With spring break set to begin tomorrow, most Penn State students are planning to vacate State College for a variety of locations.

Christi Day, STA Travel spokeswoman, said European destinations such as London, Paris and Greece have seen a rise in popularity as spring break locations this year, seeing a 47 percent increase from last year.

"I think this is because students are looking to partake in a different kind of spring break instead of lying on the beach all day and partying all night. I think some students want a more international and educational spring break," Day said.

Chris DeMarco (freshman-biology) said he decided to go to Canada during spring break for a few reasons, one factor being the distance from his hometown of Erie, which is short distance from the Canadian border.

"The drinking age [in Canada] is 19, and if you drive, you don't need a passport, just a birth certificate," DeMarco said.

Emily Perry, STA branch manager, wrote in an e-mail message that the top destinations for Penn State students this year are Cancun, Acapulco and Jamaica. These top locations allow students to get the most for their money, with packages that include hotel, airfare, party passes, meal plans and other extras, Perry wrote, adding that the average cost of packages is $1,100.

This year, MTV's spring break coverage in Cancun is attracting some Penn State students.

"Me and my friends were looking for somewhere to go and decided to go [to Cancun] after we heard MTV was hosting spring break down there," Amanda Mancuso (junior-marketing) said.

Even though Mancuso and her friends began planning their trip in September, passports needed to cross the border have been an added hassle.

"I am kind of worried about the passport situation. I have had mine for awhile, but two of the girls I am going with haven't gotten their passports yet, and we are leaving [this] morning," Mancuso said.

According to the U.S. Department of State Web site, travel.state.gov, the wait to get a passport has lengthened because of high volumes.

Routine service should provide an applicant with a passport after 10 weeks.

The price of a passport for anyone older than 16 is $97.

Although it is always better to plan and book early in the vacation preparation stages, there are ways to have great last minute spring break vacations, Day said.

She suggested finding somewhere domestic -- staying in the country can allow students to evade the stresses and costs of attaining a passport, she said.

Perry added that the most popular domestic locations for Penn State students this year are Las Vegas, Florida and San Diego.

Day also said students should look off the beaten path.

There are great places to visit that haven't had hotels booked up for months, she said.

Finally, Day suggested planning a road trip with friends. Deciding to drive down the East Coast and back can be adventurous and economical, she said.