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Best Places for an Exciting Summer Getaway

Best places to travel without a passport

Are you looking for paradise without a passport? As a citizen of the United States, there are ample places you can travel without a passport that will make your summer getaway unforgettable. Read on to discover a few of our favorites.

Puerto Rico

Stunning aerial view of El Yunque National Forest
(Stunning aerial view of El Yunque National Forest, the only tropical rainforest in the U.S. National Forest Service. Photo courtesy of DiscoverPuertoRico.com)

According to TripAdvisor1

“Puerto Rico offers the perfect balance between tranquil retreat and rum-soaked nightlife.” Located in the Caribbean, Puerto Rico has been a territory of the United States since 1891. It’s classified as an “unincorporated territory,” meaning the island is controlled by the U.S. government and is an opportune place to travel without a passport.2

You won’t be short of things to do on summer break here. Puerto Rico offers visitors world-renowned beaches, bioluminescent bays, rich history and culture, exceptional food, majestic mountains, relaxation, adventure — all packed into one sun-kissed Caribbean paradise. Try visiting the 500-year-old historic district of Old San Juan or ziplining through the tropical rainforest in the Rio Grande.3

And, did we mention that the price is right? Hotels in Puerto Rico charge their highest prices during the peak winter period from mid-December to mid-April.4

This means prices will start to dip right in time for your summer getaway.

U.S. Virgin Islands

View of the blue ocean water and beach, Virgin Islands
(Photo courtesy of TripAdvisor.com)

The flags of seven different nations have flown over these islands, which means you will be greeted with a culturally diverse and beautiful experience every step of the way. The U.S. Virgin Islands are located in the Caribbean and have been a territory of the United States since 1917, making it another excellent option for places to travel without a passport. There are three principal islands to explore – St. Croix, St. John, and St. Thomas – plus 50 smaller islands, cays, and islets that are part of the Caribbean archipelago.5

The U.S. Virgin Islands are known for the turquoise water and white sandy beaches – which means water activities will be high on your list of things to do on summer break. World-class diving, deep-sea fishing, sailing, snorkeling, kayaking, and paddle boarding are just some of the ways to explore and see more than 500 species of fish, 40 types of coral, and hundreds of invertebrates inhabiting the sea.

Other must-see places include:6

Guam

Fort Soledad, Umatac stone fortification
(Photo courtesy of Guam Visitors Bureau)

A trip to Guam is like visiting the four exotic corners of the globe – which is why it rounds out our list of places to travel without a passport. The island has 4,000 years of rich history and is home to over 130 sites in the National Register of Historic Places. Guam’s unique culture is thanks to the indigenous Chamorros, Filipinos, Chinese, Japanese, Koreans, and Micronesian Islanders, as well as a few Vietnamese, Indians, and Europeans that all inhabit the island – a true example of the great American melting pot.7

If you want to learn more about Guam’s unique culture, immerse yourself in a Guam fiesta. Fiestas are held almost every weekend to celebrate village patron saints, a legacy of the Catholic faith brought to Guam by the Spaniards in the 16th century. Churches and local families host most fiesta celebrations, but tourists can arrange visits through tour agents and the Guam Visitors Bureau. A fiesta will often kick off with a church mass and procession through the village and continue with cultural activities like music, coconut husking, Talaya throwing, tuba drinking, and traditional dance performances 8

And if you are a fan of diving, prepare to nerd out. If you swim 110 feet below the water of Apra harbor, you will find the only site in the world where wrecks from two different countries and two different wars are nearly touching. (A German ship from WWI and a Japanese cargo ship from WWII.) 9

Need one more reason to visit Guam? There is no sales tax, which means your money goes a little further.10  But trust us when we say this list could go on and on.

Best luxury family resorts

In case your “squad” consists mainly of children, we have also included our favorite luxury family resorts that are sure to impress and tire out your kids.

Hershey, Pennsylvania

Hershey themed family resorts
(Photo courtesy of ChocolateWorld)

If the name didn’t give it away, Hershey, Pennsylvania, is home to The Hershey Company and a collection of Hershey themed family resorts and activities. The Hotel Hershey stands out as the best luxury family resort and has received both the Forbes Four-Star Award and the AAA Four-Diamond Award. The chocolate themed family resort offers various activities for the entire family, such as Segway tours, falconry, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a sports complex, miles of hiking trails, an 18-hole putting course, and a chocolate spa for the adults.11

If you decide to make Hershey your summer getaway, get ready to take advantage of their summer deals that run from Memorial weekend until Labor Day weekend. During this time, a summer admission ticket to the Hersheypark theme park also gives you free access to the Boardwalk, Hershey’s 11-acre water park; and, ZooAmerica, a world-class, accredited wildlife park that is home to more than 200 North American animals.12

After you’ve checked out all of the rollercoasters, the next thing to do on summer break is visit Hershey’s Chocolate World. Discover how cocoa becomes world-famous Hershey’s Chocolate, stop by and get your pictures taken at the Hershey’s Photo Studio, ride the Hershey Trolley, help Hershey characters solve a mystery in the 4D Chocolate Movie, and design a candy bar.13

By the time you leave, your kids will be full and exhausted!

