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...