When spring break is just around the corner, you have a terrific excuse to reconnect with the ladies in your life. A girls’ trip can be the adventure of a lifetime.
Before you blow up the group chat with spring break travel ideas, take a minute to prepare. A memorable getaway can come in many different forms, but there are a few key steps required for any successful trip.
Step 1: Get the right squad together.
A girls’ trip is the perfect way to strengthen an existing connection among your female friends. The first question when planning your spring break is who you should invite.
Think about friends who have shared interests and a great group dynamic. You could get in touch with your college roommates, friends from your hometown, your neighbors, or the girls from your book club. What matters most is that they’re open to new experiences.
While travel can bring out the best in people, unexpected snags can bring out the worst. To ensure the easiest group dynamic, choose travel companions who have a shared history. Traveling with a solid group of friends will ensure that you never run out of things to talk about, while also keeping spirits high.
Step 2: Be honest about money.
The next step in your travel plan is tough but necessary. Talk to your friends about money.
It’s important to know up-front what everyone can afford to spend on the trip. A simple conversation will ensure that no one feels uncomfortable, or worse, pressured to blow their budget on what should be a fun experience.
Be frank with your friends about how much you’re willing to spend on travel and encourage them to do the same. For some in your circle, dropping a few thousand dollars on a European getaway is no sweat, while others might not be able to commit to more than a weekend at the local beach. If possible, prioritize options and activities that allow the greatest number of friends to participate.
Step 3: Start planning spring break.
With a budget in mind and timing established, you’re ready to move on to the fun part of your trip: finding the perfect destination!
Choosing a spring break destination
Together with your friends, come up with a list of non-negotiables. Should your destination be local or international? Urban or remote? Leisurely or adventurous?
Consider some of the most popular destinations, and then decide if you want to join the action or avoid the crowds. Florida, Mexico, and the Caribbean are always popular, and there’s a reason for that. The weather is great and they have an atmosphere that screams “spring break!”
You could choose to go off the beaten path, though. Underrated spring break destinations like Taos, New Mexico, and Antigua, Guatemala, have many of the same upsides of the hot spots, but because they’re less top of mind, they tend to be less crowded and less expensive.
Choosing a place to stay
You’ll also want to use this time to pick the perfect place to stay. What options are available for a group your size, and how do they factor into your group’s budget?
Whether you’re staying in an Airbnb, a luxury hotel, or a trendy hostel, look for rooms with a sizeable common area. Trust me. After a long day of travel, there’s nothing better than relaxing on a set of comfy couches and swapping stories.
Align with the group on accommodations early so you can book well in advance of our trip. You don’t want to get split up or end up overpaying because of procrastination.
Creating an itinerary
Even if you don’t want a tight schedule or prefer to be spontaneous and play things by ear, a basic itinerary helps to get everyone thinking. You’ll find out quickly what each person expects from the trip once you start hearing what’s on their bucket list.
Once you have an idea of what your trip should look like, it’s time to do your research. Start with a few of the tried-and-true favorites like TripAdvisor, Travel + Leisure, or Fodor’s Travel. When you’ve narrowed down your destinations, refer to travel blogs and forums for insider details.
Use your itinerary to create packing lists, finalize reservations, and plan meals.
Choosing a point of contact
When booking accommodations and activities, it makes sense to have one person as your main point of contact. They can keep the group updated and keep the information streamlined.
Protecting your spring break trip
You should also consider options like travel medical insurance or trip protection insurance to provide additional support if something goes wrong.
Factoring insurance into your plans can help with budgeting, whether it’s tracking how you're spending your travel money or knowing how to build in a financial buffer in case of emergencies.
If there are a lot of you, look into travel insurance for groups. A good travel insurance provider can streamline the process, making it simple for everyone to get the coverage they need.
Of course, all this research doesn’t have to be boring (yes, even when you’re looking at travel insurance). If your ladies are local, invite them over for an evening of drinks, snacks, and Google searches. And should your energy lag after a few hours of research, end the night by streaming a movie that matches your vacation theme!
Step 4: Get organized.
Turning your spring break ideas into reality requires effort, but there are ways to make it easier.
Sharing the work
You might decide to divvy up the work by giving everyone their own job. It could be that one of your friends is great at finding flights, while another can be counted on to make hotel reservations for the group.
By breaking up the planning, the whole group has a chance to take ownership over the trip’s success — and no single person has to shoulder all the responsibility.
Communicating with the group
They say that communication is the key to every relationship, and that holds true among friends. Remember to check in with the group as you plan. Use collaboration tools like Google Drive, to-do apps like Tick Tick, or just an old-fashioned group email to keep everyone up to speed.
Anticipation is half the fun, and you’ll be able to share in the excitement as you finalize your spring break plans.
Have a single source of truth
Create a shared folder or document to keep track of budgets, payments, and any other information everyone needs access to.
- Save copies of receipts, waivers that need to be signed for activities or housing, and your travel insurance documents for easy reference.
- Make a spreadsheet with the budget of group expenses to share with everyone once agreement is reached. Record everyone’s payments so you know you’re staying on budget.
- List out reservation confirmations for hotels/rentals, activities, and restaurant meals.
- Assign responsibilities as you divide tasks or items on your packing list. Put these assignments in a document or spreadsheet so nothing gets overlooked. Entries might include who’s bringing outdoor speakers or who’s in charge of what groceries so everyone doesn’t bring the same thing.
Step 5: Get going!
You and your friends have put in the work. Now it’s time to enjoy your adventure!
Don’t forget to pack a few confidence-boosting outfits, an amazing playlist, and plenty of snacks. Once you’ve made it to your spring break destination, take time to appreciate the women you’re with. The world is worth exploring, and an inspiring group of female friends can make the journey all the better.
Travel Insurance for Spring Break Getaways
Seven Corners can help you find the right travel insurance for your spring break trip, whether you’re traveling with a squad of two or 10. Get a quote today or talk to one of our licensed agents.
About the Authors
Grace Lower was the lead writer for this article. She is a frequent contributor to Seven Corners and a pro at traveling in groups and on study abroad programs. Freelancer Caryn Anderson also contributed.
