Berlin study abroad - suggestions for July bargain travel

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

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.

The official European travel website is a good starting point for inspirations.

Berlin is a fascinating. vibrant and multi-cultural starting point. If possible I suggest to arrive 3 days earlier to co-celebrate Carvival of Cultures, a cultural highlight in Berlin but also in Europe. some other Berlin highlights in June matching her interests are listed on Berlin's website. consider also some basic tips for visiting Germany.

To collect some different cultural aspects I suggest to look at the following cities:

• Copenhagen, easy to travel by bus / train from Berlin.
• Hamburg: so near and so different to Berlin
• Prague: a beloved destination of young people
• Saxon Switzerland is a beautiful nature experience right between Berlin and Prague
• Barcelona (Spain): Catalan flair at Mediterranien Sea - do not call it Spanish :-)
• Graz (Austria): a beautiful and young at heart city with lots of young creative people
• Amsterdam is a nice destination but culturally not a very different experience (big hug to our Dutch naighbors). A reason could be Rijksmuseum.
• Gdansk in Poland: an old city in transformation with a lot of creative potential

I do not list UK places currently because the country and the people are really suffering from that Brexit topic. Other EU countries such as Spain and Germany experience a run from UK residents to become a citizen of an EU remaining country. Only in Berlin we have 8,000 applications (source, Geman). Normally Edinburgh, Manchester and Liverpool are good locations for young travelers. London is imo fully out because too expensive, no normal people can afford living in the center. So, nice for snap shotting but the rest ...

Special: if your daughter is a hardrock music fan WoA 2019 is something like a must-have. Very nice hardrock community with big hearts. Traditionally the festival is opened by the "big band" of Wacken fire fighters, really spectacular.

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.

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.

What Emily said.

School vacations in Germany, by state as well as other countries:
https://www.schulferien.org/Schulferien_nach_Ferien/Sommerferien/sommerferien.html

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?

Depends on destination - during summer vacations the accomodations around coasts of Baltic and North Sea are well booked - also in pre-alpine region. Cities and towns are more relaxed - if no special event is happening at date of travel.

With a smartphone and data plan, there’s no reason for her to arrive in a city without a reservation.

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.