Trip ideas for college students - December/warm/frugal
Jul 30th, 2011, 08:39 PM
#1
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Trip ideas for college students - December/warm/frugal
My niece has a $400 Delta voucher that she'd like to use during winter break from college this winter. A friend whose father is a pilot (free flights) will also go - but will need to take a different airline.
She's asked me for ideas. Here's what she told me.
Her passport is expired, so it needs to be somewhere that she can fly without needing one.
She'd like somewhere warm in December - possibly with a beach where they can swim.
They have a low budget so reasonable hotels and activities that don't cost a lot are a plus (eliminates places like Disney World).
All-inclusive (food and lodging) would be a plus. However, I don't think there might be any options for that in the U.S.
So far, I think Florida might be the best option - but I wonder if I've overlooked somewhere else.
She's asked me for ideas. Here's what she told me.
Her passport is expired, so it needs to be somewhere that she can fly without needing one.
She'd like somewhere warm in December - possibly with a beach where they can swim.
They have a low budget so reasonable hotels and activities that don't cost a lot are a plus (eliminates places like Disney World).
All-inclusive (food and lodging) would be a plus. However, I don't think there might be any options for that in the U.S.
So far, I think Florida might be the best option - but I wonder if I've overlooked somewhere else.
Jul 31st, 2011, 04:58 AM
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You don't say where they are flying from and when in December she'll be going - both of those will have a major effect on far your niece's travel voucher take her. Typically air travel is lower in early December than it is during the two weeks or so surrounding the Christmas/New Years holidays.
You also didn't tell us what her budget is for hotels/food other than to say it is "low". In order to be of much help perhaps you could tell us how low is low? Try to be specific - without an actual dollar point of reference it's difficult to make recommendations.
All that being said, in addition to Puerto rico have her check destinations like Cancun, Cozemel, the Dominican Republic, and Jamaica as they are among the less expensive destinations in the Caribbean (they also known for having a lot of moderately priced AI resorts).
Other destination where it is likely to be warm in December include the Gulf Coast regions of Texas, southern California and parts of Arizona.
You also didn't tell us what her budget is for hotels/food other than to say it is "low". In order to be of much help perhaps you could tell us how low is low? Try to be specific - without an actual dollar point of reference it's difficult to make recommendations.
All that being said, in addition to Puerto rico have her check destinations like Cancun, Cozemel, the Dominican Republic, and Jamaica as they are among the less expensive destinations in the Caribbean (they also known for having a lot of moderately priced AI resorts).
Other destination where it is likely to be warm in December include the Gulf Coast regions of Texas, southern California and parts of Arizona.
Jul 31st, 2011, 05:23 AM
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She would need a passport for those other places. She would not need a passport for any US territories, including the US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. She would need a passport for those other places.
Jul 31st, 2011, 05:56 AM
#6
Head for Las Vegas. Here is a list of hostels in Las Vegas.
http://www.hostels.com/las-vegas/usa
Rent a car at the airport facility. Take day trips from LV including Valley of Fire, Red Rock, Hoover Dam and Death Valley.
Fly from LV to Southern CA for a day or two. San Diego or Long Beach. In SOCAL the cost of living will be higher than most other places.
Eventually she will have to renew the passport. Why not do it now before the big rush?
http://www.hostels.com/las-vegas/usa
Rent a car at the airport facility. Take day trips from LV including Valley of Fire, Red Rock, Hoover Dam and Death Valley.
Fly from LV to Southern CA for a day or two. San Diego or Long Beach. In SOCAL the cost of living will be higher than most other places.
Eventually she will have to renew the passport. Why not do it now before the big rush?
Jul 31st, 2011, 06:16 AM
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If she cannot travel in early December than the friend flying on the employee pass will probably not be able to get on a flight.
I think the only place mentioned that fits what she wants is Pureto Rico. Best chance for warm, beach, all inclusive. I think Las Vegas is a good alternative if she is willing to forgo the beach. They could get lots of pool time, shop, and see the Grand Canyon. She should skip California if her sole purpose is ocean swimming, It is just too cold to enjoy without a wetsuit that time of year.
I think the only place mentioned that fits what she wants is Pureto Rico. Best chance for warm, beach, all inclusive. I think Las Vegas is a good alternative if she is willing to forgo the beach. They could get lots of pool time, shop, and see the Grand Canyon. She should skip California if her sole purpose is ocean swimming, It is just too cold to enjoy without a wetsuit that time of year.
Jul 31st, 2011, 06:26 AM
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Wow - thank you for all the quick responses!!
Answers to questions:
She will be flying from the Midwest - probably Chicago, maybe Indianapolis.
She thought she'd put off renewing the passport because of the expense. Plus it has been misplaced and she wonders if the cost will be higher if she can't produce the original one (Does anyone know about that?).
