By Jordan Sunkel
Round Table reporter

As Thanksgiving break is coming closer, vacation buzz is in the air. Students are excited to get away for a few days, or just stay home with their family. Vacation spots are getting booked, but there are a few places that are recommended for fall fun trips.

With the weather getting colder, sunnier, tropical and warmer destinations are a big hit. These destinations include Aruba, Orlando, Florida, and San Antonio, Texas.

Aruba is a small island in the South Caribbean, 15 miles off the coast of Venezuela and 70 square miles in area in total. The temperature stays at an average 82 degrees Fahrenheit, a paradise compared to Middletown’s colder weather now.

The island is bustling with activity. There are attractions for all types of people, from the lush Butterfly Farm Aruba to Atlantis Submarines Aruba N.V., to Jolly Pirate Sailing and Snorkeling Tours.

There are several resorts and hotels located in Aruba. The lodging accommodations range as do the prices. In some places like The Westin Resort, rates start at $199 per person, whereas others like the beautiful Paradera Park Apartments start at $110. Even still some like Divi Aruba Phoenix Beach Resort have fall sales that decrease the nightly rate to a start of $99.

For those that want to stay in the country, Orlando, Florida is always a possibility. The temperature is an average 72.4 degrees Fahrenheit. It is about 150 miles from the Floridian border with Georgia.

Orlando has many, many possibilities for fun, from Discovery Cove to Sea World Orlando to Walt Disney World and on. Currently Walt Disney World has several special offers and deals, like Buy Three Get Four Free nights.

Accommodations are not scarce in Orlando either. There are hotels located in Walt Disney World as well as Universal Studios, Orlando. Disney hotels range from $82 a night to $399 for the nicer resorts. In Universal Studios they range from $249 to $399.

There are several options out of the parks as well like Radisson Hotels & Resorts and Marriot’s Harbor Lake Hotel.

The warm city of San Antonio, Texas is also an option to those who want to stay in the United States. The temperature is an average 71 degrees Fahrenheit. San Antonio is about 1.5 hours from Austin and 3 hours from Houston.

San Antonio offers both historic destinations and theme park type attractions. The Alamo has left its mark on San Antonio, where 169 Texans fell defending the city from Mexican armies. Buildings in Alamo plaza stand tall and show Texan pride. There is also La Villiata, the first neighborhood in San Antonio, which was established during the Alamo.

For those with a more adventurous side, there is Six Flags Fiesta Texas, SeaWorld San Antonio and the San Antonio Zoo.

Fiesta Texas boasts a list of rides, from Goliath to Scream. It also includes a free waterpark, White Water Bay.

SeaWorld San Antonio is the largest marine life park in the world. While at SeaWorld visitors have an opportunity to watch Shamu perform or ride roller-coasters like Steel Eel, the tallest in SeaWorld San Antonio.

The Zoo has over 600 species onsite, classing it as one of the best zoos in the nation. There are several interactive exhibits from the Fun Farm Petting Zoo to the Caterpillar Flying School.

San Antonio has many options for sleeping. It offers lodging from B&B’s to resorts. San Antonio’s Riverwalk Vista, Staybridge Suites and Drury Hotels are all recommended by San Antonio’s Tourism website.

Whether you want to stay in the country or go somewhere exotic, there are more than enough places to explore and visit during the fall months.