Europe with Teenagers - Any Words of Wisdom?

Yeah - good luck! Seriously, I would suggest involving them in choosing the activities. If they make the choices they aren't as likely (though it could still happen) to be bored.

Lucky you-ages 16/17/18 are much better than 13/14. (Ages 13/14 are the reason boarding schools were created.) Also, nieces and nephews are easier than your own offspring. I was surprised that my daughters were so interested in the differences between home and abroad. All the ordinary things like vehicles, food, buildings, etc. They loved grocery shopping.

Go ahead and do corny things you think they're too old for. They may act bored but may enthuse about it to their friends later. Make sure they get some pub time in-not necessarily drinking, but for the ambience.

Certainly, they should carry their own stuff and take care of their own money. Teach them how to travel well and they'll get the confidence to do it again.

Karen is so right--early-mid teens are the hardest. They studiously avoid agreeing with anything you suggest, whine incessantly, and get bored by anything of interest to an adult. Then they get to be about 16 and snap out of it, become interesting and charming companions, and then break your heart by moving out and starting their own lives.

We made only one Euro-trip when our kids were in that age range, and I still remember what a pain they were more than ten years later. But by 16 or 17 they were ready to have fun again, try out new foods and new activities, and generally be decent travel companions. Definitely let them take a laboring oar in the planning process. Buy-in goes a long way towards ensuring a pleasant trip.

"They studiously avoid agreeing with anything you suggest, whine incessantly, and get bored by anything of interest to an adult."

Wait a minute...I resemble that remark!

We traveled to Ireland with my sister's teenage daughters this summer, the oldest 2 being 16 and 17. Make sure to schedule time for shopping.

Budget extra time for shopping.

I took a group of 8 young ladies to London, Paris and Switzerland. In London I realized that while my schedule worked for "1" or "2", it did not allow for "through" tours of each and every gift shop. Maybe your nieces are different, but.... just in case.

Also, realize that "adventours" eating may mean "McDonalds" in Europe. I just had regularly scheduled "fast food breaks" (where the adults ate someplace else LOL!)

Karen - LOL re boarding schools.

Gio - Can I be your niece too? :-D

One thing to watch out for with 16-18 year olds is that the age limit for certain things that would not be allowed in U.S. (smoking and drinking) are legal in places like France and Italy at 16 and 18. You will probably want to make your expectations (and that of the kids' parents') clear and understood before you set foot on European soil.

I agree with Liz about the guidelines conversation you all should have. Since their friends will all be talking about the legal drinking age stuff, I would rather take them to a pub, assume they can handle a beer or two if they want, and have some adult time. I'd find that preferable to them sneaking out to wander Dublin at night, because you were too strict. BUT that's just my parenting style, and that doesn't mean it's right or that it works. You don't have to do that to prove you are the cool uncle. You're already proving that by taking them to Ireland.

It sounds like maybe you don't have kids, or at least teens? Do not underestimate their ability to stay up way later than you.

Remember, if you let them go off somewhere alone, then you and your wife get some alone time, too.

Pray.

Europe with Teenagers - Any Words of Wisdom?

I liked JB's pray!

Now that we're getting down to what people are really thinking, I'll add

Europe with Teenagers - Any Words of Wisdom?

Don't do it!

I would assume that you are prepared for Ireland to be cold and dreary in winter but you need to also be prepared for the very short days with less than eight hours between sunrise and sunset. Driving on the left side of the narrow roads can be challenging during daylight but it will be even more difficult during in the dark.

Check out this site to see the exact times.

http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/astronomy.html?n=78&month=12&year=2009&obj=sun&afl=-11&day=1

Many of the tourist destinations will be closed or on limited hours especially during the holidays.

Greg

We recently returned from a 5 week tour of Europe; covering Amsterdam, Bruges, Paris, Rome, Venice, Athens and the Greek Isles. It was our family's first trip to Europe and included our 18 & 16 year-old son and daughter. Let me say 3 things about traveling with our teenage children:

1. Our kids loved the trip; and my wife and I adored our time with them. Although both are very smart and adventurous, I was surprised that they maintained their enthusiasm throughout a 5-week bliztkrieg of museums, churches, galleries and historical sites. But......

2. There were about 5 times over the course of five weeks where we all "had it out". Those well known teenage "bad attitudes" definately made some prominent appearances. This would have been dis-heartening had we not completly exptected it. After all...we were side by side 24-7 for an entire 5 weeks. Even the Brady's would have gotten in a couple fist fights.

3. My wife and I are already beginning to plan our trip back to Europe next summer. As much as we love our kids; and had a great time with them on this last vacation; next year it's going to be the two of us. We just haven't told them yet....

My husband and I did this annually. My suggestions apply to any family unit traveling together. 1. Everyone needs to be involved in the planning of the sight-seeing, transportation, and accommodations so they're "invested" in the trip and any real disagreements get worked out before you leave home. 2. Plan some things oriented to younger people. 3. Don't stay together every minute of every day. We often split up to see different sites, to run errands, or because one of us is tired or wants to sleep late. 4. Treat kids like responsible adults and they tend to respond like adults, i.e., don't order for them in restaurants, caution them constantly about being careful, etc. 5. Divide up the responsibilities. We generally try to learn the basics of the local money, language, public transit, essentials of local history and government, customs, etc. and we split it up so everyone has to learn some things and no one has to do it all. 6. Have an understanding ahead of time about any possible issues with security, smoking, drinking, etc. 7. I abide by the rule that if you bring something, you're responsible for packing and moving it.

Relax and enjoy!

Thanks for all of the great advice. Much appreciated! No, we do not have our own children. I've been a high school principal for a number of years, and my wife is a Middle School teacher, and we've taken kids out of town before in large, school-sponsored groups, but not to Europe, and traveling with family is different, we suspect...thus my question. And you've been very helpful.

We've taken 5 nieces and nephews, (1 girl and 4 boys)all at different times over the years--usually when they are seniors in high school (ages 17-18). We ask them to help with the planning, give them a little time on their own each day once we are there and for the most part, they have all been on their best behavior--it's been a rewarding experience for us as we learn from them and see things that we wouldn't otherwise see. You're doing a really nice thing for your nieces and nephew--have a great time!

Be sure you know what paperwork you need to travel with kids that are not yours. Customs can be very picky about this. You will also need to have the permission for emergency medical care if needed.

Be sure to check the passports to make sure they have more that six months from your return date since some countries require this. Kids passports expire sooner than adults, physically check them and don’t just rely on the parents memory of when they got them. If they still need to get them then get that process started now.

Greg

It depends on which model of teenager you happen to have. Do you have the intellectual kind? They are charming and fun to travel with at any age. (I know, because I happen to have one of these.) Do you have the tv-watching, video-playing kind? These are more challenging because they don't often appreciate the culture differences. Do you have the sporting kind? Enlist their help in planning your trip. They will surprise you, according to my friends who own this particular model.
Regardless of your model/year, you will want to maximize their opportunities to at least see other people their age. I cannot stress this enough. My wonderful, charming, intellectual and easy-going daughter still wanted to call her friends back home because she was lonely.