Taking 15 year old girl to Europe for first time
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Anonymous
| Europe has holidays based on tradition or holy days US doesn't. Check for transit schedule changes, stores closed in countries you consider. UK has similar changes. |
Anonymous
The day after Christmas nothing in Europe is warm enough to expose your legs. |
Anonymous
Why bother? Same stores everywhere. --European |
Anonymous
| The DCUM harpies sure have it in for a certain 15-year old girl today! |
Anonymous
|
Ok everyone take a chill pill
Go to London Thames cruise Shopping on Bond St or Mayfair or Kensington or Covent Garden Train to Windsor don’t have to go inside the castle to appreciate it Afternoon tea in Windsor Or train out to Bicester Outlets near Oxford Dinner in Oxford London Eye Shopping at Harrods Eat at Harrods food halls Train to Paris Do two nights in Paris Do a cooking class Seine dinner Shopping in Paris Fly home open jaw |
Anonymous
A cooking class is a good idea. We did one in Florence with my teen-aged daughter. It’s also fun to shop at Fortnum & Mason in London, the Queen’s “grocery store” - really, a department store with high-end food items and other luxuries. |
Anonymous
Thank you!! This is exactly what I was looking for. I have never been to Europe, so I am clueless. Clearly she will appreciate the culture and taking in the sites, I just don’t want to spend most of our time in museums, that’s all that I meant by the comment. -OP |
Anonymous
Also great suggestions! Thank you very much. -OP |
Anonymous
Respect for this, it's a solid post. I am not at all a shopper, but I can appreciate the difference of shopping at a place like Harrod's and Mayfair and how it's unique compared to your average US mall. I also think the chic shops in trendy parts of Paris probably are very cool for a kid who is into that. But the Bicester Village idea is a bridge too far. It's truly just a set of outlet shops exactly like you would find 45 minutes outside of any major metro area in the US. https://maps.app.goo.gl/1Ax3JypBNsnMWGCUA?g_st=ac But yes the cooking class is a great idea! There are also some incredible art stores in Paris, books and speciality stuff, like this place. https://artazart.com/en/ |
Anonymous
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London + Paris is a classic combination and a great suggestion. London, at least, will still be decked out for Christmas, and very atmospheric.
Viator will have some interesting suggestions for special tours, and we’ve had fun on every “Airbnb experience” (nothing to do with where you stay, just individuals offering things like cooking classes, photo tours, craft sessions). One museum your daughter may enjoy would be the V&A and its fashion/costume collection. I hope there will be some theater offerings you’ll enjoy—that’s always pretty great. |
Anonymous
| I might suggest checking London Walks and especially Paris Walks, which has some chocolate-themes and fashion-themed walking tours. Inexpensive and well-done. |
Anonymous
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Keep in mind the time and weather. Sun will probably sit around 4 pm at that time of year.
You could get blue skies but good chance it’s grey and drizzly. So you might need to swap river cruises, walks, Mongon Eye, etc for indoor stuff. London is crazy busy after Xmas so make sure you book things well in advance rather than leave it to chance. My 15 year-old was keen on markets like Camden and thrift stores around Covent Garden but not interested in Fortnum and Mason or Harrods. Does she like musicals or shows? Nice to have dinner out and a show. |
Anonymous
Yes, she is a theater kid! Loves musicals. That’s a great idea. Any specific show recommendations appreciated. -OP |
Anonymous
This. Even in Malta and Cyprus. For fashion and shopping, I’d check out London, Milan, Madrid, Barcelona. |
Anonymous
| If your kid’s favorite hobby is “shopping,” you’ve failed as a parent. |