Spring Break is traditionally that crazy week when college kids head to Mexico, forget all about reality and get trashed. This can be fun of course, but eventually it gets old and predictable. We’ve chosen several unique destinations for a memorable 2010 Spring Break, whether you’re looking for a beach paradise or a winter wonderland. These travel spots offer the perfect combination of relaxation and adventure for that magical and unforgettable week off, before kicking it back into high gear to finish off the school year.

Spring Training, Arizona
Baseball fans will enjoy this tradition as they get the chance to see their favorite teams prepare for the season. Fans will get to check out the newest players added to the teams and watch their favorite players on a much smaller scale, in stadiums with smaller audiences compared to regular season games. Enjoy Cactus League games in Arizona, including cities like Mesa, Peoria, Phoenix, Scottsdale, Surprise and Tempe. Catch some of your favorite teams, including the Giants, Dodgers, Angels, Reds, Cubs and Padres. You might even be able to meet some of the players and coaches! While you’re in Phoenix, enjoy shopping, hiking, and the beautiful Sonoran Desert scenery.


WHERE TO STAY
Royal Palms Resort & Spa: Located in the shadow of the red Camelback Mountain, Royal Palms is styled as a Mediterranean villa with exquisite tapestries, antiques, and stone fireplaces to provide a relaxing and luxurious experience. Complete with a fitness center, spa, and award-winning restaurant, the resort is conveniently located between Phoenix and Scottsdale, ideal for getting to Spring Training games.


The Scottsdale Plaza Resort: This resort has a rustic southwest flair and is located in the shadow of the Camelback Mountain. J.D.’s Lounge includes pool tables, a bar, and TVs for entertainment, along with the resort’s other award-winning cuisine. Play a game of tennis or racquetball, visit the fitness center, or cool down in one of the resort’s five pools.

Renaissance Glendale Hotel & Spa: With décor designed to match Arizona’s beautiful desert scenery, the Renaissance Glendale Hotel is close to Spring Training games and entertainment districts in Glendale, Arizona. A beautiful poolside area, café, Soleil restaurant, Spa Botanica, and technologically updated room accommodations are all part of the Renaissance Glendale Hotel’s rejuvenating experience.

WHAT TO DO
Take a Hike: Take a guided tour and choose from different intensity levels and times of day to experience the beauty of the Sonoran Desert. Discover hidden canyons and beautiful vistas while learning about the desert’s
geology and history.

Biltmore Fashion Park: Located in the heart of the historic Biltmore district and surrounded by estates and grand resorts, this lush garden offers luxurious shopping and dining experiences.

WHERE TO PARTY
Casino Arizona: Located in Scottsdale, this brand new casino includes a world class showroom, varied gambling choices, and excellent dining services.

E4: This nightclub has four rooms themed around the four elements: air, fire, water, and earth. It is designed to fulfill any of your moods and provide a unique dancing and nightclub experience.

Camping in San Diego
Spring break may be a little bit more fun if you skip the boozed-filled trip to Cabo and instead grab some friends and pitch a tent on the sandy shores of Carlsbad in San Diego. Grill up some burgers, roast some marshmallows, and enjoy stargazing at night. There is nothing quite like waking up to the sound of waves crashing on the beach.

WHERE TO STAY
South Carlsbad Campgrounds: reserveamerica.com for prices and reservations.
Sitting quietly next to the sparkling Pacific Ocean, this campsite features dirt areas separated by hedges and is the perfect place to set up a few tents or pull up in a small RV. Each site has its own picnic table plus a grill and is just steps away from the ocean.


WHAT TO DO
Surf Lessons: $100-$200, surfsdsa.com
If you are camping next to the beach, what better to do than learn to shred? The San Diego Surfing Academy offers private one-on-one lessons or group rates so you can enjoy watching your friends get barreled or laugh as they try. Loaner surfboards and wetsuits are provided. Once you get good, check out Swami’s Beach, a premier surfing spot.

