Most 20 yr olds would find flying into or out of Amsterdam and spending a few days in this multi-faceted city with architecture, world-class museums and a notoriously eclectic nightlife. Kind of party-central for young Europeans especially good if looking for nightlife. Fly out to wherever from there or say take train Belgium - Bruges or Germany, etc.

You mention the south of France, which you know well, but what about Corsica? It's fairly expensive because it's a part of France, but it's truly one of Europe's underrated gems. It has beaches, mountains, wonderfully authentic villages, great food throughout, and a unique blend of cultures. Best of all, it comes in a small, easily accessible package.

You might open up your agenda should you opt for a spray tan.

Okay ladies and gentlemen, just to clarify, my primary interest is not tanning haha. I was just suggesting the focus for my boyfriend especially on the archaeological side of things because that was what his degree was in but as a (26 year old for reference regarding renting a car in Sicily) project manager now, he doesn't get much of it in his day-to-day life. The beach was just considered as a change from the grey and wet world of the West Midlands and the city breaks we more regularly take xx

But thanks all of you for your suggestions! Some of them are really incredible ideas and have put places like Corsica, Sicily and Malta and particularly Turkey more securely onto the map for us in terms of top options. You've all been really helpful and have given us plenty to think about - I think the plan now is we're going to go down the route suggested of 5-6 days in one or two cities, and 6 days probably renting a car somewhere a little bit warmer. And to minimise the time lost to flights or trains between them, are considering adding an extra day in the mix to dedicate to the physical act of travelling.

Thank you again, y'all have been fantastic and I'll let you know the final decision when it's been booked.

Good luck and smooth sailing in all your future travels and endeavours!!!

Can you get a tan, when you get back to the States? Just remember on a student budget every change of town costs money. We have been to every place on your points of interests. They all have their charms, but I never thought of improving my tan in Warsaw or Krakow.

The OP doesn't live in the US, IMDonehere. I can totally understand the desire for a few days on a beach if you live in the West Midlands.

@Tulips - so long as it's not a British beach, lol. (I grew up in England, I remember pebbles and wind breaks....)

thursdaysd - did you never make it to the Isle of Wight or Croyde? Fabulous sandy beaches there, though for some reason my parents preferred Sidmouth which is definitely pebbly. And I did once get sunburnt on the beach at Nairn which is near Inverness. [Scotland for those who are wondering].

Am getting a tan in my own garden, in Belgium, in the middle of April. It's a miracle!

@annhig - yes, we spent holidays on the IOW when I was a teen, but I have more vivid memories of shivering in the wind. Of course, the last time I was in the UK, in 2016, there was a whole lot more sunshine than I expected, so I guess things have improved with global warming (although I was just hearing that the Gulf Stream may be trending west)..

Exactly @Tulips - I am entirely landlocked atm and don't even have beaches like Cleethorpes anywhere near me to visit like I could growing up in Lincolnshire haha!

And tanning @IMDonehere was less about wanting a laze in the sun that it was more of a throw away comment about wanting to go somewhere a little bit warmer than its been here - although England is getting sunnier thankfully!

Blackpool?

Am getting a tan in my own garden, in Belgium, in the middle of April. It's a miracle!>>

no tans to be had here, Tulips, but a heat wave is supposed to hit some of the UK tomorrow, mainly in the SE [you might know].

The weather is due to improve here too though not enough for sunbathing.

Chica-wingin-it - living in Cornwall I well understand the lure of sunshine, though when we do get it, it's glorious.

Should you choose Sicily, consider a day or two in Rome. Ostia Antica is fabulous.

Cornwall I though got the most sunshine in U.K.?

no Pal, not by a long chalk:

https://www.makeurmove.co.uk/article....gHuRnXdR.dpbs

Bognor Regis, Hastings, and Eastbourne take the 3 top spots, [all along the south coast of England] followed by Tenby [south Wales] and Bristol, though I have to say that came as a bit of a surprise as in the 3 years I spent there as a student, it seemed to rain most of the time.

We have a maritime climate so lower temps in summer, higher in Winter with more rain, whereas the eastern side of the country has a more continental climate with more sun and hotter temps in summer - for example, over the last few days, although it's been warm here, in London and the SE it's been sweltering. Furthermore the heat wave is due to continue there tomorrow whereas here, we're going to be back to fog and rain again.