Our teen boys have been to maybe 12 or so of the listed places and their absolute favorite was South Korea/Seoul. I'd put that on my list over Japan or China especially because of the food situation in China.

Such a strange question. When I graduated high school I had been to Spain, Portugal and Germany. I lived in Europe. Once I got to college I traveled every summer and while studying abroad. I saw France, Czech Republic, Russia, Italy and more of France and Spain. Stop overthinking and go to places you will enjoy.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And before anyone asks why international, they have traveled extensively in the USA: Boston, NYC, LA, SF, Seattle, Moeb, New Mexico, Park City, Austin, Texas Dude Ranch, Texas Hunting Ranch, Vail, Breckenridge, Denver, Carmel, Big Sur, San Diego, Martha’s Vineyard, Jersey Shore, Keys, Disneyland, Disneyworld, Jackson Wyoming, Philly/Hershey Parks, Williamsburg

My son LOVED Glacier National Park. He also loved Scotland.

Can you do glacier in November, December or March/April?

Anonymous wrote:And before anyone asks why international, they have traveled extensively in the USA: Boston, NYC, LA, SF, Seattle, Moeb, New Mexico, Park City, Austin, Texas Dude Ranch, Texas Hunting Ranch, Vail, Breckenridge, Denver, Carmel, Big Sur, San Diego, Martha’s Vineyard, Jersey Shore, Keys, Disneyland, Disneyworld, Jackson Wyoming, Philly/Hershey Parks, Williamsburg

My son LOVED Glacier National Park. He also loved Scotland.

Iceland
Peru
Galapagos
Greece
Thailand/Vietnam
Italy
Switzerland

Japan - Korea
China, Hong Kong
Southern India - Sri Lanka
Bhutan
Costa Rica
Portugal-Spain
Scotland - London

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In general, 17 days over winter break you can do some further places that are warmer like Thailand, India, Vietnam, UAE, Morocco, Egypt (all placed we've gone and enjoyed).

For shorter periods like spring break, it'll be extremely expensive but Europe / South America / Caribbean. Thanksgiving would be a less expensive time to do these places as well. I've been with kids and enjoyed Istanbul, Paris, Italy, Greece, Croatia, England, Ireland, etc.

Oh, Morocco is a good one! I would love to go to Egypt but heard so many mixed things about the safety of the trip. Would you consider taking teens? Did you prefer Morocco or Istanbul? Which is better for kids/ teens. My kids are pretty easy going and like doing excursions over sightseeing. We are limited by the breaks and would prefer to find good destinations for Thanksgiving break because we often ski for Spring Break but are flexible. Obviously saving a lot on flights is a big benefit for going over Thanksgiving, I’ve found it’s inexpensive to go to places like Europe that week but weather isn’t always great that time of year either.

In Morocco now and loving it! Great for kids OPs age.

Anonymous wrote:Consider as they get older and the work load goes up, they may want to rest rather than returning to school exhausted with jetlag when they have exams and assignments.

It’s OK. OP will buy their way into a mid-tier SLAC.

Anonymous wrote:Amsterdam, Paris, London, Japan-Tokyo/Kyoto, Vienna/Salzburg, Greece, Italy-Rome/Venice/Florence

Geez so boring.

Our 9 yo and 11 yo have been to the following:

1) Mexico
2) Finland (specifically, Laplands for Christmas break)
3) Canada (Niagara Falls for eclipse)
4) Japan (Osaka, Kyoto, Mt. Fuji, and Tokyo)
5) Phuket, Thailand
6) Cruise to Honduras and Belize

Our plans for the next few years:

2026:
1) Portugal (Spring break)
2) Switzerland and France (Summer vacation)

2027:
1) Egypt (Cairo, Luxor (eclipse), Nile Cruise), Kenya and Tanzania for Safari

2028:
China

Places for future:
1) Australia and New Zealand
2) Turkey, Greece, and Italy
3) Peru, Argentina, and Antartica

13 years old son. He has been to ;

India patna m dalhi, Kolkata , sungkisa. Kaya etc
Nepal- Indian s border for Buddha s birth place

Canada Vancouver, Toronto,

Us alasaka, Fmiami, Orlando, Seattle, SF LA,
Cancun
Cruise to multiple Caribbean island such as Virgin Islands, grand cayman, Bahamas, Dominican, PR etc

Singapore korea
Thailand
French Polynesia

This year he got certified in OW and AOW scuba diving and loved it.

So our plan next year is to do quite a bit of scuba diving

2026

Belize - great blue hole
Maldive
Thailand
Repeat French Polynesia but this time focus on diving at Fakarava and rangiroa the. Whale watching in Moorea.

Later in the year India again


Our future plans

Galapagos both diving livaboard and naturalist tour , probably take one week for each. I want to wait till 2028 because he will be 15 years old, he can do more diving skills which is more appropriate for the dive in Galapagos like Darwin and wolf.
While we do the Galapagos, we will visit quitos as well.

Machu pichu
Amazon
Patagonia
Socorro Mexico for diving
Zanzibar
Safari
Cocos island livaboard
Paris not so eager, because I have been there and mostly interested in shopping which bore my son and husband
Spain Italy
Greece and it’s islands
Turkeys
Marocco
Australia
Japan

So many places to go, so much to do, so little time

I am not interested in Antarctica. I have been there and I don’t think my son will like it as much. My DH has bad sea sickness so may not be able to tolerate the cruise through passage of drake.

Another vote for Venice. I was there in the winter.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Japan
China
Iceland
N Italy/germany/N France
Vancouver/not sure if you've been yet but the OR coast
Mexico City
Pantagonia/Chile
Columbia
I think it's a stretch but if you dare, Melbourne

Where do you recommend in northern Italy and France over Thanksgiving, winter break or spring break?

Venice is wonderful in the winter. I have been when it was snowing and it is magical.

I feel like about a third of these suggestions totally ignore the fact OP said the trips had to be in the northern winter or shorter periods over spring or Thanksgiving.

Your crowd sourcing this is tough because your responses are (obviously) biased towards places people have been. I can pick the 7 destinations that I’ve been too, but is that the “right” list for your family?

+ 1 on not wanting to miss school for HS. My son hates it because there’s so much work to make up.

Also- some trips can “wait” until they’re adults. you don’t have to do everything with your kids and they don’t have to do all these experiences with their parents (vs their friends, their own families).

All of that being said, my suggestions are:

Peru/ Machu Picchu
Norway (++ Copenhagen, Amsterdam, etc)
Paris/London etc.
Asian country: Vietnam, Cambodia, Japan (or others)
Costa Rica

I’d like to go to Turkey with my family, but hard with weather and school breaks (not good for summer or winter break).

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Norway/Sweden (do Norway in a nutshell)

Provence

Portugal/Spain

Do you mean “in a pinch,” if they are pressed for time?

No, it is a specific itinerary.