Break Away This Spring!

CHICAGO, Feb. 19 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- March is the official kickoff to spring and every year college revelers hit the beaches, making it somewhat challenging for families and others seeking tranquility to find a relaxing vacation spot. Orbitz (http://www.orbitz.com), furthering its commitment to keep travelers "A Step Ahead(TM)," is for the third straight year using its Insider Index to identify some choice alternative spring break destinations for those looking to avoid the partiers and the big crowds.

"Spring break may be synonymous with college kids and party scenes, but there's a also a large segment of the market that is traveling with younger kids on break, as well as those going spring skiing or simply looking to escape the cold," said Heather Leisman, Senior Director of Merchandising at Orbitz. "Our Insiders have picked some great places to avoid the crowds and enjoy a memorable vacation."

Top 10 Alternative Spring Break Destinations

To help travelers plan a getaway this spring, Orbitz is highlighting the top alternative spring break destinations. The Index represents the most popular locations where Orbitz travelers are heading in during this popular travel period, excluding destinations that are traditionally visited by college spring breakers.

                           The Orbitz Insider Index                 Top 10 Alternative Spring Break Destinations                    1  San Francisco, CA                    2  Puerto Vallarta, Mexico                    3  San Diego, CA                    4  San Juan, Puerto Rico                    5  San Antonio, TX                    6  Tampa, FL                    7  Seattle, WA                    8  Reno, NV                    9  Austin, TX                    10 Tucson, AZ

Orbitz.com destinations based on popularity for arrival 3/1/08 to 4/15/08. Rank based only on 20 nominated alternative spring break destinations. Data includes land-only and package sales. Based on net sales as of 2/6/08.

Austin and Tucson, ranked nine and ten respectively, are new additions to the 2008 Alternative Spring Break Index, replacing Fort Myers/Naples, Fla. and Maui, HI. In addition to highlighting the top alternative destinations for spring travel based on bookings, the Orbitz Insiders recommend the following, off-the-beaten path destinations for a memorable spring getaway.

Orbitz Staff Insider Picks

Cusco, Peru

For spring break travelers looking for adventure, Cusco is known by many as the "archaeological capital of the Americas," offering visitors an assortment of activities. If you're looking to explore the city, The Cathedral located in Plaza de Armas is not only beautiful, it also houses exquisite examples of woodcarvings and an important collection of canvases. Two must see sites around Cusco are Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley. Machu Picchu, thought to be a royal Inca residence, is located on a high mountain overlooking the Urubamba River and offers a chance to see both history and thrilling views of the valleys below. The Sacred Valley runs along the Vilcanota River and through picturesque towns -- great for buying handmade goods -- as well as archaeological remains and giant white cornfields, making it perfect for any outdoor explorer.

Tucson, Arizona

Tucson is top pick for outdoor enthusiasts with its mountains and mild to warm year-round climate. For baseball fans, Tucson is also the spring training home to a handful of major league teams, making late February and March an ideal time to get up close to the players and take in a game. For travelers who prefer to hit the links, Tucson boasts many traditional and desert style golf courses. For a taste of the old west, look no further than one of the many guest ranches located around Tucson, which feature everything from horseback riding lessons to line dance instruction and yoga classes.

St. Lucia, Caribbean

Nestled away from the traditional spring break crowds, St. Lucia fosters an atmosphere of rest and relaxation, with accommodations and activities the whole family can enjoy. After transferring between French and British ownership 14 times, this pristine island is an appealing combination of European influence. While the sprawling beaches are a big draw, St. Lucia offers more than a sandy escape -- it features gorgeous waterfalls, botanical gardens and the impressive Piton Mountains, inviting visitors to hike this expansive landmark. Aside from outdoor excursions, St. Lucia is home to intimate hotels, vibrant nightlife and some of the best seafood in the Caribbean. It is also one of the most popular spots in the Caribbean for wind-surfing.

Banff/Lake Louise, Alberta, Canada

For those who embrace winter sports and want to hit the slopes this spring, make your tracks in a destination not overrun with tourists. Banff National Park in Alberta, Canada offers three pristine ski resorts -- Ski Norquay, Lake Louise and Sunshine Village. These resorts provide more than 7,700 acres of terrain and over 240 trails, from wide groomed runs to tree lined glades, catering to skiers of any ability. Plus, with one interchangeable lift ticket, visitors can easily ski three mountains in one trip. At the end of a long day on the mountain, tired skiers can indulge in a relaxing mineral bath at the Banff Upper Hot Springs or head to the Lake Louise TorchLight Dinner, which offers a full buffet, live entertainment and a guided torchlight ski down the mountain.

Georgia's Golden Isles and Colonial Coast

Located off the coast of Georgia are a series of islands and areas where visitors are sure to get some secluded rest and relaxation. The Golden Isles, comprised of Brunswick, Cumberland Island, St. Simon's Island and Jekyll Island, offer something for everyone. Cumberland Island, a short ferry ride from St. Mary's, has a national seashore where visitors can see wild horses running through untouched landscapes. Jekyll Island houses the Georgia Sea Turtle Center where visitors can learn about these unique animals. It is also a great destination for golfing and horseback rides, as well as sunbathing on its 10 miles of uncrowded beach. Finally, St. Simon's is home to kayaking, nature tours and the St. Simon's lighthouse, which is still active and open to the public.

Travelers can visit the Orbitz blog (http://blog.orbitz.com) for additional travel ideas and tips for a planning an alternative spring break.

About Orbitz:

Orbitz (http://www.orbitz.com) is a leading online travel company that enables travelers to search for and purchase a broad array of travel products, including airline tickets, hotel rooms, rental cars, cruises and vacation packages. Since launching its website http://www.orbitz.com to the general public in June 2001, Orbitz has become one of the largest online travel sites in the world based on gross travel bookings. On Orbitz, consumers can search more than 80,000 suppliers worldwide including airlines, hotels and car rental companies. Orbitz is a brand that is owned and operated by Orbitz Worldwide NYSE: OWW.

About Orbitz Worldwide:

Orbitz Worldwide NYSE: OWW is a leading global online travel company that uses innovative technology to enable leisure and business travelers to research, plan and book a broad range of travel products. Orbitz Worldwide owns and operates a portfolio of consumer brands that includes Orbitz (http://www.orbitz.com), CheapTickets (http://www.cheaptickets.com), ebookers (http://www.ebookers.com), HotelClub (http://www.hotelclub.com), RatesToGo (http://www.ratestogo.com) and the Away Network (http://www.away.com) and corporate travel brand Orbitz for Business (http://www.orbitzforbusiness.com/). For more information, visit the Orbitz Worldwide Investor Relations website at http://www.orbitz-ir.com.