Spring Break, Anyone?

Spring is nearly upon us, though in reality, hasn't it been here since October? Complaining about south Texas weather aside, Spring Break marks a time of year when people pack up their bags, and get away. Why not? The kids are off, right? I think usually it's meant to be a respite from cold, blustery winter weather doldrums, but we don't have those issues here, so instead, it's a good excuse to travel! For those who don't have the opportunity to jet-set in March, it's just another week, but for those who do, the adventure can be amazing! This time of year always gets me motivated to dust off my passport and suitcases, and see the world (for maybe a little cheaper, and a little cooler than in June.) Who’s ready? At the age of twenty-three, I was struck straight in the face with the travel bug. Since then, I have discovered so many beauties of the world at the end of an airplane. I'm always dreaming and scheming of places to see, wonders to behold, buildings to traverse, art to take in, and food to consume. It's the most romantic thing I have ever done with my life, to experience another culture, another country, another reality far from the one I wake up to on a daily basis with a snoozable cell phone alarm. For me, travel is a state of mind, it's what I love and do. It wasn't something I did as a child, and I certainly worked hard to put away pennies - okay, dollars, to get there as an adult. In my experiences abroad, I have climbed the steps of the Duomo of Florence, sparkled with the lights of the Eiffel Tower, climbed the tiniest staircase to the secret hiding place of Anne Frank, stood where Gladiators once fought to the death, and crossed moats in to Medieval German castles. Some of my favorite memories of spring break consist of ten days with girlfriends exploring the rues du Paris and the gardens of Versailles. What an amazing trip! The minute I step back in my own reality, I'm mentally planning my next experience! (Cobble stone streets, street vendor dinners, cathedral bells, flowery, green parks, and an unending display of history can be quite addicting!) The experiences you have can change you, if you allow it to happen. Take one week away my friends, and turn it in to memories of a lifetime! On another note, Spring Break can be enjoyed in your own country, too, no passport or savings required! A nearby beach, resort town, mountain retreat, the high seas, or buzzy city - where would you land, and are you motivated yet? If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go? Why would you choose that place, and how long have you dreamed for the day? Have you walked away from a trip somewhere with a new found appreciation for something that you never did before? Please share - I'd love to hear what you have to say - even if you've never stepped foot out of your home town...what are your dreams?