Could use a little advice from well seasoned travelers!

[Aysel]

My kids and I do a lot of traveling but we are on a crossroads for our trip next summer. I have 2 boys ages 11 and 14 (by the time we travel) my oldest really wants to go to London/Paris. My youngest is not interested and wants to go to California.

Now we've been to Cali two years ago and did Los Angeles and Disneyland. We all loved that trip! This time we would do San Francisco and/or San Diego, and maybe drive up to Yosemite.

I'm torn! I love England and Paris and would love to take my kids to experience these amazing countries. I think my oldest and I understand a little more what kinds of culture and history come with a trip like that, but is my youngest too young to appeciate it??

Would love some feedback and thanks in advance for your time!

 

[hsmamato2]

I'd say try something new, why not?your kiddos should have input,not final say on the decision,otherwise it comes to down to fighting over who wants what. If you've been to Cali, your youngest probably associates that with fun,but can't see the idea that other things can be cool to,so it sounds like they both like to travel and would enjoy Europe too.

 

[BLAZEY]

I took my daughter to the UK and France at age 5. She had a great time, not too young at all. We had a great time climbing through castles and parks, and the history buff in me was elated. She is 8.5 now and still talks about that trip. She "met" Mary Queen of Scots in Edinburgh Castle!

 

[Aysel]

Thank you for your responses! I'm definitely leaning more towards London/Paris. Every time I ask someone I'm getting the same answers. Blazey, I am very much into Scotland and would love to go and visit Edinburgh castle. I may throw that in somehow. Thanks again for helping me decide!

 

[mjkacmom]

Dd16 loved London. She’s been to NYC, Boston, Chicago, New Orleans, DC, Anaheim, Orlando, Glasgow, Belfast, Killarney, and Montreal, and London was her absolute favorite (she was 12).

 

[DisneyRegulars]

We took my 7 year old to china this summer. We made sure to include things in the trip that would appeal to a seven year old. For example when we went to the Great Wall we rode the toboggan down. We made sure to stay in hotels that had pools. We tried all the different ice creams we could get our hands on. We gave him $10 and let him bargain in the night market. He had a great time. Your 11 year old is definitely not too young to enjoy a trip to London. Just be sure to see and do some things that might appeal to him too.

 

[kboo]

We are taking our 6yo and 2yo to Paris next summer. Last time we were in Europe the 6yo was an infant. She's the one who wants to go to Paris.

 

[jeepnjudy]

Took my DS13 when he was 6 and he loved it... we also threw Euro Disney into the trip for 2 days to make it more fun for him at the time and got Euro Disney off our bucket list!

 

[BLAZEY]

Took my DS13 when he was 6 and he loved it... we also threw Euro Disney into the trip for 2 days to make it more fun for him at the time and got Euro Disney off our bucket list!

We did Disneyland Paris when we went to the UK and France with DD then age 5. She and Poppa had a blast! I did too.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

My kids and I do a lot of traveling but we are on a crossroads for our trip next summer. I have 2 boys ages 11 and 14 (by the time we travel) my oldest really wants to go to London/Paris. My youngest is not interested and wants to go to California.

Now we've been to Cali two years ago and did Los Angeles and Disneyland. We all loved that trip! This time we would do San Francisco and/or San Diego, and maybe drive up to Yosemite.

I'm torn! I love England and Paris and would love to take my kids to experience these amazing countries. I think my oldest and I understand a little more what kinds of culture and history come with a trip like that, but is my youngest too young to appeciate it??

Would love some feedback and thanks in advance for your time!

Your youngest isn't too young to appreciate it at all! My DS just turned 10 and has already visited 10 European countries, including 3 nights in London. Did he entirely understand what he saw when we visited Westminster Abbey? No, LOL! But it opened up conversation on what we were looking at and certainly added to his knowledge, understanding and appreciation of history and culture. It is amazing how much he garnered from our trips. There is SO much for kids to see and do in both England and France (my DS loved the British Museum and just riding around on the Tube). Go for it!

 

[laughinplace199]

We went to Ireland and England (London) this summer with DD18, DS16, and DS10. They loved the entire trip! For our youngest, the highlights of London were the Tower of London, Churchill War Rooms, Natural History Museum, London Eye, and the Harry Potter studio tour. We also saw Matilda and the whole family really enjoyed it!

 

[ToyStory#1fan'sMom]

Wrong board...sorry

 

[5stljayhawks]

sounds like you maybe on the west coast... there are so many great american travel places. You mention Yosemite, why not make it a national park road trip.... Yellowstone, Glacier, North Cascades, the Olympics, Alaska then Redwoods.

Gettysburg over 4th of july. Watch the movie before, plan a trip to DC and sites there.

While you are at these places explore the local spots and I am sure you will experience culture of america that rivals that of any outside of the US.

 

[ForMyBoys]

Are your kiddos into Harry Potter? Usually 11 is an age for that and there is some neat stuff in London around that theme. I def do not think 11 is too young. I can’t wait to go with my boys but am waiting until my youngest is 9 or 10