My daughter just accepted a six week study abroad in Berlin starting June 10th and now we are trying to quickly make reservations before the airfare goes up. She would like to travel for 1 -2 weeks after the program and is thinking about flying into Berlin and out of another European city. Any suggestions on European travel in July? This is her first trip to Europe and is open to anything, she enjoys art, music and nature. She has considered Amsterdam, Belgium, Prague, Austria and London. She is not concerned with heat or crowds and would like to find somewhere considered a bargain in July.
Posted by
Missouri, USA and Essex, UK.
1103 posts
Her 6 weeks in Berlin will finish around July 20th? which is about the time all the schools in Europe let out for their 6-week summer break. It will be peak travel season for Europeans. Prices will be up accordingly. But that is not to say there are not plenty of places she could explore for reasonable prices. She will have to get realistic with her budget and geography. She can't see all of Europe. Make a priority list and make a sensible plan. I am thinking perhaps Austria/Northern Italy, Croatia - kind of that direction and get out into the countryside. Also, stay on the continent for this trip (meaning don't go to Ireland/England - she can always save that for another visit).
Margaret
Posted by
Washington DC
30615 posts
Poland's a possibility. It's geographically convenient, less expensive than western Europe, and accessible to English-speakers. Warsaw, Krakow and Wroclaw seemed awash in young people. Gdansk is great, too.
Posted by
San Francisco
16221 posts
A study abroad program in Berlin, in which institution? Her first to Europe...does she prefer staying in a German language area?
f so, then I recommend Vienna, Munich, Dresden, Graz, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Weimar, Heidelberg, Leipzig
If not only German speaking areas, then Paris, Poland and Budapest.
Posted by
Vienna, Austria
6063 posts
My guess (as someone who spent a university year abroad) is that she’ll make friends and they’ll want to explore together. It would be a shame to tie her down to a city now before she’s even met her friends. Round trip her out of Berlin and let her figure out where to explore later. She can take buses or trains cheaply. Or maybe stay somewhere close to Berlin.
Posted by
Frankfurt, Germany
9829 posts
What Emily said.
School vacations in Germany, by state as well as other countries:
https://www.schulferien.org/Schulferien_nach_Ferien/Sommerferien/sommerferien.html
Posted by
OP
FT Lauderdale, FL
15 posts
Thank you everyone for all the great ideas. I decided to take Emily's advice and book RT from Berlin, it makes a great base to explore from.She will research some of the ideas and put together a plan in the area of Austria, Switzerland and Prague. (London is definitely out) I would like her to make reservations before she gets to a city, is this necessary or will she be able to find accommodations in Germany and elsewhere in July on day of arrival?
Posted by
Vienna, Austria
6063 posts
With a smartphone and data plan, there’s no reason for her to arrive in a city without a reservation.
Posted by
Stuttgart, Germany
3050 posts
and put together a plan in the area of Austria, Switzerland and Prague.
Switzerland is way too expensive for a student budget. Or most budgets. It's out of reach for me. Prices in Switzerland are more than double what she'd be paying in Berlin for food, lodging, etc.
Austria can be a good deal in some places, but not usually the touristy ones, and Vienna is on the pricey side, there are hostels and cheaper eateries away from the city center. Prague is not a bargain in the city center - too popular - but good deals can be found outside the center as well.
Honestly, if I were you/her, I'd use Skyscanner to look up "Everywhere" flights from Berlin with flexible dates in July and see what comes up. If there are cheap flights to cheap countries, there you go. Poland seems like a natural fit. Within Germany taking the train to Dresden is a no-brainer - fantastic for art and culture, beautiful, and one of the cheaper cities in Germany.