want to take 16 yr son on his first trip out or US. What sounds better to you in Feb 2006, what two Europeon cities considering he's taken French in school, or how about the Carribean since he loves sailing?

Why choose when you can have both? Martinique is a French territory in the Caribbean. It's a beautiful island and he can practice his French. I'm sure this goes without saying, but the weather in Martinique will be a heck of a lot better than Europe.

I totally agree with P_M on Martinique. I was fortunate enough to spend the summer there many years ago. My friend's father was the Consulate General and I had the opportunity to see and do so much. Martinique is the home of Napoleon's Josephine.

There are many wonderful resorts on the island. We would frequent the beaches of the Club Med...I think I read somewhere it was undergoing renovations and would reopen in Dec...might be a great time to stay there.

Martinique is a great balance between the charm of France and the Carribean. Just to prepare you, all the beaches are topless and each beach as a nude section.

The fact he knows some French will be terrific. Creole is the island language but having the French he'll be able to figure what is being said and they'll appreciate his attempt to speak French as well.

Wherever you go, have a great time! I was 16 when I took my first trip out of the US (went to Okinawa) and was hooked on seeing the world!

Molly - Have you seen all the replies to your other post on this?

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...1&tid=34662064

If you lost that post, just click your name at the very top of this page and you'll get a list of all your threads.

Wow, what great parents! I haven't been to Martinique but it sounds terrific - especially in Feb
...Paris - of course - it will be cold and perhaps a little rainy but Paris is always spectacular.

Molly seems to have changed directions. On the Europe board she posted this morning that her husband and son definitely want to do two countries in Europe, so the Carribean thing seems to be a no go.