Travel and Leisure

College students, we know you are ready to put done their books and pick up bottles of suntan lotion! As midterms are winding down and students are becoming tired of the snow, they begin to dream about lying in the sun and soaking in culture. Since you’re probably tired of studying, we took the legwork out of looking for a place to enjoy your break, and found the top ten spring break destinations outside the United States.

Acapulco, Mexico
Acapulco has been a vacation hot spot for a number of years. While you are there, be sure to catch the La Quebrada Cliff Divers, the peaceful Pei de la Cuesta, the small bay Puerto Marquez and the beautiful beaches of Isla de la Requeta.

Barbados
This Caribbean island is located northeast of Venezuela. It has been dubbed “Little England” after all of the English settlements that once inhabited the area. Barbados is divided into five parts – Bridgetown, Central Barbados, Eastern Barbados, Western Barbados and Southern Barbados. Be sure to pack your sunscreen and stay hydrated, Barbados is 13 degrees off the equator so sunburns are easy to get.

Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
This vacation hot spot is located on the tip of the Baja California peninsula. If you are visiting Cabo San Lucas, expect to find large marine, beautiful bay, great beaches, a casual atmosphere and exciting nightlife. While there, don’t miss the El Arco arch, an amazing natural rock formation at Land’s End.

Cancun, Mexico
Cancun is a great place to enjoy sun and beautiful beaches. If you are visiting this spot, you can do everything from swimming with the dolphins and scuba diving to snorkeling and fishing. Be careful when you jump in the water, the Caribbean waters can have a strong undertow. Don’t forget to take a day trip to Mayan ruins. Cancun is close to a number of great sites that you won’t want to miss.

Ibiza, Spain
This city is located in the Balearic Islands. During your visit to Ibiza, be sure to visit the hidden cove Atlantis, the Hippy Market and Bar Anita – a gathering spot for artists and writers since the 1950s.

London, United Kingdom
London is the largest city and the capital of the United Kingdom. It is divided into Central London, the Inner Boroughs and the Outer Boroughs. While you are there, be sure to stop by the iconic Westminster Abbey, take a ride on the London Eye and look for early preparations for the 2012 Olympic Games. Do London for less with a museum pass that gives free entry to 50 attractions and free “line cutting”. If you are there for more than a couple of days, consider getting an Oyster card, a refillable smartcard for easy transportation.

Nassau, Bahamas
Nassau is known for its white sand and crystal blue waters. You can enjoy beachside bars with fruity fun drinks during the day and exciting nightclubs after the sun goes down. While you’re there, check out the shark diving opportunities!

Negril, Jamaica
This city is well known for its seven miles of cool white sandy beach. It is more laid back than Montego Bay and more touristy than Ocho Rios. Be sure to stop by Negril’s tourist craft market for inexpensive souvenirs and knick knacks.

Paris, France
If you want a cultural spring break, the City of Lights is for you. Paris is one of the most luxurious cities in the world, featuring the best designers, restaurants and cultural attractions. You don’t have to splurge when visiting this fantastic city, consider purchasing a Museum Pass for free entrance to more than 60 museums and monuments. You can choose from two, four or six day passes.

Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
Punta Cana is located n the northeast tip of the Dominican Republic. Like any tropical oasis, it has beautiful foliage, lagoons and exotic animals. While in Punta Cana, visit Santa Domingo, the first European settlement in the Western Hemisphere, and the artists’ village of Altos de Chavon, or take a Bavaro Runners safari excursion. You can also enjoy rafting, helicopter tours and Segway tours.

The Ramada London Hyde Park Hotel can be found on Bayswater Road and has great metro links into the centre of London. The closest London underground stations are Queensway and Bayswater. London Euston is the closest railway station to the hotel.

If you wish to leave your car hire in the hotel’s car park this can be arranged on your arrival. The contemporary rooms may have views over Kensington Gardens. The hotel offers wifi, room service twenty four hours a day, bar, restaurant, and other facilities.

