Train back from Bruges to Paris and spend your remaining nights in Paris. It gives you quick and spontaneous access to the entire city (because biking from one end to another takes 15-20 minutes), and it puts you in close contact with the streets and directions and locations of things. However, while road trips are a great way to see everything that Europe has to offer, if you prefer to narrow down your trip we’ve put together a list of the best cities and regions to visit in Europe for every party animal, foodie, nature lover, cultured traveler, and history buff. The ingredients in Tuscan dishes such as olive oil, meats, cheeses and produce are fresh and locally sourced to astound the taste buds of any traveler. Here are some other exciting destinations you can visit from San Sebastian: The region of Tuscany is all about simplicity and taking the time to enjoy great meals, making it an ideal destination for post-grad foodies looking for relaxation and good eats. Jump to bottom. Yes, it is possible! Croatia is known for having such a gorgeous environment that it became a backdrop to HBO’s hit show Game of Thrones! And as another OP mentioned, Switzerland is also very close to Strasbourg/Colmar, and has a crazy good and dependable transportation system. The idea of strolling around sounds phenomenal. This coastal city in Spain is one of the cities in the world that boasts the highest number of Michelin stars per square meter, making it a dream destination for any gourmet food enthusiast. If not, then consider flying open jaw - in to one city and out of another. Here are some other exciting destinations you can check out, once you’ve partied enough in Cologne: Prague is an enchanting city full of historic architecture and gorgeous landscapes. Choose the countries from the browsing list. What language did she study in high school -- and would she like to try it out ?? There is much for an 18 year old to like in both cities, there are many day trips from each to take and transport on the Eurostar is easy. And I've navigated as my husband drove in the Netherlands, Belgium and France. Where does SHE want to go? Then you might enjoy these stories too: Jillian has lived in Massachusetts her whole life, but that doesn’t stop her from traveling to other parts of the world. A day trip by train to Gengenbach and Gutach, two towns on the scenic Black Forest Railway, is very doable from nearby Strasbourg - see railway map - or you could stay in one of these towns for a couple of days to see more of the Black Forest. Just wander around. Recognized as one of the 28 UNESCO Cities of Literature, Dublin has been home to famous authors such as James Joyce, George Bernard Shaw, and Oscar Wilde, and celebrates its literary heritage wholeheartedly. You can explore the diverse natural beauty of Switzerland including crystal clear lakes, thundering waterfalls and colorful botanical gardens. Thats why I like the idea of Paris, Bruges/Ghent, Amsterdam. On one visit, my 13yo daughter and I biked out along the Amstel river simply by following the water (no map. *** edited. Get your drink on surrounded by frozen walls, tables, and even glasses made of ice! I like the idea someone had of Paris, Amsterdam, and Bruges/Ghent. In the France section here, there are many on-the-ground OP's updating daily on the effects of the labor strikes. They’ll almost certainly have an Instagram or Facebook page and those who have studied abroad recently will happily talk all about what they saw and experienced in Europe. For an ancient history lesson, some of the must-see iconic landmarks to visit that made the Athenian Empire so significant include the Parthenon, a temple dedicated to the Greek goddess Athena in the 5th century BC, and the Agora, a meeting place and shopping center where great philosophers like Socrates and Aristotle would share their thoughts! So many choices and didn’t know about the open jaw idea until after I had booked our flights..which were a crazy great deal so not too worried. Step inside the Colosseum and walk the footsteps of gladiators. Time and Date provides day-by-day (not just averages) weather data from the previous year as well as predictions for the current one. We are planning to fly from Zurich to Paris and stay near the airport to simplify, unless someone thinks that is a terrible idea. There are lots of interesting sights in that area. Tim, Performance & security by Cloudflare, Please complete the security check to access. Dublin hosts a multitude of activities such as a Literary Pub Crawl where books meet booze, the International Literary Festival, and even Bloomsday Breakfasts with live readings and literary reenactments. We did a trip several years ago as a family that included Paris and Bayeux in France and Haarlem/ Amsterdam in the Netherlands. I really think like someone else said 7 days in one place is just too much. Just figure leaving Paris right away going someplace might be the easiest thing to do. Have a nice trip. From street foods like pretzels and currywurst to schnitzels the size of your head, this German city is known for the rustic and hearty dishes that make you feel at home. Perhaps use booking.com and only book sleeping arrangements with free cancelation? You'd still use the trains to get from region to region. While the most stressful part of any trip is planning, we’ve put together a road trip that won’t break the bank and allows you to visit 15 European capitals for less than $400. The Man in Seat 61. Keep reading to find a European country that is perfect for your post-college travel needs. For a taste of German culture, Cologne also offers some unique brew house tours so you can try an abundance of beers from different pubs around the area. Then travel to Belgium to Bruges (Train 3 hours) 3-4 nights