The holidays are over and winter isn’t going away anytime soon. Naturally, it’s time to think about spring break, says KPLU travel expert Matthew Brumley.
Where you go is up to you. But whether you’re traveling to the Caribbean, or just to the other side of the Cascades, the same advice holds.
1. Set Price Alerts
Most travel websites will send you an e-mail when prices drop. Now’s the time to set those alerts and start looking for good deals.
2. Book A Hotel Room ASAP
If you know where you want to go, book a hotel immediately. Most hotels allow you to cancel close to the date of your actual stay (though, double check the policy to be sure). If you find a better deal in the meantime, you can usually cancel your earlier reservation with no penalty.
3. Consider Nearby Destinations
You can often find cheap flights to Las Vegas, but you don’t need to actually vacation there. Fly to Las Vegas, and if it’s not your scene, then head out of town. Zion National Park in Utah is just more than two hours away. The Grand Canyon, Sedona and even Los Angeles are four hours by car. Wherever you want to go, look for deals in neighboring cities.
4. Want To Relax? Avoid Beaches
At least avoid the really popular beaches. A lot of Mexican destinations, and places in the southern U.S., fill up with college students around spring break — not the place to go if you want to read a good book and enjoy quiet ocean views.
5. Have Fun Wherever You're Headed
You don’t need to travel far and wide to have a satisfying spring break.
“When we were in high school, we’d go to Lake Chelan,” Brumley said. “It was always a huge party scene.”
If Lake Chelan is not what you want (see previous item), the point is still the same: You don’t need to travel to a distant tropical destination to enjoy spring break. Brumley recommends the southwestern U.S., eastern Washington or Bend, Oregon.
---
Going Places is KPLU's travel segment, covering everything about getting from Point A to Point B. Each week, travel expert and Earthbound Expeditions founder Matthew Brumley takes listeners through great destinations and insider tips. Where do you go for spring break? Where would you never go again? Let us know in the comments.
