Top Ten European Cities to Visit (by StudentUniverse)

Milan, Italy

One of the world’s fashion and design capitals, Milan is said to represent the “new” Italy as it is the most modern among Italian cities, yet it has kept most of its historic centers intact. If you want to experience this city with an extreme lifestyle, search for cheap flights for students and expect an easy travel to this city, which is recognized as having one of the best international connections, courtesy of its two major airports and efficient railway system and road network. Milan is located in the plains of the Italian region of Lombardy.

Brussels, Belgium

Brussels is the capital city of Belgium, but many also consider it the capital of the European Union. Though Brussels is the headquarters of both NATO and the European Union, you don’t have to worry about being surrounded by just international diplomats. This beautiful city has several vibrant areas, such as Elsene, which is packed with restaurants and bars. Brussels is surrounded by parks and one of the coolest is the Cinquantenaire park. The entrance from the city is a huge arch and you can walk or take the elevator to the top for a fantastic view of Brussels. Students looking for a fun trip to Europe might find Brussels to be a great starting point. You can find cheap flights to Brussels and since this beautiful and scenic city is right in the heart of Europe you can easily get to other European hot-spots from there.

Berlin, Germany

Berlin has played a key role in several tragic historical events; it was the base for Hitler’s Nazi army, the battleground of the cold war, and it was later divided by the Berlin Wall. Berlin remembers its past with several monuments and museums that are all worth seeing. Today Berlin is the heart of Germany and a wonderful and exciting city. Students traveling to Berlin can enjoy trendy restaurants, shops, pubs and boutiques. Berlin has great public transportation, so you’ll be able to get around the city easily. Berlin is a popular tourist destination and for many students it is also a popular destination because of its festivals, urban charm and the fact that it has a busy rail hub.

Munich, Germany

Munich, the largest city in Germany, is home to more than 2 million people and a fabulous culture. With its world famous architecture and culture and its famous Oktoberfest beer celebration, Munich is a great place for fun. Historical and grand, Munich also features some of the best museums in Germany which are said to outrank even Berlin. Haidhausen is a really popular nightlife district with great clubs such as Kultfabrik and Optimolwerk. With museums by day and clubs by night, Munich is a great place for any tourist to stay!

Istanbul, Turkey

Guidebooks write about how “Istanbul straddles Europe and Asia,” but that’s not the reason you should visit the city formerly known as Constantinople. The real reason is the sense of mystery and intrigue you feel when you arrive. Turkish pop music blares against the call of the muezzin. Carpet dealers bully and charm you into buying a rug as you wander down smoky alleyways to lavish palaces. Women in headscarves and long skirts, men in jeans and Billy Idol tee-shirts rush by as you lose your way in the invigorating chaos of a back street bazaar. Istanbul is shrouded in history, layered in religion, and wrapped up in theatre. Muslim life blends seamlessly with the business of the street. Food vendors offer delicious samples of lokum, a young boy hawks electronics from Taiwan while a man stops and prays at a street-side mosque. Shopping is like swimming in an ocean of people – carpet sellers, shoeshine boys and salesmen from stores push at the tide of bodies wandering through the streets. Cars roar past, and the air is thick with the smells of spice, fish, and flowers – and the treasures of Turkey. Make sure you spend some time in Istanbul to experience its rich culture.

Manchester, England

Manchester, located in north-west England, has a classy culture with a historic vibe. With it’s 2.5 million people in the greater area, Manchester is never short of party-goers. Old meets new in Manchester with some of the oldest buildings in England sitting right next to some of the hottest clubs. Throw in a fantastic soccer team and tons of music venues and you have a great time ahead of you! Manchester never fails as an exciting stay for students!

Athens, Greece

Athens is more than just a city. It is the birthplace of modern civilization, the beginning of the creation of the west, and the start of democracy and rule. The capital of Greece and a major metropolitan with 3.7 million citizens, this city has a lot to offer to college students looking for an experience. With a gorgeous skyline, many old and beautiful buildings, and ruins that date back to B.C. It is a really amazing place for anyone to visit, especially to stay in for a while. It’s a great way to get the full feeling of Athens and see it through the lens of the locals.

Seville, Spain

Seville draws in tourists from around the world annually. The colors and vibrant nature of this Andalucian city has been luring students to visit for years. Located in southern Spain and the capital of Andalucia (southern region of Spain), Seville is not just a pretty city. It is also the cultural and financial center for Spain. With a little over 1.6 million people living here, this city rounds out the top four largest in the country. The orange tree-lined streets are filled with businessmen, college students, and tourists looking for a good time. A myth is that Hercules himself founded Seville and it was at a time ruled by Romans, then later the Moorish. The history alone is fascinating. However, the sights and attractions will blow you away and the coast is to die for. See why thousands of students come here every year for culture and history of Seville.

