nytraveler

Granted there are hostels that are poorly run and rife with drunkenness and drugs. But there are also a bunch of reputable hostels that provide safe housing for many tens of thousands of students from 17 and up throughout europe.

If HE would really be more comfortable on a tour (but I never would have done it, although I went for the first time at 19 for 5 weeks with my boyfriend) then that's fine.

But before deciding I suggest that he look at some Let's Go guidebooks and the Torn Tree section of the Lonely Planet web site. these will help him pick out the better hostels and tell him where local students hang out so he can meet - and perhaps travel with some of them. Our teen daughters did this when we took them to europe a couple of times and they had some fun evenings with local students.

historytraveler

In your original post you state <I>..." but, now he wants to venture solo".</I> Let him. He'll be fine and it'll be a far better experience doing it by himself rather than relying on a tour which does everything for you. Kids younger than twenty-two do it all the time. My son was living in Belgium and racing bicyles when he was only 18.

PatrickLondon

I honestly think the best help you can give him for this sort of trip is:

- make sure he can (and, more importantly, actually does) do his own laundry
- get him some good guidebooks and point him in the direction of the Thorntree forum
- <i>ask</i> him if that helps him work out the practical questions: how are you going to manage your money, find places to eat, buy picnic food in shops, ask directions and advice, understand local public transport, get local maps....?

If the answer comes back that he'd feel happier with a tour, then proceed as you're planning.

skyking

<i>He could probably be fine on his own, but I think it would be better to meet up with other young people on a tour. Then he can choose what he does & doesn't want to do, but still have the company of other young people.</i>

Just want to point out that when you're 22 years old, meeting other young people is not an issue. Pretty much all you have to do is walk down the street, or sit in a cafe, or go to a club, or sit in the park,or do just about anything really. Most people are still single in their early 20's with few obligations and it's a whole different mentality from the way you travel in middle age.

Even if he's not on a tour, he, he can still choose what he wants to do or not do. In fact, he can do it more so if he's not on a tour. I'm not anti-tour if that's what <u>he</u> wants to do. Maybe you're concerned that things can happen to young people on vacation (e.g., Natalee Holloway), but bad things can happen right in your own hometown.

He's a grown man. Cut the apron strings already. Give him the info on tours,hostels, and guidebooks that you got from this thread, and then let him make his own decision about how he wants to travel.

Maudie

Elaine, I am not sure if it was the budget one but she did stay in a mix of hostels, cabins, tents and budget hotels so I guess it could have been.

Yes she did stay for the first two weeks in London as that is where her tour left from. I think it was a hostel in Russell Square, funnily enough she was only telling me last night what an "awesome" hostel it was. For her 21st family and friends purchased gift vouchers for some tourist sites, The Eye, Tower of London etc. This was a brilliant present and made her money go further.

Some of the accommodation was out of the city but that is how they keep the costs down. The kids all looked out for each other, they all made sure they traveled in groups. I don't remember her ever saying it was a bother. When the tour ended she then traveled to revisit some places she loved and visit new places.

She is a trained travel agent and worked very hard at 2 jobs to save for her trip which she organised herself.

I know it's hard to let them go off alone but you might be surprised by how well your son can sort this out for himself. Give him all the info and let him make a basic plan, a little discreet suggestion or nudging here and there from you will knock it all into shape.

ricky2323

May be company wants your son to carry out responsibility at the city where they are sending him.

tarquin

Last summer we were visited by two 17-year-olds from Canada who bussed and trained around England and Wales for three weeks, the whole journey organised by themselves. That is what I call travelling.

PatrickLondon

Here's another option for independent travel that might interest him

http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/wiki/Interrailing

And I see someone has set up some packages for it (though I have no idea whether they're value for money or any good):

http://www.interrailingpackages.com/

pixiedeb

Not sure of the requirements for these tours or if the dates sync with your son's plans, but some info on the site may be of interest.

http://www.wsaeurope.com/

KRNS

Gap tours cater to young people.
Just before I left for 3 months in Costa Rica last year I rec'd an email from Sta Travel about a 1/2 price weeks tour to the Carribbean coast of CR with Gap Adventures. The group was comprised of maybe 10 young women in their 20's, one early 30's married couple and 65 yr old me. ( I can't resist a sale!) Most of the group did party hearty and spent more time in bars but I was comfortable in the hotels chosen and did sightsee on my own, which I prefer anyway.
I'd travel with Gap again if I get another sale offer.


Karen

Michel_Paris

Bit like broken telephone.

Give him your password at Fodors and let him loose here. We'll get him lined up.

If this was a 'surprise' gift, I could see the value of this thread. But if it is just planning, why not let HIM ask the questions?

thursdaysd

"Give him your password at Fodors"

Better: he should get his own account here. And, more usefully for a 22 y.o., one on Lonely Planet's thorntree.

elaine123

Love the controversy!

Thanks for the tour suggestions. Keep them coming!

thursdaysd

There is no controversy. There is unanimity among posters that your ADULT son should go on his own if that's what HE wants to do.