I'll be travelling to the South of France for work in October. Specifically to Canes, and I'm thinking of having my 9 year old fly out and meet me there from NY. Am I crazy?? Is it not worth it at her age?? Is flying as an unaccompanied minor too risky?? Advise...

If you'll be working during the time that you're in Cannes, I don't think your daughter would find being there too interesting. The town is designed for adult enjoyment, and you certainly wouldn't want your daughter just wandering around or going to the beach on her own. But perhaps your hotel could put you in touch with a reliable baby sitter who would know local places that a child would enjoy.

I agree with Underhill. But if you'd be free to be with her once she arrives (I'm assuming she wouldn't be there while you're working. Otherwise she'd travel with you.), if she's a sophisticated NYC kid and would like to come and you can pick her up at the airport, why not. How will she and her school feel about missing classes?

I think that's too long a trip to take for an unaccompanied nine-year-old child. The flying time, as you probably know, is about eight hours out of New York,, and that's only if there are no weather or other travel-related delays.

Could you possibly arrange a vacation with your daughter during the spring school break or the summer instead?

Certainly the flight would have to be one that's direct from New York to Nice--no changing at the Paris airport. Question: would France allow a child that young to go unaccompanied through Immigration and Customs? I wonder.

...re the unaccompanied minor..my kids have flown multiple times at that age unaccompanied...I would always put them on a non-stop flight and always had friends or family to meet them at the other end. If airlines are aware that the child is unaccompanied, they are carefully watched. (if child is teen you can pay extra to have them treated as an unaccompanied minor..worth every penny ..a teen is not an adult and it is woth the peace of mind to know he/she will be helped if something goes wrong)..WARNING, be sure the childs i.d. is absolutely complete..also be sure the adult picking up the child has id (though usually not an issue)..if childs parents are separated or divorce d xerox custody agreement if necessary and have your ex write a letter which says he/she is aware ect..i know it is overkill BUT sometimes people are fussy..i always wait in the airport until the flight has gone..i have never had a problem.

Thanks for the input. I would only have her come for time that I had free.... I'd stay in order vacation with her. School, I don't consider an issue, she'd certainly have an experience there not match by books, and she attends a private school so I wouldn't have to "answer" to anyone. A second consideration that has come up is flying with her grandfather to Brussels. Again, I just wonder if these are places that would infact make an impression. Has anyone travelled to either Nice or Brussels with younger ones???

we've been to nice and surrounding areas a number of times with our son and he loved it. I'd say whether or not it makes sense for you depends on two things: 1) what does your child enjoy doing? 2) will you have a rental car?

Have been to Brussels alone on business a few times and don't see it as the greatest place for kids, but maybe I've missed things there.

-Kevin

A key question on this and your other post is: how many days would you take (aside from your work commitments) for this. 5-7 days in the south of France, in mother-daughter togetherness time sounds fine to me. Better than trying to globetrot through three far-apart capitals of Europe.

Best wishes,

Rex

Oh I wouldn't go city hopping... I'd pick just one place to adventure in.