The Cleveland Square Hotel is located on Cleveland Square close to Bayswater Rd in London. The closest subway stations are Bayswater, Queensway with Paddington railway and underground station also being close. The apart hotel has thirty rooms which have been renovated but still manage to keep its own unique Victorian charm.

Shaftesbury Paddington Hotel is nestled between Queensway and Pembridge Villas and is situated on Princes Square, Bayswater. The hotel has 67 rooms and does not have a car park located within the building. The closest tube station is Bayswater. The hotel offers tea and coffee making, concierge, business centre, and 24 hour reception.

Grand Royale London Hyde Park Hotel on Inverness Terrace does not have a car park to leave your car rental parked in but does have Bayswater and Queensway as the nearest underground method of public transport. Both tube stations are within walking distance. The hotel has recently gone through an upgrade and offers contemporary rooms to guests.

So Hyde park Hotel has London Bayswater close by as the nearest tube station. The Hyde Park is located in a quiet area of Bayswater. Within reach of Knights bridge, Notting Hill and London West End. The hotel is newly opened and offers 54 rooms with a check in time of two pm. Each of the rooms offers air conditioning, hair dryers, iron and iron boards. There are lifts within the hotel.

Santa Rosa, located in the watershed of Santa Rosa Creek is the largest city in California’s Wine Country. This beautiful city is surrounded by three mountains including Hood Mountain, Taylor Mountain and Sonoma Mountain. Hence, Santa Rosa houses wonderful mountainous sightseeing. Besides, it also offers many tourist attractions such as enthralling wild life that houses animals like wild turkey, raccoons, opossums, deer, herons, egrets, foxes and rabbits and the occasional mountain lion etc. The other major attractions include Luther Burbank Home, Charles M Schulz Museum, Gardens and Annex Galleries and Siduri Novy Wines.

While on tour here, need not trouble much for accommodation as numerous cheap to luxury hotels, motels, inns and resorts are easily found in this city.

Luxury hotels
Luxury hotels always offer an international standard services and accommodation with royal treatment. If you wish to enrich your tour Santa Rosa vacation then must lodge into any of the luxury hotels of the city. Some of the best known luxury hotels here include Fountaingrove Inn, Hilton Sonoma Wine Country, Flamingo Conference Resort & Spa, Hyatt Vineyard Creek & Spa and Vintners Inn etc.

Vintners Inn
Vintners Inn is one of the best four-star luxury hotels in the city located in the heart of Wine Country. This full service luxury inn is famous for offering great comfort and world class hospitality. As the hotel is surrounded from all sides with vineyards and sparkling fountains, you will find the spectacular views to see from any of the deluxe guest room of Vintners Inn. The best features of this inn are Business Center, Bar/Lounge, Restaurant and Fitness Center etc.

Cheap Hotels
Stay in one of the cheap hotels while on tour here and reduce much of your tour expenditure. There are number of budget hotels in Santa Rosa, but some of the best known are Americas Best Value Inn, Quality Inn & Suites, Days Inn, the Courtyard Santa, Travelodge Downtown and Best Western Garden Inn. You will find comfortable accommodation with feel of luxury hotels at the most affordable rates in any of these budget hotels.

The Courtyard
The Courtyard is a two star hotel located in the heart of Sonoma Wine Country. This full service hotel offers budget accommodation with easy access to hundreds of wineries and Pacific coast. Those can’t spend much, still want have luxury accommodation will find this place perfect for lodging. The finest features of the Courtyard are fitness center and business center. Lodging in the Courtyard would be an excellent experience for you.

Besides, you will find hotels in each corner of the city whether near airport or in city center.

Downtown Hotels
If you are looking for hotels in downtown then just don’t bother because there is a big list of downtown hotels in Santa Rosa. Whether you are here for business or for pleasure, the downtown area is the right lodging place for you as it not only houses many big companies as well as gives an easy access to many major tourist attractions.