Touring Europe via rail

Are you talking about graduation this year? Around two months from now? You have a lot of work ahead of you....

first, if you haven't already done so, apply for your passports and expedite it.

Second, get a copy of Rick Steves' "Europe through The Back Door." This will help teach you about European travel and how to plan a trip.

Third, once you have your itinerary, look at specific guidebooks for those areas...Ricks and others....and then come back here with specific questions.

Fourth, if your granddaughter will be under 18 when you take the trip, you'll need a signed letter of consent from both her parents as well as permission to make medical decisions.

If you're talking about graduation either later this year or next year, then you have time regarding the passport but I would start doing everything else now.

Excellent advice from Frank II and I just want to add that since it's a celebration of your grandaughter's graduation, be sure to ask her what she wants to see and do and let her help with the research.

Be sure and look for "open jaw" tickets for your air travel. Fly into London and out of Italy to avoid having to backtrack.

My grand daughter is graduating 2010. I thought it would take me a year to get this planned. I want to spend some time in Provence and she wants to see Italy. I have asked her to tell me what she wants to see and why she is interested in Italy. I agree this is her trip. I just hope I can keep up.

Hi Joyce- Another fellow Idahoian here! I'm planning a trip much like this for the fall but I'm including parts of Spain and its my college graduation gift to self . Frank is right about getting Europe Through the Back Door...it focuses on some smaller towns and gives pointers on how to really experience Europe.

In Provence I have planned to stay in Arles because its easily accessible by train but I've heard good things about Aix en Provence. In Italy, definitely spend a couple days in Cinque Terre and if you like smaller towns, the Tuscan and Umbria hill towns are nice (although when I was 19, I didn't appreciate them as much as Rome, Florence, and Venice).

You will want to see if its more cost efficient to do point-to-point train tickets or buy a Eurail pass. There a variety of them available including a discounted youth pass your granddaughter would be eligible for. I just learned that to use the high speed trains in France and Italy there is a reservation fee even you are a pass holder.

That will be such a fun trip, lucky girls!

Hi, Joyce - remember, if you visit Italy in the summer, it will be very hot. One of Rick Steves' suggestions is to start your trip in the South and work your way North if you're going in late spring/early summer. If y'all are interested in gardening, London has gardening shows and tours in May and June. That may be something to factor into your time line. Have fun planning this big adventure! Best, Brianna

Thank you for all your help. Melissa reminds me, again, that I will be traveling with an 18 year old. What do 18 year old girls want to do in Italy? Probably spend the day shopping. What do you plan to do Melissa?