18-yr old Son going to Europe - help!
 

Dear Fodor Friends,
My son is going to Europe for three weeks this summer. For Christmas I wanted to get him a new rolling duffel and fill it with books and other things he might wear or need. Whenever I travel, I look up the book threads on Fodors and I already have - but I wondered if people could give me some new suggestions - with an intelligent 18 yr old in mind (his favorite author is Kurt Vonnegut) and his travel plans - Paris, Munich, Rome, Venice, Florence, Nice. Many thanks and happy holidays!
Nancy

How about a carefully fitted backpack instead? That's what my son much prefers, and so do a lot of young people.

For books, Lonely Planet is not the be-all and end-all but those guidebooks are a very good start.

Thanks, Will for your suggestion, I will look at those backpacks. Just to clarify, I am looking mainly for books for him to read in the next six months to give him more depth to his travels - i.e. historical, biographical novels.
Thanks again Fodorites!

Nicenancy, I'll ask my son tonight what he recommends. I know he's been reading Sartre lately.

How about:
1. Membership in the international youth hostel organization;
2. Maps of each of the cities he plans to visit;
3. A decent camera;
4. Some euro notes;
5. More euro notes.

If your son is anything like mine, I'd stay away from trying to find something he MIGHT wear.

Dear Beach bum, Great suggestions!!!
Especially the Euros. As always, my fellow Fodorites amaze me, many thanks.

You might try a rolling suitcase that converts to a backpack. Mine is from Eagle Creek purchased through www.ebags.com.

For books, some outstanding ones are Irving Wallace "The Agony and the Ecstasy" a fictionalized biography of Michaelangelo which include much about Renaissance Rome and Florence, "Sixty Million French People Can't Be Wrong" a recent book about why French people are how they are, Rick Steves "Postcards from Europe", "Europe through the Back Door" or "Europe 101" which give great insight into how to travel in Europe (but not a guidebook really, more like how to get the most out of the experience of your trip).

As far as other things he needs, follow Rick Steves advice and get a money pouch. They are lightweight and secure as you wear them under your clothes (as Rick Steve says "whoever loses their underwear on a trip?"). My husband likes the kind that is a small rectangle with a loop that your belt fits through, you just tuck it inside your waistband.

I'm with beachbum--get all the Streetwise maps for each of the cities you've listed. (And like streetwise, I'm not so sure about the "wear"---I have a god-daughter who looks like a fashion model, but anything her mom or I propose she wear gets vetoed in short order.)

I would recommend a digital camera if he doesn't have one already, with all the accoutrements you can get.

For reading, try Morton's Rome, and you'll probably have to get it used, as well as The Italians and A Thousand Bells At Noon. The Convivio, The Divine Comedy, and The Decameron might also be good reads that may interest him.

Will you please consider adopting me?

Happy Holidays,
BC

My son insisted on knee-length shorts, oversize T-shirts, and sneakers (not sure whether they were Adidas, Reebok, or Nike, but some such brand). He did have one pair of long pants. I said he would look like a standard American tourist, and suggested other attire, but he didn't care, and apparently everyone spoke to him in the local language, which he returned.

One more: German, Italian, and French phrase books. Oh, and maybe more euro notes.

Why Euro notes? Why not use an ATM card? If the young man is going to be staying in hostels and taking public transport, he probably doesn't want to carry much cash all at one time.

Get him Budget Europe Travel Service' superb free European & Planning Guide which details not only rail travel but many other aspects of European travel for novices, especially youth travelers. I've been to Europe dozens of times but there's still stuff in there that helps even me. It really contains a wealth of info and it's free. (BETS 1-800-441-9413).

I know this will start some conversation here but I would get him into Dan Brown's "Angels and Demons" and "DaVinci Code". I think they are great page turners and give enough background information on Paris and Rome to give some familiarity. I passed them on to my daughter after I read them and she loved them. Couldn't put them down.

I haven't read those, but I did meet a teenage boy who did really like the Da Vinci Code, so I think that's a good possibility.

In terms of some reading suggestions,

A Soldier of the Great War by Mark Helprin. An elderly Italian man recounts his life, a life marked by war and tragedy. Yet, near the end of that life, he still manages to find the aesthetic beauty in life. Set primarily in Italy. BTW, one of my five favorite books.

The French Revolution - By William Doyle. There is a short version of a much larger work that he'd done. I read the short form version. Given how much of European history is influenced by the events surrounding the French revolution, and the subsequent rise of Napolean, it helps to understand the history when visiting Paris.

A book on the rise and fall of Rome. The work by Gibbon is most well known and either in brief or in all 3 parts (I believe) it'll be available at any decent public library. I'm sure numerous other, more readable, books exist.

Mary Renault (a writer not nearly as well known as she should be, IMHO) wrote some fantastic historical based novels. While the books are based in Ancient Greece, they are well worth adding, for your purposes. Her two most well known books are The King Must Die and The Last of the Wine.

