It's Not Too Late To Book Your Spring Break Trip
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Minnesotans love our winter weather, but by the time March rolls around many of us are looking for a break. Spring break!
Even though it's just a few weeks away, we found out it's not too late to take advantage of some great deals to warm weather destinations. Places where you can enjoy the beach and visit popular attractions that kids love. Places that you can afford.
WCCO's spent some time with a travel agent to find out what's still available to book, that won't break the bank.
Every March, this St. Paul family ditches their routine and trades their snow boots for flip flops.
"I feel like I'm a good sport through the middle of February, and then that's when I start not really celebrating the snow anymore," Erika Lund said.
In a few weeks, Erika Lund, Mark Andersen and their three daughters will be in sunny southern California continuing their spring break tradition of visiting beaches as well as Legoland and Disneyland.
"We spent under $250 to get in and out of LAX apiece. We have five people in our family so it does add up, but when I saw those tickets I just thought I cannot pass this up," she said.
Nora Blum is a travel agent for Travel Leaders in Maple Grove.
"I really do believe there is still time to find deals for spring break," Blum said.
Blum says destinations on the Gulf Coast of Florida can also be quite affordable, places like Tampa and St. Petersburg. She found a package for a family of four, for six days and five nights in early March, at a resort in St. Petersburg. The cost: $2,800.
"$700 per person, including airfare and hotel, right on the beach in St. Pete Florida," she said.
Want to go to Mexico?
For a family of four, Blum found a six-day trip to Puerto Vallarta in late March. It includes airfare and an all-inclusive hotel. The dates, however, are a Wednesday through Monday. The cost: $3,500.
"You can't leave on a Saturday, but if you can be a little bit flexible with your schedule, there are a lot of great opportunities out there," she said.
Blum looked at southern California as well and found a five-day trip to San Diego, for two adults and two kids. It includes admission tickets to Disneyland for two days, and one-day tickets to Legoland and SeaWorld. The cost: $4,000.
"Depending on your dates, you can find really good air fare into L.A. or San Diego. Sometimes it make good sense to go into one city and out another," she said.
The Andersen's say the benefits of a spring break vacation, far exceed the costs.
"Middle of February, end of February you just need a break. Too much cold," Mark Andersen said.
Here's more advice from that travel agent: You can reduce the cost of a spring break trip by staying five days instead of a full week.
Also consider adjusting your spring break travel dates, even it conflicts with the kids' school schedule by a few days. Traveling can be an educational opportunity, especially when it's to some place the kids have never been.
