Op back. Thanks so much for the ideas! Yes, I travel with my kids. We do a big two week vacation every year (driving trips around France, national parks, Canada). This year we are heading to England for 10 days. And another week somewhere in the US. They also do 4 week sleep away camp, so they are used to and enjoy the break from friends and their daily scene. Due to pretty significant travel sports that I’m assuming will get more time consuming in HS, finding time off is difficult.

I love the idea of Hawaii/Japan, a home base in Central Europe then traveling around, and the Southeast Asia ideas.

I do always book a few nights in the middle of our longer trips at a hotel/chateau with a pool and no plans than to just relax. I also work in amusement parks like Disney Paris, and California parks, zip lining, waterfall swims, etc so it’s not just looking at old building or big mountains.

Our Covid cancelled trip was southern France, Italy, Switzerland. Maybe expanding on that.

I do ask for their input otherwise it would be misery for all. Thanks!

Anonymous wrote:Do your kids want to be away from their friends for 3 weeks?

I would probably take my kids to Europe, they haven’t been yet. But definitely planning downtime instead of go go go

You would seriously plan the duration of your international trip based on whether some pre-teens will miss their friends for three weeks?

I personally would not pick those destinations with my daughter.

I would choose Europe or Asia.

We did Paris/London last summer and had a great time. We are doing Japan and Korea this summer.

Week 1 in Rome
Week 2 in Florence
Week 3 in Venice

So many possibilities!!!

Have you spent time in Europe? You could base yourself in 3 or 4 locations. Maybe a week in a major city, a week in an outdoor focused area and a week near a beach?

Personally, with your budget, id break it into 2 trips. I’d go to Costa Rica for trip 1. And them somewhere in Europe for trip 2. Or maybe Alaska?

Anonymous wrote:I would:
Fly to Dubai and stay a few days
Then fly to the Maldives (4 hours) for a week (especially if your daughters love beaches, snorkeling, marine life, etc.)
Then fly to East Africa (Kenya/Tanzania) for a safari. Then back to the US.

You might have to fly back to Dubai to get from the Maldives to your safari.

She would spend most of her budget on flights...

Anonymous wrote:Do your kids want to be away from their friends for 3 weeks?

I would probably take my kids to Europe, they haven’t been yet. But definitely planning downtime instead of go go go

Agree with this. Even as an adult, I start getting home sick after about 9 days.

Do your kids want to be away from their friends for 3 weeks?

I would probably take my kids to Europe, they haven’t been yet. But definitely planning downtime instead of go go go

Am I right to think that you have t really traveled a lot before? With girls that age, I might do something like —
Fly into Paris and a few days there
Travel south and do beach in south of France and/or a few days in Provence/avignkn
Travel to Florence and get a house in countryside
Then if you didn’t do beach in France, go to beach in Elba or calri (Elba cheaper)
Go to Rome before flying out
So you’d get two of the world greatest cities, some beautiful historic/nature setting, some great shopping, and a beach.

One problem with planning ahead if that your 11 year old might have totally different tastes at 13.