Last Minute European Party Vacations
So you just graduated this semester, and you want to celebrate. Go ahead and splurge some of that sign on bonus, graduation gift from the family, or those pennies you’ve been saving for a rainy day on a Euro trip adventure. You deserve it. But do it wisely, and make your money count.
If it’s one thing I appreciate it’s a bargain. As a thrifty student traveler, I am going to share my tips with you on how to can travel luxuriously and stylishly on a budget by visiting some of friendlier destinations for students on a budget. Here are a few tips and insights to make the most of your vacation, and vacation planning.
So where should you go, and get a good bang for your buck. Well how about TALLIN, ESTONIA (the New York Time’s Party Capital of the Year). Located in the what was part of the former Soviet Union, Tallin’s economy has thrived on being an inexpensive tourist centered economy. (Read more at: http://travel2.nytimes.com/2006/01/22/travel/22tallinn.html).
How about to BERLIN, GERMANY for Love Parade. The largest dance event on Earth. Various international dance disc jockeys and aritist create lavish floats and proceed down the streets of Berlin for a free festival that celebrates love, democracy, and freedom; the modern version of Woodstock, to a trance bass beat (more info at http://www.loveparde.net).
Better yet, attend one of the many ID&T events in AMSTERDAM, HOLLAND. The largest organizer of dance events, and independent music label in Holland; ID&T organizes a sequence of yearly dance events. One such pair are the Sensation parties, with around 40,000 people. There are two editions, Sensation White (trance and techno), happening in the first Saturday of July, where all party people must be dressed in white, and Sensation Black (hard style), happening in the Saturday thereafter, where all party people must be dressed in black. These are by far one of ID&T’s signature events (more information on events and ticket pricing can be found at: http://www.id-t.com/).
How could we talk about European partying without mentioning IBIZA, SPAIN. Although Ibiza has lost some of it’s quaint small island appeal, which first attracted many in the know party elite, it has still dominated as the location of choice for may international party go-ers due to it’s notoriety. I mean when your home to some of the biggest clubs on the planet with virtual live in circuses and performers all summer, how could you not be notorious. Due to the high party demand, prices in Ibiza have skyrocketed within the last seven years. My best advice to those with flexible schedules (and some Spanish skills) is to secure seasonal employment in Ibiza. There is an immense amount of work in the tourism industry which pays very well, and includes benefits like room and board, or meals (oh yeah and COMPED ADDMISSION to some of the most expensive clubs in Spain). Ibiza spotlight (http://www.ibiza-spotlight.com/) and Digital Ibiza (http://www.digitalibiza.com) have the most complete English job listings. If you can read Spanish Diaro de Ibiza is your best bet (http://www.diariodeibiza.es/). Party calendars for the various clubs and events held are found at Ibiza Spotlight).
If your looking for the quaint island feel Ibiza used to have visity HVAR, CROATIA. The island of Hvar is the party place. You will be surprised to spot numerous foreign celebrities at the various nightclubs. And the best party is it does not have that toursity feel, and very inexpensive compared to Ibiza. The whole Dalmatian coast seems to be developing into the new it area for socialites.
Another up and coming island destination, with that inexpensive party feel is RIMINI, ITALY. Most probably colonized by the Greeks, Rimini holds a distinctive historical feel; first colonized by the Romans in 268 BC. Today the developed area extends for more than 50 kilometers along the Adriatic coast. Rimini is the capital of Italian night life, with clubs of all sizes and for all tastes. Indeed, for many the sea has become an incidental, unnecessary option, and there are people who live like vampires, emerging at dusk to party the night away and collapsing sometime after dawn.
Last Minute deals are a lot easier to book sometimes if you call the airline directly.
If you plan on visiting a specific country for an extended period, call the national airline (Marin Air-Holland; Lufthansa -Germany; Aitalia-Italy, Iberia-Spain). For a complete lisiting visit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_airline.
Also for inter European travel, you may want to consider short plane flights to other major cities in the vicinity via Easy Jet. They have many connecting flight for ridiculously cheap prices all through out Europe. (visit: www.easyjet.com).
Staying in local hostels saves enormous amounts of money. And believe it or not, most rooms are very private and clean. Average going rate for Europe in general is about 27 Euros a night for a semi-private room (at least one room mate). Investing in a travel guide is actually a good idea. For about thirty dollars you can get a used guide like Frommers, with very detailed and updated information on city maps, local hostels, and restaurants. It really is your bible in a foreign country (especially if you don’t speak the language).
If you are interested in other options to cut travel costs please visit smarttravel.com (http://www.smartertravel.com/advice/advfeatures/advice.php?id=332870).
