Planning heats up as Spring Break draws near

By Mary Kvachkoff

Staff Writer

Publication Date: 02/20/2007

As Spring Break rolls around, students are looking to escape their frozen windshields in favor of frozen daiquiris and sunny beaches.

Some don't need the sun, they just want to escape.

Many students flock to the office of STA Travel, located in the Union, to plan their Spring Break trips. Jennifer Nikirk, a travel adviser at STA, said that Cancun, Mexico is the most popular destination for Purdue students for Spring Break 2007, and has been for the past 10 years.

"When compared to the Bahamas and Hawaii, Cancun is actually a cheaper option," Nikirk said. "Most students go in groups of around four people because they can get the best rates."

Nikirk said that Acapulco, Mexico comes in at a close second, especially for graduate students, but that Cancun, Mexico is more for undergraduates looking for a crazy vacation.

Foreign exchange students seem especially excited about Spring Break, she said, because they don't necessarily have it in the countries they come from.

"The American Spring Break is huge for them, because they don't have it like we know it and they've seen the hype from movies and television," Nikirk said. "I had a student from England come in and decide to go to Cancun because he wanted to experience the American Spring Break."

For those on a lower budget, Nikirk said to book flights early. Also, if students have the chance to drive, they should, she said.

Ski packages and cruises are also very popular this year, she said, as well as Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands, which is seen as the "alternative" location because students can "get away with more things there."

"To get the very cheapest prices, a lot of students come in and book a trip for next Spring Break right after they get back from the present year's break," Nikirk said.

Other students, like Lauren Sivak, don't need to leave the country to have a good time.

Sivak, a junior in the College of Liberal Arts, said she plans to go to New York with a friend.

"Her sister lives there, so we won't have to pay for a hotel," Sivak said, "she also works for AOL Music, so we're hoping she can get us some free concert tickets for Regina Spectre."

Sivak said she plans to see "Mary Poppins" and "Rent" on Broadway, as well as visit a few graduate schools.

"I scheduled the trip on my own, and found flight tickets for $206 round-trip, which wasn't bad," she said. "I'm thinking I'll spend $500 for the entire trip, which is great compared to what some of my friends are paying."