It’s my favourite time of year! And no, I’m not talking about Christmas approaching. November is the perfect month for booking trips and vacations for the summer. Flights are known to be cheaper if you book them about eight months in advance, and the same can be said for hotels, Airbnb's, train tickets, and so on. As students, we usually don’t have tons of money lying around to splurge on our vacations, but after a year of hard work, we certainly deserve to go on one. Everyone’s budget is different, which is why I am sharing recommendations for cheap(er) vacations in The Netherlands, Europe, and outside of Europe with you. Ready to find your next destination? Then keep reading! 

Where to go in the Netherlands 

Zeeland

If you love to lay in the sun and find peace in the sound of crashing waves, Zeeland is the perfect destination for you. Zeeland is a province in the South-West of The Netherlands, which is mostly known for its beaches. Because it's located in The Netherlands, it isn’t insanely expensive to go to in summer. Travelling from Breda to Middelburg (the capital of Zeeland) by train only costs around €18,80. Taking the car will take you about 1 hour and 5 minutes, which in terms of gas costs around the same as taking the train. Camping in one of the campsites near the coast or staying at hostels in towns like Middelburg, Vlissingen, or Renesse are the best options for cheap accommodations.  

Here is a list of fun and cheap activities to do in Zeeland during summer: 

• Have a picknick at the beach with food prepared by yourself. 
• Go hiking or cycling along the coastline. 
• Explore the small towns in Zeeland, such as Veere or Zierikzee. 
• Spend a day at the beach doing typical beach activities, such as swimming, sunbathing, and beach volleyball. 
• Go to a local event or festival, such as the City of Dance festival in Middelburg. 

Amsterdam

Amsterdam is in my opinion the best and prettiest city in the Netherlands. The architecture is beautiful, the city is vibrant with people, and the clubbing scene is great. Since it’s the capital of the Netherlands it can be pretty expensive to visit. But this isn’t the case if you either go camping or stay at a hostel. Camping Vliegenbos is a camping site not too far from the city centre that isn’t all that expensive and has easy access to the city. There are also plenty of hostels in the city that are quite cheap to stay at, like the Flying Pig Downtown. 

Here is a list of fun and cheap activities to do in Amsterdam during summer: 

• Visit local markets, such as flower market Bloemenmarkt. 
• Spend time and have a picknick in Vondelpark. 
• Have a stroopwafel from a local stand. 
• Walk around the Red Light District at night. 
• Go clubbing at clubs like Chicago Social Club and Melkweg. 
• Take the free ferry behind Amsterdam Central Station and enjoy the pretty view of Amsterdam from the water. 

Where to go in Europe  

Lake Garda

Lake Garda in Italy is a very popular holiday destination, and for good reason. The lake is absolutely stunning, as is the architecture and nature surrounding it. And come on, Italian food alone should convince you to go. In terms of getting there, your best options would be to either take the train or the bus. Staying in campsites or hostels in less touristy towns around the lake like Desenzano del Garda or Peschiera del Garda are much more budget friendly. Going with a bigger group is also a nice way to spend less on accommodation, because you can then rent an Airbnb and split the cost. 

Here is a list of fun and cheap activities to do in Lake Garda during summer: 

• Go swimming in the lake. 
• Visit local markets and have a picnic with ingredients bought from the stands. 
• Visit neighbouring towns and appreciate the beauty of Italian architecture. 
• Hike along the Old Ponale road path.  
• Go cycling along the bike paths around the lake. 
• Visit different beaches and parks, like Parco Giardino Sigurtà. 

Kos

Kos is an island in Greece, with beautiful beaches, historical sites, great food, and vibrant nightlife. And besides all these great factors, it also is a plus that it has big Mamma Mia vibes. Since Kos is an island, is best to travel there via plane. But not to worry, the price is actually not that bad if you book early in advance. A pro tip for flying from the Netherlands to your destination: check out if you can fly from the airports in Eindhoven and Rotterdam instead of Amsterdam. It’s probably cheaper. Kos is not a good place to go camping, but there are budget-friendly accommodations such as hostels, Airbnb’s (when sharing with a bigger friend group), or family hotels. 

Here is a list of fun and cheap activities to do in Kos during summer: 

• Go swimming or snorkelling at the beach. 
• Explore Kos Town and visit historical sites such as the ancient ruins of Asklepion and Ancient Agora. 
• Befriend someone with a boat and spend time on said boat. 🙂 
• Visit the natural hot springs. 
• Be a part of the vibrant nightlife and check out the clubs and parties on the Bar Street. 

Where to go outside of Europe 

Thailand

It’s significantly more difficult to have a low budget vacation if you are travelling outside of the continent. But for Thailand, the flight ticket would be the most expensive part of the entire trip. And even then, because summer vacation is (sadly) still quite some time away, you can still get good flight deals that can save you money. Thailand is a beautiful country with amazing food, culture, and nature, and if you’re staying in a hostel, it’s a very budget friendly destination. Thailand is very backpacker friendly, and I would recommend doing this around the country since it’s a waste to travel so far and only stay in one place. There’s plenty of public transport in Thailand, and taking the train is ridiculously cheap. Actually, so are the food and utilities.  

Here is a list of fun and cheap activities to do when you’re backpacking in Thailand during summer: 

• Enjoy the street food and night markets in Bangkok (the capital). 
• Visit different temples throughout the country, like the White Temple and the Temple of the Reclining Buddha. 
• Meet other backpackers at cafes and late-night parties in Pai. 
• Experience local life and culture by visiting rural villages like Wang Nam Khiao. 
• Visit local events and festivals, like the full moon festival in Koh Phangan. 
• Have beach days on the beautiful beaches of Thailand. 
• Hike the trails in Khao Sok National Park. 
• Have a traditional Thai massage. 

Curaçao

There are quite some international students at BUas who come from Curaçao who express how beautiful the island is. And they are not wrong. The island is gorgeous. From the colourful architecture in Willemstad to the white beaches and clear blue water, Curaçao is a lovely destination for your summer holiday. There are still good deals available from Dutch travel companies such as Corendon that offer all-inclusive vacations to Curaçao. Or you can stay at hostels, B&Bs or camping sites in terms of cheaper accommodation offers.

Here is a list of fun and cheap activities to do in Curaçao during summer: 

• Explore Willemstad and walk around Chichi shops in Punda. 
• Have a beach day at Playa Kenepa or Jan Thiel Beach. 
• Go on a free Walking Tour through Punda and Otrobanda. 
• Go snorkelling between the turtles at Playa Grandi. 
• Attend local events and festivals, like Hak’e Curaçao Summer Festival. 
• Visit the beautiful coast at Sheke Boka national park. 
• Try local dishes at local markets like Marshe Bieu. 

All the things that I have listed to do are only the beginning. There is so much more to do and see in these wonderful places, so don’t hesitate to go explore for yourself. Let this list inspire you to travel somewhere you haven’t really thought of going to this summer. If your price range really isn’t that broad, then consider having a vacation in The Netherlands. And if you have a little more to spend but still need to budget, then perhaps you would love to go to Greece, or even Thailand. Don’t be too discouraged to travel if you have the resources to do so. After a busy schoolyear at BUas, you deserve to treat yourself. Booking a holiday gets you something nice to look forward to in summer. I definitely can’t wait till summer break! 

Picture sources 

https://www.artassociates.nl/subjects/travel,vacation/ 

Unsplash.com