with a day trip by train to Ghent. London and France. You'll get a nice variety of places without sacrificing too much time lost to changing from one location to the next. We had 5 nights in Paris, 3 in Arles and 3 in Strasbourg and returned to Paris the night before we flew home. Here are some other exciting destinations you can visit from Rome: If world history has always been your favorite school subject, then consider Athens for your post-grad destination. Just make sure you're back in Paris the night before you return home. This is only a rough framework and the specifics would have to be added once you've made a definite decision on destinations. Especially important and possibly shocking to you will be the section on Packing Light. You are giving your daughter a wonderful graduation gift! Info: May 29 to June 1 will be famous street festival Carnival of Cultures in Berlin. Safe travels! This is the link to the World Weather section. You may need to download version 2.0 now from the Chrome Web Store. ©2020 Rick Steves' Europe, Inc. | Terms of Service | Privacy Policy, Arrive Paris, check into hotel (you may not get much sightseeing done on arrival day because of jet lag), Train to Colmar (there's a departure at 10:55, arriving 13:31 (time 2H:26M, one change in Strasbourg), Colmar, day trip to Strasbourg (the Cathedral there is magnificent), Train to Lucerne (you could use a departure at 11:23, arriving at 13:30 (time 2H:07M, one change at Basel SBB). I learned that French transportation strikes can be planned six weeks in advance, maybe longer. (Two weeks just in Paris would also sound good to me.). My flights are booked to and from the states Denver/Paris, non refundable. PS Walking around and getting to see the sites doesn’t bother me, we can walk for days and miles, but not being able to get to other destinations does. However, I don't know that I would take a reserved time ticket train on the same day that I flew in. One hotspot you can’t miss in this city is the Belgian quarter, home to unusual bars, retro clubs, and beer gardens. It's a University town in the Black Forest region and very scenic. Keep reading to find a European country that is perfect for your post-college travel needs. Start by browsing some of our most popular educational tours to Europe. Hike along the long coastline or get lost in Croatia’s green paradise for ultimate relaxation. • Tastings and tours are prominent in this wine country, and are even paired with some mouth-watering dishes for an authentic dining experience. BTW, I think 3 cities plus Paris is a lot for a first-timer unless as suggested above you do Amsterdam/Bruges/Ghent which is an easy combo by train. With such a very short Itinerary, efficient sightseeing will be important so that you can see as much as possible. You can also rent bicycles to get around in Burgundy and Alsace. I am a little confused on where to go with this post. With that said, how would I go about checking to see if I could change my flight? Rated the number 1 party hub in Germany, Cologne has over 2,500 bars, 458 dance clubs and 252 different music venues for non-stop nightlife fun. Here are some other exciting destinations you can visit from Prague: It’s no surprise that Amsterdam made it on this list. Here are some other exciting destinations you can visit from Dublin: Located in the Northeast of Austria is Vienna, a city that prides itself on its musical legacy. Even if she isn’t going to college or going to a small school, just reach out to any major university. Whether you're still figuring out what's next or already have goals involving university and a professional career, a high school travel program can help you gain real-world perspective and experience that will bolster your confidence and inform your next steps. For post-grad travelers with a penchant for the past, Rome is the place for you! I am completely overwhelmed with the possibilities and would love some help with suggestions/ideas. All are doable. I’d have her reach out to the study abroad group and talk to some of the student ambassadors. This is maxed out, don't add any more, especially if you want to have a little time for the "nuances". It is easy to do, will enable a richer experience, and in the great scheme of things does not cost that much. Then choose the locations from those listed for the country. We have also done the other suggested itineraries (Paris/Amsterdam/Bruges and London/Paris) and think you can’t go wrong with those either. However since you've already bought tickets, you'll have to work with what you have. Like Rome, Athens has some of the best preserved architecture from early civilization, making it a go-to spot for history buffs. Perhaps OP's much more informed than myself can help out, and those who have been caught in the strikes will have valuable info to share. You could do 4 nights in Paris, take the train to London, do 6 nights there including day trips by train, then your remaining 3 nights back in Paris with a day trip out of town on one of the full days. If you prefer a more casual dining experience, San Sebastian is known for some unique pintxos bars, serving the Basque alternative to tapas. It is our first time, we have traveled a lot and she actually more than I out of country for missions trips. All prices listed below represent the average bus or train fare for the respective route found on Wanderu over a 30-day period. Explore Europe. Hi all! There are so many must-visit destinations for every post-grad to explore, whether you are looking for adventure or just dreaming of some much-needed R&R after all the hard work you did in college. that so we can experience more. Running every week throughout the summer, the Riverside Parties are a great way to let loose and explore the culture of Prague.