The perfect post exam getaways to keep you motivated!
Going away on a student holidays has become somewhat of a rite of passage for many youngsters, and it’s certainly a trend that isn’t going anywhere soon!
From dancing until the sun rises in one of Ibiza’s biggest nightclubs, to taking an awakening and cultural, totally amazing Gap Year across Burma, it seems every want, need and short lived passion has been covered.
So, what else is there to start planning for instead? You want a nice break away, but fancy something a bit different – well we might just have what you’re looking for…
Top Student Holidays Ideas After Exams
Interrailing
Want unlimited travel across 30 European countries? Not averse to hostels, sleeping on trains or camping? Interrailing may just be your ticket. A choice of 5 different packages gives you the use of hundreds of European trains; whether you want to spend a week visiting every nook and cranny of Italy, or spend 30 days on a jaunt across Eastern Europe, exploring the hidden gems of places such as Montenegro, Serbia and Croatia.
It’ll take some planning to fit in all the activities you want to do, especially if you’re country hopping, but it’s one of the cheapest and quickest ways to get in as many countries as possible! With Prague’s stunning architecture, Europe’s largest underground glacier in Transylvania, Swiss chocolate factories, Italian operas and Bulgaria’s night life to cram in, you may have your work cut out!
Stay Safe! Take cable ties to secure your bag to the train if you’re planning on a nap*, keep money in a wallet close to your body and make sure you have correct paperwork with you as you will be crossing borders!
*Warning – you will need to pay extra if you wish to sleep overnight and require a bunk! Costs are variable, so may be best to stick to hostels / 1-2* hotels!
Teach English as a Foreign Language (TEFL)
Ok so this one requires at least some online training and certification, but is a great way to utilise the skills you already have, travel to some wonderful places and give something back! Whether you choose to volunteer at a nursery abroad for a few weeks, or have big plans to teach full time, this is a great place to start!
Teaching abroad is a great way to visit Thailand, Vietnam, China and the like, and you can even opt to go as part of a paid internship. There are plenty of companies that offer different packages – and the price often includes the cost of your qualification! With options ranging from weekly to yearly contracts, it’s the perfect opportunity to live another culture and maybe even lead you onto an exciting career.
Stay Safe! There are many things to consider before you embark on such an adventure, but the main things to remember are to; Research the area you’ll be teaching in, including crime rates and how close you are to your Embassy. Learn from the locals, i.e. other teachers, about customs and etiquette and if you venture out, stick with them; you’ll be classed as a foreigner anyway and a confused foreigner is an easy target for a pickpocket! For further tips on how to blend in, why not take a look at our Social Etiquette Abroad blog, which is full of tips on how to make friends with the locals, avoid causing offence and what hand gestures are considered rude!
The Yacht Week
Ok, so this one is maybe if you have some extra savings and like a bit of luxury! You and your friends can hire a yacht or catamaran for the week and sail around the likes of Croatia, Italy, Thailand and the British Virgin Islands. Don’t worry, you needn’t be an experienced skipper, you can opt to have one aboard with you, as well as a hostess who will cook your meals, clean the yacht and generally make your experience all the more pleasant.
You’ll spend your days sailing the coastlines, stopping off to be dazzled by bejewelled lagoons, exploring hidden caves and generally living the life of a millionaire for a week! If you opt to go to shore in the evenings, you can take advantage of the local restaurants and nightlife in whichever country you’re sailing around, safe in the knowledge you have a bed to go back to somewhere safe!
Stay Safe! Sailing can be quite dangerous, even for the likes of Jack Sparrow (as you probably know), so always listen to the safety advice given and know how to properly use the lifejackets and dinghies should you need to use them.
Greek Island hopping
Did you know that there are over 270 inhabited Greek Islands waiting to be explored? Offering everything from amazing nightlife, sensational architecture and world class beaches adorned by sparkling waters, just a hop from one island to the next can feel like you’re in another world. For those big nights out, with cheap drinks, accommodation and beach parties, you’ll want to head to the likes of Kos, Zante and Mykonos, where getting in as the sun rises and spending the day snoozing poolside is the norm.
If you prefer a more chilled pace, why not try Rhodes, Delos and Paros. Sample local delicacies, visit world renowned Blue Flag beaches on the Kefalonian coast or why not work off some of those Greek treats by hiking from Fira to Oia in Santorini? Why not add some variety to your planned trip by visiting an island that you wouldn’t normally think to? You may be pleasantly surprised!
Stay Safe! As with any trip, planning is important! What’s more important is letting people know where you plan to go, especially if you feel a little spontaneous! Make sure you leave your flight and accommodation details with someone back home, and be in regular contact with them about your hopping plans.
Top 3 Cheap Student Holidays Destination
If the places and activities mentioned above didn’t fit your budget, then don’t worry! Below, we’ll be listing our top 3 cheap student holiday locations that will suit your budget.
1. Vienna, Austria
You can get cheap direct flights to Vienna for as little as £10!It’s the perfect spot for students as the prices are cheap, yet this beautiful capital is full of culture. There are art museums you can visit such as Kunsthistorisches Museum or the Schatzkammer. But if art museums don’t interest you, they have music museums too, such as Albertina, MuseumsQuartier or Bank Austria Kunstforum Wien, etc. But, if you wanted to see a lot of iconic structures but didn’t want to walk, then hop on the Vienna Ring Tram! What’s more, is that they have headsets available that will give you an audio tour during the ride.
However, if museums aren’t your thing altogether and you want to feel an adrenaline rush, we recommend going to the Vienna Prater. It has a huge Ferris wheel that dates back to 1897!
2. Berlin, Germany
Berlin is another great choice for a student holidays! It has everything that you could want, from the best nightlife to great museums to the beautiful countryside. We recommend you visit the impressive Reichstag, it has survived wars, bombing, fire, Nazis and it’s still standing! But make sure to book this in advance as places get filled up quickly. Want a taste of the local food and products? Well, go and visit the Markthalle IX! If you’re more of a nature lover then seeing the Brandenburg lakes is a must.
If you didn’t want to walk to different locations, a bike tour can be a great way to experience the city! You’ll get a guide that will tell you all about the local history and will take you to places that only the locals know about.
3. Budapest, Hungary
Last but certainly not least is Budapest! Now, you may not automatically think of Budapest as the destination to go on a student holidays but this city has an amazing array of things you can do! For instance, visit the Great Market Hall where you’ll find the best local Hungarian products. There’s also the spectacular Buda Castle from where you can see stunning views. Not to mention, the castle is a Unesco World Heritage Site and also houses a Castle Museum and the National Széchenyi Library.
St Stephen’s Basilica is another must as it’s the largest church in Budapest and its iconic structure is a sight to see. It also features a 96-metre-high dome which is lined with elaborate religious reliefs. Let’s not forget about the impressive views you can see from the top!
