Vacations aren’t just about relaxing — they’re about discovery, reconnecting with home, and creating new stories. At Lancaster University Leipzig, our student community is wonderfully international, which means their holiday destinations are as diverse as their backgrounds. Whether it’s a quick city break, a flight home, or staying local to explore Leipzig city, here’s a glimpse into where some of our students have been heading lately. Get inspired for your next vacation!
Sometimes, all it takes is two days in Berlin to recharge. Several of our students used the semester break for a quick train ride to Germany’s capital — just under 1.5 hours away from Leipzig by train. Whether wandering through Museum Island, taking photos at the Brandenburg Gate – like our Student Sofiia did –, or exploring Berlin’s legendary nightlife in Kreuzberg, this trip is a student favorite for good reason.
For some of our international students, break time is family time. That’s what it was for Adnan, a BSc (Hons) Computer Science student who flew home to Alexandria, Egypt. From catching up with relatives over home-cooked meals to walking along the Corniche and visiting the Bibliotheca Alexandrina – now with a touristic perspective.
For those who love nature, peace, and a bit of traditional culture, the Erzgebirge (Ore Mountains) make for an excellent short trip. Located about two hours away, this mountainous border region between Saxony and the Czech Republic is famous for its hiking trails, mining history, and wood-carved crafts.
Several students joined a weekend hiking group and enjoyed panoramic views, cosy guesthouses, and even tried a few local dishes like Erzgebirgische Kartoffelsuppe (Potato Soup).
Not many students realise this, but Leipzig/Halle Airport has direct flights to Istanbul, and it’s surprisingly affordable if you plan ahead. A few of our students took advantage of this for a long weekend in the Turkish metropolis. From exploring the Grand Bazaar and sipping tea on a Bosphorus cruise to visiting the Hagia Sophia, the trip was packed with food, culture, and unforgettable views.
Not everyone needs to travel far to have an amazing break. Some students stay right here in Leipzig and took to the water. With more canals and bridges than Venice, Leipzig is perfect for kayaking or stand-up paddling — especially around Plagwitz and the Karl-Heine-Kanal.
You can rent kayaks for a few euros and spend the afternoon gliding past cafes, street art, and old industrial buildings turned creative spaces. But that’s not the only thing to do in Leipzig’s summer, as our students show in this Reel.
Our student Melek spent her summer exploring Europe with her family, beginning her journey in Paris, France. She explored the city’s iconic landmarks, enjoyed delicious French pastries and soaked up the vibrant atmosphere before continuing the adventure by train. Ask Melek more about her typical way to spend her free time or about life-study-balance in gerneral.
For students at Lancaster University Leipzig, studying in Germany also means being perfectly placed to explore Europe. With Leipzig located in the heart of Europe and excellent rail connections to many major cities, weekend trips and longer adventures across the EU can be surprisingly convenient.
Our second-year BSc (Hons) Business Management student Dayana is from Bulgaria but travelled to Scandinavia during her summer break, instead of traveling back home as she has done in previous years. She has sent some greetings from Sweden:
This summer I got to explore Sweden for the first time. My trip started in Stockholm and from there we travelled through places like Karlstad, Lund and Malmö, with plenty of little stops in between. I really loved the cooler summer weather and getting to explore Scandinavia. We travelled from the Baltic Sea to the North Sea, and finished the trip in Copenhagen after crossing the 8 km long Øresund Bridge connecting Sweden and Denmark.
