NORWALK, Conn. - March 10, 2006 - Spring break is here, so grab the tanning lotion, slide on the shades and pack the coolers - it's time to hit the beach for fun and sun.

The experts at Travelers Advantage are catching the wave, too, and surfing into the spirit with its list of top beaches for spring break.

"Spring break officially opens the beach season, and the warm sun, pristine sand and azure ocean beckon students, families and friends alike for this exciting annual rite of passage," said Julia Ryan, vice president of Travelers Advantage and Travelersadvantage.com. "All across America, throughout Mexico and the Caribbean, fabulous beach resorts are rolling out the welcome mat and staking out the umbrellas."

So pack the swimsuit, grab the towels … and set your sunglasses on the

Travelers Advantage Top 10 Spring Break Beaches:

1. South Padre, Texas … Boasts some 25 miles of sandy shoreline. Condos and hotels dot much of the beachfront, and there are more than 20 beach access points with free parking. South Padre is also home to the best surf in Texas, and lively nightlife is dished up year-round. The play-hard culture dominates at Laguna Madre on the bay side of the island. While there, go sailing, parasailing, boating, windsurfing, kite surfing and more.
   
2. Tampa Bay, Fla. … A crown jewel of the Florida West Coast, Treasure Island sparkles with myriad beach and water sport activities. Treasure Island - as are most of the Pinellas beaches - is bordered by the Gulf of Mexico to the west, and the intra-coastal waterway and Boca Ciega Bay to the east. Rich in both Indian and pirate history, Treasure Island is one of the Bay Area’s most popular beaches.
   
3. Key West, Fla. … Popular Smathers Beach offers a half-mile stretch of pristine beach, and features ample parking, concession stands, chair rentals, bike paths, picnic tables and volleyball. Take to the surf with numerous watersport activities, including jet skiing, parasailing and windsurfing. Duval Street is the hub of Key West life; hotels, guest houses, inns, bed & breakfasts, shops and restaurants abound, evoking the ambience of a tropical paradise. They are only a conch shell’s throw from each other, and a leisurely walk is the best mode of transportation on this enchanting island.
   
4. Destin, Fla. …Destin is home to some of the world’s most beautiful beaches. The crystal clear, water and sugar white sand fortifies the Emerald Coast in both name and reputation, and has emerged as one of America’s premier vacation destinations. Destin's beaches offer sunbathers, snorkelers and fishermen a veritable vacation paradise. Fishing off of the beach and jetties yields catches of Whiting, Pompano and Mackerel, while snorkeling offers spectacular views of tropical fish, aquatic life and shimmering shells. Destin dishes out enjoyment and indulgence for all ages.
   
5. Sanibel Island, Fla. …Known as one of the world’s best shelling spots, Sanibel is beginning to get a bit picked-over, so there are numerous shelling charters available to take you to less-traveled areas. Sanibel also offers a variety of canoe, bicycle and boat rentals for the explorer in you. Much of Sanibel Island - some 40 percent - is a dedicated nature preserve. Visit the J.N Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge, or the Care and Rehabilitation of Wildlife Society for guided tours and other services.
   
6. Waikiki, Hawaii … Never has a beach been as fabled as Waikiki. Since the 1950s, it has been a tourist destination extraordinaire. While much of it has been eroded, trampled by millions of feet, or encroached upon by towering skyscrapers, hints of its original beauty can still be seen in the crashing waves and the warm sand. Come nightfall, the hipsters strut their clubwear, and lovers find peaceful little nooks under the cover of sweeping palm trees.
   
7. Miami …South Beach is a fantasy land with unique architecture, a 24/7 chic night life and stunning shoreline. It occupies less than two miles on the tip of Miami Beach, but nothing compares! Known as the American Riviera, South Beach is where films, music videos and TV shows are often shot. Like a dry martini, South Beach draws celebrities, trendy youth and the young-at-heart. It's great for couples on spring break, offering refined relaxation and hip parties.
   
8. Daytona, Fla. …The consummate Florida beach town, with its T-shirt shops, amusement arcades and wall-to-wall motels. Daytona Beach owes its existence to 20 miles of sand where the only pressure is to break out the swimsuit and enjoy yourself. This location features a seemingly limitless beach - 500 feet wide at low tide and fading dreamily into the sunset. Lined with an all-but-endless procession of enormous but surprisingly low-priced motels, oceanfront Atlantic Avenue is just a gull glide away from the water.
   
9. Icacos Beach, Acapulco … Icacos beach is a beautiful - yet sometimes crowded - resort located in the Golden Zone. You can ride in a hot air balloon, soar on the Skycoaster, para-sail, or ride wave runners. Boats and yachts cruise this part of the Acapulco bay during the high seasons. There are also many ambitious vendors here, so be sure to ask the price to avoid unpleasant surprises.
   
10. Cancun … Beaches edge the shimmering waters of Mujeres Bay while others face the open Caribbean Sea. Brilliant white beaches and the tranquil turquoise sea offer a kaleidoscope of varying hues from deep blue to emerald green. It's a true tropical paradise south of the border.
    

About Travelers Advantage

Members of Travelers Advantage (http://www.travelersadvantage.com or 1-877-841-1335) can save money on air travel, cruises, car rentals and accommodations, as well as earn five percent cash back on eligible travel booked with preferred providers through the service. Travelers Advantage is offered by Affinion Group, a leader in the membership, insurance and loyalty marketing businesses, providing products and services that touch the lives of millions of Americans.

About Affinion Group

Affinion Group is a leading affinity direct marketer of value-added membership, insurance and package enhancement programs and services to consumers. With more than 30 years of experience, Affinion Group currently offers its programs and services worldwide through more than 4,500 affinity partners. Its diversified base of affinity partners includes leading companies in a wide variety of industries, including financial services, retail, travel, telecommunications, utilities and Internet. Affinion Group also has a growing loyalty solutions operation which administers points-based loyalty programs. Based in Norwalk, Conn., Affinion Group has approximately 3,600 employees throughout the United States and in 13 countries across Europe.

About Affinion Group
As a global leader with almost 40 years of experience, Affinion Group (www.affinion.com) enhances the value of its partners' customer relationships by developing and marketing loyalty solutions. Leveraging its expertise in customer engagement, product development and targeted marketing, Affinion provides programs in subscription-based lifestyle services, personal protection, insurance and other areas to help generate increased customer loyalty and significant incremental revenue for more than 5,550 marketing partners worldwide, including many of the largest and most respected companies in financial services, retail, travel, and Internet commerce. Based in Stamford, Conn., the company has approximately 4,250 employees and markets in 17 countries globally. Affinion holds the prestigious ISO 27001 certification for the highest information security practices, is PCI compliant and Cybertrust certified.

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