Yes, oldie, bar owners and liver specialists across the globe are forever thankful to thirsty Brits of all ages who entertain the grateful locals with so many fine examples of fine manners and correct deportment.

I have read that last posting with slight bemusement.
So, gap year students set up breweries and distilleries in all those countries where they visit?
I wondered why they were so keen to get supplies of water set up.
Those wells are to supply water for brewing ale. All is explained.
Young relations of mine have travelled to places like Pakistan to assist with elementary education.
Perhaps the organisers should add parts of the USA to the list of places where elementary education is required.

Is this a private fight or can anyone join in? ;-)

I just picture the following scenario.

Mother: I'm a bit worried about your European trip, so I've posted some questions on an Internet travel forum.

Young adult (based on memories of my own): What? You didn't! If any of my friends see it, I'll have to leave town! You didn't use your real name did you!
I'm 18 years old for pete's sake! etc.etc.

This culture clash seems to come up quite a lot.

What I think surprises Americans is that we go off traveling on our own from an early age (16 in my case) and think nothing of going off to the med for the summer, with only the occasional phone call home “hello mum, I’m fine, send money. Bye”, whereas it’s seen as quite dangerous by our American cousins.

Back to the OP. You should know that Greece is now the destination of choice for young Brits and other Northern Europeans (for a snap shot of what this means on the ground, google ‘falaraki”). The reason for this is that it is cheap and booze is cheap (and there’s loads of drugs available – but that’s hardly unique to Greece) plus the businesses there cater for this crowd with night clubs etc.

This means that unless he deliberately avoids the hordes he’s going to have a party – which is as it should be at 18. The tour company he’s going with are certainly fond of hedonism, which is again as it should be IMHO, but also will probably keep an eye on him in case things get too wild.

Oh - and make sure you or your husband has *that* chat with him before he goes!

Why can't we just all just agree that there are general differences in a lot of things between Europe and the U.S. without insulting either.

Most recent high school graduates that go to Europe from the U.S. go via tours. That is the case for many reasons. Not only do parents prefer this route, but I would guess that a lot of teenagers prefer this as well.

There is nothing wrong with this. Conversely, there is nothing wrong with the English traveling around the globe independently from the time they're in diapers. Either ways of traveling does not make one inferior or superior.

The original poster asked a detailed and thoughtful question, and didn't deserve to be lectured on parenting choices.

Maybe the New Year will bring better manners for some, and less judgment for all.

Well said, mah.

mah 1980,

Thank you!

WOW, I really didn't expect to strain international relations when I asked if anyone had experience with an 18 year old going on a Contiki Tour to Greece. I am looking for feedback on the tour not whether the British think Americans baby their children and then fret about not them not taking their teddy bears with them. What is so funny, is that you probably don't know where we are from. I am sure if you read my prior postings you could figure it out, but I bet it was easier to jump up on that soap box and expound then really know what you are talking about. We could be from New Zealand, Canada, Iceland etc. yet you assume we are American and are so negatively judgemental. It is interesting that my family and I were talking about chat forums at the dinner table the other night and how some folks like to spout their nararow opinion (regardless of who's feelings they may hure) because they are anonymous. I never dreamed that my simple question would provide such an excellent example. So if you don't have experience with a young person going on a Contiki tour, keep your comments to yourself please.

Now, I would like to thank everyone who had something appropriate and constructive to say. I appreciate your comments and will share them with my son.

I'm curious of why Corfu should be avoided.

BabsB,

That was wonderfully well thought out and expressed. Many other posters would have responded differently - probably with anger. Good for you.

As I have said already, I would be happier with any of my 3 offspring traveling with a tour rather than alone.

I'm looking at a Green Tortoise Tour (US) for my 17yr old next summer.

When we were in Greece, a Greek friend told us to avoid Corfu because "it was inundated with young British travellers that were loud, drunk, and obnoxious".

But now we know they are merely students desperately struggling to get clean water to the poor residents of Corfu. So perhaps we should take that into consideration.

If you want to avoid pissed Brits, avoid Falaraki, Ayia Napa, Rhodes and Corfu.

We can get holidays there for a couple of hundred quid a week, so they are popular with yoofs. The towns are basically given over to pissed brits with street after street of bars and discos offering cheap drink (and not very discrete drugs).

There is even a company that make a point of this - club 18-30. They sell cheap package holidays to kids on the promise of sun, sea, sand and shagging. They're not shy about it either.

I never fancied the idea of an 18-30s holiday. Now I'm 31 I'm gutted that I never did it!!!

Some place called the Pink Palace (or something similar) on Corfu is notorious for drugs, binge drinking, sex, etc among young people. FYI!

Oh dear. I just realized I said "young people." I'm 34! I feel like a real geezer now...

I went on a couple of 18-30 holidays when I was (a lot) younger. They do exactly what they claim.

Those were the days, post pill and pre aids......

David - a geezer.

DejaVu: I know exactly how you feel! Why don't we start up holidays for those of us who've finally realised that we're turning into our parents - we could go and show the 'young people' how to properly misbehave and have one last fling!!!

Though I might have to give the passing out in my own vomit a miss! ;-)

BabsB
My son went to Paris to a language school the summer he graduated from high school (he was 18). We had been as a family a couple of year prior to that and he spoke the language. After his 6 weeks were up at the language school, a high school friend (age 17 but well traveled) met him in Paris and they went on their own to Madrid, Barcelona, Vernazza and Switzerland. They had a rail pass that his friend arranged and found places to stay as they went. They did just fine and we only communicated through e-mail. I was a bit leery about it, but it seems to be the norm. My daughter (age 17) flew to Paris on her own to meet a friend, and then flew to London on her own to meet her Dad for a trip to Africa. It's amazing how well these kids do if they have the confidence and support of the parents. It's a hard step for us to take, but one the kids well deserve. Good luck on the plans and I know he'll have a great time whether on his own or with a tour.