fischerl

For my 50th birthday, I was given 2 airline tickets to anywhere in the Western Hemisphere. Last spring I took my teen daughter to Paris (thanks to many of you who helped plan that trip!), and now it's Joe's turn.

I want to know where you would go if you were in my position. Money IS an object; I'm thinking we might have about $3000 to cover everything once we arrive. We live in Southern California, FWIW.

Joe likes aviation, music, archery, military stuff and good food, among other things.

I'd appreciate hearing your ideas!

haphol

How about a mediterranian cruise. I'm looking at one for July 28 leaving Civatavecchia for 10 nights that's about 2800 cad. for two on Holland America Noordam. So with u.s money it would be a little cheaper. I realize it takes almost all your budget but transport,food,and lodging are basically taken care of. Hope you have fun wherever you decide to go.

kkukura

How about either London or Berlin? My teenagers wouldn't like a cruise. They would want to move around more. Both cities should have enough things to entertain both of you. My children liked both cities alot.

kkukura

Another thing...for my 50th this next year (and my daughter's 21st and my son's 16th) we are going to Montreal and Quebec City to do something different.

annhig

hi, fischerl,

i too immediately thought berlin.

good food [well lots of it, anyway], loads of music to suit every taste and none, more museums than you can shake a stick at, military connotations everywhere - what more could you or he want?

regards, ann

suze

Berlin or Amsterdam.

Where does he want to go?

cmeyer54

Amsterdam with a side trip to Ypres or Paris with a few days in Normandy might be a good fit.

Seamus

If it is possible to use the tickets for an open jaw itinerary how about flying into Paris and out of Berlin? Paris because it is Paris and everyone should visit at least once (not that I ave a strong opinion or anything) and Berlin for the reasons already mentioned.

ira

Hi F,

You'll take your daughter to Paris, but not your son?

Fie on you.

If this is for only 1 week, ny suggestions are

Paris,
Rome,
London,
Prague and Vienna

nytraveler

I can't imagine a teen would want to be stuck on a cruise.

Well you don't say how long you will be gone - so it's sort of hard to figure on a budget.

But - based on his interests, I would think he would enjoy places with military museums, castles etc.

You might consider the UK - a couple of days in London -seeing military museums, the Tower, Windors Castle and then do some of the countryside - there are many castles - in varoius stages of repair - but some very elaborate - like Warwick. You could even end up in Scotlad - Edinburgh Castle is amazing.

StCirq

Well, my teens loved cruises, much to my chagrin (I didn't join them on them - they went with their in-laws many times), but I think Joe would absolutely love the Dordogne - plenty of castles and military history, great food, beautiful scenery, and you could probably do it within your budget, as once you get out in the countryside expenses aren't so great (and the dollar is strong now).

Sue878

IMO not a cruise.
How long are you going for? For 2 weeks, fly into London and out another city.

For 1 week, I would suggest London (that's where I'm thinking of taking my son). Get Rick Steve's London guide for budget hotels, sightseeing, food etc.

haphol

Hi again. I'm feeling kind of like a bad mother that I did suggest the cruise but our teenage boys like them too. We have gone on many ski trips,trips to the Disney parks and have been up and at'em,out of the hotel by 7:00 to stand in line and be the first ones on the hill, on the rides, etc. However, that's been our whole family. If it was only my son and I, I think I would take comfort on being in a situation where I knew where we would be staying, the food is pretty good and lots of choice, and I wouldn't have to worry about transportation. Plus, the cruise stops in 8 ports so there would be lots to do during the day and being able to see different cultures as well.My daughter and I did do 2 weeks in Italy and France a couple of years ago and it was a great time,too. But, we had the extra expense of train passes, easy jet flights and with our crappy Canadian dollar, food was very expensive. I guess it just depends what you and your son like. But I feel I need to apologize for suggesting the cruise.

HereInFranklin

I have to agree with the London to Scotland suggestion. Lots of military stuff in both places...plenty of castles with the slits in the walls the archers used. And the pound is going down as well.

www.hereinfranklin.wordpress.com

nytraveler

The problem with a cruise in europe - is that you are mostly cruising and not seing euorpe. In many places the port is an hour - or even several - from the city it serves. So you mayhave 5/6 hours inthe city - versus several days.

Not bad if you want to spend most ofyou time on the boat, eating and doing on boad activities - but not ifyou really want to see much in europe.

rogeruktm

Not a whole lot of military stuff or aviation on a cruise. Buy him a couple of travel books and let him decide.

fischerl

Thanks for your great responses! I'll start researching those ideas. I didn't mention a time limit, because we really don't have one. I'm a homemaker and my other kids are old enough to stay alone during the day. And as we homeschool, we can work our trip easily around Joe's studies. I guess we'll stay away as long as $3000 will let us!

Ira, my daughter has longed for Paris for the past 10 years—it was an easy decision to take her there. Joe doesn't have that "bug" and in fact doesn't even share my longing to "see the world." (Don't write him off; he has many wonderful qualities!) However, I consider world travel a requirement for anyone graduating from my homeschool. So I'm taking him somewhere!

Haphol, no need to apologize. I'm brainstorming right now, so I'm open to all ideas!

The Berlin idea intrigues me; I never would have thought of that. I'll check that out...

Thank you all!

fischerl

Okay, I just realized I forgot to mention something: He does love wide open spaces and fresh air (and does not love crowds). How about Scotland or Ireland? Or maybe Alaska?

cmeyer54

you could do a tour of ireland in 2 weeks or so. the west coast is very beautiful with vistas, castles, small towns and plenty of open space. One suggestion is to check out the rick steves website and look at the itineraries he has. I've used one or two as a starting point and then customized it for our family. Another idea might be to fly into amsterdam as there is a lot of art and history there (Ann Frank house, Dutch Resistance Museum, etc), take the train to bruges and a day trip to Ypres for the western front/world war I history, then take the train down the normandy coast stopping at honfleur, deauville, etc enroute to Caen for the Peace Museum and then to Bayeux as a base of explorin the WW2 sites. With the exception of Amsterdam, this would be a series of smaller towns, villages, open spaces and plenty of military history. Oh, and the food is really really good!!

haphol

If your son likes wide open spaces,military, and good food maybe Quebec City is an option. It is the only fortified city north of Mexico.It has some interesting architecture and very old buildings. It is quite busy in the summer but in the off season it shouldn't be that bad. If you drive for about 2 and a half hours you can take a whale watching tour from Tadoussac.I believe there is also tours if you didn't want to drive. We really enjoyed that when we were there last summer. If you go the Quebec City website they have lots of information. Also when we were there they had a military band festival with bands from all over. I see that kkukura is going there this coming summer so maybe she's researched activities to do with teenagers.(Our's wouldn't come, they were scared I was going to try and drag them to see the Celine Dion concert on the plains of abraham.)Take care and happy planning.