The start to 2014 has been a long haul weather wise, but – great news – Spring Break is on the horizon – and these awesome destinations all promise sun, fun and nonstop partying!
Cancun, Mexico
Possibly the original and best of all the Spring Break destinations – Cancun sure knows how to have fun! The top quality hotel resorts, sumptuous beaches and lively nightlife attract millions of tourists every year. There’s loads to do too; try snorkelling with massive (but gentle) whale sharks, head down to the mysterious Chichen Itza pyramids where the Mayans ruled long before travellers arrived and hop onboard a speedboat to pound the dense mangroves of the Nichupte lagoon. Swim with dolphins, parasail over the azure Caribbean seas below, and skim the top of the Cancun jungle on the longest (and possibly the scariest) zip line circuit in north America – there’s 3km (2 miles) in total to scream your way along!
Miami, USA
Describing a destination as ‘diverse’ is pretty overused, but in the case of Miami, it really does apply! The atmosphere is pretty intoxicating, and that’s just out and about at the cafes, cocktail lounges and bars. Throw in palm tree fringed beaches, stunning Art Deco architecture and a seriously good music scene and you’ve got the perfect Spring Break location within the US. The cosmopolitan crowd stay amidst the pastel-hued Art Deco hotels in Ocean Drive and those with more modest budgets go celeb spotting in the fantastically opulent Biscayne Bay. Activities abound too; scoot over the Everglades onboard an airboat, hang with the orangutan twins on Jungle Island and ease that hangover on a kayak adventure along the Oleta River.
Puerto Rico, Caribbean
Welcome to the ‘Island of Enchantment’ as this tropical paradise is affectionately known. Sure there are powder-soft beaches galore as well as enticing big waves for keen surfers – but the real draw here is the dense tropical terrain, boasting a rich array of wildlife and birdlife. Try zip-lining over the forest canopy in the new Toro Verde Nature and Adventure Park, sail over to the lush mangrove haven of Gilligan’s Island and ‘tackle’ the Mount Britton Trail, which actually takes just 45 minutes – but still guarantees bragging rights!
Las Vegas, USA
OK, so we’ve covered the sun element – now for the fun – and Las Vegas is the ultimate Spring Break destination. Unashamedly glitzy, this city is in your face 24/7 but away from the reams of casinos, there are a wealth of adventures to be had. The downtown area is home to vintage shops, superb museums and cocktail bars. Catch the inimitable Cirque de Soleil troupe, glide along in a gondola and gawk at the mighty Hoover dam. And if budget is no option, take a thrilling helicopter ride over the Grand Canyon. Anything is possible; after all, this is Vegas baby!
Dominican Republic, Caribbean
A perennial favourite, the Dominican Republic is buzzing all year round, thanks to endless white-sand beaches, fantastic colonial heritage and the unmistakable ‘Caribbean-ness’ – think spicy food, sultry music and oodles of sun! Saddle up and trot along a deserted beach, try a spot of spelunky in the myriad of cave systems and sample the awesome surf on the north coast. Go pirate hunting on Isla Catalina, spot manta rays and sharks at Ocean World and play a round at the lush Playa Grande Golf Course. Oh and it’s also one of the cheapest destinations in the world right now.
