CheapTickets.com , a leading discount online travel agency, and United Way , the nation’s largest charitable organization, have again joined forces to energize and engage young travelers to vacation with purpose. Introducing the top five alternative Spring Break destinations for 2008, college students are challenged to exchange time on the beach for time helping others, both this spring and throughout the course of the year.
From rebuilding homes in the Gulf Coast to urban renewal in New York City, United Way scoured a wide-range of alternative Spring Break opportunities to identify the top five domestic destinations in 2008. And to help students with travel costs, CheapTickets has introduced a Spring Break Sale, offering $75-off vacation packages for the penny-pinched.
United Way spokesperson Randy Punley noted, “The power of young people to help change communities is really amazing. It is exciting to see their engagement in United Way’s work to help rebuild the Gulf Coast and their ongoing involvement when they return home. The United Way Alternative Spring Break participants inspire others in Generation Y to action, and remind us all of what we can do when we act together to change communities.”
United Way’s Top Five Spring Break Volunteer Destinations(1)
1. New Orleans, LA
With space for 302 volunteers, New Orleans’ Habitat for Humanity
invites students to rebuild homes in this vibrant city. Accommodations
for Spring Breakers are available at the appropriately named Camp Hope.
2. Southwest Louisiana
In Lake Charles, LA, United Way’s Alternative Spring Break program
will continue reconstruction efforts following Hurricane Rita. Up to
350 volunteers may join the effort from March 1 - 29, 2008.
3. Mississippi and Alabama Gulf Coast
Many communities within the Gulf Coast were affected by Hurricane
Katrina, including Waveland, Bay St. Louis, Gulfport, Biloxi, Ocean
Springs, Pascagoula and Mobile, AL. A United Way Alternative Spring
Break program will focus on these areas, with space for up to 250
volunteers from March 8 - 22, 2008.
4. New York, NY
Appalachian State University of North Carolina has coordinated with the
YMCA to bring Spring Breakers to New York City for a week mentoring
inner-city youths. Students from other universities interested in
volunteer opportunities in the New York area can visit,
http://volunteer.cheaptickets.com/.
5. Washington, DC
Students of Ohio State University are DC-bound this Spring Break, with
plans to prepare and deliver meals for those suffering from HIV/Aids,
cancer and other life-changing illnesses. Students from other
universities interested in volunteer opportunities in Washington, DC
can visit, http://volunteer.cheaptickets.com/.
Spring Break Sale ($75-Off) to Help Students Spring to Action(2)
To help Spring Breakers make the trip, CheapTickets’ Spring Sale offers $75-off qualifying flight + hotel packages of four or more nights using the promotional code CTXSPRING75. Travelers must book by April 27, 2008 for travel through June 30, 2008. For example, Spring Breakers can take advantage of the following travel packages ($75 savings have been applied)(3):
Chicago to New Orleans: Fly from Chicago to New Orleans and stay four nights at the 3-star Saint Ann Marie Antoinette Hotel from $372 per person.
Travel dates: March 17-21, 2008
Los Angeles to Washington, DC: Fly from Los Angeles to Washington, DC (BWI) and stay four nights at the 3-star Hyatt Place from $532 per person.
Travel dates: March 17-21, 2008
For more information on CheapTickets’ Spring Sale, visit: http://www.cheaptickets.com/.
University Challenge(4)
Beyond Spring Break:
CheapTickets has also teamed with United Way to launch a University Challenge — turning volunteering into a year-long, if not life-long affair. Built upon the United Way’s existing 10,000 Hours Show, the University Challenge will help motivate students at seven prominent universities to collectively volunteer 10,000 hours. At the end of the 2007-2008 school year, students from the university with the highest per capita volunteer hours will receive an alternative Spring Break, courtesy of CheapTickets.
“A shared enthusiasm for compassionate travel inspired us to join forces with United Way exactly one year ago,” said Marita Hudson Thomas of CheapTickets. “We’re elated that this partnership continues to grow as we launch the University Challenge, urging the country’s academic community to share in our passion for volunteering and traveling.”
This new initiative builds upon CheapTickets’ and United Way’s online collaboration to create http://volunteer.cheaptickets.com/, which allows travelers to research cause-specific volunteer opportunities culled from United Way’s vast national network, complemented by travel discounts from CheapTickets.
Terms & Conditions:
(1)United Way surveyed some of the leading organizations that place young people in different Alternative Spring programs, including Breakaway, Habitat for Humanity and Lutheran Disaster Services, and developed a list of the top five destinations that college students will be volunteering during Spring Break this year.
(2)Book a qualifying flight + hotel vacation package between March 3, 2008, and April 27, 2008, for 4 nights for travel between March 3, 2008, and June 30, 2008, via CheapTickets and instantly receive $75 off your purchase through the use of the promotion code. To display qualifying vacation packages, click “I have a promotion code.” and enter the promotion code, then look for vacation packages marked with the icon “COUPON.” Limit one discount per hotel room and one promotion code per purchase. Discounts are not redeemable for cash for any reason. Any attempt at fraud will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Void where prohibited, taxed or restricted. CheapTickets reserves the right to change or limit the promotion in its sole discretion.
