Schoolchildren write odes to it, and Chevy Chase immortalized it on the big screen—not once, but thrice. We’re talking, of course, about That Other Great American Pastime, the summer vacation. It seems not even a tanking economy can stop us from packing way too much and taking off to far-flung destinations. Here’s where folks along the corridor are headed this summer:
Alaska
Seeing America’s last wilderness from the deck of the big boat is more popular—and cheaper—than ever. Snap snowcapped peaks, mighty glaciers, steep fjords and whales during the day; visit the martini bar and casino at night. Says Gulf South Travel consultant Melanie Williams: “The Alaskan cruise has been a high-dollar trip, but with the economy, it’s becoming more reasonably priced.”
Disney, Disney, Disney
Walt Disney World, Disneyland Resort, Disney Cruises. Spending the week with Mickey and Goofy apparently never gets old.
Italy
Mamma mia! Seems lots of South Louisianans will be touring the Pantheon, the Coliseum, the markets of Pistola and the Piazza Campidoglio this summer. Round-trip tickets to Rome average $1,100 in June.
Asia
Bangkok. Manila. Jakarta. Hanoi. Shanghai. Seoul. Trips to Asia are hot right now. “A lot of people lately are just looking for something really different,” says Cindy Chambers, manager of Pearson’s Travel World in Baton Rouge. “They can see something different in Vietnam.”
Africa
There are those among us who would spend their summer days trekking the mountains of western Tanzania, navigating a maze of hippo on the Zambezi River or exploring the African savannah from the back of an elephant. Ten-day all-inclusive luxury or adventure trips start at around $8,000.
Canyon Ranch, Arizona
Head for the Sonoran desert and sleep among the coyotes and roadrunners. It’s not as if you’ll be roughing it at this luxe spa, though. There are body treatments, yoga, guided hikes, golf and three gourmet meals a day to be had. A one-bedroom suite for seven nights is $8,970.
Hawaii
What’s this? Corridor residents swapping South Louisiana in the summertime for a cool breeze on the white sandy beaches of the islands? Unbelievable.
Europe
Yes, we still love our jaunts to the old country. Williams of Gulf South Travel just booked tickets flying into London and home from Paris for $900. “Now’s the time to buy it,” she says.
Caribbean
If jumping on the plane that morning and having a daiquiri with one of those tiny umbrellas in your hand by the afternoon is your idea of a true vacation, join the throngs of South Louisianans heading for the Caribbean. James P. Halphen of GlobeTrek Travel in Lake Charles says the most popular destination is the Mayan Riviera. “We haven’t really felt the crunch here at all,” says Malcolm Travel & Cruise General Manager Farin Fabre. “People are still traveling, but not as long as they did before. So for South Louisianans, the Caribbean is quick.”
62-Day Oceania Cruise
Not the one-destination kind of person? Northshore Travel & Cruises’ Jeanne Dantin recently booked a 62-day Oceania cruise for one customer who plans to take in everything from Australia to Vietnam. The cost: $28,000.
Las Vegas
Yeah, yeah, we know. What happens there stays there.
