New Jerseyans Look to Escape the Cold

The bone-chilling cold and regular snowstorms have left phones ringing off the hook in travel agencies across New Jersey with many people looking to plan trips to warmer weather destinations.

January through March is typically a busy time of year for travel agents as many people make plans for spring break and summer vacation, but this year, agents admit they are seeing an increase in the number of calls from people who are looking to get away sooner rather than later.

"Over the past week, we've definitely been seeing a lot more people looking to get away to warmer destinations. The Caribbean is very popular for travelers from the Northeast. We're getting a lot of bookings for Jamaica, Punta Cana and Cancun," said Colleen Kidwell, travel agent with AAA Mid-Atlantic.

People are looking to leave fairly quickly as cold air continues to settle over the Garden State.

"Clients are booking close in, so they want a quick departure. Generally, they want to get out within 60 days," Kidwell said. "We're still getting our clients who book well ahead of time for their Christmas vacations, but we are definitely seeing an increase in the number of people who want to take a quick trip to a warmer climate. They want to  feel the warm sun on their skin."