Hi All! Just found your site and have really enjoyed pouring over it. I was looking for information regarding the Eurail Pass and found so much more! I'm thinking about backpacking through much of Europe this summer (six weeks) with my three teenagers. Am I crazy? Will they even enjoy and/or appreciate the experience? Will it be a total waste of time and money? Which places would they like the most? Which places should I stay away from? I'm just beginning my research now so any help on any topic from you all would be greatly appreciated!

[title of post edited by JessieS 1-3-07]

I would have KILLED to have a parent who would have taken me backpacking in Europe. I would think that just about any teenager would love the experience, but why not ask them? In fact, you might want to think about getting them involved in the planning process. Have them each pick a destination they would like to see (obviously within reason), then do some research.

My daughter traveled throughout Europe as a teen, and her favorite city was Prague. She and her friends also loved Barcelona and Madrid (she liked Spain so much she went back to spend a year there teaching English after college). Italy was also a favorite spot.

I sent my daughter to Europe after high school, and she spent the summer riding trains and cheap flights all over. Her two favorites were Ireland and Amsterdam.

If you get a Eurail pass and watch for cheap flights, you don't have to plan too much. Pick places that you think you will like, and if it doesn't turn out that you do, go somewhere else.

La

Short answer: nope.

I am really glad that I grew up smack in the middle of Europe. By the time I was 16 I've been to 10 countries. My parents aren't 'travellers' as such...but just the nature of our location brought me in contact with so many countries, language, cultures, foods, etc. Something that I will always be greatful for. Hopefully your kids will be as well.

My parents took me travelling a lot when I was a teenage. I am so very very gratefull for it. I loved it and it was such an educational experience. Not that you wont run into snags, they are teenagers after all. I know I got into fights about what we where doing and where we where going with my folks. BUT I still came back with a great impression of the trip and it made me feel so much more...enlightened? Open? I dont really know the right word, but it was fantastic.
Just make sure you let your kids give you some imput on where to go. I know I suggested to my dad to go on a trip down the Mekong instead of to an army base...and that Mekong trip was my favorite part of the trip.
So in a nutshell: do it.

Welcome to Boots bigmaude and other than the usual group hastles which can affect families more so sometimes because of different interests, you probably need to give detailed thought to accomodation as obviously getting something for four will be more difficult in peak season than when solo.

Four Eurail passes can add up a bit too, and maybe you might want to consider restricting yourself to a few countries, minimising the travel which can be a drag and looking to get an apartment or something in two or three central locations as a base.

A friend used plus villages in Italy this summer gone and Schwitzerland has schlaf im stroh and camping is big all over europe in summer, so that could be a cheaper way to set-up.

By restricting yourself to a few countries, you could even consider doing some bicycling if you're inclined that way, canal pathways offering very easy cycling and you could even buy some secondhand bicycles pretty cheap.

It has to be said that budget airlines do such ridiculously cheap deals you could consider bringing this onboard in addition to your rail pass allowing you to see more.

I took a trip a few weeks ago flying from Milan to Frankfurt to London for about £80 (wouldn't bother with Milan or Frankfurt but you get the gist). If you are flexible about your date and time and happy to book last minute online (one-six days) it can be worthwhile.

Some of the overnight trains are fab, and they also save on accommodation - I have fond memories of this with wonderful scenery in Austria.

As for finding accommodation for four. Many hostels now do family rooms and this is a great way for you and the kids to meet people too.

Maude, you're not crazy, if anything you'Re a rolemodel for other parents.

Wow! Can we rewind ten years and you be my mommy for the summer?

I would have LOVED to do that kind of travelling as a teenager. Honestly, I didn't even know people did things like that until college. Your children will have such an amazing experience and so many wonderful memories. You get eight million thumbs up in my book.

Wow...so cool. Traveling is hard and that too matching the ideas of 4 will be harder..so I would say involve them in the planning process...be collaborative and make them do some work in finding information.

I think it will be a amazing bonding experience..am sure you will come close to killing each other at least once....but nevertheless you will be the coolest mom among your kids friends.

Good luck!
p.s am thinking of planning a trip with my mom as well...soon maybe.

I wouldn't do it, Maude. Your kids will only resent you for showing them parts of the world that they wouldn't have seen. Now, for the rest of their days they are going to know that there is something ELSE out there and are going to be wondering what else there is.

You do this, you are wasting the idle time of your children. How can they possibly enjoy places like France, or Munich, Or Madrid? Ludicrous. Learning about cultures that predate our own by Millenia, like Rome? What possible use could there be in that? The vistas in the lakelands of Northern Britain. PAH! You've seen one verdant hillock, you've seen them all. There is much more to be appreciated by Wii and PS3. Hanging around the Circle K, what about that?

Good thing you asked. Don't listen to these damned bohemians above me. They are troublemakers.

D



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Thanks everyone for the insight, kind words, and suggestions. Looks like everyone so far, including Piecar (pot stirrer that he is) thinks I should go for it. I wish my kids were that enthusiastic! They could really take it or leave it. Should I drag them kicking and screaming telling them they'll have a good time dammit or just forget it and take them to Disneyworld (where they really want to go...the thought makes me sick at my stomach)? I suppose I have a good long while yet to work on them...

You are fricking kidding me. If you could see the agape mouth face I am making now. They want to go to Disneyland.....frick!


Maude, I still say you gotta take 'em. Since you saw through my cleverly developed facade earlier. Put 'em on here, Maude. We'll try to straighten them out.

Don't take 'em to see the farking Mouse. Tell them that option is closed. They just don't know what's out there. Once they get out there, their outlook will hopefully change.

They convince you to take them to (GAK! *sputter!* cough cough) Disneyland, they're going to be very upset with themselves in the future. You now have to save them from themselves.

The estimable Sputnik Lee took his teenagers to Turkey (against their will) and they had a blast.

I agree with Piecar (again). Drag them kicking and screaming. Even if they are annoyed in the short run they will thank you later, for sure. You could even promise them a trip to Euro-Disney while you are there, but the workers will probably be on strike at the time so you won't even have to bother.

My folks dragged my older brother and me through Europe twice when we were even younger. I was 4 the first time (and arguably too young to appreciate it, but too young to stay home alone) and again when I was 8. I'm sure I was indifferent about it at the time, but in retrospect the second trip was probably the defining event in my whole life, and in a very good way.

That was a LONG time ago. Some of my friends from high school still live within a few miles of that school (in The OC), but those of us who were exposed to travel early have traveled and even lived all over the world. I can't thank my parents enough for exposing us to that early. My older brother has actually lived in Germany for the last 8 years or so, by the way.

But I also recommend trying to get the teens as involved as possible in the planning. Hopefully that will enroll them more in the whole idea.