Our family is taking a six month trip to Southeast Asia, Morocco, Holy Week in Seville, walking the Camino de Santiago, and eight weeks in Europe (starting May 25), flying back to the US from London (July 14). Our kids, 18 and 13, have only seen parts of Spain and Portugal in Europe. We're not sure if we should head off the beaten path since we are going during peak season (where?!) or hit some of the "big stops" in Western Europe ? We don't want to be hopping from city to city and debate whether to focus on Eastern or Western Europe? We also were contemplating biking part of the Danube? Feels overwhelming to try to figure out where to go! Any ideas?
Posted by
97 posts
Wow-what a trip! I would look into Eastern Europe. So much history there.
Maybe Croatie, Budapest, Austria, Prague. Biking sounds like a nice idea! I have never done that but I am sure there are people here in the Rick forum that can help you with that.
keep us posted!!
Posted by
Sioux Falls, SD, USA
3044 posts
You have youngsters, and what do they want? To be on their own without Mom and Dad. Of course, this is not possible. But the next best thing is hanging out where you might encounter European teens.
Hostels. This is where school groups stay. You can often find a lot of these groups, and they would possibly offer your kids a way to meet some same-age European kids.
8 weeks is a long time. Do you have a planning map? My wife and I gravitate to the Balkans-Hungary-Romania. These are interesting places, not over-touristed, with lots of history. Poland is another country as is Czechia. Slovenia-Slovakia complete the picture. There is Roman history, commie-era history (your children have never known a time when communism was part of the European landscape). Your kids should be consulted - what do they like? History? Have them read a simple book about the areas, and watch the RS videos, which introduce but do not complete the research process.
Posted by
Washington DC
27095 posts
It sounds as if you have enough time in Africa and Asia to be OK, but be sure you do not exceed 90 days in the Schengen Zone (most of continental Europe). Both arrival day and departure day count. Going over that 90-day limit (within any 180-day period) would probably result in a substantial fine and being banned from returning for a number of years.
Posted by
Grand Rapids, MI
768 posts
I brought my 3 teens to the Swiss Alps for a week of hiking and they loved it. They even came back to the same places in their late 20's. Click on my name to find the link that shows our dozen favorite trails (with maps and pics) in the area.