Top 5: Winter Break Vacations for College Students

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Let's be honest: no college student of any age looks forward to a boring Christmas Eve dinner with the family. While your mother's ham is good, it's not the same as a vacation with a bunch of buddies to a new, exotic place to celebrate the holidays in style. Below is the list of our Top Five Winter Break Vacations for College Students (for those of you who want something more out of your winter).

1. Take a Cruise...Anywhere.
Who can really complain about a week (or three) on an enormous boat filled with good food, plenty of things to do, and lots of women in barely-there swimsuits? Not us. On a cruise, every day of your trip will feel like a relaxing summer day. An added bonus to this is depending on your cruise of choice, there may be no drinking age (due to international law conflicts). Don't have a ton of cash? Don't worry! A cruise is relatively cheap as long as you choose the right line, so money shouldn't be an issue. Viva la vida buena, we say.

2. Take the Lesser-Known (Ski) Path
If you've got a mountain near you that routinely gets snowy weather, chances are there's a ski resort nearby as well. If the mountain in question is within driving distance, it's entirely economical if you're looking to save a bit of spare coin. Wanting to get into shape? Skiing or snowboarding is well-known to give you a full body workout. And remember, where it's cold outside, hot chocolate can be found as well…and if you've got a special lady friend to bring along, the lodge on the mountain should have a cozy nook for the two of you to cuddle in.

3. Thaw Those Fingers and Explore the Night
Any big, warm city is sure to be a good time. With cities like Phoenix and Miami, the activities and nightlife never seem to end, and if you've never seen a palm tree, now's the perfect time. The women in these sprawling metropolises are as fun as they are beautiful, and you can't go wrong with fewer clothes on those toned bodies during any time of the year. The club scenes are incredible, and if you're into food, each city has its own culinary style (as well as the usual offerings). Peak travel season means more people, and the more people who like to party you have, the better your time is likely to be.

4. Get Down and Dirty on the Gridiron
If you're lucky enough to go to a school with a good football team, chances are there's a Bowl Game you can attend. What better way to keep your school spirit through the holidays than to follow your team and cheer them on? Even if your school doesn't participate, football is football is football, as we like to say. What other reason do you need? Most of these games take place in warm places as well (like Miami, FL), so you snowbirds need not worry. Riots and giant parties often result no matter which team wins, so when it's time to go crazy, you shouldn't have any trouble finding a place to let loose.

5. Bring in the New Year with the Professionals
There are cities all over the country that know how to ring in the New Year with a bang (New Orleans, New York, Las Vegas, and Miami, just to name a few). These normally well-behaved citizens go nuts when the ball drops, and if you're looking to party and drink with some of the craziest people in the world, consider this your excuse. Also, in most large cities, women outnumber men 2:1, which means that in combination with the massive amounts of alcohol sure to be involved, some two-on-one action is not only possible, but likely.