Legoland California: $67 for a ticket, legoland.com
With over 50 rides, shows, and attractions Legoland is a classic choice for some PG fun. While visiting Legoland, you and your buddies can enjoy exploring Fun Town, Pirate Shores, or Miniland USA — which includes reproductions of seven areas of the United States, all constructed with 20 million LEGO bricks.

WHERE TO PARTY
Hennessey’s Tavern: hennesseystavern.com
Need a drink? With 15 beers on draft and a large menu that is served until 1 am, this Irish pub is the perfect place to end a long day at the beach. Grab a pint of Guinness and enjoy the karaoke and live music that is provided throughout the week.

Thailand
Sometimes you just have to dream big and take a much-needed Spring Break vacation in the always beautiful and unforgettable Thailand. Immerse yourself in culture and extravagance, sans beer-guzzling frat boys, and soak up the exotic beauty of this Southeast Asian country.


WHERE TO STAY
Rayavadee & Tamarind Village, Krabi/ Chiand Mai: rayavadee.com
Rayavadee’s setting, on the edge of Krabi’s National Marine Park, is in the heart of lush foliage, limestone cliffs, three beaches and the emerald waters of the Andaman Sea! The beachfront villas are spread over 26 acres of coconut groves too.


WHAT TO DO
Phi Phi Island and Bamboo Island: These two spots can be reached in 35 minutes by speedboat and are best known for their powdery white sands and azure waters. Enjoy looking at the surrounding reefs, which are home to tons of tropical fish and various other marine life. Krabi Town: Stroll through and soak up the scenery! The town’s vibrant market offers a glimpse of traditional local life with elephant riding. Also, don’t miss out on the scenic natural parks with hiking trails and waterfalls situated nearby.

WHERE TO EAT
The Grotto: rayavadee.com
Named for its location, The Grotto nestles under an ancient limestone cliff on the edge of Phranang Beach. Enjoy a leisurely lunch or an array of different cocktails while watching the sunset, sand under your toes and all.

Vancouver, Canada
Sometimes a perfect little Spring Break adventure can be found right across the border, and no we aren’t talking about Mexico. Canada is the destination of choice for the 2010 Winter Olympic Games and the perfect alternative
Spring Break spot.

WHERE TO STAY
Opus Hotel Vancouver: opushotel.com
This trendy and swanky hotel features vibrant colored bedrooms and spa bathrooms with awesome views. The rooms feature five unique décor schemes ranging from modern and minimalist to artful and eclectic. Be sure to check out the top rated Elixir Bistro and the dramatic yet stylish Opus Bar.

WHAT TO DO
Cypress Mountain: cypressmountain.com
This mountain is located in North Vancouver and features the longest vertical drop of 1,722 feet! It is the perfect place for all expert, beginner and intermediate snowboarders and skiers to let loose. Cypress Mountain is also home to the freestyle skiing and snowboarding events for the 2010 Winter Olympics in February.


Grouse Mountain Ski Resort: grousemountain.com
Grouse Mountain, also located in North Vancouver, features Alpine runs, night skiing, instruction, breathtaking views, and lots of special events. It’s the perfect place to shred or just enjoy mountain zip lining or snowshoeing. For those of you who are too lazy to strap on your gear, you can enjoy the beauty of Vancouver by hitching a ride on on the Sno-Limo.


WHERE TO PARTY
The Roxy Vancouver: roxyvan.com
This is the perfect place to rage until the morning! The Roxy is a fun place to party while dancing to the music performed by live bands and guest DJs every night of the week. It’s open until 3 a.m., but beware, Sunday nights are “Country Night.”

The Dominican Republic
Nothing can quite capture the true essence of Spring Break the way the lush, exotic, and tropical Dominican Republic can! With an average yearly temperature of 80 degrees, this is the place to soak up the sun and forget about life as you know it!

WHERE TO STAY
IFA Villas Bavaro in Punta Cana: studentcity.com
This is the ultimate experience for Spring breakers! You can party all night and relax all day while enjoying the surreal surroundings. The all-inclusive deal comes with unlimited domestic drinks at sevem bars, buffet open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, non-motorized water sport activities, and a Jacuzzi Bar.


