<p>I’d highly recommend a tour group called Artis. They have a good balance of supervision, organization, culture and fun. My son did their programs in Bali and Florence and really enjoyed and benefited both of them.</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.artis-tours.org%5B/url%5D”>www.artis-tours.org</a></p>
<p>Contiki, as linked by my-3-sons, is an Australian/New Zealand company which is also well known in Britain. I have never been on a tour with them but some of my friends have and they all loved it. There seems to be a lot of travelling (I see their bus in Oxford every week. It is full of Australians. They start in London, drive to Oxford, then go to York in the evening of the same day. That is at least 6 hours driving time) and I would prefer spending longer in each place. Also, drinking age is lower in Europe (I have NEVER been asked for ID in the UK) and from what I hear it’s a big part of these trips, which puts me off.</p>
<p>I highly recommend <a href=“http://www.intrepidtravel.com%5B/url%5D”>www.intrepidtravel.com</a> However, their tour prices don’t include flights. These are extra.</p>
<p>-cc</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.contiki.com/en-US/[/url]”>http://www.contiki.com/en-US/</a></p>
<p>This is the tour company that young kiwis, aussies and brits use.</p>
<p>My favorite volunteer/budget trekking org is madventurers…<a href=“http://www.madventurers.com%5B/url%5D”>www.madventurers.com</a></p>
<p>I can help with Germany, should the decision seem to head that way.</p>
<p>latetoschool, I will PM you.</p>
<p>Cheers - that mad adventure website was really cool! Lots of awesome things to do there for the person that wants something offbeat. Thanks for sharing.</p>
<p>I second (or is it third?) the Canada idea. Either Montreal or Quebec City are manageable, friendly, not that far away and somewhat ‘exotic’ (French language). I would check into whether two under 21s can book a hotel room and stay on their own, etc. (I say this because back in the last century I was driving cross-country, alone, and was denied a room at a Sheraton when they asked to see my i.d. and I was under 21 - not a happy experience).</p>
<p>Curmudgeon,
Doddsdad and I would be happy to help you with a trip to Germany. Drop us a PM and we will be happy to host you and you can use our house as a traveling base.</p>
<p>My high school grad is staying home to care for the house and working while WE (H and I) are going on vacation!</p>
<p>Curmudge, it really comes down to how much you trust her AND her friend, how much money they have to spend, and how much do you need to sleep at night while they are gone!</p>
<p>There are issues with each of these, but not insurmountable. If she and the friend are accomplished interstate drivers, and you feel comfortable that they won’t say “Wow, look at that!” and run into a ditch - then the theme park idea sounds great. The one my DD hasn’t gotten to that is sort of the family Holy Grail is Cedar Point. That trip for her could encompass the Gateway Arch, maybe Lincoln’s birthplace (I think I know where Cedar Point is), could even stop in Memphis on the way home, and scout out the nearest Walmart ;). Anyway, I think she and you could work with AAA to get her a reasonable itinerary, and motel reservations up front. Going to Tuscon in the other direction might be fun - I love tuscon.</p>
<p>Some kids may be too sophisticated for theme parks, or like my son, just a coward, but most HS seniors love them. That is the senior trip at our school - 4 days at Disney.</p>
<p>One thing I would add - if there is any possible way, go on a long weekend before she leaves - either the 3 of you, you and her, Mom and her, whatever works. It will be a precious, special time.</p>
<p>Mudge, a couple of ideas… </p>
<p>Chicago
SluggD was there last month for a week over Spring Break and had a fabulous time. She stayed at the Palmer House Hilton in downtown Chicago, which in itself is a great place. Opening in 1871, it burned to the ground 13 days later in the Great Chicago Fire. Beautiful and historic, it has a great luxury hotel feel to it. </p>
<p>Chicago is such a cool city, and there are a ton of interesting, fun things to do. Within walking distance to the Palmer House, there is the Art Institute of Chicago, the Shedd Aquarium, the Miracle Mile with the flagship Marshall Field’s & Company department store, and Sears Tower. She got to visit Loyola on one of her walks around the city. Then, of course, there’s Wrigley Field, if she’s a baseball fan. My D prefers to take public transportation, and getting around the city was easy.</p>
<p>Barcelona: She was there last August. Everything about this city was fabulous. Student-friendly, affordable lodging in and around the city, easy to get around. She and a friend traveled from Paris to Barcelona by train. She called us from Paris complaining about how expensive everything was. They stayed just outside of Paris with family friends, who were warm and cordial and made them feel very welcome. Their day trips into Paris were less than warm and cordial. </p>
<p>When they got to Barcelona, she couldn’t believe how affordable the food and lodging were. Loved the tapas and the late dinner schedule. They stayed at a hostel, which was clean and comfortable. The people were friendly and warm and treated them very well.</p>
<p>Sluggson’s senior trip is a surprise this year. SluggH got them tickets to attend the Bannaroo Music Festival, June 16-18, a 3-day multi-stage musical campout on a 700-acre farm in Manchester, Tennessee. Yeah, I know…an 18-year high school grad and a 50-year old sluggdad turned loose at a Howard Johnson’s in Tennessee. This is, apparently, one very hot ticket, but I am staying home to swim in the pool and babysit the dog. Jeff Beck will be there on June 17, along with a bunch of other cool musicians. Should be a fun time.</p>
<p>Sluggbug:
DD asked if she could go to Bonnaroo with friends this summer. DH told her he would be happy to take her and her friends. Even though she will be 18 next month, I would worry about her being there with just her girlfriends. They’ve got some great acts lined up … Radiohead, Tom Petty, Beck, Elvis Costello, etc. DH took DD and her best friend to Atlanta a couple of years ago for the Vans Warped Tour and they had a blast. At one point, a mosh pit developed around my DD and her best friend, and hubby (a large guy) spread his arms, wrapped them around the girls and moved them out of harms (or fun, depending upon how you view it) way.</p>
<p>Slugg and SplashMom - I wanna go, I wanna go, me too me too!!! I’m a good camper, I swear!</p>