Rosie, you'll be fine! As the parent of a California boy who made a similar trip (and later ended up studying in London and now lives/works there), your trip is a fine idea, and it sounds like you have done some good research. Do more.

My son travels from London nearly every weekend, and my only critique of his travels (yes, partly out of jealousy) is that he doesn't research enough and wastes valuable travel time. But it's HIS time, and my perception - he can always go back. So can you - have a WONDERFUL time!

I have an 18 yr old who graduates this July. The day after her last exam she and a bff are hopping on a plane for Croatia. Italy, France, Spain will be full of kids just like you exploring without 'adults'. Have fun!!!!

It sounds like the main concern expressed is kidnapping? I'd like to see the statistics of the number of American girls on holiday in Europe who are kidnapped. I can't imagine the number is very high (or that there is a "high chance" you will be kidnapped). I think the US cable news programs would love covering such events. By intending to not stay out too late and party you're already making your trip excessively safe (though I agree with Gordon_R who suggested it might be a good idea to tip a few during your trip). If you're not drinkers for religious or other personal reasons, fine, but don't restrict yourself so tightly that you don't enjoy yourselves. Just plan that at least 2 people won't drink each night, or something similar.

Also, plan for the fact that at some point at least one of you will be pick-pocketed or have a bag stolen. Know exactly what important documents were taken (passport, cc's, etc.), and how to quickly call to report/cancel them.

I'm extremely cautious by nature when it comes to other people and would probably not want my 18 yo daughter to go in this scenario, but if that imaginary daughter existed, she should ignore me and go and have a great time!

Hi Rosie17--I have a Rosie myself! She was 17 when she made her first trip fr. the States to Croatia. She traveled alone but did meet up with a small group when she got there. She did some local travel there by herself and did well. Her next adventure was when she was 20 and lived in Berlin for a year. Again, she went by herself, set up her own housekeeping, but went to a school part time. My son who is 21 is in Italy now-haven't heard from him for about a week-I am curious to know how he is, but I know he will check in when he can.

Regarding the teachers who you respect telling you this trip may not be a good idea. I understand what they are saying, but look at where they are coming from. Do they have little kids? Have they traveled abroad in their 20s? Their view may be skewed because of many reasons. If you had picked two other teachers from another area, they may have said the complete opposite. It sounds as if you are a respectful, intelligent person. If your parents are on board with this, I think you should go. If you are truly 'scared out of your wits'--like it is keeping you up at night and giving you a stomach ache, then perhaps you may want to put off your trip for another year. I have a feeling you just used that phrase to express your nervousness.

Your group is a little large. Think of prom when you were organizing who eats together, how to share a limo, etc. The bigger the group, the harder to manage. Perhaps you could each have a buddy--those two will vow to stay together no matter what. In the pub, in a cab, in the hostel, etc. If there is some separation, everyone will have someone. When you are in the larger cities, please consider tours to see the sights. It takes away having to plan and please all the group. It is sometimes restful to have someone else take over for a few hours. Good planning ahead of time helps tame frayed nerves and helps new travelers feel more secure. Plus your parents will kind of know where you are. That may make you feel more secure.

You may also try not biting off too much. Leave yourselves a day to get over the jetlag. Leave some time to do nothing except take a picnic to a lovely park or monument. You may see an activity that you will want to do and you want to have time to do it. Think of all these things while you are planning.

The world today is very different. We have wonderful things such as the internet and cable tv to help us along. However, those things tend to magnify the bad in some respects. When is the last time you heard a news story about 18 yo students having a great time in Europe and returning home safe? Yet it happens all the time.

I love it when people travel and go outside their comfort zone. Traveling broadens the mind and global outlook which is very important today. Going outside a comfort zone helps prepare a person for new experiences.

I hope you go on this trip. You will be fine and have a great time!

Excellent point, Sidny, on pickpocketing - a far more likely scenario than kidnapping.

DS (age 22) was pickpocketed a few months ago in a London club and his bank account was drained within 10 minutes via stolen ATM. He called us immediately so we could notify his bank, and his money was replaced (after a bit of questioning).

However, many of his friends have had iPhones stolen across Europe, and that could be a much more expensive and inconvenient experience - so be aware and prepared.

My previous post comes across as negative, especially after Mutti's good suggestions!

