Foran is going places! Literally. 2023 was filled with a variety of different travel destinations for both students and teachers, all the way from Europe to Florida. No matter the location, 46% of students polled about their trips this year, are saying they traveled to make memories.
Sophomore Laney Chan went to Disney World this year and made many memories, but one that stuck out was “spending time with [her] little cousins and aunt and uncle since [she doesn’t] get to see them that often.”
Students were asked about their favorite part of their trips this year and gave a wide variety of responses, but the trend was the opportunity to experience new things and meet new people.
New things don’t have to be extravagant like seeing the Eiffel Tower or going to an amusement park, it can be as simple as trying In and Out for the first time in Las Vegas like Junior Lila Rothbard.
One of the most seasoned travelers in the school is US History and AP Human Geography teacher, Mrs. Jessica Blake. She has been to countries all over the world and this summer visited even more on her European honeymoon.
Blake went to Scotland, London, Oxford, Belgium, Rome, Orvieto, Tuscany, Sorento, and Amalfi coast. With her husband, she went chocolate hopping, visited the Vatican, stayed in an Italian convent, and so much more.
After having traveled to so many places both on and outside of her honeymoon, her biggest piece of advice is: “Travel as much as you can in your twenties, you don’t need to be married.” She expands on this further by noting that you should never turn down an experience, and going alone is okay as long as you do it safely.
After surveying about 50 students similar advice appeared, Sophomore Makayle Crespo said “Do as much as you can and make the best of it.” which doesn’t only apply to her Florida vacation this year but also other trips that interest people.
One thing that is important to consider this year when looking to go on a vacation is the wars going on in Israel and in Ukraine. 65% of the students asked, said they would not consider traveling to locations surrounding the conflicts.
As for war, the conflict between Russia and Ukraine has been ongoing for years which has entirely localized in Ukraine meaning, the rest of Europe is safe to visit. On the other hand, with the budding conflict between Israel and Palestine many travel guide websites such as Safe Travel, TravelPulse, and Afar have strongly advised that people avoid traveling to the Middle East. Traveling there would not guarantee tourist safety.
The key to having a good trip without interference is good planning. Chan says that, “planning everything in advance so there is no stress while you are on vacation.” is key.
According to Mrs. Blake the best site to plan a European vacation is europeandestinations.com, to build an easy affordable itinerary.
