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The time is almost here when you take that last exam, pack your bags, and head on spring break for the time of your life. Although it’s still a couple months away, you should already be planning your trip, which of the top destinations you are heading to, and learning as much as you can so you are safe but still have a great vacation.

Hot bodies everywhere!! You’re away from the parentals and ready to have fun, get some sun, sip on some cocktails (right age of course), and get away from home, the exams, responsibilities, and anything else students deal with.

There are a few things you must take care of before you go to the spring break beaches Florida. Obviously, you’ll want to get a student travel package to make planning your trip to the Florida beaches easy and cheap and read over our tips and resources of things to do and remember to have a spring break to remember (Hopefully?!!).

Hey, I know what being a college student is like- long, boring classes, tests and papers that won’t quit, working a part-time job that you hate, and having no money with a lot of stress.

So, without getting long winded, here are some tips for you spring breakers to remember before you head out and while you are at your travel spot

1. Pick your top destination. Students usually travel on a budget so it’s important to know costs and so forth and always over-prepare. At least take Dad’s credit card just in case!! Some great spring break spots include, Florida, Cancun, Bahamas, South Padre Island, Arizona, and more. Whether East Coast, South, West Coast or Overseas, you’ll have a great vacation.

2. Pack wisely. Get everything you need before you go on your trip. Beach wear, beach accessories, club clothes, plus all your other travel needs. You don’t want to leave anything behind.

3. Search for travel deals. There are tons of websites and places to find a good deal. Be smart and do your homework on this one. I know you do enough research already but you’ll have a much better time if you hunt for deals and also read the terms and conditions before you book. Know what you’re getting into.

4. Be careful. Whether in your home country or not, be smart and watch out for suspicious activities or items. Things can get out of hand when you are in a foreign location and there are people out there waiting to prey on young college students. Also, drink responsibly.

5. Get in shape. Not mandatory, but right before spring break I always see the gyms fill up. You want to look good right?

6. Finally, make your money work for you. You can have one heck of a trip without spending a ton. Trust me. Be sure you keep important documents safe and have a travel budget so you don’t go overboard. I know I sound like a Dad, but one time we had to cut some corners to make it home from our trip to Florida.

There are many more spring break travel tips to go on, but this will give you a good idea of what you need to take care of before finals hit and you’re ready to head out. Most importantly have fun!!

Joe Collinsworth & Discount Florida Vacations will put you in Florida and make planning easier with our total Florida vacation guide. Discover the beauty, feel the sun, have fun, and make your trip to Florida easy and enjoyable with us!

We aren’t just another travel booking site- we are a site for lovers of travel and Florida! You can visit us and explore Florida at =>http://www.discount-florida-vacations.com

Tags: beaches, budget travel, cancun, college life, florida, spring break, top destinations, travel dealbeaches, budget travel, cancun, college life, florida, spring break, top destinations, travel deal

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I have been in Laos less than 24 hours and already i am in love with this place…It truly is, as my guidebook said, “a breath of fresh air”. Perhaps it is just escaping the madness and mayhem that is Bangkok but I think regardless of where I’ve come from I’d find this place magical…

I’m in Vienteinne, the capitol of Laos. It lays in the central south of the country, about 20 minutes from the border of Thailand, in order to arrive here - you must cross “Friendship Bridge” which I find so appropriate, being that these people are so incredibly welcoming and friendly…did I mention this place is also cheap as chips?? well, it is. That is a nice welcome as well (given that I have pretty much blown my budget out of the water).

The city is lush and green because it is on the Mekong River, and as I write the sun is beginning to set, casting that dusky haze over everything, making it that much more beautiful. There are loads of vendors across the street, all busying about in their pointy straw hats selling fruit, fishes, and other asian delicacies whose names I cannot spell or pronounce. This city was once colonized by the French and, like Siem Reap and Phnom Phenh in Cambodia, the influence is not hard to find. Tiny French bistros line the riverfront complete with outdoor “cafe style” seating…much of the architecture includes French style facades and those adorable balconies that are so, so… jene ce pais…men ride around on bicycles with carts full of baguettes attached to them, and if that wasn’t enough - there is even an Arch de Triumph here as well! I am already in love with the place. Bangkok can definately wear a person thin…

I arrived on an overnight bus from Bangkok - yes, that is approximately 15 hours of travel by bus. Unfortunately for literary licenses sake, there were no goats, chickens, or even locals aboard - it was strait “farang” (tourists) complete with air-con and semi reclining seats. Nothing interesting there. Upon arrival, I hired a “tuk tuk” driver which is a standard mode of transportation here. They are basically motorbikes that have been “souped up” with bigger engines and are attached to a 2 wheel cart with a little roof and open sides and back, which is where up to 4 passengers sit. They are fun as hell to drive around them - but frightening at the same time, as they seem able to go at mock speeds and weave through traffic (Bangkok is traffic HELL, thankfully there is none here).

I was exhausted, to say the least, but I decided to give the town a whirl anyway. I started down the little streets, strolling up one and down another until I had to find respite from the heat - which, by the way, was just short of unbearable. I sat down to have a drink and put my nose in my guidebook looking for things to do. What tickled my fancy?? An herbal steam bath…yes, that is right, ironic as it sounds that is what I opted for (it sounded so appealing and just so Laos). So I started on my way.

