DH is going to take our 14 y/o to Europe. She is seriously considering both a summer and a 1 study abroad program before finishing high school. However, she has never been overseas (only domestic travel). We would like them to go a bit off the beaten path instead of some major city since she would be doing the same if she ever participates in this program. DH has traveled in Europe for work but we are all open to any destination. It will most likely be new territory for them both. I would love to here some suggestions that would be a bit unique. DD loves the idea of Italy but she is willing to go absolutely anywhere. Thanks!

When?

How many days?

Not knowing what time of year the trip is planned for makes recommending destinations more difficult. As I belong to the camp that believes in having an activity for teenagers to partake in, I advance two suggestions both of which would require travelling when weather prospects were good.
I have personally survived a week on a rental cruiser on the Canal du Midi with not one but four teenagers; there is a single long stretch without locks but the boating skills need not be great to survive where locks are involved. It's possible to fly into Carcassonne, pick up your boat east of the city and in the course of a week make your way west and leaving the boat in Castelnaudary.
If water is not your thing, a walking trip in Tuscany might be an interesting way to spend 5 days. I have walked from Volterra to Siena, taking in San Gimignano Colle de Val d'Elsa Monteriggione on the way, with hotels prebooked and luggage transported for you. About 40 miles in all but a different place to stay every night, each with its own character.

We are thinking the end of December. Have to be home by Jan 15th since classes start back up. 1 week up to 2 weeks for this trip. Thanks!

Consider spain.

Is she studying a language? It would seem natural to go to a country whose language she is interested in learning. It could become a lifelong passion! I took my first trip to Europe at the age of 14 as well - went to France, Germany, and Switzerland with my family, then spent 3 weeks on a French farm owned by a family whose son had stayed with us the previous summer. I was studying French at the time, and went on to spend a semester in Montpellier in college.

December is a bit tough because of the weather, but a little cold and rain never hurt anyone. Tell us more about what interests your daughter, and we can be of more help.

winter....think med.....how about southern france or spain or portugal.....or turkey or greece or some of the med islands...

combo of nice france and corsica with an add on of sardinia

spain and morocco.....canary islands and morocco

any part of italy....skiing in the north beach in the south, eating and culture in the center...

I agree with hausfrau's question about your daughter's foreign language studies/interests. Portugal or Greece would be nice in winter, but will she be studying Portuguese or Greek?