Between graduation and the 'real world' there is a magical period of freedom, where recent graduates take a trip to put the hardships and anxieties of university behind them. This period can be considered the last chance to take a nice trip, before starting to look for a job and build a career. Of course, this is easier said than done, especially when it comes to budget. Travelling is an expensive business, and without a job to fall back on it can be difficult to find the funds to get going. Let's look at it this way: being on a tight budget can be an opportunity to scout out cheap hotels and unfamiliar destinations and maybe use your position as a student to get discounts.
In other words, it is the ideal time for an adventurous and cheap holiday. All you have to do is choose your destination! That's why we've rounded up a few destinations suitable for post-graduate travel.
Destinations in Europe
Our continent is always full of surprises and, even in a lifetime, it seems almost impossible to discover them all. Much loved by young people across the Atlantic, it is a destination that can fit not only every budget, but also the desire for discovery, adventure, relaxation and fun typical of post-graduate travel.
1 - Paris, France
The City of Love can be visited pleasantly all year round and offers attractions and entertainment for all travellers. Who can resist the charm of the typical cafés, the strolls along the river, the citizens coming home on their bikes with a baguette under their arm? It is certainly not a cheap capital city but, if you look hard enough, you can experience the Parisian atmosphere without spending a fortune.
Best time to travel: Spring
Cost of flight + hotel for 1 week: From €1,100
Recommended activities and events: sightseeing, including Le Dome Cafe, Montmartre district, Musée d'Orsay, The Louvre, Palace of Versailles, La Sainte-Chapelle, St-Ouen flea market
2 - Dublin, Ireland
Ask any city dweller and they will tell you that there is only one city in Ireland: Dublin. It is a great destination not only for entertainment, nightlife and parties, but also as a starting point for discovering this green and mysterious land. If you love literature, you will also find many interesting bookshops.
ALSO SEE: 10 things to see in Dublin
Best time to travel: May, June and September
Cost of flight + hotel for 1 week: From 800 Euros
Recommended activities and events: nightlife especially in the Temple Bar district, Guinness Store House tour, Kilmainham Gaol
3 - Amsterdam, Netherlands
Amsterdam is where a traveller wants to go for an extraordinary holiday, but without emptying his wallet. It is delightful to explore the canals in the Jordaan District, perhaps renting a bicycle to get the feeling of being a real city dweller. The nightlife is varied and cheerful, and there is no shortage of attractions for art, history and culture enthusiasts.
Best time to travel: between April and June
Cost of flight + hotel for 1 week: From 900 Euro
Recommended activities and events: Dam Square and the Royal Palace in Amsterdam, the canals, the Van Gogh Museum, the red light district
4 - Greek Islands
With breathtaking landscapes overlooking the sea, how can you say no to the Greek islands? Santorini's Acropolis is a must for history lovers, Mykonos' parties till dawn are almost legendary. If, on the other hand, you are looking for a bit more tranquillity, you can choose Hydra.
Best time to travel: Spring/Summer
Cost of flight + hotel for 1 week: From 1000 Euro
Recommended activities and events: Colossus of Rhodes, the Fortress of Corfu and the Church of St Spyridion, aperitifs and parties at Kalua Beach in Mykonos
5 - Auschwitz, Poland
A trip to the Auschwitz concentration camp in Poland is undoubtedly a powerful experience, which will rarely be forgotten and which everyone should make. Thanks to this trip, like a slap in the face, the visitor will realise the stark reality of the suffering of those who were imprisoned here during the Second World War. Definitely a difficult experience to recount, one has to live it.
Best time for a trip: March to October
Cost of flight + hotel for 1 week: From 500 Euro
Recommended activities and events: guided tour of the concentration camp
6 - Berlin, Germany
A vibrant city full of ideas for a multi-faceted holiday. Berlin has a vibrant nightlife but still bears the traces of its historical past, such as the remains of the famous wall that divided the city until 1989.
Best time to travel: May to July
Cost of flight + hotel for 1 week: From 700 Euro
Recommended activities and events: Reichstag, Checkpoint Charlie and the remains of the wall, Brandenburg Gate, Alexander Platz, Cathedral
7 - Oslo, Norway
The spectacle of the Aurora Borealis is unmissable, so Oslo can be a great starting point not only to admire it, but also for skiing adventures in Trollheimen. Another very interesting activity is whale watching in Andenes.
