Should projects be assigned over student vacations?

Many high school students go away on trips with their families during the February and April week-long vacations that they have from school. A number of teachers decide to assign large projects and other assignments during the vacation. Yes, some of the students stay home and do not go away for the week, but what is the purpose of calling this week off from school a 'break' if the students are still engaged in schoolwork the entire time?

Personally, many of my teachers would assign hefty assignments, papers or presentations to be worked on over the week and then due the day the students return or the day after next. If the student is away on a vacation with their family, when are these assignments to be completed? Do teachers expect their students to take their laptops and textbooks along with the luggage? Even if they did, homework isn't something that would come across their mind at the beach or museum or wherever they are with their family. I understand work needs to be done but not on a time known as a break.

This was not meant to cause a dispute with teachers, I merely wanted to see if any fellow bloggers and readers agreed whether or not projects and other assignments should be assigned over a student's vacations.