My daughter would like to take a short trip , 3-4 days, while on semester break the week of 3/7. She is currently in Paris and has been studying in France since 9/08. She has already traveled through England, Scotland, Ireland, Barcelona, Rome and of course France. We have also been to England, Scotland, Wales, Munich/Bavaria, and Rome on family trips. She is much more interested in history as apposed to art and will be traveling by train. I, of course, am concerned about safety, and must insist that she stay in a hotel instead of a hostel this time. Therefore, affordability needs to be concidered. So many good choices, where would you go?

Berlin? Where else can you find a city with more history?

Brussels/Brugges combo.

Hi, smbenz...

Where does your daughter want to go?

Does she really want you to plan her adventures for her?

(I can't imagine my mom doing that for me when I studied abroad..I just wanted to wander and be free!)

But, given that, I'd suggest Amsterdam/Netherlands, Berlin, or Greece.

Hostels, for the most part, are safe. She will have other girls with her in the dorm room, which can be quite fun at times.

Or, find accommodation in a private room in someone's house. The local tourist offices have lists. Hotels are more expensive and probably not necessary for her.

Venice and I'd fly EasyJet.

In addition to the above (all of which I agree with), I'd add Prague, Krackow, and Athens - and fly.

Our daughter just got back from studying this past fall in Athens. She took several 3-4 day breaks and usually found good fares on the budget airlines.

<i>Does she really want you to plan her adventures for her? </i>

Isn't it possible that smbenz' daughter values her mother's advice, or asked her to ask the Fodors group what might be a good 3-4 day trip? I know my kids would ask me (not to plan for them, but to advise).

I think your daughter would enjoy Amsterdam, and it's easy to get to from Paris. If she likes big cities, Berlin, of course (Amsterdam is historical, small and charming; Berlin is historical, big and brash).

Yes, we have what I consider to be a healthy adult relationship. She values my suggestions, but at the end of the day makes her own decisions. Just looking for some ideas from seasoned travelers.

I know she would love Athens, but usually prefers smaller towns. Berlin also sounds interesting.

Actually, if I were telling her what to do I would tell her to go somewhere she has already been, and loved, like Barcelona, with friends, her other option, but she doesn't want to.

Perhaps she might consider Amsterdam.

She should go to Prague.

Another vote for Amsterdam, especially if she likes art.

Blackduff

Berlin, Berlin, Berlin.

If she wants to go to Berlin or Prague, she should take the plane. Takes to long by train if she only got 3-4 days.

Nowadays, hostels also offer regular hotel rooms with private or shared baths. A&amp;O is one major hostel/hotel chain, if she wants to go to Berlin. Otherwise you can check hrs.de for discounted hotel rooms.

Prague
Berlin
Dubrovnik (nice and small but packed with history!)

Rick Steves' son designed a service that helps students in Europe plan trips - not promoting it or vouching for it, but just read about it recently:

http://andysteves.com/

Amsterdam (felt very safe to me as a solo female traveler). It's a fairly affordable city as things go.

I've been to Amsterdam twice on the my own, and it's reasonably compact. Take a canal boat trip, visit the Anne Frank House, see some of the other WWII sites (dealing with the Dutch resistance). I should think the hostels there would be fine.