Go watch Taken.

Depends on the kids. If not partiers/drinkers and they have a good head on their shoulders, I think it would be a terrific trip and a great independence builder.

Ghent and Bruges are both very chill and pretty, wouldn't worry about them at all there. Amsterdam is a very safe city but at that age I would mostly only worry about kids going nuts in the red light district or the pot bars. If they are just going to go to shows (great comedy scene in Amsterdam) and see the sights, I think they'd be fine.

My daughter did a similar itinerary aaat that age. I would have let her do it at 17 for that matter. It is good for kids to be independent. Mine has thrived.

Anonymous wrote:Bruges and Ghent are similar. Are there specific things they want to do in each?
I would go to Bruges. You can take a nice day trip to the coast at Knokke by train if the weather is nice. Water is like ice but it's nice to walk along shore.

Not my itinerary so I did not know this. So definitely Bruges over Ghent? I will relay that to them. I am trying not to intervene too too much and let them plan. My priority is safety but I hope they have a good time.

They should stay together. Nobody gets left to "go back to the hotel later "

Bruges and Ghent are similar. Are there specific things they want to do in each?
I would go to Bruges. You can take a nice day trip to the coast at Knokke by train if the weather is nice. Water is like ice but it's nice to walk along shore.

Yes, very safe.

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn’t let them go without parents.

Troll harder next time.

Anonymous wrote:18 is pretty young for that kind of trip on their own.

Really? They’re adults who will be navigating college or a job at that age.

Sure. I was bumping around all those places at 16 when living in Brussels as an exchange student.

Anonymous wrote:My 18 year old did it with a friend. They had a great time. 18 is plenty old for most kids to explore the world.

This specific vacation? Any tips? FWIW I did similar myself (Spain) at 18 but have never been to Belgium or the Netherlands.

My 18 year old did it with a friend. They had a great time. 18 is plenty old for most kids to explore the world.

18 is pretty young for that kind of trip on their own.

I wouldn’t let them go without parents.

Would you say it will be VERY safe, beyond potential pickpockets? Any other major risks for girls? And will it be fun? Not a group that is going to do pot/drink a lot. Interested in museums, history and any sort of thrift/quirky stores.