Having only ever been to London and wanting to take my teen sons, which three countries would you recommend?
 

My sons are ages 12 and 15. I want to take them to Europe this summer and was considering England, Ireland and Scotland, but have changed my mind. There is only so much scenery they will endure! Can any of you world travelers recommend three countries that would appeal to boys of this age. I know that they would love London! Thanks. Susie

Other places that may be of interest for that age group would be Rome, Venice, French Riviera, Paris, Provence, French Alps, and Barcelona. As an example, after London you could tour some of the mountains in Switzerland--and then take the Bernini Express Train to Italy and continue touring through Italy.

Our first family trip (with three teenage daughters (14, 16, 18) was England, Italy, France, England and it was a huge success. Moreover, the transportation options between these three are pretty affordable, using air, train and car.<BR><BR>Best wishes,<BR><BR>Rex<BR>

More info for Switzerland at MySwitzerland.com or using Google type in MySwitzerland (USA).<BR>See train info at this site under "scenic tours".

Correction: Bernina Express Train NOT Bernini ET

The "Bernina Express Train" can be taken from St. Moritz Switzerland --winds thru mountains, glacier fields etc.--ending in Tirano Italy (2.5 hours) where you can catch a bus to Lugano italy. Lots of information online.

You are correct - teenager aren't into scenery. Your best bet is to acquaint them to the great cultures of Europe. Therefore I recommend Paris, for French culture, Munich (side trip to Mesuschwanstein - kids love castles) or Vienna for Germanic culture, and Rome, Florence or Venice for Italian culture. I don't mean to belittle the other european cultures, but this would be a good place to start.

Susie,<BR><BR>Why don't you ask the kids? They might have their own ideas. You can go from there.<BR><BR>Dick

Susie<BR>I have a boy and a girl now 16 and 18 and we've been four times. Kind of hard to miss, really, so many great choices. We always start with the Big City and the sightseeing part, then hit the beach or the mountains to decompress. I would agree with England, France and Italy.<BR>regards<BR>Frank

Even better than simply asking the kids would be a trip to the public library together and help them pick out some books to wander through, and then each kid pick a country.<BR>

Tom, <BR>I think that having the kids research themselves would be a great idea, but my soon to be 15 year old (now an irritating 14 year old) doesn't want to go and won't cooperate with looking! I thought if I had some countries to narrow down to, then I could get books and he could pick places that he wanted to go to. By the way, he is in the "wants to be with friends and parents don't know anything" stage for any of you parents out there! I know once he steps foot in Europe, he will love it. (Even though I don't know anything!!!)

Are either of them taking a foreign language at school or considering taking one? If so, that could certainly guide you in the direction of a country or two... Are they into art and/or architecture? Again, specific interests could lead to specific cities/countries (i.e., Monet = Giverny, Gaudi = Barcelona, etc.). How about any particular musicians? Their interests do not have to be the entire focus of your trip, but can certainly be included in at least a few days. Do you have any ancestors from Europe? Then a visit to a country of your ancestors could be a consideration also.<BR><BR>If you are willing, you could always take them to a country that has nude or topless beaches - maybe just a day trip. :-)<BR><BR>I would definitely suggest England - and in London you know you are just going to have to take them to the London Dungeon! I like England, Italy, and France as others have suggested. Spain can also be lovely in the summer. Starting off in England might be a good idea just to get their feet wet - they'll be "over there," but will be in a country where they can (usually) understand the language.<BR><BR>Good luck. They will love it once they are there, but I know it's tough to get them going.

Dear Susie: This summer we took our 15 year old daughter to France for 21 days. Before leaving we could not get her to " get involved" in the trip or planning. She did not see ( we don't know what we don't know) anything remotely interesting and to top it off she was going with her PARENTS ( gasp!)<BR>While touring Notre Dame in Paris we ran into her photography teacher, miles from home and on a different continent.<BR>She came away from that chance encounter and our trip a different teenager. She was going to grow up no matter what or when, but France is a wonderful place to grow up.

I will say you shoul also visit India , Nepal & mladives

You don't say what budget or timescale you're working to, but my suggestion would be:-<BR><BR>Fly to London and spend a couple of days looking around and getting over jetlag.<BR><BR>Get cheap (i.e. Ryanair, etc.) flights to Dublin and spend a few days there to satisfy your need to show them their Irish roots.<BR><BR>Fly back to London and (with careful timing) straight out on a week's package holiday (less hassle and probably cheaper than doing it yourself if you book with a standard UK operator) to a Greek island, to combine culture with their love of beaches.<BR><BR>Back to London for a few more days' sightseeing, shopping and culture before returning home.

There are several tour companies that offer independent tours such as Trafalgar's London, Paris and Amsterdam tour. Globus is a very good company offering a tour to London and Paris independently. Also, London, Paris and Rome. From Rome you could go to the Amalfi Coast on your own.

Globus Tours online is globusandcosmos.com or just type out globusandcosmo in Google (globus and cosmos).

Thanks to all for such wonderful suggestions and advice (teenagers!). I know we will go to London and maybe some other place in England. I now think Paris is a must. I hadn't thought about Italy, but think think we should go there. I know my boys would think we were finally working toward cool if we took them to a topless beach, but don't know if we'll fit that in! I am going to look into the tour companies suggested, also. Thanks so much...I didn't know where to begin and you have all been a great help.<BR>Susie

SWITZERLAND! My family took me there when I was 16 and I had the greatest time. I highly recommend Luzerne and Zermatt. Zermatt is the small town at the base of the famed Matterhorn. There are no cars allowed, you are taken by tram up to the town. The streets are all cobble stone and they herd the goats through everyday. It is also the only place where you can purchase a personalized Victorinox Swiss Army Knife. And then of course you can take another tram up the Matterhorn. I love, love, love Switzerland. Germany is also great. Your sons would love all of the fascinating castles and the food is a young mans dream. Have a great time.

I am not nor have I ever been a teenage boy BUT I am planning a trip to Scotland and in my research of it's bloody bad luck streaked history think there might be some battles and ghosts that would interest your sons. And if there are any outdoor sports they enjoy that would get them involved in the scenery it might work!