Consisting of a week of vacation in the middle of March, Spring Break affords students just enough time off to enjoy the ultimate vacation. While some head north to the snowy slopes of Whistler and others jet set to the cultured lands of Europe, year after year many students are drawn to the sunny haven of the tropics. For many college-aged spring breakers the allure of the Caribbean is just too hard to resist.
After suffering months of snowstorms, sub-zero temperature and artic wind -- perhaps this is an exaggeration, but it definitely feels as though these are the conditions -- the thought of 80 degree weather is very appealing. You can dream of being from California, where it is possible to bask in the heat of the sun one day and drive an hour to the nearest ski slope the next, but here in Baltimore this is not possible.
Following the lead of our avian relatives, people head south. "Nice beaches and weather make going south for spring break ideal compared to Baltimore," sophomore Amanda Hajjar said.
Along with warm weather comes the ability to tan. And for some unknown reason most will agree that a tan looks better than pale, pasty skin. When the opportunity presents itself during that week in mid-March, the tanning beds in Baltimore are abandoned, and multitudes flock to the real deal -- the Caribbean sun.
Sophomore Josefine Kals, who is going to Miami this spring break with her mom, said, "The sun is relaxing and when you get back to school people always comment on your tan."
Sophomore Kerry Rose, who spent last Spring Break camping in the Bahamas, added, "The warm weather and fact that I was able to get an awesome tan were fabulous."
As for where to go, there are many options -- it just depends on what you are looking for, relaxation or a party.
Sophomore Chris Dorbian, who admitted that he would rather stay home and do nothing than go to a big Spring Break party resort, said, "I wouldn't mind going to a nice, secluded beach and just relaxing and enjoying my surroundings."
Hajjar noted that "many are drawn to the beaches for the party scene and the under-21 drinking age."
Many people who are looking for a calming break from the stressful life that is Hopkins, choose a small, undeveloped island or a plantation resort. Popular islands include St. Thomas, St. Barths, St. Croix and St. Lucia. At these destinations, sleep, sun and rejuvenation are easy to come by.
"There's nothing more relaxing than sitting on a beach, reading a book and doing nothing," Rose said.
Instead of a small island retreat, partying spring break college students travel to destinations such as Cancun or Key West for a Girls Gone Wild or MTV's Spring Break vacation. All-inclusive big resorts with floating bars and casinos draw hundreds with their all-party, no-worries atmosphere. Even the Disney-esque resorts such as Atlantis, on Paradise Island attract the spring break crowd.
Beyond deciding whether you'd rather spend your spring break partying or sleeping, the appeal of the tropics goes back to the sun. "There are definitely trends of which tropical destination people go to and why they go. This year a lot of my friends are going to Acapulco, but in general people go somewhere warm," Amanda Hajjar said.
If you are the sun-loving, fun-loving type, a tropical destination is a no-fail approach this spring break.
