Taking my 10 yr old daughter to Europe

I have grandchildren about that age. One is a dancer and would yawn and fall asleep in a museum, another is a big history buff and drinks it all in. Then there is the math and science child and the chlld only interested in shopping. SOO. I would talk to your daughter about her interests and plan accordingly. Also, Sarah Murdoch (a Rick Steves Guide) took her son to Italy and wrote a blog post about their adventures. http://adventureswithsarah.net/

Let her watch Rick's videos of some destinations so she can see what interests her. And I know you've seen London, but its such an easy destination with so many interesting things that you should definitely see if it interests her.

No matter what anyone suggests, or what you finally decide, if your daughter is bored, unhappy, or uninterested in the location, it's not going to be the trip you envision. Strongly suggest sitting down with your daughter and discussing various possibilities. Once she has expressed interest in a location(s), let her do some research to see if it really intrigues her or if it should be omitted from the trip. If she really lights up about a place then get her involved in the planning process and let her feel it is her trip. And build the itinerary from there. Don't mean to get on a soap box, but there's nothing like an unhappy 10 year old -- even before the dreaded teen years.

I agree with sitting down with your daughter and discussing options.

Another vote for involving your child in the choice!

Besides sorting through the options together being a great learning (and bonding!) opportunity, she's much more likely not to be bored if she's had a hand in the plan. Once a location has been determined, do the same sorting and researching of things to see/do there. There are all sorts of age-appropriate materials in the library and on the net for a 10 year-old to pore over! :O)

Agree - listen to your kid.

Also, the Alps and Washington State, two very different animals. If you think she won't be impressed by mountains, you might consider the Alpe di Siusi in the Dolomites. This is scenery you are not going to get back home. And also culturally so different. I am attracted to the culture of the Alps almost as much as the geography.

My last suggestion is that you may be trying too hard to form and cultivate your daughter's experience. Assume that her coming-of-age will not be perfect or entirely within your control. Difficult but essential.

I also agree with trying to find out the child's inclinations.
However, I'd like to back you up to 2 choices that you seem to have crossed off.
When my daughter was 13 I took her to Europe for 2 weeks--a week in Paris and a week in Lauterbrunnen. She loved it. In Paris, we did a few museums, but more off-beat stuff like Sewer Tour, Catacombs, Science Museum (revolving room where thrown balls curve 90 degrees), walk up Eiffel Tower, Disneyland Paris, etc.
After that we spent a week based in Lauterbrunnen. We camped at Camping-Jungfrau. If you and her like backpacking/camping this is ideal, and for me it was the best campground in the world. (And, if you backpack a small tent in, they will never refuse you--I think it's a Swiss law). We took new trails every day and she interacted with the cows and goats along the way. I'll bet you don't have that in Washington! (Click on my name to find previous posts about which trails.)
One other place to consider: if your daughter is a Sound of Music fan, check out Salzburg. There's also salt mines, ice caves, and Hallstatt nearby.

Took my then 12-year-old to England for two weeks for the same reason -- travel before she turned 13 and rejected me. It was different enough (we rented a car and she was in charge of reminding me "drive left!) to be an adventure -- but familiar in terms of history and literature (we spent time in Bath seeing places that Jane Austen mentioned.) I don't believe the place matters as much in the bonding experience as just being together and having a good time.

I think it would be cool to go mostly to places that neither of you have been and experience it together for the first time, instead of showing her "old favorites." Scandinavia seems very family-friendly to me, and she'd find lots of communication and resources in English, but I also would not hesitate to focus on Spain, France, or Italy.

What month are you thinking when you say Spring? If it's April that might not be the most fun time for Switzerland so climate might take some things off the table. If you live in a mountain town you for sure don't want to visit somewhere else in mud season, lol!!

I'd agree with seeing what might be of interest to her but would edit her choices down to a handful first.

London and Paris always seem like a fun introduction to travel.

My daughters first trip to Europe she was 11 yrs old . We took a rick steves tour for 14 days , also spent 8 days in Paris and 4 in Rome pre and post tour on our own.

She was never bored . She loved museums , castles , walks , different foods .

Do NOT assume your child won't enjoy stuff and that she will turn into a horrible teenager , my daughter did neither and we've been back two more times now . She's 21 now .

Kids don't get bored if parents include them in planning ( even at 11 my dd had to find three things she wanted to do and see in Paris and Rome ) I also took my son when he was 13 , and my hubby toook our other son at 13 ( each child got a seperate one on one trip with each parent . One of my sons has a severe LD , but he still never got bored . Parents need to engage the kids in what they are seeing , give them a bit of history ( make it light and funny , not a boring lecture )

So while one of my sons loved the Louvre ( and even requested a second visit ) my dd preferred the Orsay and my son with a LD loved seeing a special exhibit of Leanardo DaVincis drawings ( he loved seeing pictures of the mechanical devises )

You know your child best , engage her in conversations , show her some photos and videos of places you might go, chat casually about the history .