When I was 18 I went to Europe for 6 months to study. I would get him:
1. Gift card for a backpack
2. Rick Steve's travel book on Europe
3. Maps for specific cities he is going to- highly recomend the plactic laminated ones that fold up easily- can't remember the brand.
4. Overall rail map of Europe- would recomend the one from Thomas Cook.
5. Money belt he can stash a few 100 dollar bills in just in case....
6. ATM card
Good Luck!

I am assuming he already has a copy of "Slaughterhouse Five" if his favourite author is Kurt Vonnegut, right?

How about Mark Twain's "A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court?"

It contains my absolute favorite Twain Quote:

"She had exactly the German way: whatever was in her mind to be delivered, whether a mere remark, or a sermon, or a cyclopedia, or the history of a war, she would get it into a single sentence or die. Whenever the literary German dives into a sentence, that is the last you are going to see of him till he emerges on the other side of the Atlantic with his verb in his mouth."

One other idea for his gift list, something that's on mine: A compass.

Also, a good pedometer (not on MY list - My sister's lied on our Spain trip, resulting in much gnashing of teeth from my quarters."

Also, if he's taking a laptop, I got a great backpack from www.ebags.com, with a padded compartment for my laptop and lots of nifty little compartments.

If he enjoys art, he might enjoy reading Tracy Chevalier's books. I've read and very much liked "Girl with a Pearl Earring" and "The Unicorn Tapestries".

"The Unicorn Tapestries" takes place in Paris and I believe you can also see these works of art in one of the museums there.

"Girl with a Pearl Earring" takes place in Delft, so not a place he's visiting, but maybe the painting is in one of the places he'll be? (I have no idea!)

"Falling Angels" (set in London) is next on my list, and I see an older book called "The Virgin Blue" (set in SW France) by her as well.

I ditto "The Agony and the Ecstacy." I am reading it right now in prep for a trip to Florence; I'm 24 and I am really enjoying it. And I know it will give me more understanding and appreciation for what I see there. I also agree with some good comfy walking shoes and a backpack.

He might like the "Aurelio Zen" series of mystery novels written by Michael Didbin. They are set in a variety of Italian cities (Venice, Zen's hometown, Rome and others).

For a Kurt Vonnegut fan to bypass Dresden is almost blasphemy. Though many of the scars of the fire-bombing are now gone some still remain, but he should hurry as the Frauenkirche will be completely restored in 2006. Even for a non-Kurt Vonnegut fan, Dresden is a Baroque gem worth visiting. My favorite author is Thomas Mann and used his books as a guide to Venice and Lubeck.

Two other books I'd be remiss if I didn't mention are:

Berlin Stories by Christopher Isherwood. An presumably autobiographical account of Isherwood's life in Berlin from about 1929 to 1933, or so. Berlin Stories takes two separate works and combines them into this book. One of the stories, Goodbye to Berlin, is the basis for the play/movie Cabaret. A fascinating look at Berlin in its decadent period with an undertone of the rise of the Nazi's.

A Moveable Feast by Hemingway covers the period when he lived in the ex-pat community of Paris. An interesting look at a celebrated group of writers and artists and Paris of that period. Although, it may ruin your son's view of F. Scott Fitzgerald's work.

I think he would enjoy "Neither Here Nor There" by Bill Bryson. It's about his travels in Europe and is quite humorous in parts.

Leatherman tool.

We have the "Wave" in our toolbox at home, but when we travel we take the "Juice CS4" model with us.

http://www.leatherman.com/

Nancy, I don't know if your son is going to travel in the style to which you are accustomed (whatever that may be) or if he'll be travelling in a somewhat more budget-conscious manner than you.

Anyway, in case you aren't already familiar with it, there's a website that generates a customized packing list. You complete a questionnaire (temperature range at your destination(s), means of travel, types of accommodation, activities you plan to undertake, etc.). Then you click on the submit button, and the website spits out a packing list for your circumstances. A Swede by the name of Mats Henricson devised the list.

Anyway, I think it's a good way of checking what a person may need, particularly if some aspects of his trip will be different from the way in which one travels oneself.

http://upl.codeq.info/index.jsp

Also, I wouldn't suggest your inviting your son to Fodors now (otherwise he'll see what's going on in Santa's workshop), but after Christmas you might mention Fodors or perhaps Lonely Planet's Thorntree forum if he hasn't already joined them. Then he can get more engaged in the planning of his trip.

Again, my thanks to all of you. I stayed up late and got him a rolling back-pack, books, money belt and maps, all thanks to your great suggestions. After Christmas, I look forward to showing him this post - the kindness of strangers!

My then 18 year old went last Christmas break. I actually got just a few respnses and then some negativity here for planing for him, but c'est la vie, looks llike you have the charm.

