No two words fire the imagination like it — with excitement so palpable you can feel in the air everywhere as party animals from New York to California make plans to break out and party down.

Spring break!!

If last year was any indication, Fort Lauderdale and South Beach Florida, South Padre Island, Texas and Lake Havasu, and Scottsdale, Arizona continue to top the list of favorites.

However, even more popular spring break locations lured students further south as Acapulco, Cancun, Cabo San Lucas, and Rosarito in Mexico continued to be the overall top exotic getaways for spring breakers. Students also zeroed in on Negril, Jamaica for the ultimate in island fun.

At least for a week or two ...

The height of spring break is usually from mid-March to mid-April.

With students short on time and money, travel companies offer affordable spring break packages. They typically feature week-long exursions ranging anywhere from $500 to $1500 and include airfare, hotel, meals and transfers.

For the college crowd, spring break "party packages" with hosted party nights and open bars are available at an additional cost.

Spring break travel tips

Alternative spring break

For those who want to opt out of the wild party scene, schools and travel agencies also offer spring break alternatives. These usually feature active participation on trips to aid the disadvantaged or to help clean up the environment.

New Orleans benefited from these programs when college students traveled to the devasted city to offer a helping hand in clean up operations following Hurricane Katrina.

Spring break around the world

However, most teens and young adults will almost universally celebrate a break from school with binge drinking and wild partying.

Down Under, locals can set their clocks by the arrival of thousands of students in mid-November participating in Schoolies Week, drawn to the nightlife of Sydney or around the spectacular Australian beaches of the Gold and Sun Coast.

Also count on seeing UK students in equally large numbers traveling to the sunny beaches of Spain to celebrate school's end.

Spring break travel hot spots

Elsewhere around the Web, discover helpful guides geared specifically to first-time travelers with specific information on the most popular destinations and what to see and do once you get there.

Also check out feature articles offering closer looks at major attractions, beaches & nightlife - with good insider tips & advice for where to go, what to do, and how to live to tell about it...

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