Taking granddaughter to London for 5 days, Eurostar to Paris for 5 days and 5 more days outside of London with emphasis on Dorset, Bath, Stratford and Cotwolds. Any suggestions on sites especially appealing to a 15 year old outside of the usual "must sees"?
A 15 year old will probably love London's markets- esp. Covent Garden and Camden Locks.
Is she a Beatles fan? We spent a night in Liverpool last week at the Staybridge Suites on Albert Dock, just a block from the Beatles Story museum. Lots of tours around the town to see birthplaces, famous locations related to their songs, etc. The hotel had a great breakfast, free laundry facilities, and a separate double bed room and sofa sleeper in the "living" room for only 99 pounds a night. Easy 15 minute walk to Lime Street train station, too. Liverpool is a pleasant 2 hour train ride from London.
Does your granddaughter like shopping? Typically, 15-year-old girl=lots of shopping. The Champs Elysee is a must, along with artist markets on Montmartre.
Depends on what your granddaughter likes. We took our daughter when she was 16. She likes history, so we took her to a couple of the WWII museums and Westminster Abbey. She did NOT like Madame Tussaud's wax museum. Also, try to strike a good balance. My husband and I love old churches.....our daughter not so much.....and she was really "churched out" by the end of the trip. She loved the Eifel Tower and the Rodin Museum in Paris. Daughter liked Stratford on Avon. While there we took in a Shakespeare play. Wasn't too crazy about that, but I think it was more the choice of play as my husband and I really enjoyed a play at The Globe, but did not care for King Lear in Stratford.
Mary,
Besides any suggestions you receive here, this sounds like a good project for your granddaughter. She is plenty old enough to do this research on her own. Plus, it will help her feel "involved". :-)