We do a lot of educational tours around here. And here’s a tip, you can make an educational tour out just about anywhere you travel. There’s so much to learn, so much to discover, wherever we go. And poetic depth aside, almost ever destination has historical sites, museums, guided tours, or educational programs if that’s what you’re looking for in a trip.

Graduation trips, on the other hand, are a unique breed. Historical sites probably aren’t the first thing you’re considering for that itinerary. Some people what the scrapbook from their graduation trip to read a little like that much-deserved vacation getaway after twelve long years of very hard work: “Here’s the view from my towel on the beach…here’s another….and another….oh, and here’s the book I brought…more ocean…more beach….” Others want to pack as much amusement in as possible in preparation for the years of hard work ahead. These guys backpack through Europe, take a tour of the country’s best theme parks, sample only the nightlife in a given destination and sleep through the day.

If you want to have the option of either? Orlando may be just the destination for you.

You could start your trip at a nice Orlando hotel or resort and get a several-park pass to one of the entertainment powerhouses in the area (Disney or Universal). Both offer some of the best amusement parks in the world. Universal’s attractions are known for being innovative – entertainment and thrills rolled into one. Their new attraction, Harry Potter’s World opens this year too. And you know Disney has something for just about everyone. Both parks have a special night for graduates that would be an exciting addition to any senior class trip.

And this is just the beginning of Orlando’s options. There are other parks nearby, wildlife experiences (like swimming with manatees), clubs for an exciting nightlife, and entire districts (one each by Disney and Universal, for instance) with shopping, restaurants, and entertainment to choose from. But what if you need time away from the noise and entertainment? Maybe you want a place to escape with your closest friends and just flat out chill. That, my friends, is what the beach is for. And Cocoa Beach is the perfect choice. It’s got plenty of sand and more ocean than any one person could need – which are kind of the only two things all that necessary for beach time, right?

And when it comes to sand and surf, Cocoa Beach has some of the best. It’s one of the best surfing locations on Florida’s east coast. Its beach is equipped for volleyball and with a pier for shopping, food and drinks. It definitely has everything you’ll need for days of beach-time relaxation, which might be just the thing you want on your graduation trip.

Photo by GollyGforce on Flickr.