Greeks, Swimmers and a Little Tradition Called Spring Break

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If you’ve been following our blog, it’s likely that your Spring Break body is nearly ready for its big debt. And you know what that means? It’s almost vacation time!

The anticipation of this glorious event got us thinking about the not-quite-national holiday that consists of more than 1.5 million students heading to sun soaked beaches for a week of drinking and debauchery.

Spring Break Origins

Which brings us all the way back to the ancient Greeks, who were said to have been the forefathers of the tradition when they celebrated the advent of spring by paying homage to Dionysus, the God of wine.

Fast-forwarding several centuries, into the early 1930s and American swim teams and their fans began migrating to Fort Lauderdale, Florida for a week to train and by the 1960s, drink heavily. (It’s unclear if they waited the recommended hour after doing the latter to perfect the former.)

At any rate, the tradition caught on and by the late 1980s a little network called MTV began broadcasting it’s first Spring Break coverage in Daytona Beach. But Florida isn’t the only well-known destination for swim-seeking students.

Top 10 Spring Break Destinations

Since the 1930s, travel has gotten exceedingly more accessible and affordable even for poor college students, which has expanded the number of Spring Break destinations beyond America’s shining shores.  Here are the top Spring Break spots as ranked by the Travel Channel:

1. Las Vegas, Nevada

2. Bahamas

3. Dominican Republic

4. Miami, Florida

5. Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

6. Daytona Beach, Florida

7. South Padre Island, Texas

8. Panama City Beach, Florida

9. Jamaica

10. Cancun

Tips for Spring Breaking

Now that you’re up to speed on the history and the hot spots, here are a few tips to consider both before and during your trip.

Plan ahead – If you are headed to a popular spring break spot, make sure to reserve lodging ahead of time, otherwise you may be left without a place to stay.

Save money – You can save money on your trip by buying your groceries (and booze) at the store instead of always eating (and drinking) out. Be sure to bring your student ID with you because some businesses will offer student discounts.

Be Smart – Yes you are finally on vacation from school, but that doesn’t mean you can leave your brain at home. Be smart if you plan to drink. Always make sure you have friends with you when going out late at night. Oh yeah, and pack  ample amounts of sunscreen!

Photo Credit: http://blog.wickerparadise.com/post/46863312996/spring-break-sundays-by-flirtcatalog-was-liked