Viajero2

I have to wonder what Natalee Halloway's Mom answer would be before/after the sad outcome of that, now infamous, school trip. Safe island, safe adult companions....go figure.

The answer to this question has nothing to do with logistics, companions, or time of day. OF COURSE a 17 year old could travel in Europe by herself for two weeks and be safe. The answer to this SPECIFIC question is..WHICH SPECIFIC 17 YEAR OLD ARE WE TALKING ABOUT and WHERE is she planning to hang out? Have SHE demonstrated that she can be trusted when she is on her own? If you don't know the answer to this, then take baby steps; a weekend trip to a big city sounds like the way to go here first.

nytraveler

The one thing you can;t protect kids from is their own bad judgement - esp if it's fueled by alcohol (or drugs), with which they are unfamiliar - or handle poorly.

It's not Europe that's unsafe - it's the kids that are unsafe.

Only you know your daughter and her friend.

We had no doubts (not that we were asked, since she was 18 and it was her money) since she was used to handling NYC and she and her sister had spent considerable time away from us on previous trips to europe.

StCirq

<<because you never know what might happen in 14 days in a strange country.>>

Europe isn't any stranger than Arkansas or San Francisco. You never know what might happen anywhere. Silly way to look at it, IMO.

If she can present you with an itinerary, make her own travel and lodging arrangements, and put together a reasonable budget, why not?

Make sure she's got a cell phone you can reach her on and the numbers for the American Embassies and consulates in France and Italy, ask her to check in with you a few times on designated dates, and let her go.

tenmom

I am faced with the same situation, a 17 year old daughter and 2 of her friends. In the end I decided to take them as I realize the 2 friends are very clueless to traveling outside the country..They thought they could use their cell phones over in Rome! (no apple or blackberry in the gourp) I did alow my son and his friend to go to Ireland by themselves at 18. At one youth hostel in Dublin they were confronted by a couple in bed....not sleeping mind you. They did have fun touring the countryside but I just can't see the girls "roughing" like the boys did..between makeup and hairdryer issues..but your girls might be more willing and able to deal with these things. Good luck!

Underhill

Check to be sure that hostels and hotels will allow children of your daughter's age to stay unaccompanied by adults. The kids of some friends of ours hit that problem last summer.

Jaya

I'm curious WHY they don't want to be with the school group?

Given they are underage, I wouldn't be able to sleep at night while they were gone. Previous poster brings up a good point about age restrictions and checking into hotels.

sf7307

<i>They thought they could use their cell phones over in Rome! (no apple or blackberry in the gourp) </i>

Actually, they can use their cell phones all over the world if the phones are tri- or quad-band (almost all are these days), they have AT&amp;T and enable them for international roaming. We used ours in Prague, France, Egypt, Spain and England over the last few years.

KL467

If you feel that she is mature enough, then I would allow her to go ONLY because she has been there five times. I would require a complete list of travel plans, give her an extra credit card for emergencies, and a cell phone.

My teenage daughter gets around Paris and London better than I do.

I would think that the school trip would be more fun for them.

Let us know what you decide.

sf7307

I'm curious, what does having been in Europe five times with her parents have to do with the price of fish? If you knew a European 17-year old who had been in San Francisco, San Diego, Dallas, Chicago and New Orleans with her parents, would that make it okay for her to travel to New York and Boston with her friends? If so, why? (seriously, I'm curious -- I could understand if she wanted to go to Paris with her friends, and she'd been to <i>Paris</i> five times before, and got around on her own)

KL467

sf7307: My point was that I would never allow my teenager to travel to Europe unless she was an experienced European traveler. Without information as to exact countries in question, I assume the OP would not allow her daughter to go to unsafe places. Experience is a wonderful thing when it comes to traveling and overall life. Having experience helps us make better life decisions. Knowing how to use the Metro in Paris or The Underground in London is important. It is stressful enough for many adults to go to Europe for the first time. You have your opinions and I have mine. I prefer to state my opinions tactfully.

In the end, the decision is up to the OP.

sf7307

KL, I'm sorry if you thought I was less than tactful (you're probably right), and I appreciate your thoughts. I may even agree to some extent

Cathinjoetown

I'm conservative about some things. I think 18 when she's legally an adult would be better all the way around.

I know there are 18 year olds who are responsible and were at 17, and then there are 18 year olds who are clueless and may remain so, but she would be of legal age. Europe will still be there.

nytraveler

A few months difference between 17 and 18 is meaningless in most cases. the kids are who they are. And presumably these young women will be going away to college within a couple of months of the trip.

But- some kids go to college, are independent and handle it beautifully. And others go, are clueless, flunk out and get into all sorts of trouble.

If you don;t know you daughter - and her friend - well enough to be able to be sure they can do this, and if you're paying - then I would tell her all you're pay for is the school trip. If it's her money, well you really can;t stop her.

sf7307

<i>If it's her money, well you really can;t stop her.</i>

Sure you can. As in, if you go, forget me paying for college.