Planning the perfect trip
Organized vacation is the cure for stressed students in
mid-terms
Toothbrush, shampoo, socks ... these are just some of the things college
students will be
worrying about packing with the start of Fall Break Friday.
Many students have made plans to leave the city or state to take a break from school.
A lot of people will opt to drive to their destination. With gas prices varying from $1.35 to $1.45 a gallon, it can become pretty expensive to travel by car, but can be managed on a low budget.
 |
|
Freshman biology major Megan Plate
packs in preparation for a trip this weekend.
|
One way to cut costs would be to plan a trip with other people so everyone
can chip in for gas, lodging and snacks. It is also an opportunity to
take turns driving so everyone can get a chance to rest and enjoy the
trip.
Another travel option is by bus. Greyhound offers student packages for
a three-day weekend or for a month-long pass. Greyhound offers Ameripass,
a one-price ticket that is good for up to 60 consecutive days worth of
travel for about $8 a day.
Greyhound also offers a Student Advantage Card that allows students to receive up to 15 percent off the price of a Greyhound unrestricted ticket.
Of course, for those students who want an exotic trip, they can plan a cruise. This is the cheapest time of year to take a cruise, said Brandy Cato, consultant for Horned Frog Travel.
“Cancun and Cozumel are some of the more popular cruises that we have booked for students,” she said.
An all-inclusive cruise package without travel could cost about $400 for a four day/three night cruise. Air fare could cost around $350 on American Airlines or Delta Airlines to fly to the cruise ship port.
And don’t forget spending money. A recommended amount to take would be $500, but not all in cash, Cato said.
Although ski season doesn’t begin until Nov. 15, it isn’t too
soon to begin planning for a wintery vacation.
A ski trip is a possibility for those who like to plan trips in advance,
perhaps for Christmas or Spring Break. Ski season starts Nov. 15, and
the resorts are already preparing to take on the vacation crowd. Club
Med in Breckenridge, Crested Butte and Durango, Colo. are some of the
more popular ski resorts this year, said Mary Michael, outside travel
sales for Westcliff Travel.
“We offer fabulous all-inclusive packages, but you must book now to get the best choices of what is available,” she said.
A three day/four night stay without travel cost could begin at $600. Items that are included in the price varies for each resort. Most include meals, drinks and ski passes. Plane tickets on American Airlines to Denver could cost $250, Michael said.
For a trip like this, it might be better to get a group of people together to cut the costs. Westcliff Travel offers a 15 percent discount on groups of 12 or more people, Michael said.
October may be too early in the year to go skiing, but Tonya Antle, a junior computer science major, said she plans on taking a road trip during Fall Break to see the snow.
“Maybe I will go to the Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, Colo., to see the site where ‘The Shining’ was filmed,” she said.
No matter how or when you travel, lodging will be a concern. Reservations need to be made at a hotel for those who are not buying an all-inclusive vacation package.
There are a variety of places to stay, from the Motel 6, which offers a room for four people a night at $55.19 with free coffee, to the Embassy Suites, which offers a room for four people a night at $169 and includes a complimentary breakfast and evening cocktail.
With all of the stress a semester can bring to students, a chance to get away is a relief. Whether by car, bus or plane, a well-planned trip may prove enjoyable for most.
Hemi Ahluwalia
hemia@hotmail.com