Promo code: CTXSPRING75
(3)Sample rates shown were accurate and available on CheapTickets.com on 2/27/08 on the dates specified and may not represent current prices because our real-time pricing booking engine is constantly updating prices and availability. Vacation package prices shown are for one adult, based on double-occupancy, include applicable taxes and fees, and will vary by selected day of departure, departure city, length of stay, hotel selected, hotel room category, and availability. $75 promo code savings have been applied to package costs.
(4)From the seven universities participating in the United Way of America’s 10,000 Hours Show, the United Way of America will supply CheapTickets with the university that has the highest per capita volunteer hours at the end of the 2007-2008 school year. CheapTickets will award that university with a volunteer vacation. The number of students that participate and dates/location of the volunteer vacation will be determined solely by CheapTickets.com.
About CheapTickets
CheapTickets is a leading seller of discounted leisure travel products online through its Web site, http://www.cheaptickets.com/. CheapTickets provides consumers access to its collection of airfares on hundreds of airlines. In addition to air, CheapTickets’ family of discounted travel products also includes hotel accommodations, cruises, rental cars, vacation packages, condo rentals and Last Minute Trips. Founded in 1986, CheapTickets is a brand that is owned and operated by Orbitz Worldwide (NYSE:OWW) .
About United Way of America
United Way is a national network of nearly 1,300 local organizations that advance the common good, creating opportunities for a better life for all by focusing on the three key building blocks of education, income and health. United Way of America is the national organization dedicated to leading the United Way movement to create long lasting community change by addressing the underlying causes of the most significant issues. Living united means being a part of the change. Give. Advocate. Volunteer. For more information about United Way, visit: http://www.unitedway.org/.
Source: CheapTickets.com/prnewswire.com
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".
Caribbean Travel Tips
Who Doesn’t Like To Save Money? Check out these money saving tips from the editors at CARIBBEAN TRAVEL & LIFE magazine.
1. LOVE TO DINE: Sure you love to dine with the gourmands at the Caribbean’s top restaurants, but you can save a bundle by renting a hotel room with a kitchenette and eating in. Or, consider local takeout- joints.
2. PACKAGE DEALS: Be sure to ask your resort or cruise line about package deals that combine airfare, accommodations, sports and spa treatments in one deal. You’ll save good money on taxes and fees.
3. TRAVELING DURING THE LOW SEASON: You can save from 20 to 60 percent on accommodations by traveling during the low season. Before making reservations, check your resort’s website for specific discounted dates, or call the reservations’ desk and ask.
4. SET SAIL ON A CRUISE: Want to hit more than one Caribbean destination on your next vacation without shelling out the cash to get to each spot? Set sail on a cruise for five, seven or even nine nights, and make your way through the islands. All onboard meals and activities are included in the rate.
5. ROMANTIC DINNER FOR TWO: Forgo the ocean-view balcony suite and take in the serene setting of a garden - or pool-view room. You can use the money you saved toward a romantic dinner for two actually on the beach.
6. WEDDING PACKAGES: Once you realize that the average American wedding costs $20,000 you’ll instead want to opt for inviting your closest family members and friends for an intimate Caribbean beach wedding. Hotels often have wedding packages, plus you can turn the rest of the trip into your honeymoon.
7. RENTING A VILLA: If you’re traveling with a large family or with friends, consider renting a villa instead of taking multiple rooms at a resort. Though villa prices look expensive at first blush, when you divide by the number of rooms you’d have to book, and consider intangibles like having your own kitchen, pool, and private grounds, it can be a great deal.
8. ALL-INCLUSIVE RESORTS: All-inclusive resorts are excellent values for those who know they’ll take advantage of everything the resort has to offer. Big drinkers, big eaters and those who enjoy all the included beach toys and water sports can save a bunch over a similar quality of a la carte hotel. For those who prefer to see the surrounding area, sample the local food and don’t use the toys, non-inclusive resorts can be the better choice.
9. A FOREIGN VACATION: A foreign vacation is a great opportunity to expand your horizons and learn about other cultures. One of the most enjoyable ways is to skip the familiar chain restaurants and eat at local places and even roadside stands. Ask the cooks to make recommendations. Some must-trys are:
- Jerk barbecue and beef patties in Jamaica.
- Cracked conch in the Bahamas
- Empanadas in Puerto Rico
- Shark ‘n’ Bake in Trinidad
For food safety at roadside stands, only eat cooked foods that are still hot, and fruits and vegetables that you peel
10. LOCAL TRANSPORTATION: Local transport can unexpectedly eat up a lot of your budget. Rental car prices can be high in Jamaica, for example, because credit card issuers like American Express do not cover the collision insurance as it does for domestic rentals. In Bermuda, there are no rental cars, and taxis are very expensive. A great alternative, though, are the excellent local buses, which will take you all around the island for only a few dollars.
For more hot Caribbean ideas, sign up to receive a free CT&L monthly e-newsletter at www.caribbeantravelmag.com
About Caribbean Travel & Life:
Caribbean Travel & Life magazine is the most trusted authority on the world’s favorite sun-and-fun playground serving as resource, regular inspiration and constant connection for active travelers by presenting a comprehensive and current package of information and ideas on visiting the Caribbean. CT&L seeks out fun, positive experiences in all the destinations, and leading readers to romantic, indulgent and adventurous escapes via stunning photographs and stories that convey the warm- breeze, soft-sand, barefoot feel of the region.
SOURCE: Caribbean Travel & Life magazine.
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".