Traveling with older Teens

The question only you can answer is is he mature enough to travel on his own and is his friend too. It might help that they will meet with or stay with relatives. 18 year olds can drink in Europe and US teens may not be conditioned to handle that since drinking is prohibited prior to 21. It's naive to think they won't drink and I'd be sure to have a serious talk about responsible drinking (if you haven't already). I wouldn't worry about the language barrier.

Since, I'm assuming, the first words out of your mouth weren't 'No way in Hadies!', then I bet you think he's mature enough to do it. It will be some of the most memorable 4-7 days of his life. Plus you have several months before then to use it as a bargaining chip to get that grass mowed and cars washed :) Both the young men will have family close by too in the very unlikely chance they need you, so that's another 'Yes' vote and a 'Yes' vote for Spain too. Lucky kid. Wish my mom was like you when I was 18.

Wow - these are so helpful. Thanks, Leslie - you made my day :) And your right, James, he is a good kid. The reason I threw my concerns out to strangers is I don't know Spain at all, and none of the guide books were helping me in this regard. I was hoping their might be others that traveled alone at that age, or had kids that did it and could give me some tips too.
You bring up an excellent point about drinking, Doug - I don't drink and didnt think about how accessible alcohol would be - we will have a nice, long chat about that.

Hi Jeanie. In general, Spain (and for that matter, most places in Europe) is safe and accomodating. Our daughter was in Spain on her own for a couple of months at age twenty and did just fine. Their high school Spanish will be a plus. Make reasonable planning - then enjoy!

A nice long chat about drinking may be useless if it is just "Don't do it." Try to figure out reasonable guidelines that he can stick to. For example, before my rather innocent daughter left for college, I told her that IF she was going to drink at a party, she should limit herself to one drink every hour. I realize that this will horrify some people, but kids that have no experience with alcohol may drink 4-6 drinks that first hour. Then any judgement is gone. So far that system is working for her. I know, cuz she tells me almost everything.

Jeanie, Leslie (and the others) are SPOT ON. I traveled alone as a young teen in Europe - and not just years young, but as a timid late bloomer with almost zero social skills - and it was one of the top three formative experiences of my life. I think my parents were in paroxysms of terror the entire time I was gone - but they let me go, and trusted me, and I cannot thank them enough. Your son and his friend are going to have a BLAST. They will experience things that will blow their minds and grow them up and make them more interesting, aware, connected people. I'm serious. This is great opportunity, and kudos to you for letting it happen! (And yes, have the drinking talk. :D )

The fact that I spent time traveling in Europe on my own right after High School graduation is the reason I'm on this board today. And I bet I'm not the only one. I hope your son has the same life-changing experience as I did!

Well, many kids at 18 travel to Europe and around Europe on their own,, for weeks at a time,, I am surprised that you are worried about a 4-7 day visit to relatives no less,, let them go.. you do realize that at 18 they are adults in many respects now anyways..
And yes, I have kids, a 15 yr old daughter and two boys, 19 and 21. The two boys are already living on their own and doing just fine.. even if they still run home about once a week to raid my fridge!

I'm with Jason. When I graduated from High School I went on a 2-month solo Eurail exploration of Europe. It completely changed my life. He will be fine.

Karen, you are right on IMO. People have to learn responsible drinking and what their limits are. That doesn't happen magically at 21. Jeanie, definitely have some talks about being responsible and that alchohol needs to be consumed with food and paced. Spain is overall a conservative country. But Barcelona has some beach party areas and possibly some other areas they will be going. Stay in daily contact for peace of mind.

In addition to the points always raised, by "travel-wise," do you mean that he and his friend can handle transporting themselve (primarily by train, I would guess) from one point to another, orienting themselves in a city, and that sort of thing? Would they find lodging as they go, or arrange it beforehand? Do they know how to tell a safe area from one that's not safe? And how to be safe from pickpockets, and the like? These are the topics I will probably discuss with my kids when they reach the age where they want to travel on their own. We recently spent 10 days in Spain, and enjoyed the country and the culture very much. The Spanish they've taken will help them out quite a bit, even if they're not fluent. Any knowing at least some of the language of the country you're in can only be a good thing.

My two sons, then ages 21 and 18, spent 3 weeks traveling together in Europe following their College and High School graduations in 2009. They spent a week each in Rome, Barcelona and Paris. They had the time of their lives. Our older son is a planner and had reservations at three hostels, a flight from Rome to Barcelona, and an overnight train to Paris all booked before leaving home. He also had list of all the places that he wanted to see. Our younger son is easy going and was willing to go along with big brother's plans. The younger one is also the level-headed one, though, and was great at keeping the older one reigned in a bit. We thought that was a great combination. As the parent, you need to ask yourself if your son is mature enough to make good decisions and to know how to get himself out of a bad situation. And probably most important, is his friend someone that both he and you can trust? If the answer is yes to both, just make sure that he has researched the area that he will be in. Make him wear a money belt, and, yes, have the alcohol talk. He will remember this for the rest of his life. I know my sons will. Oh, and give him RS's "Europe Through the Back Door" as a Holiday present.