Annette

We'll be travelling three weeks in Bavaria and Salzburg area with our 16 yr old boy and 12 yr old girl. They're both very happy about going but they don't get along well and the 16 yr old is at the independence testing stage where he is generally not too keen on being seen with the family unit. I'm hoping some maturity will set in before we go. Anyone travelled with teens/pre-teens and can offer some tips? <BR>Thanks <BR>- Annette

Ed

One can hope for suddenly blooming maturity but I wouldn't hold my breath at that age. <BR> <BR>Best advice for travelers of virtually all ages, and certainly youngsters and especially teenagers ... get them involved in planning the trip ... now. <BR> <BR>The more it's &gt;"their&lt;" trip, the more enjoyable it will be, for them and others in the party. At their ages they're more than capable to research and plan. <BR> <BR>And take turns, of course. Make sure all four of you have equal opportunity to choose where you'll go, what you'll see, what you'll eat. <BR> <BR>At sixteen (or twelve, for many), it's one thing to be dragged along by Mom and Dad. It's quite another to drag Mom and Dad to neat spots you've discovered from your research. <BR> <BR>Rome.Switzerland.Bavaria <BR>www.twenj.c

Ed

Forgot to add the possibility of taking along a friend of each. That may involve more expense than you or their friends are able or will to consider, but, along with planning the trip, is another way to make the journey more enjoyable. <BR> <BR>Ed

Diane

Last December we took a trip with my 16 year old son - and we did take a friend. We generally visited small towns/areas where the could comfortably adventure on their own. They were not intimididated by language or currency, although the did enjoy it when we reached Great Britian and the english language. They seemed to enjoy outside stuff over inside. They really enjoyed hiking around Neuschweinstein for example. The only place we had them stick close was in Paris. <BR> <BR>Food at times was a challenge. Also, they had their own room to stay in. <BR> <BR>

Annette

To the top... <BR> <BR>The advice about planning is well taken. My trip is over a year away, so you can see I like to plan and read...I'll also get them involved. I have gotten videos, a computor game for my son that takes place in Munich (The Beast Within) and will continue to peek interest with materials. My son is interested in Nazi history and we will go to Dachau and maybe Mauthausen in Austria. <BR> <BR>Bringing along a friend is unfortunatly not an option - because that would be ideal - but, no room in the timeshares and no one we know who can afford to go! <BR> <BR>Any other advice for travelling in Germany and Austria or Europe with teens?

Al

Having traveled with teens in Europe, we can only advise that you make sure they lug their own luggage. Do a dry run; that is, make them pack their suitcase and carry it without any assistance for at least one block. They probably will decided that some "necessities" are not.

gb

We have two girls,currently ages 11 and 15 years. I don't think they have ever got along in the small space of a car. You know,-the "you're on my side" thing' Or the " I don't like the way she looks at me" thing. But we continue to take car trips every year. Two years ago, we went to England. ( Same as above) This summer, we are going to Italy and France. I tough to get them involved in the planning. My solution to the ongoing squabbling is that I bought a walkman for me, and I turn it up real loud so I can't hear anyone, and just plug along. I found the varying the the transportation experiences seems to help a lot. A boat trip here, a train ride there, city bus, tube, gondola, salt mine trip. They seem to like this a lot. <BR>They also do not last too long in museums-usually about an hour. And they seem to really enjoy castles. We'll see what goes well this trip. Ask me a about a month after we return.