I tried to avoid saying how low is low because.... well sometimes that leads to a discussion of how impossible the low figure is (G). I would say somewhere where hotels are under $100. I know that is impossible in resort areas, but I have seen chain hotels that low when traveling to Florida. For food, they will probably be eating fast food for at least one meal a day and maybe a moderate chain (think Olive Garden) occasionally.
She is in college so will need to go when they are on break. Finals end Dec. 9. Spring semester starts Jan. 3. She would want to be home on Christmas.
I don't know if the voucher is good for international travel. She received it for being bumped from a sold-out flight. However, since she doesn't have a passport, it doesn't really matter.
Thanks for the suggestion of Puerto Rico. She has been there before to visit a cousin who lives there, so is somewhat familiar with the area. I had wondered if that was a possibility, but wasn't sure about the passport. Thanks for the help there. I think that could be one of her best bets.
I had thought about Las Vegas too. Her friend will have turned 21, but she will still be 20. She thought it would be better to go there after she turns 21 and can go in the casinos. Of course, from our experience, I know she can go in the casinos - just not gamble. So that could still be a possibility too.
Thanks for the suggestion of Hotwire plus the ideas of places to go from Las Vegas.
Answers to questions:
She will be flying from the Midwest - probably Chicago, maybe Indianapolis.
She thought she'd put off renewing the passport because of the expense. Plus it has been misplaced and she wonders if the cost will be higher if she can't produce the original one (Does anyone know about that?).
I tried to avoid saying how low is low because.... well sometimes that leads to a discussion of how impossible the low figure is (G). I would say somewhere where hotels are under $100. I know that is impossible in resort areas, but I have seen chain hotels that low when traveling to Florida. For food, they will probably be eating fast food for at least one meal a day and maybe a moderate chain (think Olive Garden) occasionally.
She is in college so will need to go when they are on break. Finals end Dec. 9. Spring semester starts Jan. 3. She would want to be home on Christmas.
I don't know if the voucher is good for international travel. She received it for being bumped from a sold-out flight. However, since she doesn't have a passport, it doesn't really matter.
Thanks for the suggestion of Puerto Rico. She has been there before to visit a cousin who lives there, so is somewhat familiar with the area. I had wondered if that was a possibility, but wasn't sure about the passport. Thanks for the help there. I think that could be one of her best bets.
I had thought about Las Vegas too. Her friend will have turned 21, but she will still be 20. She thought it would be better to go there after she turns 21 and can go in the casinos. Of course, from our experience, I know she can go in the casinos - just not gamble. So that could still be a possibility too.
Thanks for the suggestion of Hotwire plus the ideas of places to go from Las Vegas.
Jul 31st, 2011, 07:02 AM
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There is no extra fee charged to obtain a passport where a previous passport has been lost or stolen. (In fact, the State Department recommends reporting a lost or stolen passport as soon as possible.) Your niece will need to submit a DS-11 Passport Application (long form) and a DS-64 Statement Regarding a Lost or Stolen Passport. She can refer to the State Deparment's website for information and forms. http://travel.state.gov/passport/lost/lost_848.html
Even if she does not go on an international trip this time, it's always a good idea to have a valid passport on hand in case of last minute trips. It's difficult and expensive to get a passport on short notice.
Even if she does not go on an international trip this time, it's always a good idea to have a valid passport on hand in case of last minute trips. It's difficult and expensive to get a passport on short notice.
Jul 31st, 2011, 07:46 AM
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>Las Vegas isn't really warm in December.
Well you have a point there. I've been there in December and, although usually mild, it can be quite chilly. My husband was there for a conference the year that it snowed on the strip. I remember needing my winter coat at night that year.
Thanks for the info on the passport,longhorn. I'll pass it along to her.
Well you have a point there. I've been there in December and, although usually mild, it can be quite chilly. My husband was there for a conference the year that it snowed on the strip. I remember needing my winter coat at night that year.
Thanks for the info on the passport,longhorn. I'll pass it along to her.
Jul 31st, 2011, 09:19 AM
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FL has no guarantee of beach weather. May or may not. PR is a better choice and there should be more inexpensive places to stay.
If the tickets are good ex-US I would say renew the passport and head for Mexico.
If the tickets are good ex-US I would say renew the passport and head for Mexico.
Feb 12th, 2012, 10:58 AM
#14
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The rest of the story:
They didn't go to a warm place, but did get to use the voucher. A friend of a relative shared lodging in NYC and they went to a concert there over New Year's Eve weekend. They had a great time.
They didn't go to a warm place, but did get to use the voucher. A friend of a relative shared lodging in NYC and they went to a concert there over New Year's Eve weekend. They had a great time.
Feb 12th, 2012, 11:47 AM
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San Diego - Point Loma Hostel – 91% rating on Hostelling International. Read some of the 134 customer reviews and view photos. http://www.hihostels.com/dba/hostels...-060023.en.htm Head here beautiful nice warm cheap lots of young folks great vibe.
Good luck!
Good luck!
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