Silivia

Taking the boys to Europe for the first time next summer. They each get to pick a city. Could anyone recommend a web site that lists fun things to do for their age group to help them select their cities. Maybe bungee jumping, biking, hiking, etc. We'll hit the traditional sites also, but some unique experiences would also be cool. The 23 year old mentioned a Mercedes tour in Germany.
Thank you for your help.

suze

www.lonelyplanet.com has a bulletin board similar to Fodors (called The Thorn Tree) with many active younger posters. They are more of an independent traveling, backpacking crowd but your kids might enjoy researching for themselves on that site.

nytraveler

Well - I hate to beat a dead horse - but if these young men are 18 and 23 they are surely computer literate and knowledgeable about how to do all sorts of searches. Don;t they use computers in doing their school papers etc?

If you're being generous enough to treat them to a trip to europe I think it certainly behooves them to get up off their butts and do a good part of the planning - including what special things they would like to do,

And why not them do the preliminary work on the flights and the hotels too (naturally you'll want to make the final decisions - since it's your money).

They can start here, at Frommers and with the country web sites and move on from there.

Simone1

I have something to confess. I had two teenage boys (ages 15 and 17 at that time) that were going with me on our last family vacation. I was having trouble motivating them. Their interests at that time were wrestling and any other type of sport. Europe was just not that interesting to them.

So, I know this was wrong, but I made a point to watch the running of the bulls in Spain. They showed this on TV every morning for a week. This program grabbed their attention and I just happened to mention that we could get to Spain next year and see what it was all about. They bit the bullet. They started researching everything and anything to do in Europe. Each of them made a point to research a city of their choice. It turns out that we went to Europe the next year. They chose to go several soccer matches. They also did a few things on their own. But, most of all, they became captivated by history and art. They chose not to go to the running of the bulls because it would interfere with their visit to Venice.

All in all, this changed my sons’ outlook of life. I am pretty sure your sons will also find pleasure in just being part of a different culture.

elaine

this is a link to your duplicate thread where you also have responses

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34684127

Silivia

Thank you everyone. Actually the boys are working to pay for the majority of the trip themselves. I am helping to point them in the right direction because I have given them a short amount of time to decide where to go. I'll be doing the hotels and flights because I can find rates faster and cheaper than they can. You have given some excellent ideas and I had a duh moment - they both use to play soccer and probably would love to check out a match.
I'll check out the duplicate thread and Thorn Tree.
Ya'll are the greatest

5alive

Consider the "Let's Goquot; series of travel guides. These are written by college students at Harvard and have a college student's interests and budget in mind.

Intrepid1

Could these two be at all interested in a hot air balloon ride or would that be too tame for them?

kleeblatt

1. Wild water rafting
2. Major hiking with spending the night in the mountains.
3. Renting mountain bikes (great trails)
4. Going to local fests (and meeting the local girls)
5. Going with a hang glider (as a passenger only)
6. Going swimming at the local public pool/beach

These are some things that come to mind for Switzerland.

suze

I don't have a particular site to recommend but believe there are calendars of local activities somewhere on the net.

schulers list above is excellent! i'll add, maybe rollerblading in Paris?

any town that is having a "fete" with outdoor stages for music, street food, etc. i saw a very fun Ferrari grand prix race thru the streets of Montreux one summer.

suze

i saw an amazing show one evening, a duo of street performancers (fire eater & fire dancer) on Leidseplein square in Amsterdam.

wally34949

Switzerland has a lot of thrill sports available.

oldie

You are taking them?

At that age, surely they don't want a pair of old crumbles tagging along.

Let them do their thing while you enjoy yourselves in your own way.

Barbara_in_CT

Rick Steves' son, Andy, and a friend "did" Europe this past summer on their own.

http://www.ricksteves.com/news/travelnews/aablog.htm

Why don't you start off together and end up together. In the middle, you do your thing and they do their thing. I recommend youth hostels for your sons so that their money goes further. Remind them of a few basics in staying safe and hanging on to their valuables.

Col86

The adriatic coast is unbelievable for young crowds ... the days are spent lazing along the pebble beaches (latex and clothes-op)... at night the cafes, bars and clubs are packed till sunrise with unbelievable atmosphere. I have been to mykonos and other European destinations and have to say for the young crowd Adriatic coast is the best. Also Split/Hvar/Brac are all the rave among the jetset. By the way if this isnt your scene there are a lot of different cultural activities and sightseeing suitable for older age group e.g. Dubrovnik