POV: You’re On the Best Spring Break of Your Life

Lemme paint you a lil picture—you’re sprawled out on the softest, most blindingly white sand you’ve ever seen in your life. The clear blue sky disappears into the turquoise sea, the waves rolling gently ashore. There’s a frosty bev in your hand, beading with condensation in the warm breeze. It’s spring break, midterms are done, and your only care in the world right now is whether you slathered on enough SPF. Yesterday, you were snorkeling with sting rays. Tomorrow, you’re leaving this beachy paradise, but not to fly home, oh no. You’re heading south to zipline through the jungle and explore the ruins of Maya temples. Because this isn’t Fort Lauderdale. This is Belize.

Don’t get me wrong, I love a super chill vacation where the days blur together and fruity drinks flow like the Crush 'n' Gusher at Typhoon Lagoon. But sometimes I want to get to know the area, immerse myself in the culture, and get my blood pumping a little bit, whether I'm sightseeing my way through Munich or white-water rafting in Costa Rica.

My point is, you don’t have to choose one or the other on your spring break—you can have your rum punch and drink it, too. Spring break travel with EF Ultimate Break is the perfect combination of adventure, relaxing, planned stuff, and free time—with an optional side of club hopping, bar crawling, and general merry making*, if that’s your thing. So, if you’re looking for spring break travel ideas, you’ve come to the right place, and here are a few reasons why an EF Ultimate Break trip should top your list.

*All references to alcohol are intended for travelers 21+ k thanks byeeeee.

Things you have to plan: zero.

Well, that’s not entirely true. Yeah, we handle all your accommodations, transportation, guided tours, breakfasts, public transit passes, entrances to the most popular attractions, and 24/7 emergency travel support. And we hook you up with a freakishly encyclopedic Tour Director who can also suggest insider-y, hyper local things to do in your free time. We’ll even book your flights for you if you don’t feel like navigating that on your own. Okay so actually, there really are ZERO things you need to plan, unless you count what to pack in your carryon—only you can decide how many pairs of underwear to bring.

“This was my first EF trip as well as my first trip to Europe and I felt so safe and comfortable. It’s so nice to have everything planned for you—you don’t have to worry about a thing.”

— Julia, traveled on Germany, Italy & Switzerland

New friends are built right in

Whether you sign up solo or book with friends, I can almost guarantee you’ll make instant connections with others on an Ultimate Break trip. It’s impossible not to get close to people you’ve hiked the Alps with, or hot-air-ballooned over the desert with, or got lost in Tokyo with. Think about it—you’re thousands of miles from home with a bunch of likeminded people who are just as excited to explore the world as you are, so there ya go, you already have something in common. And since more than half of our travelers book solo, if you do the math, chances are you’ll bump into someone else whose indecisive friends also couldn’t get their $%!t together! Jokes on them, because now you’re running around Bangkok and jumping into ocean in Phuket with your new adventure soulmate.

You’ll do more than just party...

Contrary to popular belief, you don’t have to exist in a constant state of tequila-fueled chaos* on spring break. You can go to Iceland and hunt for a glimpse of the northern lights. Or Peru, where you’ll gaze in awe at Machu Picchu, one of the Wonders of the World. Or you could visit the house in Cuba where Ernest Hemingway penned The Old Man and the Sea. Or...okay, you get the point. But an Ultimate Break trip will give you the opportunity to immerse yourself in the cultures of the places you’re visiting, get to know some of the customs of the people, and get a little taste of life as a local.

...but you can also party.

That being said, EF Ultimate Break itineraries hit dozens of cities with some of the best nightlife in the world. If letting your hair down is what you’re after, leave the claw clip at home and let’s talk clubs, like the ones in Ibiza, Rio, and Toyko. If pubs and cafes are more your speed, we gotta hand it to Ireland, London, France, and Eastern Europe. A lot of our trips even feature highlights of local culture, like a tour and a pint at the Guinness Storehouse in Dublin and a rice wine-making class in Busan, South Korea. And, of course, there’s the party of all parties—OKTOBERFEST. Which isn’t during spring break but, ya know, there are other vacations in your future.

“Not only did this trip allow me to make new lifelong friends, try incredible foods, check things off my bucket list, and relax, it allowed me to understand a different perspective on life.”

— Adreanna, traveled on Costa Rica Adventure