Known for its vast wilderness areas, Scotland is a great place to discover rolling green hills and historic parks. In addition to visiting the famous Loch Ness, Historic Scotland and the National Trust of Scotland are must-sees. Tourists fi nd the best ways to enjoy the countryside are by cycling, hiking through the hills, and driving. , fans will love Edinburgh, where J.K. Rowling was inspired for many of the names and places in her series. She even sat across from the
Edinburgh Castle while penning the first novel. Just south of the
United Kingdom lies another exciting destination -
Ireland. Although Northern Ireland remains a part of the UK, southern Ireland, where Dublin is located, gained independence in 1922. Here, unlike in Northern Ireland, the currency is the Euro. While in Ireland, tourists enjoy the Heritage Sites, the
Cliffs of Moher, and Blarney Castle. Famous pubs like
The Long Hall in Dublin are great places enjoy the culture of the Irish without getting sucked into American tourist traps. As the weather gets warmer, Spain's cities of
Barcelona, Valencia, and Madrid are all popular getaways for students. With long coastlines and numerous festivals, Spain has a variety of activities and sights to offer to its visitors. Among these, whitewater sports, seeing the canyons, and climbing will surely thrill the adventurer who travels to Spain. For the beach-goers and historians, Greece is a sought-after haven. With a rich history and natural beauty, it is a country that captivates travelers. There are also many beaches and resorts along the beautiful coastline and a wide array of nightlife to be enjoyed. While in Athens, be sure to see the Acropolis. It is a point that is considered the cornerstone of all Western Art. Additionally, the Pisri neighborhood offers some of the coolest bars and restaurants in all of Greece. So how do students go about planning these exciting vacations? Budgets tend to be tight and these trips may seem out of reach for some. Using airlines like Ryanair or airline search engines like
Whichbudget.com and SideStep.com can make fl ying a cheap way to travel. Booking can tricky, however, and rates jump from day to day. Students should spend some time searching these and related websites for the best rates. Also, staying in hostels makes trips more affordable. Websites like
hostelworld.com show ratings of hostels by students. Guidebooks also come in handy. Above all, good planning is a necessity for a successful trip. Making itineraries, utilizing maps, and knowing how to use local transportation is key. Don't be afraid to converse with the locals; they know what's best. Try to discover a hidden gem in whatever city you visit. Bon voyage, travelers!
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