He will find his way and thrive. However, planning helps and you gor good advice. I got my guy those DK Top Ten guide books, which are very light. They really helped him out a lot. He brought small city maps. I also booked cheap rooms for him (he didn't want hostels) - you guys might operate differently. We pre-booked an overnight train Barcelona to Paris. Otherwise, he did the whole thing himself.

He got traveler's checks since he didn't have a debit card. If that is the case with your son, you might consider just giving him your credit card or debit AND putting the fear of God on him. The traveler's check were a nightmare. He used a rolling carry on.

$$$$ and more $$$$$$ so he can do and buy whatever he wants...he is 18 and smart, so let him plan his own trip. Sure he will not plan the trip way you would like, but take it one day at a time when he is there....nothing worse than parents expecting kids to do things way they think is right...let him grow

Oh, yes, to avoid fast food, if he can find any student hotels with kitchens, it would be a boon, financailly and healthwise.

I'm sorry for the typos above. My light above the computer is out and I think this site should have an edit function anyway.

Hope he has lots of fun. I know he will.

Buy him a railpass that will cover all the countries he plans to visit and yes, buy him one for FIRST CLASS which will give him more options; tell him to avoid those "Eurosnack" places and stick to Burger King and McDonalds, etc.

Do you really THINK he won't eat fast food somewhere over there? Would you really want him not to? And if so, why?

My 21 yr. old daughter is going to study in Italy in Spring and plans to stay on for awhile. (I think I'm more excited about it than she is.)

Some really good suggestions already--I'm getting her a Rick Steves money pouch for Chanuka and a gift certificate to REI for a good backpack. Also, a translater is a good idea. I have a Franklin in Spanish and they make them for other languages as well. Mine is quite expensive, but we're going to get her a less expensive one (she has a tendency to lose things).

While phone cards are a good idea, I found that they're less expensive to buy in tobaco shops once there. Of course that might vary from country to country.

And while you wouldn't want to pick out clothes for him, you might take him on a shopping trip and let him pick them out as a treat.

Are you going to meet him over there for awhile?

We are (which is maybe why I'm so excited about it)!

Travelled Europe in my late teens alone...so dear MAMAS , listen!!!! let the kids alone..most likely this is their first real experience in life..and will mold them to lating experiences...

Also, a translator is a good idea..big mistake, let him/her find their way in a foreign country and different language. will help make lots of new friends..

she has a tendency to lose things).wondering why..cause she knows you are there to take care of things..cut that umbilical cord
you might take him on a shopping trip and let him pick them out as a treat. the guy is 18 on his way to college, most likely...let him worry about his clothing..are you gonna be there at the dorm??????
I'm getting her a Rick Steves money pouch for Chanuka ......do you think she is going to wear that...ha, too tacky for older people...if she loose her money, well her problem..

I 2nd the Bill Bryson book recommendation...as well as the part about letting him plan things on his own. Don't be surprised/upset if he doesn't like your choice of backpack or money belt and he should be given the option of being able to return them. I also wouldn't fill it with a lot of books that he won't have time to read and that will just make his load heavier. Hopefully he will be spending his time meeting people and seeing the sights, not sitting around reading unless he is on a train. I agree with some of the other post-ers. This is a great opportunity for him and he will have a great adventure which may include being mugged, sleeping at train stations, eating bad food and meeting strange people - but it will be wonderfully memorable!

How about a travel journal?

A travel journal... who at 18 cares about writting, is all about seeing, experiencing and partying.... will be his memories, not his parents..when he gets old , he will have time to tell about those crazy things he did in Europe...

I've kept travel journals since I was very young. My kids started keeping travel journals almost as soon as they could write and are still keep them as teenagers.

And plenty of kids at 18 care about writing - do you think all the authors in the world suddenly developed a fascination for the written word at the age of 30?

Books I liked reading:

For Rome:
'Michaelangelo and the Pope's ceiling' - Ross King
'I, Claudius' - Robert Graves

For Florence:
'Brunelleschi's Dome' - Ross King
'The Agony and the Ecstasy' - Irving Stone (it's set in Rome Florence and a bit of the rest of Tuscany as well)
'The Birth of Venus' - Sarah Dunant

'Lives of Artists' by Vasari is nice too and not at all dry as the title suggests. This has artists from Rome, Florence and Venice. It's sometimes published in 2 volumes, if you find that edition, then just buy volume I.

The Tracy Chevalier books set in Paris are nice. Angels and Daemons and the Da Vinci code are light page turners - just don't take them seriously!

If your son plans to visit Pompeii or Herculaneum during his Rome stay, then 'Pompeii' by Robert Harris is an absolute must.

Have fun mom and kiddo!

This trip will teach him/her to be street smart ... will learn to relate to people and nationalities, big plus in today's world.
IMHO, so much reading could be boring...now a days we need more interactive skills....these youngs will have plenty of reading in college... go for the street, go for the people, go for the party...