are at all times.
If you want to share your Spring Break experiences, please leave a comment below!
