If you have gone through midterms and research papers unscathed, you deserve nothing less than a relaxing vacation over spring break. Have you made up your mind to visit the beautiful beaches of Puerto Rico, Florida, or Hawaii? Or do you plan to witness some natural landscapes and get a taste of country life?
Well, regardless of how you choose to spend your spring break, the most important thing is to have fun. Enjoy nonstop merriment and avoid any unnecessary trouble by sticking to the following guidelines for your spring break getaway:
1.Research Destinations
Get a feel for what you might expect from popular tourist spots or other locations that have piqued your interest by doing some background research. Numerous articles are regularly published on several websites devoted to tourism. Reading them could be a good way to access a wealth of valuable information.
Remember, many destinations are known for their natural beauty. That said, they lack the proper infrastructure to provide suitable accommodation to tourists. Furthermore, if you are visiting a place popular for its scenic beauty, like the Great Smoky Mountains, your ideal place to stay would feature a good view along with sufficient amenities. Hence, if you want to book affordable places to stay in Gatlinburg TN with great views and proximity to tourist attractions, it would be best to contact the resort management a week prior to your arrival.
Likewise, if you are planning to travel outside of the country, educate yourself on the customs, visa requirements, local laws, etc. You should also check for any travel alerts or advisories that could derail your trip.
2. Set Up A Budget
Tourists might easily get carried away and spend too much money due to the abundance of tempting options everywhere they look. Therefore, it makes perfect sense to determine your budget. If you are going on vacation with friends, make sure everyone contributes equally. When putting together your budget, consider lodging, transportation, food, recreation, and emergency cash.
If you want to enjoy your spring break without spending a fortune, opt for a location close to your home. Consider looking for all-inclusive packages or rewards programs. Moreover, many businesses engage in promotional activities throughout the spring break. You may become part of them and save substantial money along the way. This will allow you to enjoy yourself without giving a second thought to finances.
3. Drink Responsibly
Spring break is notorious for excessive drinking. As an underage, you should stay away from drinking. It is simply not worth the potential repercussions. However, if your age legally allows you to drink, do so in moderation. If your pals have had a few too many, you should stop them from drinking as well.
However, responsible drinking does not just apply to alcohol intake. A fair proportion of the most popular tourist destinations for spring break are typically very hot. So be sure to drink enough water to maintain your body’s fluid levels.
4. Leverage Technology
With the bright screen in your hand, you can skip relying on a travel agent and carrying heavy paper maps and brochures. Get the most out of your travel budget and time by downloading useful apps to your mobile device. One of the biggest takeaways of mobile apps is that they have streamlined payment methods. Hence, you can engage in transactions from virtually any nook and cranny of the world.
At the same time, you should avoid using dating apps in a new city. It is impossible to know who is on the other side of the screen, and you do not want to spend your short time figuring it out or get caught up in an ugly scenario.
5. Exercise Caution While Swimming
During spring break, many people travel to destinations where they can enjoy beach and pool time. Taking a plunge in the water is nice, but you should be aware of the risks involved. Undertows and riptides can draw swimmers farther from shore, making it impossible to return to safety. Therefore, you should avoid swimming alone, especially after consuming alcohol or in the dark.
Sun exposure is virtually inevitable when swimming. The sun’s ultraviolet (UV) radiation can damage skin even on cloudy days. So applying sunscreen is a must before swimming.
6. Get Moving
Exercising can speed up your body’s recovery from jet lag caused by the sudden disturbance of your routine when traveling to a different time zone. Plan to get out and stretch your legs. You may also consider doing some jumping jacks. Before you reach your destination, give your body a good shake, so you do not end up feeling like the Tin Man from The Wizard of Oz.
7. Do Not Eat Fast Food
To say that fast food and travel are tempting would be an understatement. Even if you are diligent about maintaining a healthy water level, the vast majority of the alternatives available at fast food restaurants put all your hard work down the drain. Instead of salty fries and burgers, try some hard-boiled eggs, nuts, fresh fruit, or cheese. These are excellent choices that will not only leave you feeling full but also energized.
8. Prepare An Emergency Supply Kit
Despite being a universal travel tip, it could be easy to forget in the fervor of packing up and hitting the road. The best method to ensure your safety under any circumstances is to bring along some emergency supplies. While the specifics of your trip will influence what you pack, it is always a good idea to have basic first aid supplies on hand, no matter how long or far your journey may be.
9. Be Patient Behind The Wheel
When on a road trip, driving as much as possible might be tempting. This is especially true if you are eager to reach your destination or must return home by a specific time. However, long trips behind the wheel can be unpleasant and exhausting, putting you and your passengers at risk.
Instead, you might want to add some buffer time or extra stops to your itinerary. Aside from keeping you safe, giving yourself some extra time to relax and unwind on the road will help you enjoy the journey more.
Conclusion
Every year, hundreds of thousands of individuals take time off from work or school to travel in search of the perfect spring break getaway. Whether you are going on a solo adventure or traveling with friends, you may increase the likelihood of a memorable spring break by walking the tight line of the tips covered in this post.