Hello friends,

Class of '22 (don't worry, I'm leaving with two degrees) here looking to go on a post-grad trip to Europe this summer. I'm looking at an opportunity to go during the month of August and fly into Scotland to play golf at the Old Course in St. Andrews. The plane price and opportunity to play golf there is too good to pass up. After that, I am open to where to go next, and would love y'all's input on where to go/what to do. I'm open to traveling anywhere on the continent for the 2 weeks I am there. A few questions:

1. What are some can't miss spots? Alternatively, what are some places that are overhyped?

2. How much will workers and citizens going on August holiday affect me as a tourist while I am there?

3. General advice is welcome for any questions that I might be missing or haven't even thought to ask yet

TIA!

IIRC correctly, France is "on holiday" during August. Just keep in mind when it comes to service in places like restaurants and hotels.

2. How much will workers and citizens going on August holiday affect me as a tourist while I am there?

Not that much really. Month of August is prime time and tourist related business will be looking to make their money. You'll be wherever you are at with other people on vacation.

3. General advice is welcome for any questions that I might be missing or haven't even thought to ask yet

If you looking to stay somewhere for a week in a beach / coastal environment. I might look at Zadar, Croatia and surrounding area. It will be there high season but you can make a buck go farther there than in Western Europe.

If money is not that big of an issue, then Norway and the rest of Scandinavia will be great in August, also Switzerland.

What you like to do should dictate your trip tbh. How often are you over there? If once in a lifetime kind of trip, you probably go see the big spots, London, Rome, Paris, etc.

My ideal trip in August would be driving the coasts of Northern Spain, starting in Bilbao around to Lisbon, crashing in beach towns along the way.

Or, a week in Split, Hvar and Vis, then ferry over to the Amalfi coast.

A tour through Norway and Sweden, maybe hit a random eastern european destination.

It's going to be swamp ass hot in most of central Europe in August, so keep that in mind when you pick your spot. Stay north, find elevation, or find a beach. AC can be....spotty as you head further east. Save Bavaria for fall/winter.

Enjoy. Take your time. 10 cities in 14 days or other crazy itinerary will leave you strung out and tired. Been over the pond dozens of times, always something new to explore.

Also, UK should be fine minus throngs if tourists, but weather should be fine especially in Scotland, but France can get hot as balls in August and they don't do AC hardly and if you get outside of Paris, they take their holiday month seriously in countryside, so stock up on water and snacks! I learned that lesson in 2019!

Most of the Mediterranean will be covered in tourists during August with how hot it gets. However, it's beautiful and worth visiting if you want to put up with crowds. The Adriatic side of Italy is sort of a hidden gem IMO.

Personally, I think Portugal is unbelievably cool. Porto and Lisbon are both great. You could spend 5-6 days going up and down the coast easily. You could then hit a mixture of Prague/Budapest/Bratislava for a taste of Eastern Europe. I've heard Poland is super cool but haven't been (yet).

If you like to party...Barcelona, Berlin, Amsterdam. However, they're all pretty grungy in their own charming way.

Thank you all for the advice and suggestions! It's very helpful