Debbie

Annette-I have been traveling with my two children(ages 17 and 15)overseas since they could walk. Here in the states-they still fight about stupid things like who is riding in the front seat of the car when I am driving,phone/computer activities,etc. Somedays it seems like they never can agree on anything.BUT in Europe,it is a totally different family experience. When we are on vacation in Europe, its amazing how when you don't speak the language-your sibling can provide the necessary companionship.Our kids have learned to pick out 1-3 things they want to do each day(even if its souvenir shopping,picnic in the park,specialized museum,looking for a particular T-shirt in a local sporting goods store or 2 hour bus tour to someplace unusual,etc.) Sometimes just doing the regular things that their overseas counterparts do is a major memory for them. IE. being included in a tour of schoolkids their age touring an abbey, <BR>going to a soccer game at a local schoolyard etc.Where you are traveling to is filled with alot of indoor and outdoor things to do that I don't think they will have time to fight with each other. <BR>As to preplanning for a trip to Bavaria-I would try to rent various movies that take place in that area before leaving in order for them to get a feel for the area.Leave the travel books out for casual reading? <BR>(I REALLY disagree about the "bringing a friend along"theory. My thoughts on this are that in this fast paced world we live in and all the school/sport <BR>activities <BR>that kids are into these days- family vacations <BR>are our last shred of really connecting and enjoying each others company.) <BR>I agree with the above posters about involving them on the planning of the trips. My comment to all in our family is that if you do not read and research with me on the trip-then don't whine about what we are doing since you had no imput!Debbie <BR>

Rex

Respectfully disagreeing with Debbie, I have never had better trips to europe than those with our teenagers and their friends. I admit that I have been somewhat lucky (and maybe somewhat skilled) at (my kids) being able to recruit friends whose families had the means to pay their way - - and I made it affordable for them (and our family) to do so. <BR> <BR>I realize that anneetee is probably not looking for this, but you might be surprised at families lurking in the woodwork, who would like their kids to go to Europe with someone who knows how to "do it right", but don't feel capable at planning (or affording) a trip for THEIR entire family. <BR> <BR>Short of traveling with others, my tips for you in your destinations are: turn 'em loose in Salzburg; it's safe, and nothing can happen to them there - - and try to figure in some time for active outdoor fun, especially swim/watersports time, if their interests and climate are a match to do so.

kam

Agree with much of the above. Our boys never got along well except when they were in a country where English was not the language of the majority! Then they became pals! Limit the museum time to showing them only one or two famous paintings or sculptures at a time and try to give them some interesting background about the art. Research the foods of the area so that you can guide them into choosing what they might like to eat. My older son decided to be quite adventurous in German, sampling everything, the younger existed on weiner schnitzle every dinner and a wurst every lunch. We split the days into two periods, morning and afternoon, and put one of them in charge of planning what we would do for one period each day. And, recognize that they need more exercise than we do so perhaps a hotel with pool or free time to roam in a safe city is a good idea. Take the cable car to the top of the Zugspitz and then the little railroad down the mountain. And, my best advice is, don't try to do too much in too little time.

Paula

I agree with Debbie. <BR> <BR>Let me offer this. I am 29 years old. My first trip to Europe was when I was about 12 and my brother was about 19 and we went with my parents. It's not that I didn't get along with my brother, but he was older than me, so I could say we didn't have much in common and didn't really know each other very well, if that makes sense. In a totally budget trip throughout Europe (which I didn't want to go on to begin with) my brother and I totally bonded. We had a great time. My parents got us one room and themselves another. All the adventures we had as a family were priceless. I think we all argued less than we ever have. It was the best gift/experience my parents ever gave me. We went back as a family two years later for more, and it was just as fun. Certainly, things happen and we all had our moments, but it really brought our family closer together. As for food, I ate pizza in just about every country. I suppose that's sort of sad, but I don't remember being anything but happy eating pizza. (I shudder to think all the wonderful things I didn't eat in France!) Sometimes my parents let me go off in my own direction in the morning in Paris (I loved the metro) and meet later in the afternoon. Most of the time I went to the same places. I sat on top of Notre Dame with the gargoyles for hours, meeting tourists (and boys of course, I was a teenager). My parents look back on it and wonder why they let me wander around Paris when they wouldn't let me walk to the grocery store back home. Something came over all of us when we were in Europe together. It was all good. Pure magic. <BR> <BR>And I'll offer this, too. My brother and I went to see the movie European Vacation with Chevy Chase the night before we left on our first trip to Europe. It put us in a good mood for adventure. <BR> <BR>Hope your trip is wonderful!