Teens traveling alone in Europe?

[Anonymous]

Twins are thinking about going to Italy or Spain this summer together. They will be 18. They speak Spanish well, not Italian. Has anyone's dc done this with friends? How did it go? We have family in several countries but not either of these.

[Anonymous]

Have they travelled to touristy parts of Europe before? Sounds like you may have travelled to see family but I’m wondering if they have any street smarts.
My 18 year old could probably do this but I don’t know why they should. Seems like an unnecessary risk. It would probably be fine but why chance it. Would you be paying? If not, their budget is probably low and a couple more years life experience would be better for hostels. If you’re paying and the budget is high, I’d say that’s too extravagant (and I’m DCUM wealthy)

[Anonymous]

My 18 year old went round northern Europe with a friend last summer. It went very well by all accounts. They are adults.

[Anonymous]

My travel loving DD travelled in Europe (including Italy and France) for four weeks by herself when she was 18. It went very well and was a great learning experience for her. With phones and credit cards now, there is not much difference between travelling in those countries than in the US and probably safer. Don't see any reason why two going together would have any issues and they would learn a lot. My DD has since travelled both solo and with friends all over the world including the former Yugoslavia, Central America, Colombia etc.).

[Anonymous]

Our child traveled in Europe for 6 weeks with a small group of friends at age 17, right after graduating from HS. They had a great time and nothing went wrong. Do you have specific concerns? FWIW our kid paid for the trip with savings from a HS job. It’s still possible to travel relatively cheaply if you’re committed to making it work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our child traveled in Europe for 6 weeks with a small group of friends at age 17, right after graduating from HS. They had a great time and nothing went wrong. Do you have specific concerns? FWIW our kid paid for the trip with savings from a HS job. It’s still possible to travel relatively cheaply if you’re committed to making it work.

Not concerns so much as it feels like a big leap, but I did that myself with friends at 18 and it went fine. I am from Europe so we have gone to various cities as a family many times over the years and they drive and have gone on road trips with friends. Maybe I am over-worrying! I will be sponsoring the trip financially as I'd rather they have enough money for nicer accommodations.

[Anonymous]

I traveled around Europe as a young woman with a female friend from college when we both 20 years old. I'm grateful for the experience but, when I'm completely honest with myself, it wasn't as fun an experience as one might expect. It's partly just my personality. I'm much less of a risk-taker than my friend was, and I found myself in situations that were scary to me. I was her sidekick/wing girl. This is a common dynamic among college-age friends/sibs. The upshot of this comment is to encourage your kid to think about this, especially if they're not very seasoned travelers. Maybe they do a trial trip together to NYC?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Have they travelled to touristy parts of Europe before? Sounds like you may have travelled to see family but I’m wondering if they have any street smarts.
My 18 year old could probably do this but I don’t know why they should. Seems like an unnecessary risk. It would probably be fine but why chance it. Would you be paying? If not, their budget is probably low and a couple more years life experience would be better for hostels. If you’re paying and the budget is high, I’d say that’s too extravagant (and I’m DCUM wealthy)

Chance what? Letting them go to countries that are significantly safer than the one they live in? I could understand why a Spanish mother might wonder about letting her 18 yr old come to DC, but not why an American mother would worry about an 18 yr old in Madrid.

You don't seem very bright.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I traveled around Europe as a young woman with a female friend from college when we both 20 years old. I'm grateful for the experience but, when I'm completely honest with myself, it wasn't as fun an experience as one might expect. It's partly just my personality. I'm much less of a risk-taker than my friend was, and I found myself in situations that were scary to me. I was her sidekick/wing girl. This is a common dynamic among college-age friends/sibs. The upshot of this comment is to encourage your kid to think about this, especially if they're not very seasoned travelers. Maybe they do a trial trip together to NYC?

OP has twins. Presumably they know each pretty well.

[Anonymous]

Please be very careful in they use hostels and no heavy drinking. I have a family member who stayed in them in Italy recently and saw some pretty disturbing things.

[Anonymous]

Okay, so 18 but just graduating high school or 18 and post-freshman year? There is a difference. Have they had a year living on their own?

I did Europe with a friend right after my freshman year and had a blast. Everything was easy to navigate and we thrived. On the other hand, I went to Europe with my mom after high school.

[Anonymous]

Yes, but they should stay in a room together without any others. Not some big room with strangers. Especially if they are girls.

Are the girls?

Two girls in southern Europe like Italy will be harassed more. I'd stick to Northern Europe.

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't facilitate it. Not one bit. If it happens, because they arrange it all and pay for it, they are adults.

If they accept advice, I'll give it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, but they should stay in a room together without any others. Not some big room with strangers. Especially if they are girls.

Are the girls?

Two girls in southern Europe like Italy will be harassed more. I'd stick to Northern Europe.

Just. No.