Spring Break 2006: 10 hot spots

From the Virgin Islands to Fort Lauderdale, great spots to take in the rays

Well, it’s that time of year again: the annual migration to the surf, sand and sunshine of some beachy locale. Last year, I discussed how an adult can survive Spring Break, and like a ring from Tiffany, that advice is timeless. But if you are looking to make that annual migration this year, sit back, relax and see where the hot destinations are for Spring Break 2006.

How do I know that they’re hot? I asked more than 2,000 members of our Tripso forums a simple question — “Where do you want to go for Spring Break?” — and I got these top 10 picks. While some of them are definitely for the young at heart (a euphemism for the Party Hearty Crowd, hereafter abbreviated as “PHC”), others are geared to somewhat less raucous vacationers.

The envelope, please …

Number 6: Aruba
Despite the recent “boycott” (which failed), Aruba is still a hot destination for Spring Break. Its brisk trade winds have a way of changing everything — from the mangled divi-divi trees on the beaches, to the strangely sculpted monoliths in the center of the island, to the sunburned sun worshipers on the beach. Aruba has many high-rise resorts, great restaurants, flashy casinos and white-sand beaches. By day, there is some of the best windsurfing and water-skiing in the Caribbean; by night, there is excellent dining and gambling. Warm, blustery, and relatively dry, Aruba is a unique Caribbean destination.