Edinburgh, Scotland

Even in the rain, Edinburgh is just downright beautiful. From the ruggedness of Edinburgh Castle and the mannered Georgian mansions of New Town, to the emphatic Scottish culture of the capital, Edinburgh is a city that welcomes tourists. This city is built not just on hills, but on history, romance, and culture. The city is filled with everything a student traveler could ask for. History, festivals, and great nightlife make the city a great place to visit. Travelers can experience a wide variety of activities from visiting Edinburgh Castle to enjoying a rugby match. It also allows you to explore a country that is at times overlooked due to its more popular neighbors, Ireland and England.

Marseille, France

Next to Paris and Lyon, Marseille is the most populous commune in France and the second largest in terms of land area. Located on the shores of the Mediterranean coast, Marseille is one of the oldest cities in Europe and is listed as a major center of art and history. It is an excellent destination for student travelers as this city presently finds itself fashionable in different aspects, without abandoning any of its rich history. Check out the nineteenth-century basilica of Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde where you can get a wonderful view of this beautiful city. Marseille also offers great bars that double as ice cream parlors and fun around every corner. Don’t miss Marseille on your list of great places to visit.

Source:studentUniverse

Greek Islands in Top 10 Summer Destinations

You are going to have many options when planning vacationsin Greece. There are many choices to make, but perhaps the mostdifficult revolves around when to go. Are you aiming to travel Greecewhen Greece tourism is slow, or are you looking for the summer partieson the islands? The good thing about Greece travel destinations is thatmany of them are historic sites. The ruins that are thousands of yearsold will still be there whether it is February or August. Suffice it tosay that there is no bad time to go to Greece, as vacations in Greeceare rewarding regardless of the season. 

You may think that to travel Greece during the winter months means that the islands are closed completely and that there isn’t much to do around the mainland other than visit the ruins. It can get pretty cold and wet during the months of November, December and January, but often in Athens and in the islands you can catch some warmer, sunny days. The islands,and Greece tourism can experience delays or cancellations due to rough seas. The number off lights or ferries heading to the islands significantly decreases, but you can still visit the islands if you are determined. While many of the larger resorts and tourist restaurants close for the off-season on the islands, but there are smaller hotels and restaurants still open.And, many of the restaurants that are open are popular with the locals,meaning the food is likely to be better.

















Islands like Mykonos, Crete, Rhodes and Santorini attract visitors year round, and many who rent their houses out in the summer return afterwards and claim the off-season is their favorite time.You simply get all the views to yourself, and a beach can be rewarding in the winter if you don’t mind the fact that the water can be cold.Prices during the off-season, specifically in the winter, are way down and it is a good time to snatch up those cheap flights to Greece.If you are a skier, you will love Greece in the winter.The mountains on the Peleponnese peninsula and in northern Greece get their fair share of snow, and the skiing can be pretty good.Many just don’t know about it.Of particular interest in the winter are the performances at both the Athens Concert Hall and the Thessaloniki weather is fairly temperate, although it can get pretty cold at times, and winter shopping bargains are easily found.  

As with the winter months, the fall and spring months can be veryrewarding in Greece. These are great months to plan vacations in Greeceif you are looking to enjoy the outdoors. Walks or hikes through theGreek countryside in spring can be particularly rewarding. Spring flowers are blooming all over the countryside and birdwatching is atit’s best. Eco-tours are great Greek tours to enjoy outside of thesummer months. 

















If you are looking for an “outside the box” idea forGreece travel destinations, try heading to the Greek mountains in thespring and fall and take a jeep tour to some of the areas most don’tknow about. You can find a lot of great weather if you travel Greece inthe spring and fall, and you will also find great hotel rates. May andSeptember just might be the best months to plan vacations in Greece.The weather is great and prices are still pretty low. 

Alas, we come to the summer, when Greece tourism is at its peak. Itcan get pretty hot in Greece during especially the months of July andAugust. These two months are the busiest in the islands, and while theferries and flights to the islands can get pretty crowded, this is thebest season to find the most number of them. Greek festivals and events can be found throughout Greece in the summer.The Hellenic Festival is in full swing in Athens, and performances at the Odeon of Herodes Atticustheatre and on Lykavittos Hill are popular draws for both Greeks andtourists. In July, wine enthusiasts can enjoy the wine festivals onCrete. Greece travel destinations most popular in the summer are, ofcourse, the beaches. The beaches in Greece are wonderful, offering something for everyone, and island beaches like Paradise Beach have nightlife that goes well into the wee hours.

There really just isn’t a bad time to travel Greece. The ruinsspread throughout the country will be there any time of year, and whenit comes to weather, well you just take advantage of whatever you get.When planning vacations in Greece, it can be as simple as decidingwhether suntanning and swimming in the Aegean Sea is your main focus,then go from there.

Source: destination360.com