Do you
remember your college spring break?
Did it look Something like this...
I believe
the wish to escape from frosty locales and cut loose for a week is one that
never goes away, even for grown-ups. If there was any group that most needed a
mid-season break from the daily grind, it would be those who have long since
graduated.
Are you in
this group; the individuals who have worked too hard to have their spring break
ruined by a bunch of rowdy collegians who aren't your own? Like me, you've probably already been there, done that, and now you've earned the right
to celebrate the rites of spring your way — a more tranquil way.
Is it
possible to take the classic spring break experience and make it a bit more
grown-up? The answer is…yes! Turns out,
there's more to spring break than just Girls
Gone Wild— think luxury accommodations, soothing spa treatments, serene
beaches, and handcrafted jewelry that you'll want to wear long after your tan
has faded.
It can be a bit scary for grown-ups to imagine a vacation in a warm place during the peak drunken
revelry times of March and April, but it’s by no means impossible—if you know
where to go.
My picks
for a “Grown Up” spring fling:
Savannah,
Georgia
Historic
Savannah is a beautiful and warm city to visit in the spring. Remarkable
architecture from centuries ago mingles with trendy downtown boutiques, bistros
and microbreweries. Visit the local art galleries and antique shops, stroll
through the peaceful historic squares and parks, and sip sweet tea at a
sidewalk cafe with your sweetheart. While not directly on the coast, the city
does have a riverfront district that comes alive in the evening with street
performers, many dining options, shops, and bars.
One hotel that I love is the Mansion on Forsyth Park, a
grand 125-room restored Victorian Romanesque mansion. When you stay at the Mansion,
you can stay busy or find a peaceful spot to relax. Instead of spending an
afternoon tanning on the beach... you can be pampered at the Poseidon Spa, take
a hands-on cooking class or simply lounge poolside. Throughout the Mansion there
is an impressive art collection of more than 400 original pieces to be
discovered. Once you venture out, cross
the street and explore the beautiful Forsyth Park and the surrounding Savannah
Historic District.
The city is also filled with amazing bed and
breakfasts which offer the best of her charm and Southern hospitality. Most
of the inns are in the historic district and furnished with antiques and period
pieces. Many offer romance and spring packages.
One word of warning – do not book your visit to Savannah on or
near St Patrick’s Day; the city does have one of the largest green beer
celebrations nationwide.
Santa Rosa
Beach, Florida
If you
long for a week at the beach, Santa Rosa Beach may be your perfect spring break
destination. Tucked away along Florida’s “Emerald” Gulf Coast, Santa Rosa has
become a luxury escape for those looking for a vacation destination to unwind and
indulge in a natural paradise without masses of spring breakers.
Known for its sugar white beach and beautiful turquoise water, Santa Rosa also has hiking trails, beautiful bays, and state parks to explore. Or maybe a round of Golf at one of the many exquisite courses found in the area would fulfill your grown up spring break travel plan.
With warm Southern hospitality, the intimacy of a bed and breakfast, and the fun of a classic beach house, the WaterColor Inn & Resort creates the ideal setting to relax and unwind. Freshly redecorated beachfront rooms bring the beach within footsteps of your door. From the soft linens to the spa-inspired toiletries, every well-appointed room has been furnished for the full comfort of its guests.
Known for its sugar white beach and beautiful turquoise water, Santa Rosa also has hiking trails, beautiful bays, and state parks to explore. Or maybe a round of Golf at one of the many exquisite courses found in the area would fulfill your grown up spring break travel plan.
With warm Southern hospitality, the intimacy of a bed and breakfast, and the fun of a classic beach house, the WaterColor Inn & Resort creates the ideal setting to relax and unwind. Freshly redecorated beachfront rooms bring the beach within footsteps of your door. From the soft linens to the spa-inspired toiletries, every well-appointed room has been furnished for the full comfort of its guests.
Offering
everything from local produce and dairy to baked goods and other local
specialty items like handcrafted soap, the Seaside Farmers Market on Saturdays is a
fun way to get to know the locals. Instead of buying a “Spring
Break 2014” souvenir T-Shirt or a Wet Willie’s Slushy Mug, you can pick up a locally
handmade necklace, a fragrant exfoliating sugar scrub, or maybe some organic
orange blossom honey to remind you of your grown up spring break in Santa Rosa Beach.
Ashville,
North Carolina
Known as “The Paris of the
South” Asheville is a good option if you are not looking for a warm waterfront vacation. The weather in March is variable; you could be
tubing downhill in the snow or relaxing in the same tube on a spring float trip
down the French Broad River. If you are
weather flexible, Ashville has an eclectic downtown with 30-plus art galleries
to explore. The town is framed by the majestic Blue Ridge Mountains which offer
many opportunities for outdoor adventure.
If you enjoy touring castles,
sampling local wines, or visiting spring gardens in bloom, a visit to the
Biltmore Estate is a must. The main
house, built by George Vanderbilt, is America’s largest home. Designed to rival
the castles of Europe, the 8,000 acre estate boasts an award winning winery, a
working farm, amazing formal gardens and the Vanderbilt home. The estate is
open daily for visitors.
Asheville
restaurants run the gamut from Mediterranean to vegetarian, four-star cuisine to down-home cooking. The city's vibrant
restaurant scene goes well beyond its Southern cooking and roots. You can expect
the extraordinary in Asheville. Instead
of raucous upside-down tequila shots, order a tart Appletini or sparkling flute
of champagne and be blissfully at one with your grown up spring break.
Notable accommodations in
Ashville include the Historic Grove Park
Inn Resort & Spa and The Inn on Biltmore
Estate. The Lion and the Rose is a
good choice if you are looking for elegant, B&B ambience; tell their friendly
house pup Cedric hello for me.
Tulum,
Mexico
If you
really want to get away from it all this spring, grab your passport and head to
the sunny shores of Tulum, Mexico. It's quickly becoming the "it"
beach destination for the stylish crowd, with its eco-chic hotels, fantastic
dining, gorgeous beaches, and the only major Mayan ruins along the coast, but
still remains less developed (less student appealing) than Mexico's other
resort areas.
I can't imagine
a more perfect beachfront hideaway than Encantada Beachfront Boutique Hotel. The small, intimate,
family owned and operated hotel is situated on one of the most beautiful
beaches in the Caribbean. It is an
environmentally conscious hotel in a remote jungle location. The palapa style buildings were
built by Mayan craftsmen incorporating the traditional high thatched roofs using
hardwood from the jungle. The rooms do not have air conditioning but were
designed to take maximum advantage of the natural ocean breezes through 3 walls
of floor to ceiling, screened sliding glass doors. The friendly staff
is dedicated to making you feel at home, schedule activities, provide bikes,
offer advice on local restaurants, shopping, and yoga classes, or they can also
help you schedule tours and activities to make
your grown up spring break extraordinary.
If your perfect vacation includes cenote cave diving, sailing,
off-shore snorkeling, fishing, golf, exploring a wildlife preserve or Mayan
ruins, all are accessible during your stay in Tulum. If you enjoy listening to live music, check out the Luna Maya Hotel
on Tulum Beach- Sit back and take in the sounds while enjoying tapas and a
killer margarita.
No matter
what your taste this season, there’s a stretch of sand, a tranquil mountain
town or even a historic southern city that won’t be clogged with collegians.
Yes, even during spring break.
Cheers!
Lori
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