My seventeen year old son has the great luxury of spending a week in Paris over Spring Break. He stays in the same hotel and has most of his week planned. However, there is some time for exploring on his own with other students. Is there one thing you would suggest off the beaten path that he should do? Keep in mind that we are dealing with a seventeen year old who has admitted that every seven seconds all he thinks about is girls and cars!!!! Thanks for the advise!

Eh, maybe you should accompany him then? Seriously what are your son's interests besides girls and cars? Would help to know in order to suggest off the beaten path things.

I think for somebody that young who apparently is new to travel, being on his own (of course, at that age), and is probably just trying to figure out what he is interested in, staying on the beaten path would be good enough, if he can manage that. Besides, what some folks call off the beaten path I consider pretty mainstream. Really, buy the kid a youth-oriented guidebook (like Let's Go) and let him figure out what he wants to do, he's not a baby.

Your lucky son will probably have a memorable and wonderful time just wandering, and experiencing Paris with his friends. At that age, everything is an adventure, non? I assume there are some chaperones/teachers/adults along who also will give them ideas to keep them out of trouble. Too bad he's not near a cool auto factory-- like Ferrari!

Paris is a bit of a waste for a 17-year-old interested only in cars and girls. There are plenty of both at home. American teenagers are often fascinated by the easy access to alcohol, though.

I don't think he needs more planned activities, just get out and wander around.

I suggest he carry taxi fare and the business card of the hotel he is staying at so you can always get back home.