jdaisy

Hi everyone,

I'm planning a trip with a friend and we need some advice. We're two college seniors (women) who will be finishing summer study abroad in France and will be meeting up to travel for two weeks end of July/early August. We're hoping for a variety of urban/rural and great night life. We're essentially both adventurous foodies and plan to stay in hostels.

We're looking at three separate trips and I would love some recommendations/input (especially safety in Turkey & Morocco for two young women):

Turkey/Greece
Netherlands/Germany/Czech Republic
Spain/Morocco

Thanks!

janisj

I wouldn't touch southern Spain/Morocco in August if they paid me. (well maybe if they <i>paid</i>, but I'd have to think long and hard. It will be VERY hot.

I haven't been to Turkey - and not to Greece in high summer but I suspect they would be nearly as bad.

Just based on weather alone I'd choose your northern plan.

PalenQ

Ae you going by rail - if under 26 you can get the discounted Eurail Youthpass - either a Select one with 4 countries or a global one with nearly 30 - anyway trains are the way for yous to get around - buses are uncomfy for long-distances and run skeleton routes. Railpasses would only be of benefit if you did scenario #2 which to me makes the most sense in hot summers. - Actually for scenario #2 look at the Germany-Benelux (Belgium, Netherlands and Luxembourg) which has I believe a cheap add-on fare to Prague - anyway much cheaper than a Global Eurailpass.

Anyway for tons of great info on trains check these superb IMO sources - www.seaet61.com (good info on discounted tickets which are great if only doing 3-4 trains total - otherwise the pass is as good probably as a string of discounted (and non-changeable non-refundable tickets that are sold in limited numbers so much be booked in sone weeks/months in advance to get; and www.ricksteves.com and www.budgeteuropetravel.com - download the latter's free online European Planning & Rail Guide for lots of possible rail itineraries.

You'll meet many folks you age from all over the world and trains IME are very safe - even for solo women as is all of Europe unless you do something stupid - act like you do at home and you'll have no problem (or maybe you will?)

covernight trains run everywhere and you can get a berth in a compartment that locks from the inside - save time - relocated practically across Europe at night and save on the cost of a hotel or hostel to boot.

otherchelebi

Hi jdaisy :

Check my major threads and other people's on safety issues in Turkey.
Basically, there will not be any as long as you stay in the West and have the street smarts you obviously used in France.

There are three party areas : Each with varying degrees of history, antiquity and natural beauty.

1. Istanbul. No beach but great night life, especially up along the Bosphorus. For starters check the famous supper clubs Reina and Sortie and the smaller Anjelique on the web. And great history and museums. Also check Ticketmaster (Biletix) for any concerts you may be interested in.

Cheaper but still fun locations are at and around Istiklal, Galata Tower, Cihangir.

2. Cesme-Alacati area. fewer foreign tourists than Bodrum. Both the artistic and the upscale Turkey like the small hip Alacati village. Good food, interesting venues, a great weekly street market. Fy to Izmir airport and then take shuttle or bus. Excellent beaches, beach clubs and wind surfing. Can take frequent minibus (dolmus) to the beaches and in between the three villages, Cesme, Ilica and Alacati.
A bit of a Greek resort area atmosphere.

3. Bodrum : All wealthy Turks have summer homes there. But there are also retired artists, writers, as well as models and actresses out to be seen in public in addition to tourists from all over the world with possibly a majority from England.

It has good and mediocre food, so you need to ask around and pick carefully. Bodrum has three satellites plus the more distant villages of Yalikavak and Golturkbuku which are more upscale.

I do not like the place but people flock there. My two daughters enjoy both Bodrum and Alacati.

Transportation in Bodrum may be more expensive if you wish to go to the more distant but better beach clubs.

In case there is no one to buy you drinks, it is a good idea to bring a bottle of your favorite from duty free because local prices are high.

Turkish wine is decent and not that expensive but restaurants over-charge. Efes beer is the most popular.

You can find places like Bodrum and Alacati but Istanbul is one of a kind.

August will not be as hot as North Africa or Southern Spain.
All three locations usually have a breeze, especially Cesme-Alacati.
Bodrum can be the hottest. But check average temperatures and weather on the web. Most people in Istanbul do not use A/C even if they have one installed.

Istanbul is a friendlier city than other metropolises like Paris, London or New York. There is a decent public transport system and I urge you to use the ferries on the Bosphorus.

In Istanbul, I suggest that you stay at Cihangir, Taksim districts or if possible some locations on the Bosphorus like Ortakoy, Arnavutkoy.
I do not advise Galata, Karakoy, Istiklal/Beyoglu areas.
And the old city has all the historic sites but no night life and no decent food, unless you prefer to stick around with tourists and eat what is prepared for them.

I loved Amsterdam when I was your age, was bored with Germany and although I only saw Prague recently, I think it is truely a great city to visit.

I agree with janisj on the heat and crowds in Morocco and Southern Spain in high Summer. Both are good to visit in the Spring or Fall.

nytraveler

I agree that based on weather alone (southern Spain high is often 100 and 120 is not unknown) I would focus on Amsterdam, Ger and Prague. Berlin esp is a real hot spot for nightlife. And the weather is all 3 is likely to be pleasant rather than hellish.

nytraveler

I agree that based on weather alone (southern Spain high is often 100 and 120 is not unknown) I would focus on Amsterdam, Ger and Prague. Berlin esp is a real hot spot for nightlife. And the weather is all 3 is likely to be pleasant rather than hellish.

mariha2912

Hello jdeasy,
I would try to chose researching on specific locations rather than whole countries, do you have any specific ideas?

I did not see you mentioning heat might be an issue but as you mention you look both for urban and rural areas, you may want to think about two issues on the cities:
Due to the urban heat island phenomenon temperatures will be high and
due to end July/August been the most popular time for people to get their holidays, ambiance in large cities might not be very lively because a large part of the populationis away on rural areas.

This is not to say do not go there, there is still nice food and lots of sightseen and you may plan to sightsee outdoors on early morning and afternoon and be indoors on an airconditioned museum or restaurant on a hotel around noon of course. Nightlife might vary depending on city, sometiems festivals are held on August etc but certain cities might not have great nightlife as citizents are away. Athens come to mind on this, there are tons of clubs, bars, live venues to chose from all time of the year but on your dates it becomes a quiet city, most locals head to the countyside and the islands.

Re rural areas, Europe is a very diverse place and you will find lots of variety within each country too. Nightlife will be more active in places more people concentrate but you may find low scale local events even on tiny villages sometimes. Hostelsare more common on cities and larg-ish towns than on the very small places on my experience and are more common on some countires than others, but each country has its own low budget substiture..campings, rooms to let, small pensions and the like...

Two weeks is not a great ammount of time to be honest and you do not mention specific destinations to provide specific advice on what's reasonable to do and what not on a logistics point of view, but I would think no more than 3-4 places?

Tulips

Maybe look at Gent during the Gentse Feesten - July 17 - 26.
It ticks your boxes for nightlife and good food. You can easily do a daytrip to Brugge. After Gent, take a train to Amsterdam.
In The Netherlands, check out Bloemendaal beach when the weather is good. There are some great beach clubs there.

PalenQ

I've been to the Gentse Feesten - a citywide festival with live bands and street performers everywhere and it is great! Try to hit it if possible.