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For most students, spring break means sun, beach, fun and non-stop partying. For others, spring break is a time to travel and discover new parts of the world. There is no reason why these two objectives cannot be combined. You can have fun with your friends while discovering different parts of the world, different cultures and a different perspective on things. Take a look at some of the top spring destinations for 2008.

Paris and London

I’ve combined these two cities because they can both be explored in a small amount of time. Paris and London are connected through the Eurotunnel and can also be reached by train. Both cities are so full of life and offer an infinite amount of activities – sightseeing, shopping, culture and entertainment. The only downside is that you won’t be able to spot any sunny, sandy beaches around here…at least not during the spring months.

Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

Punta Cana is an all-inclusive paradise. Most resorts in this area offer all-inclusive amenities meaning that you will be able to sleep, eat and party all without leaving the comfort of your resort. The beaches are beautiful, the entertainment is superb with some of the best Latin music originating from this country.

Negril, Jamaica

A seven mile stretch of white powder sand and crystal clear turquoise water is Negril’s best attraction. Here you can swim, dive or just relax with your friends. This is one of the top Spring Break destinations offering beach parties and Reggae concerts at affordable prices.

Acapulco, Mexico

Acapulco is known as one of the top tourist destinations in Mexico. It offers beautiful beaches, top-notch entertainment and some of the best hotel facilities. Located on the Pacific side, Acapulco offers a variety of activities including water sports, cliff diving, world-class cuisine, international music and lots of fun at the beach, but it’s also more affordable than its counterpart in the Caribbean Sea – Cancun.

South Padre Island, Texas

Located almost at the border between Mexico and Texas, this island has been named one of the top 30 beaches in the world. South Padre Island offers a variety of activities for Spring Breakers from concerts to parties to aquatic sports and wildlife watching. It’s also important to note that it’s one of the most affordable Spring Break destinations.

By: Denisse Romero

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Other modes of transportation from the U.K. to France involve a trade-off of some kind. Low price, speed, comfort, convenience and efficiency cannot all be had in the same experience. Such difficult decisions can be avoided by taking Eurotunnel or Eurostar through the Channel Tunnel.

The first go at turning this idea into a reality was finally started in the mid-1800′s, only to be stopped by political turmoil. In the 1970′s economic troubles brought the second attempt to a standstill. The third attempt, started in 1988, was successful. Despite the financial, political and technical challenges, the Channel Tunnel was finally completed in 1994.

Though completely funded by private investors, the Channel Tunnel was considered a financial disaster by many, because the cost and debt associated with it ended up being much higher than originally anticipated. On the positive side, the completion of the Channel Tunnel provided competition with the other available modes of transportation, causing travel prices to lower and thus be more affordable for travelers.

Constructed of super strong, super thick concrete and steel, the Channel Tunnel is 50 km (or 31 miles) long, connecting Folkestone, England with Calais, France. The trip across takes 35 to 45 minutes to complete. The Channel Tunnel consists of two tunnels, with a smaller service tunnel in between used in case of an emergency. These railway tunnels are utilized by Eurotunnel, Eurostar and cargo trains.

Eurotunnel, in addition to providing electric rail ferry services for vehicles, is actually the company responsible for the construction of the Channel Tunnel (or Chunnel, as it is popularly known). Passenger cars and commercial lorries and vans can be trnsported from the U.K. to France much more quickly than with oversea ferries. Service is provided 24 hours a day, with greater efficiency, greater speed and less hassle. Prices vary depending on how far ahead the trip is booked, the time of day and time of year, the type of vehicle and the intended length of stay.

Eurostar is a high speed electric passenger train service that operates in the U.K., France and Belgium. Eurostar contracts with Eurotunnel for the right run its commuter trains on Eurotunnel’s railways. As with Eurotunnel service, a Eurostar tunnel crossing takes 35 to 45 minutes, with speeds up to 200 mph. Eurostar offers a choice of food and different passenger classes, and prices vary widely, depending on which class is booked, the time of year and how close the tickets are booked to the actual time of travel. Eurostar also offers the convenience of non-stop service between many locations, including London and Paris.

Regardless of whether one chooses to travel with Eurotunnel or Eurostar from the U.K. to France, using the Channel Tunnel railways clearly offers the most benefits compared to other modes of transport.

By: Nick Gent

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