Travel

[profdsny]

I'm sort of looking for a 'continental' response, if you will.
We are sort of all here for our Disney adventures, and I know most of the group here has traveled to WDW. Some started as kids, some more recently. But what sort of travel did you do, or do you do, other than, or before Disney?
Reason I ask is that I'm a bit annoyed at my 2 DS who at this point couldn't care less about going anywhere. I can understand them being tired of WDW, and it not being 'cool', but jeez!
Two years ago when one graduated from HS and one from grade, I wanted to do the 'grand tour' with Eurail passes, flying into Rome and home from Ireland. They could have cared less. We wound up doing a driving trip out West, which was just ok for them. We've more than once suggested that the elder spend a sememster in Europe. He's not interested. They weren't interested in a weekend to London last December, and could care less about our upcoming trip to Ireland in July. Thank god Emmy is thrilled about this, though she's mad we aren't going to Italy instead. (that's my girl!)
When DW and I were growing up, our families couldn't afford such a thing, and Europe for us was what we read in books. Now, we want to give our kids a chance to experience what we did only after college, and they aren't interested. Is this a new generation thing? I remember Europe in the 70s loaded with young kids, American and European, hitching and training all around, meeting other kids, hanging out, etc.
What happened?
Ok, sorry for the rant. Just want another thought on this.
Joe

 

[WDWfan uk]

Hmmm Joe ..... I wonder what age they are ? At a certain age, teens know when their parents think they ought to want to do something, and the more they feel that the parent wants it, the more set they are that they don't want to do it!!

I do not think that there is any less wanderlust now than there was in the '70s. Any major cities I visit (abroad and here), I see lots of young people touring. I went to Prague a few weeks ago and there was no lack of student visitors there I can tell you!

In fact they have spread their wanderings further - it is very fashionable here to take a year out of education to have a Gap Year. Students backpack their way round Australia and the Far East. (My son is not going to do this but then he has been lucky enough to visit India several times, Canada, USA (as well as Florida, New York) and several countries in Europe).

I don't think it's unusual for teens to dread the thought of being with their parents enthusing over cultural visits - when I was 18, the only sort of holiday I really wanted abroad was to go on a beach-type, disco- type holiday with my friends ...... and I did!

What may be different here than in the USA is that we are a small island with many places only a couple of hours flight/ferry ride away. So it is quite usual for schools to take children on trips to France and other European countries, occasionally further too. I know I will always remember my school trips abroad!! Going abroad starts quite young this way and paves the way for those children to take going abroad as not an unusual thing to do. A passport is an essential for even a child.

 

[KayleeUK]

Joe

Can I be your substitute child LOL

I would have loved to go on holiday when I was younger, with or without parents.

 

[Miffy2003]

Hiya

I think Shirley is bang on the money here. As a child, all I ever did was an annual visit to France for a fortnight with my parents. Literally, every year. I was aware that other people went elsewhere (if that makes sense) but as we had always gone to France that was just "normal" to me.

Oddly enough it was only after going to Florida at the age of 19 with my then bf (now DH) that this opened up the world to my eyes. Now, I've got a list of places I want to go to that are as long as your arm. (Oddly though WDW keeps coming top of them)!! However we couldn't afford to go on holiday at all for about 8 years (though I then discovered the joy of Travel Guides)

What I'm trying to say I think is that as a teen (if that's how old your sons are) maybe the excitement of seeing different parts of the world hasn't yet developed??

btw I would be wanting to rant too!!!!!!

Hope it all sorts itself out for you. What a fantastic person you are to want to share these experiences with your family!

Karen

 

[rob@rar.org.uk]

Take them skiing. It's the only holiday where I've seen parents and their stroppy teenagers equally enjoy their time together.

Regards

Rob