One Week in Europe for 22 Year Olds
 

My son and his friend just finished their European tour (by bus), and would like to spend another week seeing more places. They're in Paris now, and want me to find somewhere else for them to go that won't cost too much to get to. They've already seen France, Germany, Italy, Spain, London, Brussels, Switzerland, and Amsterdam. I was thinking of looking for an affordable flight to Greece, or looking at taking the train to a few different spots. Any good suggestions for 22 year olds who like fun and food and scenery (but unfortunately are not lovers of art or history)? Thanks for your help.

I'd pick Greece for fun, food and scenery.

May I ask why your adult son is asking you such an open ended question? Having just spent some time on a bus trip, hasnt he either seen something that has caught his eye or heard something from a fellow traveler? What are his interests and what is his budget??

Hi Travelbunny,
This is a sudden unplanned extension. He's one of the hundreds caught in yesterday's Zoom Airlines crash. I will find him a flight back, but in the meantime, they have decided to see a little more.
Yes, he said several fellow travelers mentioned Croatia (which I'm surprised about, and personally would not recommend for 22 year olds who like lots to do).
They'd like to spend no more than $600 on airfare/trainfare for this added travel.
But they want to see something different than what they've already seen.

easyJet flies from Paris/Orly to Athens. They can be very cheap, but I don't know what it will cost to fly on this short of notice.

Greece would be an excellent choice for the young and lively. It's also less expensive than many other parts of Europe.

Suggest to your son that they do a river tour. Travel either down or up the Seine, Danube or Rhine. They could stay in Paris and attend a French class...or better a cooking class.

I'd suggest Slovenia and Croatia and I think Ryan Air flies into Ljubljana fairly cheap. I loved it lots of young people.

..now I understand! Couple of ideas..My niece spent a year in Paris when she was a college student. There were several travel agencies in Paris (? near the Opera Garnier ) which had unbelievable packages for 1 week to various destinations. They were aimed at the student market. I cant remember the name of one company which seemed to specialize in this..? but maybe someone knows. I think Croatia would be great..fairly easy on the pocket book except for Prague. There is a bus from Paris which is the cheapest way to go. Has he thought of Krakow?

confused what do you mean he has done France, Germany, Italy? He is only 22 years old. I know eome French men of 60 who havn't done Fance yet

Hi Bilboburgler,
That's just it - they're only 22 and are more interested in seeing a wider variety of places, than any one place in depth. This is their first time in Europe and they want to feel the flavor and the fun of each place - notice the differences in people, nightlife, food, scenery, etc. And they tend to get bored quickly. Personally, at my age, I'd prefer depth over quantity too, but they are young and just want to go, go, go.

Eastern Europe is easily accesible and comparatively cheap.

22 year old blokes just want to drink beer and do rude things with ladies. Eastern Europe is good for both.

Greece sounds like fun. Or Copenhagen, Crakow, Palma (Mallorca), or even Reykjavik (if you put them on Icelandair for their flight back home to the U.S.--if that's where you live--they could stop over for a few days).
http://www.icelandair.com/home/book-...land-stopover/
In their trip to Germany, did they spend time in Berlin? Lots to see/do there.

Well if I were a 22 year older, my first stop would be Amsterdam - no further questions asked. But as a parent I'd send him in the opposite direction. How about Crete?

Ibiza ? ;) I'm sure they will have some fun there....

Ireland !
Easy flights to Dublin.

I suggest GREECE and strongly recommend the island of PAROS -- for accessibility, lively youth scene, scenery and AFFORDABILITY.

Many will say Santorini or Mykonos, which also have some of above but are Waaaay more expensive. You can do Paros on the cheap!

They should get bargain Round-trip flite to Athens. Outside Arrival door #5 they will find a bus x96, that goes right to the port, Piraeus in about 60-75 minutes. Catch first ferry to Paros --about 25-30E for deckseats.

For cheap digs, facing windmill at port walk left toward town-beach area -- loads of "rooms to let" at 20E for double, as a walk-up early sept.

Parikia (Paros town) has nightlife, lots to see. And the island is not as hilly as many others, pretty good roads, safe to rent scooter or a 4-wheeler to access scenery and great beaches.

Here are some good links to pass along to him:
http://www.greektravel.com/greekisla...ros/index.html
http://www.greekisland.co.uk/paros/paros.htm#paroikia

I'd head to beach towns somewhere... maybe Spain or Portugal?

Your suggestions are fabulous - thank you.
I'll tell them to look for one of those travel agencies you suggested, Travelbunny.
And I'll suggest he look into 4 possible options in particular:
1) Greece - cheap flight to Athens and then from there there's lots of nightlife, history, scenery, food, and scooters (sounds like fun). OR
2) Italy & France - a 6-day Eurail pass for Italy and France is cheap, and I'll suggest they travel through Lyon (food), Milan (fashion), Rome (so much to see), and Venice (unique). Out of the 8 countries they've seen so far, they were most in love with France. OR
3) Slovenia & Croatia - this might work but only if they can find a tour. I don't know if they could find their way around without a car and without having had time to research. OR
4) Dublin & Liverpool/Manchester - pubs would be fun - language is no problem - I wonder if it's too late to see a real football match.
Thanks for all your help !

Then there is always "one step beyond" --> Marrakesh.

Greece, but not ATHENS ,, my friend and I did a trip around Europe for a few months when I was 23. We ended up back in Paris and took a flight to Athens,where we spent one night and then took a ferry out to the islands. ,we did a week on Mykonos and a week on Paros..
Best part of holiday,, beaches , nightclubs, and its so beuatiful, just like the postcards, blue seas, white buildings,, I still sigh when I think of that 2 weeks, even though it was a hundred years ago..

Get them to Athens, tell them to take the local bus to Pireaus( port) , take ferry to Paros, or Naxos ( apparently its what Mykonos was 30 years ago) and when they get off the boat there will likely be people renting out rooms standing around.