Best time for a trip: late autumn or spring/summer
Cost of flight + hotel for 1 week: From 1400 Euro
Recommended activities and events: Akershus Castle, guided tour of the National Gallery (home to Munch's famous painting 'The Scream'), TusenFryd Amusement Park, Viking Ship Museum, Tryvann Winter Park for skiing
8 - Lisbon and Peniche, Portugal
A whole day should be dedicated to visiting this magnificent city, allowing yourself to be captivated by the surrounding Castelo de Sao Jorge de Lisboa, the medieval quarter. Here you can also visit Europe's largest indoor aquarium, the Oceanarium de Lisboa. Besides Portugal's capital, a visit to the small town of Peniche in the north of the state is recommended. Try riding the waves of the ocean with a surfboard!
ALSO SEE: What to see in Lisbon
Best time to travel: March to June
Cost of flight + hotel for 1 week: From 1100 Euros
Recommended activities and events: surfing in Peniche, Baixa district, Bairro Alto district, Belém district, the Miradouro de Santa Luzia
9 - Barcelona, Spain
If you have studied Spanish, a trip to Barcelona will help you put what you have learnt into practice. Thanks to your studies, you will be able to order the famous tapas without difficulty or chat with other boys and girls you meet on the beach.
Best time for a trip: March to June
Cost of flight + hotel for 1 week: From 1500 Euro
Recommended activities and events: La Rambla, visit the Sagrada Familia, the Boqueria Market, movida at the Raval district, tour of the works of Gaudi
10 - London, United Kingdom
In London, history, art, nature, fashion and food create a pleasant mix of cultures. Treat yourself to a boat trip on the Thames, from where you can see all the main attractions of the city. Stop to admire the iconic Big Ben and Westminster Abbey. Don't forget the Convent Garden district, where all the city's entertainment is concentrated!
Best time to travel: May to September
Cost of flight + hotel for 1 week: From 1200 Euro
Recommended activities and events: Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace, visit the British Museum, Leicester Square, Picadilly Circus and Oxford Street for nightlife, London by Night tour, London Pub Walk
World Destinations
If Europe no longer holds any secrets for you because you have already explored it far and wide, you can think about going further afield. The destinations that are most popular with new graduates are undoubtedly in America, but Asia is also slowly emerging.
1 - New York, USA
Are you ready to spend all the money you've earned on a few extra study jobs and graduation gifts? The Big Apple is the ideal destination for those who want to pamper themselves and get into every shop they find on your way. Not only that: Broadway shows, brunches and street food, panoramic terraces to fill your social media wall.
Best time to travel: February and November for the lowest prices, Spring
Cost of flight + hotel for 1 week: From 2300 Euro
Recommended activities and events: jogging and strolling in Central Park (Central Park Film Festival), Broadway shows, dinner at Ellen's Stardust Diner, nightlife in Manhattan's Meatpacking District, walk on the High Line, Coney Island
2 - San Diego, USA
In San Diego, you can make your Californian dream come true, enjoy the evocative sunsets while sipping your drink on the beach, transform yourself into a character from your favourite TV series by moving around on skateboards and rollerblades. A relaxing holiday, the typical Californian way of life, that will make your post-graduation trip truly unforgettable.
Best time to travel: October to May
Cost of flight + hotel for 1 week: From 2000 Euros
Recommended activities and events: San Diego Zoo Safari Park and Sea World, Legoland, La Jolla Cove and Coronado Beach, Gaslamp District and Old Town
3 - Sydney, Australia
'Kick back and take it easy, dude'. This invitation to relax and take it easy is a kind of slogan that well describes life in this Australian city. Do you want to transform yourself, even if only briefly, into a tanned surfer? In Sydney, you will find wonderful beaches and an exceptional climate all year round, so you can enjoy top-notch surfing! Don't miss the typical bonfires and beach parties.
