Top European Locations for Students (or Anyone Else with a Backpack!)

There you are: young, carefree and with a few weeks of holiday break to burn. If you listen closely you can hear Europe calling! Assuming you already have your passport, you are off and running. The European Union is slowly pulling in all the far corners of Western Europe and that means everyone is turning to an economy based on the euro-dollar. With a little pre-planning you can still travel all over, see plenty of sites and eat more than bread and wine.

In no particular order are the top five European hotspots for the 18-25 year old set (or anyone else who is into traveling light!).

First up is Prague, Czech Republic: Perhaps the most youth-oriented city I know of, Prague has captured its history like no other. Because Prague was basically left alone during WWII, it has in many ways remained the same for years and managed to preserve its beauty. Scattered throughout the city are pubs catering to young adults (18-25), trendy cafes, traditional restaurants, winding cobblestone pathways and romantic parks and gardens (where Europeans are not afraid to show PDA). So not to miss the hidden alleyways, revealing mystery and history, Prague is best experienced on foot. Check out the AC archives for other articles of mine on Prague.

I personally feel that the "real" Prague is best discovered when the sun sets until about 3 or 4 in the morning. That's when the jazz and blues bars come alive. But for more standard sightseeing, check out the following: the Hradèany Museum, Josefov (the Old Jewish Quarter), the Malá Strana district, Old Town Square and Petrin Hill. Check out www.prague.cz for all the information you could ever hope to find -- and in English to boot!

Next up, lets jet over to London, England: The number one study abroad location for American students, England's capital, London is a wonderful city full of exiting things to see and do. The best way to get around the city is by subway (or as they call it in England, "the underground"). From these underground stops you can usually walk to most of the area's best attractions.