My daughter is turning 16 this November, and I would like to take her on a trip of some sort. I've been thinking about either NYC for the week, or a trip for two-ish weeks to Europe with her and her best friend. If I did the Eurotrip we would be going to Ireland, London, Paris, and maybe Switzerland. If we did this, we would be staying in a castle in Ireland (trip highlight), then regular hotels for the rest of the trip. I don't know anything about NYC, so I need help on ideas for that. I need ideas!!!!!!! My daughter loves anything about planes, aviation, the military, music, and the Arabic culture (and every other culture, but she's learning Arabic). She is also quite adventurous, loves to have fun, learn new things, and soak in her new surroundings, and take pictures of EVERYTHING! Her and her best friend also love to shop.

If she loves Arbic culture and is learning Arabic, perhaps she like to go someplace where it is spoken

AngelsMom~ I would re-post your question on the US forum & on the Europe forum (see "Change Forum" above in blue letters). Not many people read this "Travel Tips" branch. best, suze

Since you think you can do 3 or 4 countries in 2-ish weeks, I'll assume you are new to international travel, and suggest you try to book a tour. That would be ambitious for a seasoned traveler (from a logistics perspective) and even then a seasoned traveler probably would only try to do 1 maybe 2 countries in that time frame. NYC is a very different trip than the jaunt across the pond you are considering, and would be much easier from a planning perspective. What does your daughter want to do? If she wants Arabic culture you could try southern Spain - lots of beautiful Arab architecture to enjoy (but no language).

spcfa, We don't know where they are starting out (as far as if NYC is closer or not), right?

True, suze. She's a new poster and hasn't fleshed out her profile. I took from the wording that she's US-based, and mentioned that NYC would be easier because it's a single destination. It's sweet that she wants to travel with her daughter!

www.travelzoo.com lots of options

Air France just put some summer sales on to LON PAR

might check those out a week each

ricksteves.com eurocheapo.com

NYC more convential but fun might stay a night or 2

on your way to/from betterbidding.com Hyatt Hilton

$120 for me bidding priceline.

Lastly more exotic but arabic fun head to visitmorocco.com

Royal Air Maroc has great deals there if you would like

to foster the Arabic interest... some safety issues though

research carefully if you do this I probably would not

or stay out of tourist crowds at least... better to visit

in winter unless u like to shake and bake...

Happy Hunting,

I live in Florida, so NYC would be closer, but she's never been out of the country, and I would like to take her on a big nice trip since she is planning on going to a military college in two years, then she will be gone with the military, and I won't be able to spend much time with her. But if we did the Europe trip we would spend a few days in Ireland, then to London for a few days, then to Paris for a few days, then back home.

I would go to Europe - absolutely. NYC is great, of course, but going on her first overseas trip would be a really neat thing to do for her 16th birthday.

I do think that 3 countries in 2 weeks too much, but I would pare down the itinerary rather than take a tour. I don't imagine a 16-year-old would enjoy a multi-country European guided tour.

If you want to just visit cities and no countryside, then travelling to 3 cities in 2 weeks is fine.

Your daughter is lucky if she can go to Europe. It would mean a lot to her for sure. Even if you'll just visit 2 cities, it would be all worthwhile already. I would go for the Scotland and Ireland combo. I bet it'd be lovely and she'd enjoy it.

Thinking about the arabic aspect, a Spain/Morrocco combo would make an interesting trip.