Thanks! They are just excited about the fact that we are going to Europe. wherever we go they will be thrilled, all have very intense busy busy schedules and cannot wait to get away for a while. We parents are thrilled to have all 3 together for a spell!!

Italy is surely one of the greatest countries in the World, and it is ideal for families.I think 10-14 days are great for Italy, but if you want to combine another country, please, don't combine it with London or Ireland, that just sounds so American, Europe is not a bunch of States like America, every country is totaly different, and Britain has absolutely nothing to do with Italy, no cultural connection. If you want to combine another country, choose either Ionian Islands of Greece or South France, both next to Italy, perfect match. You can go to Rome, then Napoli (Amalfi included) and then Corfu in Greece. Another Itinerary is Rome, then Genoa and then Marseille in France.

Oooh that sounds amazing too! Is Greece settled down from last year?

Well we had our DDs help with the planning from the first trip - when they were 11 and 14. And being involved made it much more enjoyable for all of us. They wanted to see some places we might not have gone to - and went back to a couple of places (Covent Garden in London and Cluny Museum in Paris) while we went gallery hopping. It would have been more difficult if they hadn't been familiar with the cities and public transit before we arrived.

(Really pore over the maps - with sights indicated - of the cities you will go to - it will make planning - and setting up meeting laces - much easier than waiting until you arrive.)

I totally agree with Justine and NYTtaveler. The fact that your kids are totally fine with you planning everything is irrelevant when you get on the ground. THEY need to plan, too! Otherwise, at those ages, you risk having scolding, bored young adults who feel they're being herded from place to place and will be resentful. No one I've ever met has gone on a European trip with kids of those ages has had a event-less trip if they just dragged the kids along on a pre-planned trip. My own kids would have ditched me and gone off on their own if I'd just told them we're going here and there and then there. But then, at those ages, my own kids were traveling independently through Europe. They would have blanched at the thought of an entire trip with the parents in Europe - meet up for a few days, sure, but stuck together the whole time, heck no way!

Let them get Let's Go and Time Out and other guidebooks geared toward kids their ages and make them, yes, MAKE them, be part of the planning. The concept that Mom plans all the vacations is not only about 40 years behind the times, but doesn't ever work out in terms of the family's satisfaction with the vacation.

What about the husband? What's HIS input?

PetrosB3- I think you are so right, too much to savor in Italy to leave it..Guess another trip will have to be planned for another country hehe!!

nytraveler and socing- thanks for your concern about my young adults but I got that part of the trip covered. :)

And I would get your neighbours involved in the planning as well. After all they will have to look at the pictures when you return.

PS my kids are super planners. You did ask about my kids didn't you?

coldsphere- Hahaaaa.... :)

1hap - I've got a family of non-planners too. they and their dad are quite happy for me to decide where we're going, then they get to blame me when it goes wrong.

mainly so long as they get fed and watered at regular intervals, they are happy.

1happyfam,

My kids ( now 21 and 26) have really loved our family trips to Rome, Naples, and the Amalfi Coast. We prefer staying on the AC itself ( Positano, Amalfi) instead of Sorrento, but at this late date you may have to take what you can find.

Tuscany is great-for adults who want to savor vistas and wine tastings, but my two were bored out of their minds after a day or two. We had a much better time in cities and along the coast.

annhig- Thank you fo rthat! Every family is unique and as long as we all know what works best for our own :)

WWK- Yes, I think I am leaning towards your itinerary too. Yes, most places I check have only few rooms left so I need to jump on this quickly... Its the flights that are killing me!

I am with WWK and others who suggest Sorrento/Amalfi coast. It will give you all more flexibility for splitting up and exploring on your own because of the transportation. Set up everyone's cells to communicate cheaply and then you can reunite at dinner.

Even if your children are not actively involved in planning because of the surprise, present them with a guidebook before your trip--or even on the plane--and have them think about what they would like to do when they get there.

When we traveled with teens, they enjoyed the cities and observing/interacting with teens from other countries.

mama_mia- thank you! great idea! I will definitely get books for them peruse before we go and on the trip over... :)