It is not too late to plan a vacation on 'the road less traveled' over spring break that is fun, different, and affordable.

Instead of buying pricey last minute plane tickets, consider traveling on an Amtrak train, or if you are up for a last-minute adventure, Green Tortoise Adventure Travel still has room on their Baja Beach Daze and Death Valley bus trips.

The Green Tortoise Adventure Travel promises “the only trip of its kind” for those who are feeling antsy or claustrophobic from urban life.

Picture a bright green converted sleeper coach with seats replaced with booths and couches. At night the interior of the bus transforms into what looks like a penthouse Winnebago. Bunk beds hang from the ceiling and couches convert into beds. The bus has a self-contained kitchen and storage space on the roof for surfboards, bicycles, kayaks and wind surfers. This bus puts Muni to shame and you get to ride it all the way down to Baja California or Death Valley.

“The Baja trip is for people who want to get off the beaten path and save money, (and) for people who want an adventure,” said David Bale, driver and task manager for Green Tortoise Adventure Company.
Green Tortoise Adventure Travel is chartering a trip to Baja California and another to Death Valley over SF State’s spring break. Cruising south for the nine-day Baja Beach Daze trip, the tortoise stops in Ensenada, San Ignacio, Playa Esconida, La Paz, Cabo Pulmo, Todos Santos, Mulege, and Catavina.

Sleeping arrangements are under the stars or in your own tent. For fun you can choose from various optional activities that include snorkeling, whale-watching, kayaking, fishing, mule rides, scuba diving and hiking to hot springs. For those less inclined to be active on their vacation, lounging on the beach and meeting new friends is also accepted and embraced on the trip.

Bale said that the trip caters to vacationers of all ages who are young at heart. European travelers, backpackers and students are their most popular clients.

“You could call it a rolling hostel,” said Bale. “You will find a lot of the same type of people you would meet in hostels all over the world.”

The trip’s $510 price includes 70 percent of the food that is prepared by the designated tortoise bus driver and group. It is a tremendous deal in comparison to a similar flight and hotel vacation package to La Paz, Mexico that could cost more than $1200.

Dale said the food is one of specialties of the trip.

“We have been doing this trip for over 30 years so the recipes are perfected. Our kitchen has a six-burner stove so we make Thai curry stir-fry, Middle Eastern food, and fresh grilled fish from Baja,” said Dale.

The Death Valley trip leaves San Francisco on March 18 and lasts four days and three nights. The trip stops in Badwater, Ca., the lowest point in the western hemisphere, and includes a guided desert hike through the badlands. Other optional activities are hot springs and a dunes night walk. Dale said the cost of this trip including all food is $200.

SF State liberal studies major Stephanie Prout traveled to Yosemite for a getaway in nature on Amtrak four years ago over her spring break.

“I thought it would be fun,” said Pout. “My boyfriend was visiting from out of town. It was very relaxing, we ate and drank in the dining car.”

The Amtrak Web site quotes fares for a round-trip train ticket departing from Oakland to Merced starting at $84. An Amtrak bus then ferries passengers from Merced into Yosemite Valley. Train transportation and bus transportation are both included in the ticket cost.

If you are craving some new coastline visuals, the Coast Starlight Amtrak train runs along the west coast from Seattle, to Portland, San Francisco, Santa Barbara, and Los Angeles. A coach round-trip ticket to Santa Barbara from San Francisco starts at $92.00. Compared to the current $385 ticket price for a United Airlines flight, traveling on Amtrak is a bargain.

There are perks to voyaging by train that compensate for the extra travel time. For long-distance train rides, coach class seats have with leg rests designed to enhance your comfort for long or overnight trips. Sit-down meals are served in the dining car and the Café Cars and dinette provide more informal food service.

Alcoholic beverages are served aboard most Amtrak trains in the dining, lounge, and Café Cars.

“I find it more relaxing to travel by train,” said SF State English Professor Michael Frisbie, “There is a novelty factor to the experience and when you are traveling with a kid you can walk (your kid) around when he gets antsy.”

For information on Green Tortoise Adventure Travel and Amtrak check out: http://www.greentortoise.com and http://www.amtrak.com.