Rosie, you could get pickpocketed here in the States just as easily as in Europe, so I only meant to be cautionary (avoid carrying all your money, ID and passport around in one place; be aware of your surroundings, especially in transport hubs like bus/train stations - or bars).

I, too, hope you go - good luck!

Rosie,

Good for you to question and be aware of what you think might be a problem. And address your worries. I think that kidnapping is the very least of your worries. Just be aware of your surroundings and especially in large cities find out what areas are safer.

But a few more practical things to consider:
Have a cell phone system that works.
Have a way to have access to money.
Keep your passport safe (and have a copy in America in case something happens so you can go to the American Consolute).
Figure out where the hostils or pensions might be.
DO NOT over pack and have good walking shoes.
If you are broke then take the night train and sleep on the train.

I think you will find some amazing areas where you will meet all kids of people your age from all over the world and it is a wonderful experience.

Also keep in mind that your teachers are probably wonderful and I have many friends that are teachers and they really do worry about the people they teach. But that does not mean that they are always right.

Hi Rosie,

You will be fine! To put things in perspective, my daughter (at age 18) set off on her own on a 5 month backpacking trip through India, Nepal, Thailand, and Indonesia. Was I a worried parent? Heck, yes, but she met other backpackers en route, had a wonderful time, and returned home safely.

Now, some years later, she and her boyfriend are about to leave on an overland trip through Africa, driving a Land Rover from Egypt to Cape Town. Again I will worry, but that's my job as a parent. ;-)

The fact that you are asking these questions tells me you are a responsible person, and will make the right choices during the trip. You will probably be safer in Europe than were you to take a similar trip through the US. :-)

I cannot think of EVER hearing about an American girl being kidnapped while travelling in Europe. EVER. And I read several newspapers every day.

There was that American girl who kidnapped a Mormon missionary in Britain, but not quite the same thing.

Since the question's been asked so many times, I've essentially been told that us girls have a high chance of being kidnapped.>>


even adults are not very precise when they talk about risk. you are MUCH more likely to be run over by a bus [which could happen just as easily at home - that is, if you HAVE buses] or to be pickpocketted than you are to be kidnapped. Honestly, it is so rare as to be negligible, as everyone [well, most everyone] has said. I am more likely to win the lottery, and i don't even buy a ticket!

if that's really what is worrying you, just forget about it and buy the ticket.

I can't imagine why this is even a questions. As long as you have the time - and the money (make really sure you have access to enough money via credit cards and ATM cards) just make your plans and go.

Just be sure you are not underestimating the cost of the trip. Last summer my daughter (19) and two friends met a couple of American girls who had not spent wisely and had run out of cash and credit - and whose flight wasn't leaving for 3 more days. They leant them the mone for a hotel and a meal and acess to a phone to call home and arrange to get more funds. So - make sure you have available at least 50% more money than you think things will really cost.

Rosie17, I say go for it and have a fantastic time! Be sensible but have fun too! By sensible I mean protect your handbag and valuables just as you would in any big city at home, don't take a drink from a stranger, watch out for each other etc. Just like you would at home.
And just as at home, there will be unwanted male attention, I'm sure you've already experienced some of that, it's part of being female and young. It's highly annoying and when you are 18 and the men are ten and more years older than you it is plain gross and believe me it happens all over the world no matter where you are. But don't worry, when you hit my age it pretty much stops. LOL.

When I was 18 I travelled all over Europe for 4 months with a female friend. That was really common then where I'm from. We stayed in youth hostels and pensiones and we had a blast, meeting people from all over the world, and yes, we went out drinking and dancing, but we used our common sense.

This was back in the dinosaur days before cell phones, email and such, I think I called my parents twice in four months and we wrote letters back and forth, picking up our mail at "Poste Restante" at American Express offices....does anyone else here remember that?!

You are young, enjoy it, live it up, stay out past 10 o'clock at night, you will be in Europe!
17, 18, in Europe on your own with other young people...it doesn't get much better!

Rosie, if I were your teacher, I'd say go for it! And promise to tell me about when you got back!

RainCity, I remember "poste Restante" at American Express nearly fifty years ago. Always found a letter from my grandmother when we pulled into a new city--as long as it had been on the original agenda. No phone calls home in that time away. Recently found the letters I had written to grandmother and other family in box in attics at "home" and at "grandmother's". I also have my journal from that trip. A few details were left out of letters or were changed to protect the "guilty."

