Travelers Advantage....

SPRING INTO ACTION:
GETAWAYS TO GET YOU GOING

With winter waning, now is the time to plan that perfect spring getaway. Shoulder season prices at destinations and on flights, plus a wide variety of new and old standby attractions, make the season an ideal time to spring into action. From Florida down to the Caribbean and over to Mexico, here are some great getaway ideas to get you going.

FLORIDA

Spring is a great time to drive or fly to the Sunshine State. Research by Visit Florida indicates that beaches, shopping, entertainment, and attractions are major draws to the state’s eight distinct regions. This is especially true furthest south, where warming temperatures and the attractions of southern Florida mean destinations like Fort Lauderdale, Key West, and Marco Island are ideal choices.

Located on the southeast coast of Florida, Fort Lauderdale has developed into an ideal destination. The city presents a chic combination of sea, sun, shopping, arts, and entertainment. Water is the defining element of the area, with 23 miles of golden sand beaches and waterways reminiscent of Venice, connecting restaurants, galleries, museums, and more.

Down in Key West, the legendary Florida Keys town has developed into a first-class destination. The attractions include bustling Duval Street, varied museums (Hemingway House and Audubon House tourist favorites), a great dining scene, shopping, and the sunset celebration at Mallory Square, and an atmosphere that simply must be experienced to understand.

Over on the west coast, Marco Island is a tropical paradise within easy reach of the upscale culture of Naples and the unique ecosystems of the Everglades. The island features beachfront resorts, charming inns, creative dining, and a host of attractions on-island or nearby. The calm waters of the Gulf of Mexico make for a classic Florida beach (and some world-class shell collecting).

THE CARIBBEAN

Springtime just may be the ideal time to visit the Caribbean, according to the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO). “The Caribbean offers a warm, wonderful haven for those looking to spring into the season in tropical splendor,” says High Riley, the CTO’s marketing director for the Americas. “With many hotels and airlines offering seasonal specials, there’s no better time than now to book a spring getaway to the Caribbean.”

With about 700 islands stretching more than 650 miles from the coast of Florida to the tip of Cuba, the variety of The Bahamas provides the reason the varied destinations attract so many veteran and first-time visitors. From the bustling resorts of New Providence (Nassau), Paradise Island, and Grand Bahama to the laid-back accommodations and experiences on ‘Out Islands’ like Bimini, Long Island, the Abacos, Andros, the Exumas, Eleuthera, and others, The Bahamas are better than ever for those in need of a break this spring.

To the south, Grand Cayman continues to excel as a world-class destination. This spring and the rest of 2003 make for an ideal time to visit, in that the Cayman Islands were ‘discovered’ in 1503 and many quincentennial activities are planned. Highlights on Grand Cayman include the classy capital of George Town, renowned Seven Mile Beach, and scuba diving and snorkeling that draws thousands of visitors annually. A wide range of resorts, restaurants, and shopping continue the popularity of this island getaway.

For those in search of a bit more adventure, Jamaica is jammin’ this spring. The third largest island in the Caribbean offers varied resorts along the north coast that have made destinations like Montego Bay, Ocho Rios, Negril, and more popular spots every spring. Kingston, Jamaica’s cosmopolitan capital, as well as the rest of the south coast, are also getting tourist attention now. From all-inclusive options where you never leave the grounds to a wide range of other choices of more than 23,000 rooms, Jamaica is a top spot anytime of year.

MEXICO

Mexico is a country of diverse and ancient cultures that are rich in tradition, history, and religion, yet with a modern economy and tourism infrastructure--plus, great beaches! Four bodies of water surround Mexico’s shores, with the Sea of Cortez, Pacific Ocean, Caribbean Sea, and Gulf of Mexico all providing vacation spots that are all wet. Four top spots where tourists say ‘si’ are Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Puerto Vallarta, and Los Cabos.

Cancun is the country’s largest and most famous tourist destination, thanks to a choice of more than 25,000 hotel rooms, great beaches, varied dining and shopping, and one of the country’s hottest nightlife scenes. To the south, Playa del Carmen, located along the Yucatan Peninsula’s Riviera Maya, is one of Mexico’s fastest-growing tourism destinations. Thanks to an incredible beach, lots of accommodation and dining options, watersports, and proximity to a wide variety of attractions, ‘Playa’ is also a great place to play this spring. Many visitors choose to visit both Cancun and Playa del Carmen.

Situated on the western Pacific coast of Mexico in the state of Jalisco, the charming destination of Puerto Vallarta is still being discovered by tourists. Highlights of any visit include varied accommodations, stunning beaches, plentiful marine life, golf, cobblestone streets, exceptional restaurants, and the lush Sierra Madre Mountains.

Over in Baja California, Los Cabos is another rising star in Mexico tourism. Thanks to a wide range of accommodations to meet any budget and a wealth of watersports, Los Cabos is yet another great place to say ‘si’ to Mexico.

Whether you choose the Sunshine State or the sun and fun of Mexico or the Caribbean, it’s time to spring into action and plan your next getaway!