One of the saddest parts of studying abroad during junior spring is saying goodbye to all the graduating seniors in December instead of May. I found it hard to properly bid adieu to all the wonderful people who shaped my first three years at Harvard—especially those at the Indy. So, to make up for it, I have a parting gift for the Class of ’25: a senior trip European travel guide.
As someone who has spent nearly every weekend of the past four months hopscotching across Europe, I feel qualified to advise on where you should go for one last hurrah with your blocking group. Below is a list of ten vacation spots (plus a bonus!) and who they’re best suited for. There’s something for everyone—from food and beer lovers to adventure seekers and history buffs.
For the Purists: Nice and The South of France
A classic senior trip doesn’t require much: a beach, warm weather, and some light adventure. The South of France delivers all three in abundance. Over Easter Break, my friends and I stayed in Nice for five days, the perfect home base for traversing the coast. Each morning, we took a train or Uber no more than 30 minutes to a new village, explored its Old Town before lunch, and spent the afternoon lounging on the beach. Long hikes, cliff jumping, and morning runs made beach naps well-earned. As you plan your itinerary, Billionaire’s Bay in Antibes and the charming medieval village of Èze are two must-visit spots, but Monaco is skippable. Pro tip: take the bus or Uber to Èze, as the train drops you off with an hour-long hike to the village. If you prefer a livelier scene, fear not—by June, the beach clubs in St. Tropez and Cannes will be open for business, ready for champagne toasts to your new diploma.
For Foodies: Lisbon, Portugal
Rainy weather may have limited my sightseeing in Lisbon, but every bite of a pastel de nata made it feel like the sun was still shining. These flaky, creamy custard pastries are reason enough to fall in love with the city. I was fortunate enough to visit this city with my good friend, Beli-extraordinaire and former Lisbon resident Anil Cacodcar ’26, who introduced me to the amazing food scene. Palácio Chiado and Pastéis de Belém need to make it on your Lisbon itinerary. Instead of a post-graduation dinner at Boston’s Legal Seafood—have the best seafood of your life in this tiled city. Plus, you can sneak in some beach trips to swim with the fish, not just eat them.
For Art Lovers and Study Abroad Regretters: Madrid, Spain
If wandering galleries and losing hours in museums is your idea of a good time, then Madrid is the spot for you. The Justicia neighborhood and El Prado Museum were my favorite spots to soak up some good art, and when I needed a break, El Retiro Park was the perfect place for reading and people-watching. A bonus: eating tapas and drinking Tinto de Verano (the locals’ alternative to sangria) at 10 p.m. every day for a week will be enough for you to lament America’s big portions and early dinner times like a real study abroad student!
For Golfers: Fife, Scotland
While tourists crowd the John Harvard statue back in Cambridge, the University of St. Andrews in Fife, Scotland, hosts a different kind of invasion: golf lovers. Home to the world’s first golf course, it attracts enthusiasts from around the globe hoping to play its hallowed greens and grab a pint at the Dunvegan (affectionately known as the “Dunnie”) afterwards. Unfortunately, you’re too late for May Dip, a university-wide event I attended where students jumped into the North Sea at 5 a.m. on May 1. But if you and your friends prefer sand traps to sandy beaches, why not head to Scotland for your senior trip?
For Beer Lovers: Dublin, Ireland
I’ll start this recommendation with a caveat: I visited Dublin for St. Patrick’s Day, so most of my impressions are painted in green and Guinness. Still, visiting pubs seems to be a top activity in this Irish city even outside of St. Paddy’s. With the Guinness Storehouse in town, you’ll immerse yourself in the history and brewing process of Guinness and have every chance to “split the G”— a skillful chug that ends the foam in the center of the pint glass logo. If you choose this trip, explore the beautiful Irish countryside or the Cliffs of Moher for a scenic detour from the city. Pro tip: leave space in your suitcase to pick up a beautiful Aran sweater or some Guinness merch.
For History Buffs: Kraków, Poland
In a recent column, I told the story of how my view of history was forever changed after visiting Kraków. Whether you’re a History concentrator or a CS student with a high school WWII fascination, this city will delight you with its rich history in the Old Town, Royal Castle, and every building. It’s also a short train ride away from other historic cities like Vienna and Prague, and close to the beautiful Tatra Mountains.
For History Buffs Who Also Like to Party: Budapest, Hungary
Like Kraków, Budapest is steeped in history—its architecture, churches, and monuments tell countless stories. It’s the perfect spot to rid yourself of any guilt for not paying enough attention in your “History, Society, and Individuals” Gen Ed. When you inevitably get hungry, be sure to try Kürtőskalács, Hungarian chimney cake, and Langos, a savory fried dough topped with sour cream and cheese. What sets Budapest apart for senior trips is its nightlife. In theory, you could stay out dancing until it’s time to watch the sunrise over Fisherman’s Bastion—Kraków is a true win-win for the inner scholar and socialite.
For LSE FOMO Crowd: London, England
A contributing factor to my decision to study abroad was seeing how much fun my classmates had at the London School of Economics summer program. If you, too, regret missing out on a UK summer, a senior trip to London could be the perfect cure for your FOMO, with all of the fun nightlife and public culture and none of the final papers or exams. Be sure to visit Oxford’s The Hall at Christ Church, so you can try to relive the magic of breaking bread with strangers in Annenberg freshman year. The two halls have remarkably similar architecture.
For December Graduates: Zell Am See, Austria
If you were ever looking for a reason to take a gap semester and graduate off-cycle, let this senior trip idea be it. Instead of sweating and burning under the Mediterranean sun, you could take in the breathtaking views of the Austrian Alps and cozy up with a hot chocolate next to a fire after a long day of skiing in Zell Am See. If you’ve spent the last four years skiing near Boston, the powder of the Alps might bring a tear to your eyes, and your legs will appreciate a break from the ice of East Coast skiing. Finally, if European après-ski is good enough for my 21st birthday, it will surely suffice for your post-grad celebrations.
(Bonus) For Adventure Seekers: Marrakech, Morocco
Technically, I never visited Morocco—a stomach bug knocked me out at the Naples Airport on my layover—but I did book a three-day camel tour in the desert and swiped through countless Instagram posts of study abroad students who made it to a new continent, so I can recommend it with confidence. You can enjoy the thrills of dune surfing and the aromas of spice bazaars that initially attracted me. I can’t offer any advice, but my friends who went loved it, so if you make the trek, send me a camel selfie!
No matter where you go post-graduation—whether it’s a new continent or your childhood home—enjoy some well-deserved rest after four years of hard work. Congratulations, Class of ’25!
Frances Connors ’26 (maryfrancesconnors@college.harvard.edu) has already started planning her graduation backpacking trip.