This trip was my first time out of New England and there were many in my small home town who told my parents they couldn't believe they let me go. Many thought I was shy and wouldn't be able to even find my way around the airport. But this was only the first of many independent trips overr the years.

Go and have a wonderful time and bring back lots of adventure stories to share in a trip report here on Fodors!

I have a good friend whose son traveled a couple years ago with a couple friends somewhat like you are describing when they were about 20-21--a little older but still American college guys in Europe for a few weeks staying in lots of hostels. They had a blast--except for the night their passports and credit cards were stolen from their bags/backpacks which were on their beds/near their beds with them, taken while they were asleep presumably by fellow hostel-ers who were gone when they awoke. (I THINK this was in Amsterdam but not sure.) Anyway, the lesson they all learned was to always have passports/other cards on their persons--not sure what they decided to do about showers! Take them one at a time while someone held the stuff maybe. They got their id's replaced fairly quickly and didn't suffer any fraudulent charges, but the disruption and time involved was not fun. Just another cautionary tale that such travel takes caution but is certainly doable--all the best to you all.

I won't add much since most everyone else has given you good advice. Just one small thing . . . that 10PM curfew is not only unnecessary, it is practically impossible. In some of those cities you won't be eating dinner til 9:30 or 10:00. And you'll probably want to go to the theatre or concerts at least a few times. And then after the theatre or concerts you'll want to stop for drinks or late night noshing. So forget the curfew. As long as 2 or 3 of you stick together you'll be fine late at night.

(BTW, I am totally amazed at those two teachers - I personally can't even imagine teachers/professors thinking that way)

Wow,, when I read your post Rosie |I was absolutley SHOCKED! A 10 pm curfew is ridiculus,,I can't beleive you think you need to be back in bed that early, and I am the mother of three kids 16-22,,
My 18 year old nephew travelled to Europe BY HIMSELF at 18, and he was raised in a rural area with no bus service even , so the big cities of Europe blew him away, but he was fine.

And the kidnapping thing, sorry ,but that is also beyond silly.

I really think you and your friend should go, you sound sensible, but stop listening to paranoid people . Watch your stuff, pickpocketing IS much more common in Europe then America( and I know you are American cause they are alot more scared of Europe then most people for some reason?)

Is part of the background that some or all of you come from a small town or rural background, rather than a big city?

If the latter then common sense (which you seem to have in abundance) and past experience should see you right.

If the former, then there may be a few more things some of you need to think about to avoid trouble, such as being aware of who's around you - if only so you can adjust your walking speed to theirs, not dawdle along three or four abreast, and move to one side if you need to stop to consult a map or work out where you're going to go - that sort of thing. And always know where you've hidden your valuables, without checking them every five minutes (that's a dead giveaway to a pickpocket).

One other thing I've seen mentioned here from time to time: it is not usual in most European cities to smile at strangers, except when there is already some connection or transaction in progress between you (such as holding a door open, the "which side are you passing on" dance, or sharing amusement at a cute baby or pet). Otherwise it could be open to misunderstanding..

As for the curfew, I'm with everyone else, even allowing for not being in a position to appreciate exactly what it's like to be a young woman on her own. It's not so much about when, as where (seriously ill-intentioned criminals have been known to strike at breakfast time, but not in places where there are lots of people around). I'm in Barcelona at the moment; Spain is a special case in the keeping late hours department, admittedly, but at 2am this morning, the metro system was busy with people, many of them about your age and having a good time perfectly safely. Some were young women on their own, but they looked as though they knew what they were doing and where they were going, and were not to be messed with. It's a look that can be practised.

Patrick made a good point that I forgot.. smiling at men can be percieved as a open invitation. I don't mean like your waiter, but the guy at the table next to you ,, don't worry its not like they will attack you ,, its just Europeon people don't generally smile and say hello to strangers the way we do here( in my town if walking its common to say hi to strangers) so when you meet their eyes, smile, or respond to their hello, they may think that means you are interested in them. As i said, don't get all stressed about it, just learn to wear a "poker face" and if people stop you to talk, BE AWARE, they don't want to kidnap you they likely will try and pick pocket you!

I have never heard of college students - even if 17 - having a curfew (even when I was in college, back in the last ice age - out o fthe house meant no rules from parents). They ceratinly don't at school - and I can't imaigne any of them putting up with it from their parents. They are, after all adults, not children.

