Where would you spend August in Europe?

[Siobhan0530]

I have about a month to kill in Europe, from August 8th until September 15th or so. I'm spending the month before that at Oxford, and studying abroad in Stirling, Scotland after that, so I'm less interested in those two locations. I might try and go to Edinburgh and see some of the Fringe Festival. I'm also probably avoiding France and Italy due to their shutting down during August, from what I've heard.So what are your recommendations? Both on a budget and off. Places you can have fun by yourself, and not feel too sketched out? Places where I (hopefully) won't have to worry about massive heat stroke?The only other requirement is that I don't have to have a car to get there or get around once I'm there. Train, bus, plane are all fine.Thanks!Possibly relevant info: Female, short, college aged. Only fluent in English, but can get by with some Spanish. Done very little traveling in Europe, beside Scotland and Sicily.

[vivet1598]

Find a cheap flight and go to Prague: nobody feels alone there. A lot to see and a lot of fun and good prices.

[AngelaD]

Most of England is good, except public transport can be patchy in rural areas.I disagree with your comments about France however.....I visited Paris in august and it was the best time to go as the Parisians tend to go on holiday themselves so the place is quieter....but that doesn't mean it's dead.And you can get there by train in one journey from London.

[gix]

Italy or greece

[SUE7470]

For August, I would head north. It's HOT in the South during August, and, as you have noted, that's traditional vacation month for so many people. I would do Scandinavia and Germany, Poland, someone suggested Prague, but my friend said Prague wasn't so much to write home about. She, however, adored Krakow. If you want to do Spain, keep to the north. It is less hot, and less crowded. They, too, often take August off, but then a lot of people head to the Costa del Sol, and it gets very crowded, there. San Sebastián, Santander, Oviedo, walk a little along the Pilgrimage of Santiago, ending in Santiago de Compustela, a great cultural experiecne. (and you'll learn more Spanish, too). Pamplona, and the Pyranees region. Definitely better in August than anyplace in the south. My heart lives in AndalucÃ*a, but I would recommend saving that until Fall, if you can go. Granada, Sevilla, a couple of smaller towns worth visiting if you can.

[Anna6707]

I would put Prague at the top of my list for sure!! Cheap, totally safe, English-speaking and very nice people. Then I'd definitely put Berlin where you'll find loads of museums, culture, shopping, English-speaking and getting around all of Berlin is very easy and cheap. Excellent, tram, bus, subway etc!! Stay in the Mitte area and anywhere near Alexanderplatz is great and have always felt very safe. I'd also put Copenhagen, capital of Denmark on my list. Very nice city! English speaking and friendly people. Sweden, of course, where everyone speaks English. Very beautiful country. I'd skip Norway though since fjords and stuff isn't my game + Norway is the most expensive country in the world. I could go on forever but I'll stop here before I get carried away.