This place was so adorable. It was a wooden stilted building that was open on all sides. Various sizes of hanging plants lined the edges and the slight derelict condition of the place made it all the more charming. Upon ascending the stairs, there is a room where there are wooden cabinets to put your things as well as cushioned benches and a table where detoxifying tea is being served to the mileu of dripping individuals fresh out of the room. To the left is the modest steam room (the only walled-in room) and the entire front area contains 6 beds where you can get a traditional massage. I thew on my sarong and went in…

The room was not as aromatic as I expected, but fragrant still and very small (fit 4-5). Hot coals at our feet generate the steam and a slight smell of lemongrass is in the air. It is lovely and somehow refreshing, even on a record hot day. I went back downstairs and doused myself with the bucket shower provided (sarong and all), had a cup of tea, and went in again. Sigh. Then I got a lovely full body - massage (one hour - 3 dollars…I am not kidding) by a girl who could not have been more than 13.

After my detoxifying stint at the sauna, I ran into 3 monks who were very curious about me; where I was from, where I had been…etc. and I chatted with them for about 1/2 hour. I was slightly caught off-gaurd by their openness, as they are usually pretty discreet, and I was careful to try to remember all the things NOT to do, namely: touch them. A woman touching a monk in any way shape or form is tantamount to dirtying his purity. They wanted to look at my necklace, and all of us were careful not to accidently make contact. Finally, I took some pictures of them, and tried to excuse myself.

Then they hit on me.

Yep, 3 monks actually hit on me. It was hysterical. They told me it was “woman’s day” - that I was beautiful, and could they be my husband? I chuckled and just waved goodbye, not sure what kind of karma I acquired for unknowingly seducing 3 monks.

Anyway - that was my day and I feel like a million bucks. I am so, so, incredibly happy to be here, and I just cannot wait for what lies ahead.

For now, I’ll settle for the sunset over the Mekong.

Tags: asia, asian travel, backpacking, Laos, solo travel, south east asia, travel in asia, womans travelasia, asian travel, backpacking, Laos, solo travel, south east asia, travel in asia, womans travel

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Just about everyone loves to travel, and travel is one of the most intriguing and fun activities one can engage in. Travel provides the remarkable ability to see the world from a whole new perspective, and I for one believe that if people traveled more outside their country there would be far less war and trouble in the world.

When asked why they do not travel, one of the most frequently cited reasons is lack of money. Lack of funds, however, does not need to be a barrier to traveling the world. Obviously if you’re flat broke you may not be able to travel as you wish, but most people have at least some disposable income, and it can be surprisingly inexpensive to travel to many places.

One of the primary considerations for any budget minded traveler is where to stay. Fortunately, there are many budget friendly options when it comes to putting a roof over your head for the night. For solo travelers, hostels can provide, clean safe accommodations and the chance to meet and interact with people from all over the world. Best of all, the prices are almost impossible to beat. For instance, most hostels in major U.S. cities range from $20 to $30 a night, when a hotel room would set you back a cool $150-$200 or even more.

In Europe, Asia, Africa and South America, hostel accommodations are even cheaper, with many charging the equivalent of $5 a night or even less. The key is to check the internet and see what is available in your destination. Many hostels even provide online booking, so you can arrive with your lodging issues already taken care of.

For couples, a budget hotel can be a great choice. There are many such hotels, motels and bed and breakfasts, located all around the world. Again, many of them are on the internet, and like hostels many can be booked online before you leave home.

Another great way to save money while still having a great vacation is to use the public transportation system. Most destinations in Europe, and many in the United States and Canada as well, have excellent, fast, reliable, and cheap public transportation systems. You can probably by a weekly bus pass for less than what you would pay to rent a car for a single day. And public transportation also frees you from the hassles of parking the car, keeping it gassed up and learning your way around.

Another important key to traveling cheap is traveling light. Trekking around Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, or the Americas does not require a mountain of luggage. If you are unsure whether to pack it, chances are it is best left at home. It is best to take a couple of sturdy and versatile outfits, and a good pair of walking shoes, and leave the rest at home.

Getting the best airfare, along with finding the cheapest place to stay, is one of the essential cornerstones of successful budget travel. There are a number of strategies for getting the best deal on airfare, from using credit cards to rack up frequent flier miles, to using discount airlines, to traveling in the off or shoulder season. The strategy that is best for you depends on your individual needs, and on the location you choose.

Keeping the money you do have for travel safe and secure is always a concern when traveling. Most seasoned travelers have learned to use a hidden money belt to carry passports, plane tickets and the majority of their cash. Using an in room safe is also a good idea. It is generally best to use credit cards for major purchases, and keep only a small amount of cash on hand for incidental purchases. Not only do credit cards provide the best exchange rates, but you are not liable for fraudulent purchases as long as you report the card stolen in a timely fashion.

Travel does not have to be out of reach, even for the most budget minded traveler. The key is to shop wisely, focus on your priorities and get the most out of the money you do spend.

Travelling is a much loved past time for the author. To find out more, check out http://www.great-travel-info.com for more information.

Tags: budget travel, cheap travel, travelbudget travel, cheap travel, travel

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