Just so you know , your child does not need to be scholarly or boring type kids, my sons were into skateboarding and were not great students , my dd was a good student but not stuffy .

YOU can make it fun and interesting . Get your child involved !

She may have some very specific interests that will lead you to select one country over another, but do ask her what she'd like to see. I was not far in age from your daughter and I do remember certain things about traveling to Italy with my mom. Climbing up to the tops of many cathedrals and bell towers, seeing skeleton bones in some crypts, going to a Leonardo da Vinci exhibit at a museum, her letting me wander around Rome and Venice on my own (different times and I was a city kid).

But sometimes you don't need to even go that far to create some really strong memories for your kids. While traveling to Europe many times with my mom while growing up was great, the best memories for me of spending time with her are actually just having her pile us into the car and driving a few hours away to the Jersey Shore to spend a month there each summer.

I agree with all the others. I think any country can produce a fabulous trip if your timing suits the local weather. It's all in what specifiic places you go and what you do at the destination(s) you choose.

Hello mnkroman. I recommend : go to Paris. A good place for children is the Museum of Science and Industry : Cite des Sciences et de l Industrie, located in Parc de la Villette. That museum has a science museum for children. And, people of any age would like walking through the mansion MUSEE JACQUEMART-ANDRE, located north of Avenue Champs-Elysees, and east of Arc De Triomphe. And, of course, the interior of Cathedral Notre Dame is impressive. And, I would go on a day trip to the Loire Valley : train to Blois, and ride in a van of a tour company to two Chateaux-- Cheverny and Chambord.

From your description and with only 2 weeks I would consider something very simple with easy logistics, and short travel times.

Arrive Barcelona (4N)
Fly to Venice (3N)
Train to Florence (3N)
Train to Rome (4N)
Depart Rome

I know I'm repeating what some others have said, but absolutely involve her in planning the trip. Get some travel books and videos from the library and work together to choose destinations and activities. Mix it up a bit between big city, small towns, country side. I'd also suggest you visit some place that is not a repeat for you so that the two of you are truly learning and exploring together. You didn't say how early in Spring you will be traveling, but that will probably be a factor in your choice of destinations. If it's early Spring, I'd suggest either Italy or Spain. Work together to learn some key phrases in the local language. Let her learn the currency. Let her help figure out how public transportation functions. Have fun!

As others have said, involve your daughter. The timing of your trip is also a huge unknown factor. Spring here can be cold and wet and maybe a better time for city breaks rather than the countryside.

My thoughts would be that culturally, Europe isn't that different to America, so for a more memorable trip, I would visit somewhere that is culturally different such as South America or Morocco or Thailand or India. The choices are endless, but you don't give much information about your interests, so it is difficult to advise more accurately.

Thanks to all for your suggestions and thoughts. I will most definitely involve my daughter in the research and discussion, although she is highly influenced by whatever I suggest.... I will do my best to defer and give her space to make decisions. Meanwhile, after considering all of your thoughts, I can share that we will probably travel after school is out in mid-June; I think the weather will be better then. And, as for interests: we both love hiking and horses and are involved in our local Pony Club; my daughter also enjoys playing violin. She has an interest in Art, but is unaware of master pieces and artists, at this point (she is a young 9).

So, with that further background, I would still appreciate further comment. I have been to Vienna (although briefly) and the Spanish Riding School would be lovely, but I'm also wondering if there are other not so well known barns, maybe even with a cadre of small kids? Or not, I don't think horses have to be a priority and bull fighting would make her cry. Hiking the Cinque Terre would be fun, of course (although I did it in 1993) and watching musicians busk in Paris was one of my highlights when I was last there.

In addition to the bonding experience, one of my hopes is that she begin to realize the bigger world outside of our small town and develop a love of other people, places, and cultures. Because of this latter hope, I'm inclined to travel to a non-English speaking country.

Thanks for all your thoughtful comments.

If you go to Paris ( which I recommmed !) be sure to take a daytrip to Chantilly , see the chateau, enjoy the gardens , eat the strawberries served in the garden cafe , they are topped with Chantilly cream ( this is where it became so we'll know , we call it sweetened whipped cream!) and most importantly , visit the Royal Stables and see a horse show , they are daily in summer !!

Also I agree with mixing large cities with more rural or beach breaks !

I'd get tickets to an orchestra performance since she enjoys playing violin. Some cities seem to have childrens' concerts, which might be shorter and more engaging for her.