During the upcoming holiday break many UW-Madison students will plan their long-awaited spring break trips. When planning a trip, some students often head straight to the Web while other students call a travel agent to plan a week away from school. However, students may be unaware of the opportunities offered through UW-Madison.
The Wisconsin Union Travel Center, located on the second floor of Memorial Union, in conjunction with Student Travel Services, is offering two tropical destinations for students to choose from this year: Acapulco, Mexico and Negril, Jamaica.
Both destinations offer round-trip flights departing from Madison, seven nights hotel lodging, round-trip transfer from airport to hotel, an activities and entertainment package, Travel Center staff on site in case of any problems and optional meal plans. STS also offers a free activity bracelet for Madison students for booking a trip through them.
Student are encouraged to take part in side trips such as scuba diving, snorkeling and swimming with dolphins, rather than spending their day drinking, although drinking is not prohibited.
\Students are free to spend their time as they choose once they get down there,"" said Alan Madsen, spring break coordinator at the Wisconsin Union Travel Center.
Students who have interest in going to Acapulco can choose from 13 different hotels ranging in price from $700 to $1,200, based on number of room occupants and all-inclusive options. Acapulco is similar to Cancun, offering a great night life for travelers, Madsen said.
UW-Madison offers more than 20 hotels for students traveling to Negril ranging from $670 to $1,180. Negril is less industrialized and offers a laid-back atmosphere where travelers tend to spend nearly all day at the beach, according to Madsen.
""Going on a trip planned by UW-Madison is a great opportunity for students to meet other
students,"" he said.
Trips through the Union Travel Center fill up fast-there are two flights from Madison holding 172 students each.
""The earlier you book, the better price you will receive and the more selection you will have,"" Madsen said.
For students interested in a different type of vacation, the university also offers alternative spring break trips.
""This year Tripp and Adams will travel to Bryan College Station, near Texas A&M, where students will help build a house for Habitat for Humanity Collegiate Challenge,"" said Evan Matthies, community service coordinator for Tripp and Adams halls.
Students will travel by van 18 hours southwest of Madison and stay in a church near the building site. No experience is needed to give a helping hand to the cause, Matthies said. The trip costs approximately $100 and students are still able to travel to a
warmer climate.
Students interested in such trips can contact the Wisconsin Union Travel Center or one of the residential halls' community service coordinators.
Assistant director of residential hall community students Larry Davis urged students in residence halls to check with their residential halls' community service coordinator to learn of additional trips.
Whether UW-Madison students decide to spend their spring break 2004 laying on the beach or building a house, it is important to be safe, have a great time and forget about school for a week, Madsen said.
