breck beckons

Charming Colorado ski escape and Texas coastal town top Houston's favorite spring break destinations

Houstonians really love Breckenridge Ski Resort, per the new report.

Breckenridge Ski Resort/Facebook

Spring break is top-of-mind for many Houstonians, and many are escaping our humidity for crisp Colorado air and ski resorts.

And in the latest report from vacation rental specialist Key Data, more Houston spring breakers have set their sights on the Breckenridge Ski Resort more than any other destination. Two other Colorado ski resorts in Steamboat Springs (No. 2) and Vail (No. 3) are also at the top of the list.

Key Data determined their rankings based on the average nightly rate, the number of nights sold, the total accommodation cost, and the length of stay by travelers from Houston who made bookings in the month of March.

Though many Houstonians will stay in the great state of Texas, they won’t be sitting idle at home. They’ll be off to Port Aransas, which was ranked the No. 4 top destination for spring breakers in the report. Coming in at the No. 5 spot for the top destinations for Houston spring breakers is a city in the sunshine state: Destin, Florida.

For the curious minds wondering how much the average spring break stay is for the ski resort in Breckenridge, Key Data’s figured it out. The cost of the average 4.4-night accommodation at the resort adds up to $679 per night, or just over $3000 total. For those looking to stay closer to home by traveling to Port A, you’d be surprised to learn you’re not saving much money. Visitors will spend $852 per night, or $3,704 total for accommodations in Port A for the same amount of time as a spring break vacationer in Colorado.

In a press release, Key Data’s executive director of data insights Melanie Brown said the city’s spring breakers are divided into two categories this year: vacationers looking to see the mountains and embrace the snow, and those who want to catch some rays at the beach.

“Houstonians are having to part with quite large sums to stay in these locations, reflecting the huge popularity of these destinations with travelers from all over the US,” she explained.

The top 5 destinations for Houston spring breakers is:

No. 1 – Breckenridge, Colorado
No. 2 – Steamboat Springs, Colorado
No. 3 – Vail, Colorado
No. 4 – Port Aransas
No. 5 – Destin, Florida

Key Data also determined that 11 million nights for this year’s spring break week have been booked through online vacation rental marketplaces like Airbnb and Vrbo. That’s up 22 percent from last year, which accounted for 9.4 million nights.

The full report can be found at keydatadashboard.com.

houston spring break colorado florida port aransas spring break destinations

all routes lead to rome

New nonstop flight connects Houston with Rome for the first time

Photo courtest of Houston Airports

Houston Mayor John Whitmire listens as Jim Szczesniak, Director of Aviation for Houston Airports, discusses the addition of ITA Airways at IAH.

Thinking of a Roman holiday? The good news for Houstonians is that George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) will begin offering direct, nonstop flights to Rome starting next spring. It will be the first time IAH and Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO) in Fiumicino, Italy have connected nonstop.

“We welcome ITA Airways to Houston, as it reflects our city's prominence on the global stage," said Houston Mayor John Whitmire in a press conference held on Tuesday, December 2. "The first ever route between Houston and Rome will strengthen our business, diplomatic, and cultural ties with Italy. It will also bring more visitors to experience Houston's vibrant culture, world-class healthcare, and diverse industries."

Starting May 1, 2026, ITA Airways will offer three flights a week between Houston and Rome, expanding to five flights a week beginning June 1. Houston is ITA's ninth North American destination.

“Nonstop service to Rome is a defining moment for Houston and a direct result of the strength and credibility of our airport system. This route will bring new visitors, new investment, and new business opportunities into our region,” said Jim Szczesniak, director of aviation for Houston Airports. “It expands Houston’s presence in Europe and proves that disciplined, strategic growth at Houston Airports delivers measurable economic impact. Strong airports don’t just move people. They shape markets, expand opportunity and help define a city’s place in the world.”

Flights will be made via a Airbus A330-900. The model is renowned for its comfort on long flights, including ergonomic seats, ample personal space, and a quiet cabin. Appropriately, many of the interior cabin components are made in Italy and reflect an elegant European design.

Houston billionaire Tilman Fertitta, currently serving as America's ambassador to Italy, also welcomed the new route that connects his hometown with his current job.

“As a Texan and as the U.S. Ambassador to Italy, I’m thrilled by ITA’s new direct route between Houston and Rome," Fertitta said. "It strengthens the economic links that drive mutual understanding and shared prosperity. It was great working with ITA Airways CEO Joerg Eberhart, Mayor John Whitmire, and all the partners that helped make this possible.”

The new route to Rome continues the international expansion that has been happening at IAH over the last several years. Last year, the airport announced new non-stop flights to recent vacation hotspot, Puerto Escondido, Mexico. It was part of Houston Airports' goal of making Houston the gateway to America ahead of the FIFA 2026 World Cup. Now, it looks like IAH will be welcoming Italian soccer fans, as the routes open up just in time for the sports event next summer.

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