By FOMO Girl
One thing is for sure, you are going to find it very difficult to find more fun, more excitement, more celebrations and more colorful costumes than the Mardi Gras in New Orleans. This event, also known as Fat Tuesday allows people to indulge before the start of Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent.

The Mardi Gras originates from France where it has been celebrated since the Middle Ages. A French explorer known as Iberville landed sixty miles south of the current-day New Orleans, christening the spot Point du Mardi Gras. By around 1823 the American government was persuaded by the local Creoles to re-introduce the Mardi Gras with parties and great merriment. By the time the 19th Century came around, the Mardi Gras was turning into the huge carnival as we know it today, with much revelry and dancing in the streets accompanied by beautifully decorated horse drawn carriages and floats.

What you will find at this outrageous carnival are French royals, showgirls dressed in feathers, painted clowns and bunnies, all parading the streets of New Orleans. You can join in the throngs of people to watch magnificent floats go by, performers performing outrageous tricks and heaps of marching bands and plenty of jazz music to draw you in. You can expect to see more than 350 floats and over 15000 costumes being paraded.

Many famous traditions started with Mardi Gras and one originated from a visit by the Russian duke Alexis Romanoff. Today this royal visit from the house of Romanoff is flaunted with their royal house colors of purple, green and gold, which stand for justice, faith and power and which have now become the official colors of the Mardi Gras. Another wonderful tradition is the throwing of thousands upon thousands of colorful bead necklaces from the floats, a souvenir everyone loves to take home with them, along with cups and toy coins.

The Mardi Gras is just one big holiday in New Orleans and businesses and roads get shut down so that people can enjoy the excitement.

There are over 500,000 king cakes that are sold every year in this city between 6 January and Fat Tuesday and there are over 50,000 of these cakes that are shipped out of New Orleans on an overnight courier. You might find yourself nibbling on a cake, which includes a small plastic baby doll inside. If you find it, you are declared a king and you will be the one to buy the next cake!

On the 6th of January each year a group of about fifty men and women called the PPP or the Phunny Phorty Phellows ride in costumes in a decorated car along St Charles Avenue blowing loud trumpets, accompanied by a Dixieland band, eating the famous king cake and tossing it to onlookers.  

One can go on talking about the New Orleans Mardi Gras, but you have to be there to experience the magic. It is on the bucket list of things to do for millions of would-be travelers.

By FOMO Girl
New Year’s Eve is the time to bid farewell to all the concerns and problems of the past year and prepare for a new start. Celebrating New Year’s Eve is one of the most exciting and oldest customs. From uninhabited laughter, fireworks and shouts of joy with everyone trying to make as much noise as possible!  New Year’s Eve always has plenty of toasts for luck, good health, prosperity and love.

In New York on New Year’s Eve it is quite common for families or a bunch of friends to gather for house parties, to ring in the New Year in their own style. Everyone parties all night and then around midnight they count down the last few seconds together.  I have a few buddies that live in New York and they have had some massive New Year’s Eve house parties that I have been to.

Spending New Year’s Eve in New York City is one of the most fascinating experiences any person can ever have. On New Year’s Eve the city becomes the world’s capital of diverse entertainment, adventure and endless fun. Every year, Times Square hosts a spectacular event that is attended by hundreds of thousands of visitors and locals. This is one of the largest New Year’s Eve street parties throughout the world, where a “ball” drops from a flagpole at the stroke of midnight.

This is not an ordinary ball, it actually measures 6 feet and the surface is covered with over 2500 Waterford Crystal triangles and weighs almost 12000 pounds. If you are in New York during this time of the year then you should not miss the golden opportunity to experience this unique event.

Most people love partying during New Year’s Eve and there is plenty of celebrating.  Drinking, music and dancing take place at the pubs and nightclubs all over New York City on New Year’s Eve. This is the perfect time to party, celebrate and get drunk with your relatives, close friends and families.  Several people will sit back and enjoy a jug of cold beer while watching the New Year’s Eve countdown.  I love going to a bar called the Highland Park, which is a stylish yet casual bar, located on East 34 Street.  The bar is surrounded by several iconic landmarks like Grand Central Station and the Empire State Building. If you are looking for another popular spot then you might consider the hot and happening Santos Party House. This place has received awards for the best DJ, best nightclub and best dance floor in New York City.  These are ideal places to spend time with friends and enjoy something out of the ordinary on New Year’s Eve.   

One thing you should consider whilst in New York City for New Year’s Eve is the stunning view from the top of the Empire State Building. The view up there is amazing and as its winter there is no need to worry because one of the viewing decks is enclosed in glass.

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by FOMO Girl
If there is one thing that you must-do as a college student then it is definitely the Spring Break vacation.

There are so many destinations across the USA where you can go for your Spring Break vacation.  

Always glad to see Spring Breakers, with over 27 miles of white beaches on the Florida Gulf Coast, Panama City Beach is the current hottest Spring Break destination in the USA.  Panama City Beach's close proximity to many southern colleges, moderate prices, outrageous nightlife and more liberal attitudes towards Spring Break activities, make it the major destination for Spring Break, with more than 500,000 students a year making Panama City Beach their Spring Break destination.  When people speak about Spring Break in the USA, they're often referring to Panama City Beach.

Only 30 minutes away from Mexico with the added potential of a Two Nation Vacation, South Padre Island in Texas is one of the hottest Spring Break destinations.  Proudly living up to the slogan "Everything's Bigger in Texas!", South Padre Island has been rated as one of the top beaches in the world and comes alive during Spring Break, hosting some of the most active and wildest events.  South Padre Island offers many beachside activities each day during Spring Break. Spring Break provides a welcome boost to the local economy and the town works together with corporate sponsors to create special Spring Break events.

Daytona Beach in Florida has become a major tourist destination with millions of visitors annually.  Daytona Beach is also close enough for daytrips to the theme parks in Orlando.  This amazing 23 mile stretch of wide, white sand beach has re-emerged as one of the hottest Spring Break destinations.  If you are looking for a Spring Break with a mix of beer, beach, parties and excellent tourist attractions, Daytona Beach is the place.  

One of the new up and coming destinations for Spring Break is Las Vegas. Remember, what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas and this is never a truer statement than for Spring Break.  Another advantage of Las Vegas is that there is always something going on, so just because it is Spring Break time doesn't mean that hotel rooms are going to be sky high.  If the room rate plays a big part in making your Spring Break destination decision, you should look at Las Vegas.  

Fort Lauderdale's beach city to the south, South Beach Miami, is also becoming a popular destination with college students for Spring Break.

Outside of the United States popular Spring Break destinations include Cancun, Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan, Puerto Vallarta and Acapulco in Mexico, as well as the Bahamas, Jamaica and other Caribbean islands.  One of the major factors for the increase in overseas destinations is the lower minimum drinking ages in these countries.

Wherever you decide to go - Just have a blast.