Plus at 10 pm they are likely to be still having dinner - or meeting local students at a pub or bar (yes, they will be drinking - since the drinking age in europe is way lower than in the US.) Does anyone really think they aren't drinking at college now? (Based on my daughters it's just as frequent, again, as when I was in college.)

If they are from small towns and have never been to a big city a couple of the tips (not smiling at strangers, always being aware of those around you) make perfect sense. But a sensible young adult shuold certainly be able to cope with it.

Concrete advice:

Photo copy your important travel documents and send them to yourself as attachments. If you lose them, you at least have a copy available on the internet which will facilitate replacing them.

<<A 10 pm curfew is ridiculus>>

I think some people are being harsh about the curfew thing. Once Rosie and friends get there they can reevaluate and adjust once they see how things are going and if they feel like it. It doesn't hurt to start out like this and then have open discussions. I'd rather see this then the group starting out saying they will be out partying all night, especially if some in the group might be so inclined. Maybe they feel more comfortable laying the groundwork like this with the group and weeding out any potentially heavy partiers who might not fit in with the type of vacation the rest of the group wants.

Better to be conservative and loosen the rules as you go than to go all out at first and let it turn into something which they won't want to discuss later!

Where I live in the Netherlands it is perfectly normal to greet strangers - it is a small town thing.
I am quite sure New Yorkers don't do it, any more than parisians or Londoners do.
Don't worry about that sort of thing. The world isn't nearly as bad as some people would have you believe.
My nephew survived crossing the US on Greyhound buses at age 18 on his own. I am quite sure a group of you can survive Europe, provided the group dynamics are right and you are all perpared to give a lttle, and to no be too uptight about things, especially staying out after 10! You will just be starting to eat at ten in Spain!

I spent five weeks traveling with a girlfriend in Europe after our first year of college - we had a GREAT time. I have talked to many college students doing similar since. Europe is FULL of European college students (and plenty of Americans, Aussies, Kiwis etc) doing these kinds of trips in the summer. It will be a great adventure. Have fun. Use good judgment:-)

Hi Rosie,

My initial reaction to your post was one of laughter and thinking ('wow american kids are WEIRD',(that list of 'rules') but that's a rather unkind kneejerk reaction to someone who is a) young and b)presumably from a rather conservative background?

Anyway, your teachers are morons. Sorry to disallusion you but yes, teachers can be morons. But you Rosie, were smart enough to question what they said and also think about what your parents and other adults were saying.

You and your friends will have a fantastic time. I promise you, you won't get kidnapped. You need to be sensible of your safety and basically your rules are about that, with the experience and points of view you have now. My main concern is that you might find them a bit unrealistic and silly once you get here, the rules break down, and you end up as a group throwing out the baby with the bathwater, as it were.

pubs/bars,- ok, why the ban on that? It's legal in Europe and can be a lot of fun, especially as a way of meeting other young people on holiday. There's a huuuuuge difference between going to a bar at the start of a night out, or having a lunchtime pint in a pub over lunch, or just going and drinking soft drinks if you all prefer and getting drunk/in trouble. Unless you all have some religious/moral objection, there's no need to ban this and it could cause bad feeling in the group if some want to and the others tell them off/judge them/try to stop them.

spending time with strangers - part of the fun of being on holiday is meeting and chatting with other people. Again, there's a difference between having a conversation in a public place and going off with someone. The first is good, the second not smart.

sharing taxis - doesn't really happen to be honest with you, especially if you are in a group anyway you'll need all the seats. The only time I've ever been asked to share a taxi is in Greece when the driver stopped to pick up a little old lady who flagged him down and insisted on giving her a lift (on my tab!) to do an errand. they love their little old ladies in Greece.
a curfew no later than 10 - why? You will miss out on so much and evenings aren't particularly riskier than any other time? This is the 'rule' that probably has struck us all as the oddest. In a lot of Europe this is still very early and you'll see local families with young children out and about much later than this for dinner, for example. Making this a 'rule' and you are asking for trouble when most of your group start breaking it. Please don't do this. It will ruin your holiday and is honestly quite bizarre to do this.
never splitting into groups smaller than 3 nor without a guy's company. - hmm, ok if you feel happier this way - I'd think it's more sensible to have a rule that no-one is left alone/goes off alone, so you are at least always in pairs. the guys company - again, this is not really necessary, your biggest risks are pickpockets and they won't care about this. On other worries, are you too afraid to go out of your home without male company? It's really no different. I can see this again causing problems. What if two of you girls want to go shoe shopping or something. The poor guy dragged along by force to chaperone you is going to hate you for wasting his precious holiday time on this. Or you won't be allowed to go.

