22 year olds in Europe
 

Hey,
I will be going home to Italy for a wedding in April, and I intend on staying here for approximately a couple weeks and then meeting a friend somewhere else in Europe and we plan on spending an additional 3 months around Europe while we're away from school. We basically don't have a destination in mind. I'm well traveled so I want to experience a side of Europe that perhaps I haven't seen before or didn't see much of. (Spain is basically covered from East to West, North to South.)
We tend to travel to big cities and wouldn't mind at all, however we would like to spend some time near the beach - none where we live. But wouldn't like to spend an hour to get to the beach.
So what I'm wondering is, if anyone has any suggestions for a couple of 22 year olds for destinations that are suited for young adults for early summer/late spring.
If it helps, I'm not a big fan of overly sophisticated cities like Milan and instantly fall inlove with vibrant cities like Gold Coast and Florence and adore homey cities like Bari and Gijon where not very many tourists seem to crowd into.
But all in all, we're not picky at all. Just want to have fun.

Thanks in advance.

My suggestion would be to spend time in Turkey and the Greek Islands. I found it makes quite a good combination given ferries in the region to move you from one place to another. I wish I'd taken more time. My route was Santorini to Naxos, then on to Kusadasi in Turkey and eventually Istanbul. But there are infinite variations on the theme.

The beauty of the area, aside from the beauty, is if you tire of one, simply hop on a ferry and find another. I think the key would be to not book yourself into a particular schedule, but relax into the experience and take it as it comes.

I assume since you are going home to Italy that yo have an Italian passport, meaning you can stay longer that 90 days in the Schengen zone? And your friend as well?

Thanks for the suggestion! I'll be looking into it.
Correct, I have an Italian passport and I definitely intend on staying over the 90 days! My friend however does not which unfortunately is why she'll be meeting me in the country we decide to start in.

My advice best to start in Croatia.
If you need help we are here for you :)