Spring Vacation is a favorite time for families and students to break out of winter doldrums and hit the road for some fun in the sun. Even though snow is still coming down and spring may seem far away, you better start gearing up and preparing – make your spring vacation plans while options are still there. You don’t want to wait and discover you’ve missed your window of opportunity because all the hotels have filled up in your favorite spot.

Which Vacation Activity to Consider?

Weather is the biggest factor when choosing your vacation activity for the spring time. Some like to escape the cold and find a warm, sandy beach, while snowboarders and skiers may be looking for that deep powder.

Popular Warm Weather Activity Spots for Spring Vacation

Tampa. People love Tampa and particularly Clearwater Beach for its clear gulf waters and white pristine beach. Accommodations are far more affordable than other Florida beaches (Miami, for example), and fun activities like swimming, kayaking, boating, jet sailing and parasailing attract the young at heart who enjoy staying active. Or, for a more relaxing time out, take a dolphins spotting cruise and watch the sunset paint the sky in beautiful wisps of pink and orange colors.

Miami. For the exciting nightlife, luxurious hotels and Caribbean ambiance, Miami is the place to go. Its hotels on the stunning Atlantic shoreline won’t disappoint and like any large sprawling metropolis, it provides plenty of venues for live music, dancing, clubs and shopping excursions. If you’re a night owl, you’ll appreciate the fact that certain high profile clubs cater to the hip crowd and stay open until 4:00 a.m.

Panama City Beach. Called the “Spring Break Capital of the World,” Panama City in Florida lives up to its name and opens it’s community to an estimated million co-eds during spring break season. Prices are affordable, and concerts, contests, bars with happy hours and an amusement park keep students entertained when they’re not working on their tans at the beach. If you’re looking for adventure, try offshore fishing, snorkeling, scuba diving, kayaking, paddle boating or kiteboarding. The list goes on, but these are a few activities you may enjoy.

South Padre Island. Texas has its own oasis for a spring beach vacation in South Padre Island. Again, the affordable prices and warm weather draw many co-eds who are looking for excitement and want to get a tan. Crowds of close to 20,000 come for the DJs at the Ultimate Music Experience that takes place mid-March. You’ll find a beach that stretches more than 20 miles, and aside from swimming and other beach activities, consider going horseback riding on the beach or zip lining — for some out-of-the-box excitement.

Popular Slopes for Spring Snowboarding and Skiing.

If you hear the slopes calling to you and enjoy the brisk winter air, perhaps you aren’t ready to exchange deep powder for a sandy beach. Here are some ski resorts to consider for your spring vacation:

Silverton, Colorado. For those who love nothing better than skiing in deep powder, Silverton, Colorado may be the perfect spring vacation spot for you. This steep mountain area generates over 400 inches of snow most every year and you have a great selection of bowls, chutes and cliffs to choose from. This is the place for advanced skiers who are willing to forgo the clubbing nightlife and fine dining for pure commitment to the slopes. You can still get a cocktail in the little Victorian mining town of Silverton and there’s even a new hotel with a Jacuzzi.

Heavenly, California. When you want to ski but aren’t willing to give up partying and exciting nightlife activities, Heavenly is probably the ski area for you. Nestled between California and Nevada, this resort provides about 4,800 acres of skiable terrain. As you can imagine, there is excellent vertical terrain and lots of moguls and glades between close to 100 runs. After you wear yourselves out skiing, you can let loose and enjoy live music, hit the Tajo casinos and sip half price drinks while you party into the night.

Start Planning Your Spring Break Getaways

Make your spring vacation a fun-filled getaway, whether you’re escaping the cold climate or decompressing from work or school.

Safe travel should be at the top of your list. Reserving a motorcoach with a professional driver is the safest way to go. At Western Motorcoach, we have the perfect vehicle for your group, whether large or small. Our fleet of motorcoaches offer exceptional visibility and air ride suspensions for the ultimate smooth and comfortable ride. Avoid the traffic, directions and parking hassles by putting a professional at the wheel and travel safely.

You’ll also go green because charter buses are the most eco-friendly form of ground transportation in the nation.