Chill out a bit. We have hundreds of thousands of our own teenagers here in Europe, and thousands and thousands of visiting ones. Don't let silly fears spoil your time here.

<i>All intelligent people make rules regarding their own safety when they travel. They only drop them if they see there is no need for them.</i>

Whilst they drop them if they <i>SEE</i> there no need for them, that isn't the same as dropping them because there is no need for them.

OP and friends will have a great time, they will do stupid things and they will drink too much despite making rules about not doing such. They may even be victims of crime or find themselves in hospital. In short they will be typical teenagers being tourists all around the World - even if they do wear white sneakers.

< I think some people are being harsh about the curfew thing. >

Nope, the curfew thing really is absurd - most theatres (even ones with shows for children) won't finish until 10:00pm and much of what teenagers consider fun (except the drinking bit) doesn't really get started until 10:00pm

True Alan - when my sons were teenagers they didn't even leave for an evening out until 10 pm.

Guess since i started off calling the 10 pm curfew ridiculus I should qualify that a bit,, as point out,, dinner is often not even over till 10! Many restaurants in Paris do not open before 7 or 7:30 , and generally service is very leisurely ( the table is yours for the night, they don't flip ,, so they are in no rush and assume you aren't either). So, really who can go straight to a crowded hotel room to bed right after dinner.
Secondly , some museums are open some nights till 9:30( Orsay and Louvre both are open some evenings) and evenings are a great time to visit,,quieter, and if you consider its a great "non bar, non pub" evening activity.. but what, you can't wander along the Seine a bit and have an ice cream you have to rush back to hotel?

Finally Rosie, the Eiffel Tower does something that is beautiful to see, at 10 pm and every hour on the hour till after midnight, it twinkles,, is fun walk out on to a bridge or anywhere with a view of it and see it twinkle,, you cannot miss that to be in your room!

justinparis - I don't disagree at all about how fun it would be to be out later than 10, and do think they will bend that rule as soon as they are there (or have have probably already done so by now after reading all the comments) but we don't know their background or why they said that, and I thought saying it was 'ridiculous' or some of the other comments without knowing came on a bit strongly, that's all. (I wasn't just commenting on your comment though) You gave them some really good info to help make the decision that works best for them.

Seeing the Eiffel Tower sparkle is so beautiful - Rosie, I hope you don't miss that! I had a room where I overlooked the Eiffel Tower and loved lying on the bed to watch (although I started doing that much later than 10 each night ;) )

This sounds like such an exciting trip! Traveling at that age, full of curiosity and independence...I remember doing that!

Another practical point that annhig made above about relative risk: you are probably in far more danger not from malevolent strangers, but when you're just walking along having fun together, absorbed in a group "just look at that" conversation, and possibly stepping out into the road without looking out for traffic - especially in Ireland and the UK, where you won't naturally expect the traffic to be coming the "wrong" (from your point of view) way.

Rosie,
I think that you don’t need to fear too much on account of personal safety. My daughter (she’s 23) has just returned from Europe, visiting Prague, Budapest, Amsterdam, Milan, Venice, Berlin, London, plus a lot of time in Sweden where she was studying. Travelling solo, with no great concerns. (And going by the time of day on her Facebook page, seeing a lot of night life.)

She did encounter theft a couple of times, fortunately no big issues like stolen passports, but she did have a cheap digital camera and her phone stolen. Both times, I might say, due to her being careless. These things happened in London and Malmo, Sweden, and they can happen anywhere.

You are thinking of travelling in a group of five or six, and that is both good and bad. Good, because there’s fun with a bunch of people, difficult because it can take a while to get a group of people moving and into action. Think a bit about that – it can be tough when you are standing around waiting for the last member of the party to get their act together.

If you were my daughter, I’d be saying “go for it”.

Come back here once you’ve got your plans a bit more defined, and you’ll get lots of advice (a lot of it conflicting, I might say).