mweiner

Am looking for a coil place to travel with a fifteen year old grandson. He is not particularly interested in culture or history. Had thought of London or Rome. But perhaps something with more adventure would be better.

HappyTrvlr

Galapagos? Costa Rica? Dolomites based in Val Gardena ,Ortisei? Swiss Alps based in Grindelwald?

anyegr

Do you know what he actually is interested in?

Does he want a city vacation or a beach vacation? Would he rather look at pretty nature or pretty girls?

What level of adventure were you thinking of? Does he like to walk or bike? Diving lessons, prehaps, if you chose a beach location? Or something more extreme? A lot of extreme adventure things can be both expensive and dangerous and may have age limits.

Also remember that a lot of teenagers can't "live" without their mobile phones and Internet. That could get extremely expensive. Make sure your hotel has free WiFi.

mweiner

Good suggestions. Problem is he has no interests outside of hanging out with friends and fooling around on his iPad. Have taken other grandchildren on trips but they have had special interests: french-France or wildlife-Australia or family culture-Puerto Rico. I like to tailor the trip to their interests and give them a chance to spread their wings and learn to survive or get along in a new situation.

This is a kid who gets bored easily. So I thought something that includes outdoor activity and exploration would be best. More of an adventure perhaps. Forget the girls! Be can do that on his own time. This is to be a life empower experience.

Am open to your recommendations.

suze

Hawaii

Moongoddess

Are you dead set on traveling outside the US, or would you consider a domestic location? A horsepacking trip into the backcountry of Yellowstone or a rafting trip through the Grand Canyon might be adventures a young man might enjoy.

mweiner

Moongodess, would love to take him on one of those. However he is set on out of the country. But your ideas are so good and he is such an active kid, they may suit him. I am always up for adventure.

Southam

Cross the border into Canada and find the same sort of action. If you go to Quebec it will really seem different while being comfortably the same.

thursdaysd

Maybe Patagonia? Awesome scenery. Or, how active are you - hiking in Peru?

If he's into tech, what about Japan? Do you know what he actually does on his iPad?

Iowa_Redhead

He's set on out of the country but has no interests other than "fooling around on his ipad"? Talk to the kid and see what he wants to do. Ask what he does on the iPad. If he can't make a decision on what type of thing he'd like to do or type of place he'd like to go then tell him you'll take him to Branson or he can just not go.

What kind of budget and timeframe are you looking at? I assume summer break or Christmas break is easiest since he's young enough to still be in school.

China was great fun and a bit of an adventure at times (Great Wall, wandering about randomly, etc). Costa Rica and Australia might fit with some good adventure possibilities.



Whatever you decide on, do be sure to get a signed and notarized note from his parents that you have permission to take him traveling and to make any needed medical decisions. It's not guaranteed to be worth anything if there's actually a problem but it will at least make some things easier. He's old enough that TSA shouldn't give you any issues like they might with a young child, but written documentation never hurts to have on hand.

sparkchaser

Iowa_Redhead is right about the permission to travel letter. The TSA might not care but immigration sure will.

A sample letter can be found here: http://photos.state.gov/libraries/un..._to_travel.pdf

mweiner

Great suggestions. Traveled with one grandson to Australia, an adventure of a lifetime. And with a granddaughter to France, a dream cone true. On both occasions I insisted on the letter. It is very important if medical treatment is necessary.

Although there are so many so many possible American adventures, this grandson wants equal to the others. I think something that offers a lot of outdoor activities and sights, variable scenery, perhaps hopping from place to place. Hiking, maybe, a special day, not an entire week.

I would really appreciate knowing if someone has done something of an adventure that would entice, a fifteen year old.

sparkchaser

How about journey across Kazakhstan? I did that last year and it was certainly an adventure. I was there for two weeks and only met 4 or 5 people that spoke English.

Oh, wait. I think I have it: Tunisia. Take him to Tunisia and go to Tataouine and see the Star Wars sets nearby and the Troglodyte homes. Plus, what 15 year old boy would not think traveling across the North Sahara is cool? There are several tour outfits that will do the "Star Wars" tour plus add on whatever you want. Plus, Tunisians are wonderfully hospitable people.

mweiner

Hahaha! Great idea but parents mixed it. However a desert adventure sounds like a good idea. Israel has some in the Negev. Hikes, caves, diving in the Red Sea, jeep desert tours, museum on independence fighters. Plus websites say very lively night life and music, variety of cuisines, 3D movie theater. And could be a possible winter vacation spot. Will wait a tear it two for Tunisia.

thanks for your input. Am still exploring possibilities, so please keep suggestions coming.

thursdaysd

If you're headed to the Middle East, don't miss Petra in Jordan, worth at least two full days.

See: http://mytimetotravel.wordpress.com/...eerless-petra/

and: http://kwilhelm.smugmug.com/Travel/C...ast-2009/Petra

You might also look into snorkeling in the Red Sea.

sparkchaser

Petra would be awesome. It has the connection of being the Knights Templar temple in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade so that should appeal to a 15 year old.

mweiner

Oh perfect. Just researched Petra too. Two days enough? Where to stay? Eilat? Aqaba? Other? Have Hilton and Intercontinental points for free stays. Also Marriott but did see anything there.

mweiner

Just a another quick question. Is December too cold? Could we go on winter break?

Thanks everyone.

thursdaysd

For historic weather info: weatherunderground.com

For time in Petra - as I said above, three nights, two days, minimum.

You need to stay AT Petra. There are a number of places to stay in the village, Wadi Musa, although I can't recommend the one I sayed at. You may want to stay at the Movenpick, which is at the entrance to Petra, although further away from the cafes. http://www.moevenpick-hotels.com/en/...etra/overview/

After Petra, many people spend a night in the desert at Wadi Rum. There's also the Dead Sea, some good mosaics in Madaba, and a stunning Roman site at Jerash.

mweiner

Excellent thursdaysd! Hope this appeals to him as much as it does me. Wonderful recommendations. Appreciate them all.