Last Updated on June 22, 2020 by Amanda Stancati

The prom and graduation pictures are appearing online, and many new graduates are looking to make summer something to remember with graduation trips before starting university or going off to new jobs, new cities, and new experiences. Get your camera and selfie stick ready, and start daydreaming of lands far away with these 5 grad trip ideas that we’re wishing we could take, too. You deserve to be celebrated even after the cap and gown are off. Start planning your summer adventure now:

1. Hit the beach with an all-inclusive vacation

If you can handle the heat, hit the beach in the Caribbean for a last hurrah with your high school or university friends. In spring and summer months, all-inclusive vacations are cheaper than high season (Cuba for $500, anyone?). To live it up and celebrate in style, consider Cancun’s strip, packed full of resorts, bars, and nightclubs for a party atmosphere and stunning beach vacation all in one. For high school graduates, settle for something more relaxing like Punta Cana, where you won’t feel the party atmosphere pressure.

2. Uncover the world with Contiki tours

Contiki offers travellers ages 18-35 affordable, fun trips and memories to last a lifetime. With trips in North America, South America, Central America, Asia, the South Pacific, and Europe, Contiki trips cater to any type of traveller. Pick your trip based on destination, accommodation style, and read a full itinerary to find something that interests you. Choose from a quick trip to see the main sites of a city or country, or really dive in and explore an area with a longer tour. With Contiki, you’ll have plenty of time to make new friends, time to explore on your own, and an amazing chance to see the world. What more could you ask for?

Try Contiki’s Simply Italy tour, having you trek across the boot-shaped country for 12 days, hitting Rome, Capri, Florence, Venice, Vatican City, and more. Bring your appetite and your camera; you’re going to be feasting on Italy’s finest foods and visiting picture-perfect places on this tour.

3. Hold on to your youth with Orlando attractions

Disney isn’t just for kids, grads! There’s no better way to kick off summer than letting your inner child fan-girl over Mickey and Minnie, Cinderella, and the Disney experience. Start your summer with laughter and fun and enjoy an amusement park vacation (find an Orlando vacation package to hit Disney, Universal Studios, and more). For something closer to home, try Canada’s Wonderland in Toronto for a weekend of thrills and adrenaline for the perfect grad trip idea fitting a tight budget and tight timeline.For travellers of age, finish off your Orlando vacation by truly experiencing the city at one of the many dinner shows, pubs, dance clubs, comedy clubs, or breweries. Find the Convention Area along International Drive for something near the top Orlando attractions, or visit Restaurant Row near Sand Lake for unique food options and live jazz. We can’t think of a better grad trip idea than to celebrate your youth and new-found freedom with a drink following Disney.

4. Tap into your adventurous side

Explore at your own pace and plan a vacation on your own with cheap flight options and hotels. This summer’s hot spots include Peru’s Machu Picchu (selfie opportunities galore at the top!), the Greek islands, or anywhere and everywhere in Italy. Whether you backpack through Europe, find yourself in South America, discover large cities like New York City where every street is a new adventure: get those bags packed and start piecing together your perfect graduation trip.

5. Celebrate all summer long with quick weekend getaways

These grad trip ideas are perfect for the student that isn’t ready to split ways with new life chapters: why let go of the travel bug after just one trip? Travel all summer long with weekend getaways throughout North America. Only have a day? That works, too! You’ve worked hard these last years and deserve to be celebrated: take a wine tour of Niagara with the girls, or try the Toronto CityPASS to hit the city’s major attractions, or cruise with the windows down and the music up on this beautiful East Coast tour of Peggy’s Cove.

Love these grad trip ideas? Stop dreaming and start planning! One of our experienced travel agents can help find the best trip for your budget, style, and interests! Get going, graduates. You’re off to great places.