Making up for lost time...

Sorry it has been so long since I last ventured into the blogoshpere.  It is crazy to think that over a year has gone by since I started this puppy for Dr. Russels Word of Mouth and Social Media Marketing class.  I learned so much, and have been able to apply it to all my studies.  I am so grateful to her for all I have learned.  

I'm now almost a college graduate (my status will be official in 19 days... gross), and I am looking forward to my next adventure.   I am finally putting all of the travel advice I have given on this blog into practice; I am heading to Europe for 5 weeks with the one and only, KatyRavensberg.

Together, we will tackle Paris, Amsterdam, Munich, Switzerland, Florence, Rome, Ibiza, Barcelona, Madrid, and hopefully, if we don't run out of money, we will end up somewhere in Greece.

This blog will now be my official communication with everyone back home. Hope you enjoy!

Audio Podcast about EF College Break

Costa Rica Rainforest Outward Bound School

Never before has there been such an amazing way to get college credit. Costa Rica Rain Forest Outward Bound School creates the possibility to explore the great outdoors and receive college credit.

I went on an 8 day Outward Bound Course in Costa Rica and absolutely loved it. There are week long programs to semester long programs, all offering the opportunity to test your personal limits and explore the beautiful country of Costa Rica. The trips include rappelling, white water rafting, kayaking, surfing, hiking, and community service projects. You get to interact with locals and meet a great group of people.

Pura vida!

Great Resource

I found a website on how to find cheap flights and thought I would pass it along.

Spotlight: Prague

Prague: City of a Hundred Spires

On April 30, they will burn fake witches to ring in the springtime. On May 1, they will hold hands and exchange flowers on their own version of Valentine's Day. And every day of the year, they walk past gothic churches, along cobblestone streets, and in and out of cavernous underground pubs. Yes, Prague is always a good place to be. For the city's best eats, drinks, shops, and more, check out EF College Break's Prague City Guide.

Opportunity for High School Students

High school students have an opportunity to travel for FREE this summer, so tell your little brothers and sisters! They could star in EF’s new reality travel series, Life on Tour™!

Selected individuals will travel for FREE on a 10-day EF educational tour. Learn more at

www.eftours.com/lifeontour

Act FAST! Casting is open only until MARCH 31, 2008, enter now!

Spring Breakin

Last week I had the joy of visiting Nassau, Bahamas for spring break. I went to the Atlantis with my family, but I was MORTIFIED by the prices of EVERYTHING at the hotel. DO NOT GO THERE if you are a broke college student. Sit down dinners for 3 were hundreds of dollars, slices of pizza were $7.50.

Other than the beds, nothing was included in the price of the hotel. We stayed at the Reef, the newest tower to the Atlantis compound. While the rooms were nice, there was not a business center or a fitness center in our hotel. What they do not tell you is that after you pay thousands of dollars to stay in a room, you have to pay an extra $10-$150 every time you use these auxiliary services. We didn't even have a restaurant- only a Starbucks in the lobby.

However, the pools were fabulous and so much fun! The Cain Pool at Atlantis was the "hippest" and most enjoyable for our demographic. The daquaris and Pina Coladas were to die for. The hotel itself is incredible and huge, and a great destination for any fun loving twenty something.

So here are some hints to travel to Nassau on a budget and still enjoy the Atlantis:

1. Don't stay there! There are plenty of other hotels on the island that are way cheaper.

2. Bring your own drinks. While liqueur is inexpensive, mixers and beer are not. Pack your extra suitcase with drinks to enjoy on your vacay (if you are of age of course)!

3. Sneak into the Atlantis to enjoy their amenities. Supposedly, you have to buy a one day pass to enjoy the Atlantis pool. I never had a wristband on (their measure of whether or not guests were there legally) and never once ran into trouble. Just take a cab over to the Atlantis and lay low by the pool all day. Don't cause a scene, act confident, and you should be fine.

4. Travel in off season times. Prices are high over winter and spring break and lower over the summer.