Planning on studying abroad in Europe? You may know, then, that academics are only the half of it. The opportunity to spend a semester (or a year) of college in a European country is unparalleled: you have an entire continent, rich with distinct cultures, at your disposal. Thanks to the proximity between European countries, you can travel from your “home base” to a completely new civilization, without all the mileage.

As ambitious Columbia students with busy schedules, though, we don’t have the flexibility to take off weeks at a time for travel, even when already studying abroad. We can, however, make the most of our free weekends and breaks to fit in the quintessential college Eurotrip. So, with the Columbia student in mind, I have devised a concise yet useful guide to weekend tripping in Europe for both your reference and reading pleasure.

First thing’s first: logistics.

You have to know where you’re going and how to get there before you go. Although trains are more common in Europe than in the U.S, flying can be just as easy—and just as (if not more) cheap. Flights from Paris to Barcelona, for example, cost as little as sixty euros roundtrip, booked only three days in advance! Check out www.easyJet.com. This site is easy to use and is helpful for finding discount airline tickets (and hotels, rental cars, and villas) for travel between European cities.

If trains are more your cup of tea, fear not. www.Eurail.com offers passes that are valid for different combinations of countries and amounts of travel time: a fifty dollar Country Pass covers train travel throughout a single country, a 180 dollar Regional Pass covers travel throughout a region, and a customizable Select Pass allows you to choose specific bordering countries and define your own region. Be sure to purchase your pass before you leave for Europe, though, as they are for non-European citizens and thus are difficult to find once in Europe.

Finally, know where you’re staying. European hostels can be quite clean and nice, and are the least expensive solution. Check out www.hostels.com, www.famoushostels.com, www.hostelworld.com, www.hostellinginternational.com, and www.hihostels.com to book your stay quickly and easily so you can worry about enjoying your time in a new city!

When you’re in Europe, you’ll most likely plan to hit up the most popular cities: London, Paris, Madrid, Barcelona, Rome, Venice, Berlin, and Amsterdam. There are many great cities, however, that students often overlook, are easy to get to, and are worth seeing.

Istanbul, Turkey, for example, is a dynamic and young-person friendly place. It’s on the beautiful Bosporus, a strait between the Mediterranean and the Black Sea, and is a characteristic collision of Eastern and Western civilizations. Turkish food–yum, hummus –is fantastic, and so is the nightlife. If you go, be sure to see historical sights like the Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque, and explore the endless maze that is the Grand Bazaar.

Go to Bruges, Belgium if you like food (and who doesn’t?). There, you can sample chocolates, eat waffles, and drink the beer that Belgium is famous for. The city itself is known for its history and beauty: ancient churches, monuments, gardens, and statues line the city streets and give it a charming, historic feel.

Head down to the Spanish island of Ibiza if you’re more of the party-going type. With its mountainous slopes, white, Mediterranean architecture and dazzling beaches, Ibiza can be a heaven on Earth. While you might know the island for its notorious beachside nightlife, you may not know that it once was a Carthaginian settlement in 654 BC and a base for Mediterranean cultures, such as the Phoenicians and Romans. There, you’ll never get bored.

Finally, check out the city of Prague, Czech Republic if romance and architecture tickle your fancy. By WWII, its medieval center contained an array of cobbled streets and bridges, majestic towers, and courtyards. It is a vibrant and energetic city that is also quite well known for its nightlife. If you go, make sure to visit the Old Town and the Castle, the historic nexus of the city, while you’re there.

As a warning: you may become overwhelmed by your excitement about all the opportunities for travel in Europe, but don’t forget to really get to know and explore your host city—that is one of the most valuable things you will get to do in your time abroad.