ALSO SEE: What to see in Sydney, 10 must-sees
Best time to travel: November to March
Cost of flight + hotel for 1 week: From 2200 Euros
Recommended activities and events: visit the historic district The Rocks, the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House, shopping at the CSB district, surfing at Bondi Beach and Coogee Beach
4 - Cape Town, South Africa
When one imagines a trip to Africa, one thinks first of safaris. This is also possible in Cape Town, although there is certainly much more to see, both culturally and historically.
Best time for a trip: between June and August
Cost of flight + hotel for 1 week: From 1700 Euro
Recommended activities and events: live music at Assembly, visit to the City Bowl with shopping and food at Greenmarket Square (Mubmo Jumbo bar), trip to Cape of Good Hope
5 - Cairo, Egypt
Cairo is not an easy city and it is essential to choose the right time to visit so as not to risk being overwhelmed by the sweltering heat. Certainly here you can experience life in a completely different world, with lots of sand and the always spectacular Pyramids. Also, in October, do not miss the Sun Festival, where you can see the Abu Simbel temple illuminated, a phenomenon that only happens twice a year.
Best time to travel: September to April/May
Cost of flight + hotel for 1 week: From 1200 Euro
Recommended activities and events: Visit the Giza Necropolis, visit the Egyptian Museum and Tahrir Square, the Cairo Tower, the Alabaster Mosque and the Coptic Quarter
6 - Cancun, Mexico
From a small village nestled in the jungle to one of the world's most famous tourist destinations, Cancun has been transformed in the last two decades. Beautiful golden beaches await those who have just come back from their university exertions for a holiday of sea and relaxation.
Best time for a trip: November and December
Cost of flight + hotel for 1 week: From 1000 Euro
Recommended activities and events: canoe ride in Laguna Nichupte, rent a boat and explore the reef off Punta Nizuc, visit Isla Mujeres, excursion to Soliman Bay, bird watching go to Isla Contoy, a dive in the most famous cenotes such as Hidden Worlds, Aktun Chen, Dos Ojos
7 - Machu Picchu, Peru
A place full of mystery, fascinating, waiting to be discovered. In Machu Picchu, you can live the dream of the Lost City of the Incas, the remains of which can still be seen all over the country. The site is part of the Wonders of the World and attracts thousands of tourists both for its religious and magical aspect but also for the natural context in which it is immersed.
Best time for a trip: June to August
Cost of flight + hotel for 1 week: From 1200 Euro
Recommended activities and events: guided tour of the site, visit to the Inca Bridge
8 - Vancouver, Canada
Are you the adventurous type and have university lecture halls been cramping your style all the way to graduation? Vancouver offers you the great outdoors and plenty of opportunities to unleash your desire for exploration and thrills. Snow-capped mountains, spectacular ski slopes, hiking and mountain biking trails, kayaking and even beaches await you.
Best time for a trip: June/October
Cost of flight + hotel for 1 week: From 1400 Euro
Recommended activities and events: visit HR Mac Millan Space Centre, shopping and eating at Granville Island, trekking at Stanley Park, ride the Capilano Suspension Bridge, mountain biking at Grouse Mountain Resort
9 - Bangkok, Thailand
Actually, not only the capital city but the whole of Thailand is an ideal destination for a post-graduate trip. Beach parties, such as the Full Moon parties, but also the crystal-clear waters of the sea and elephant rides are not to be missed. The more spiritual will find the temples dedicated to Buddha interesting.
Best time for a trip: November to February
Cost of flight + hotel for 1 week: From 800 Euro
Recommended activities and events: Full Moon Party, boat trip on the Chao Praya River, Thai massage, sipping a cocktail at the Vertigo Sky Bar, shopping at the Patpong night market
10 - Tokyo, Japan
Twinkling lights, ultra-technology and a culture thousands of years old await you in Tokyo, this city that seems to have no limits! At every corner of Tokyo you'll feel like you're discovering something new, but you'll also find sophistication and tranquillity while admiring the famous cherry blossom trees. Sumo tournaments, the world's strangest theme clubs, frenetic shopping and typical cuisine - real sushi! - are the added value.
Best time for a trip: Spring/Autumn
Cost of flight + hotel for 1 week: From 900 Euro
Recommended activities and events: Tsukiji fish market, visit to the Imperial Palace (where you can admire the hanami, the blossoming of the cherry trees in spring), shopping in the Shibuya district, visit to the Shinjuku district