Orlando, Florida

Grove Resort and Water Park Orlando
(Photo courtesy of Grove Resort and Water Park Orlando)

The Grove Resort & Water Park Orlando is located just outside of Orlando, and the hotel’s location is secluded and quiet. If you want to take your family to a theme park, the hotel offers free shuttles and is the ideal family resort to relax afterward. And if you don’t want to adventure out, you will still have a great time at this luxury family resort.

The Grove is on 106 acres of land in Winter Garden, where guests can enjoy kayaking and fishing. Afterward, you can hang by one of the resort’s three pools or watch your children have a blast at the onsite water park. There is something for everyone with the double surf simulator, dual water slides, a 695-foot lazy river, kids’ activities pool, and zero-entry pool.14

The resort’s suites are incredibly convenient for families, ranging from one to three bedrooms and offering fully equipped kitchens, washers and dryers, and patios or balconies. Whether or not you visit Mickey Mouse while you are in town, your family will have a great summer getaway in the Florida sun!

Yosemite National Park

Yosemite National Park
(Photo courtesy of TripAdvisor.com)

If you are looking for a luxury family resort that places you right in the middle of the great outdoors, then The Ahwahnee could be your perfect summer getaway. Built in 1927, the famous resort sits in the middle of Yosemite Valley and has hosted prominent dignitaries such as Dwight Eisenhower, Charlie Chaplin, Walt Disney, the Shah of Iran, Barack Obama, Steve Jobs, and numerous others.

There are many other resorts near Yosemite National Park, and Mariposa County has compiled a list for you to explore right here. No matter where you decide to lay your head, the best part of this summer getaway is exploring the renowned Valley.

First protected in 1864, Yosemite National Park is best known for its waterfalls, but within its nearly 1,200 square miles, you can find deep valleys, grand meadows, ancient giant sequoias, a vast wilderness area, and much more. The immense terrains are home to more than 400 species that call it home, from fish and amphibians to reptiles, birds, and mammals.15

There are endless things to do on summer break when visiting Yosemite National Park. You can hike through wildflowers or to the summit of renowned peaks such as Cloud’s Rest and Half Dome. If your family is more adventurous, you could try backpacking through the Valley, camping, cliff jumping and exploring natural water slides. The possibilities are endless.16

Travel with peace of mind

If you are looking for things to do on summer break, you have come to the right place! Summer getaways can be a blast, but getting a flat tire or having your identity stolen mid-trip could put a damper on things.

Having a Safeguard Discount Plan is like having a team of experts on speed dial. For help abroad or on the open road, with your identity or roadside assistance, a Safeguard Discount Plan through Woligo connects you with professional providers who may provide advice or treatment for your predicament.

  • Global Travel Assistance: When you’re traveling more than 100 miles away from home and become ill or injured, you can connect with a global network of doctors involved in the global travel protection plan. If you lose your passport while overseas, you’ll have immediate help.
  • Roadside Assistance: Getting a flat tire is always a bummer, especially when you are on a summer getaway headed to a luxury family resort. If your car’s battery dies, you run out of gas, or you get locked out of your car, you only have to make one call, and help is on the way.
  • I.D. Sanctuary: With I.D. Sanctuary, identity protection is at your fingertips. If you are the victim of identity theft, our team immediately gets to work to guide you through the identity restoration process.
  • Legal Services: It’s convenient to say “let me call my lawyer” when you have a legal question.
  • Financial Services: Live coaching and online resources to help you keep your finances in check and save up to take your kids to the best luxury family resorts.

And because of the discounts you get for being a member, you don’t have to empty your wallets, either. You have access to the help you need, whenever you need it. It is only $10.95 a month for individuals, and you can enjoy your summer getaway knowing you are protected.

Things to do on summer break

If you are looking for things to do on summer break, we hope this article has given you some fun ideas to plan your perfect summer getaway. And don’t forget to check out the safeguard discount plan through Woligo. If you run into a problem at home or while on vacation, you can rest easy knowing a team of experts is standing by to help you.

Sources:

  1. TripAdvisor
  2. https://time.com/4957011/is-puerto-rico-part-of-us/
  3. https://www.discoverpuertorico.com/list/top-places-to-see-puerto-rico
  4. https://www.frommers.com/destinations/puerto-rico/planning-a-trip/when-to-go
  5. https://www.visittheusa.com/state/us-virgin-islands
  6. https://www.visittheusa.com/state/us-virgin-islands
  7. https://www.visitguam.com/chamorro-culture
  8. https://www.visittheusa.com/experience/traditional-fiesta-guam
  9. https://guam-rentacar.com/carrental-blog/en/touch-ship-wrecks-from-two-world-wars/
  10. https://www.visittheusa.com/state/guam
  11. https://www.thehotelhershey.com/recreation/
  12. https://www.hersheypark.com/explore-the-park/summer.php
  13. https://www.chocolateworld.com/en_us/things-to-do.html
  14. https://www.groveresortorlando.com/experience_orlando/
  15. https://www.nps.gov/yose/learn/nature/animals.htm
  16. https://www.nationalparkreservations.com/park/yosemite-national-park/activities/