Baiguate Ranch: grupobaiguate.com
This more intimate, smaller, and beautiful ranch style hotel is the perfect place to escape to. It boasts a magnificent waterfall and river close by and is the perfect place for nature lovers to post up.

WHAT TO DO
La Cueva de las Maravillas: (“The Cave of Miracles”) between San Pedro and La Romana: $25 per person, Tropical Tours Excursion, (809) 523-2028.
This cave is a cultural must-see. With paintings on the walls and an array of enchanting engravings, La Cueva de las Maravillas comes with a number of different and interesting stories. If a water drop falls on your head while in the cave, it gives you good luck! Immerse yourself in nature, history, and a little mystery.

Aguas Blancas Waterfall in Jarabacoa: dominicantrip.com
This is the thing to see for adventure lovers! Located within the natural reserve of Valle Nuevo, Aguas Blancas Waterfall is 83 meters high and 2,200 meters above sea level. Don’t miss seeing this waterfall, the highest in the Dominican Republic.

Boca Chica Beach: bocachicabeach.net
This is easily the Caribbean’s best-kept secret! Boca Chica Beach is best known not only for its calm emerald waters but it also has the largest reef protected bay in the Caribbean. Known as the nightlife capital of the Caribbean as well as a gorgeous beach town, this is the perfect Spring break spot to just “chillax,” chill and relax, all in one.


WHERE TO PARTY
Crazy Moon: (809) 320 3663
Just dance the night away at this mega dance club located in the lobby of the Paradise Beach Hotel, in the Playa Dorada resort complex. This disco is open until 2 a.m. but only starts getting busy around 11 p.m. Prepare to party and dance to reggae and hip hop beats being played by the DJ! Although there may be a lot of tourists at Crazy Moon, there are plenty of locals there to teach them how let loose and salsa. Muy Caliente!

Casino Dominicus in Bayahibe: casinodominicus.com
Every Spring breaker must check out the largest casino in the Dominican Republic. With a 45,000-square-foot gaming floor filled with 150 slot machines, 25 table games, and a small poker room, this casino is the perfect place to blow off some steam, or blow some cash.

Fort Lauderdale, Florida
When you think of Florida for Spring break, clichéd images of intoxicated co-eds living it up in Miami or South Beach may come to mind, but don’t forget the miles of blue wave beaches that help to create the always lovely
Fort Lauderdale. Enjoy the classy yacht-filled waterways and soak up a little taste of paradise.

WHERE TO STAY
The W Hotel: starwoodhotels.com
Nothing quite screams out luxury like the W. This stunning hotel is the perfect balance of style and class. Just a wave away from Millionaire’s Row, this is the perfect place to return to after dipping your toes in the Atlantic and watching the sun set on the coast.


WHAT TO DO
Hollywood Beach: sunny.org
This retro cool beach hosts a 2.5 mile boardwalk, perfect for running, people watching, or skating and has an awesome dog beach as well (where the movie Marley & Me was filmed). If you want to get off the beach you can jump on the trolley and head to Young Circle and Harrison Street, which offers dining, drinking, and culture. What to do at night? Party the night away at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino.


Butterfly World: butterflyworld.com
Check out more than 10,000 butterflies in this one-of-a-kind outdoor butterfly park. Butterfly World is the largest butterfly park in the world but it also hosts several different tropical birds and free-flying humming birds as well. Truly welcome Spring with this enchanting and unique experience.

WHERE TO PARTY
Voodoo Lounge: voodooloungeflorida.com
Rage all night at this hot spot 21 & over nightclub. With nearly 10,000 feet of space, it is easily one of Fort Lauderdale’s largest clubs. Decorated with an eclectic mix of furniture and ambient lighting, you will be sure to pop a bottle and let your Spring break really begin!

Blue Martini Lounge: bluemartinilounge.com
Open until 3am on Friday and Saturday nights, this is the premiere martini lounge to see and be seen at. The lounge offers 25 superior martinis, fine wine, and a tapas food menu. Drink, eat, and be merry all while enjoying live entertainment as well.

By Kara Buettner & Ivana Wynn