I'm so sorry your daughter is sick. I hope she gets well soon. I agree that it's wise not to bring her to Africa right now.

If this was my family (at that age) I'd have encouraged my husband to go on to Africa with the healthy ones and I'd have stayed with the sick one. He'd have encouraged me to do the same. The result would have been that we would stick together, though. There will be other times to do something like this. Do go to Europe and enjoy that!

Since it sounds like this trip is very important to you, think about splitting up. I know that would be hard, but also some time for father/daughter and mom/daughter individual bonding. Especially for the older one heading into (or already into) those teen years! How does the younger one do with Dad alone? Would they do well together or are their personalities too different ?

Given all the negative press that the TB+ guy got for flying, you might be able to talk the airlines into giving you a credit -

good luck!

canturbury - that is exactly what is happening LOL! He said I should go - I said he should go and neither of us want to go without one another and break up the family. We are already leaving our two older boys home here in the states - they have too much going on -

surfmom - the younger one is a Momma's girl and she and Dad often conflict (now you all know our family dynamics) :-)
He and our 13 year old get along very well - and she is a rather delightful 13 year old (I know odd - as I have a 16 and 18 year old that are not joining us on this trip).
My dh immediately thought of TB dude... I will see what comes back on Tuesday from the Dr. regarding her status - but we have both agreed it is not worth the risk to her health to bring her into S.A. at this time. Two night were on a Safari (stressing over that money!) and I just do not want her in a compromised position when she is already tired...

Maybe you should go down to Nice. Hepatitus can wipe a person's energy right out of them. It might be nice for your daughter to lie in the sun, swim and just be at a beach for a while.

I was wondering about other parts of France and thought of Nice but know nothing about it. I have 4,700.00 on Airfrance - GULP - and see that they have vacation packages as well - we are hoping to be able to use the money towards a hotel as well - I will call them in the am - their customer service was closed.
Any thoughts on Nice for a family of 4? Laying on the beach is a favorite thing of mine!

There are so many beautiful hotel/resorts geared towards families. You'll find them in Spain (Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza and the coastal areas), Greece (Crete, Chalkiki, and many other islands) and a few in the South of France. These resorts offer activities for every age group, are located on beaches, offer full board and even have evening entertainment for the whole family. The Robinson Club has such resorts, but there are many more.

We love Nice, Menton, Villefranche (our favorite beach is in Roquebrune). We normally rent an apartment instead of staying in hotels but in Nice you have such a wide choice. Menton, Villefranche are much quieter but a quick train or bus ride away. Your girls might like rollerblading on the Promenade des Anglais. And day trips to all sorts of wonderful places on the Côte d'Azur.

If you are a fan of the beach, what about the Atlantic coast of France -- I spent a summer in Royen as a high school exchange student. It was much more of a family environment and where a lot of French famies go to vacation. This was years ago, but I would have to imagine that prices are much more reasonable than Cote d'Azur. The beaches were much nicer than the pebbles of Nice. We did some day-trips to Bordeaux, and areas around.

There probably isn't as much to do, but that might be actually a better choice so you aren't 'tempted' into doing too much :)

If you do split the family (one of you goes to Africa with one daughter, one stays in Europe with the other), that you have each have a letter from the other parent authorising you to travel with the child. (Those with children might know better exactly what the letter should say and whether or not it should be notarised, etc.) You might also want to get some recommendations in advance for English-speaking pediatricians in the places you'll be staying in Europe with your 13-year-old (and perhaps a doctor's letter authorising you to travel with the 13-year old, if the doctor says it's ok to do so).

As others have mentioned, even if you can't obtain a full refund for your tickets, there is a good chance that you can cancel tickets and get a credit note (for use at a later date with the airline), minus a handling fee of usually about $100-200 per ticket. Not the best solution, but not a complete less of money, either.

Although it would be inappropriate to get trip insurance to cover the cost of cancelling the South Africa portion of your trip, you should investigate getting travellers' health insurance for the European portion of the trip with your daughter. You might be able to find a policy that would cover her pre-existing condition and if so, it would be good to have coverage in Europe.

surfmom - the name of the area is Royen? I will research it..thank you!

Thanks to everyone for the advice suggestions - I am working on trying to sort through it all -

Yes, I am also looking into the health insurance overseas as well

I suspect surfmom meant Royan.

Royan - that would be correct (thanks Padraig). sorry, typing too fast and not proofing.

Royan is more of a French resort, whereas the Riviera is more international. When I lived there, I remember it being a beach-oriented town -- that's what we did. If you are truly looking for more R&R and less 'touring' it may be the place. Can anyone add some more insight since it has been a few years? (I'm afraid to do the math, it will make me feel old).

any luck with the airlines ?

Surfmom - NO luck with the airlines..NONE - I have decided to offical hate Orbtiz LOL -
Trying to look at the upside. I have 4,700.00 airline credit on Airfrance that has to be used by Oct. of 2008 - might be the ONLY way I get my dh to book another trip so it could turn out to be a good thing. Lemons to leomanaide? :-)
Budget wise today it is not a good thing!
While in Africa we were doing to a 2 night safari so working on getting back that 5,200.00 as well - you can see that I am up to my eyeballs in $$$ stress...

I think we are going to try to go to where my dh is from:
Castellammare del Golfo...I have to do the research et - but he still has some family there - we have the time now so it would be a treat perhaps for him.
It is in Italy..

dawn, I replied to your other thread but I am posting to this one in order to bookmark it. I am so sorry for all the trouble you are having, and I hope you will keep us posted as to your progress.

Thank you Pm!