Where to take 14yo abroad

[thunderful]

Next July I finish a 3 year degree apprenticeship and I want to celebrate by taking my DS (will be 14) away somewhere that has plenty to see and do but also space to relax and chill for a bit.

He says he wants New York (this won’t be happening!) or Paris and I want Berlin or somewhere in Italy. Any ideas?

It depends on the sort of things you like to see and do! 😁and the time of year...
For instance Cyprus is good if you are interested in archaeology, beaches, butterflies...
Florida if you want to see rockets, Disney World and alligators...
I have spent a whole 8 hours in New York and enjoyed the small amount I managed to squeeze in, despite the sleet and bitter cold (it was December). Also realised where (I assume) the expression "downtown" comes from - the place slopes gently downwards towards the skyscrapers and business district are. But I don't think I'd want to spend more than a couple of days there at a go (ditto most cities I have visited).

Barcelona, loads to see and do, and on the beach front

Iceland, Copenhagen, Italy to see Pompei and some beach time although it will be very hot in July

Munich.

Oh why not NYC? There is a phenomenal amount to see and do?

Why not Paris? You have obviously asked him and he’s said nyc or Paris. So it would be nice to try and work with something he actually wants?

Paris is easy, you can take the Eurostar also. Use this trip as this one, and look at Berlin also for another trip later in year or next year.

Not NYC due to budget! I’ll use althat as a carrot for GCSEs!

I’m open to Paris just been there a few times and didn’t love it.

Barcelona could work. We made a day trip there a couple of years ago from our beach holiday so didn’t see much in one day…

Go Interrailing! Then you can visit Paris AND Berlin AND Italy!

By the way, my stock answer to "Where should I take my teenager?" is usually Berlin.

Its hard to go wrong with any European capital.
There is always something to do and somewhere to chill.
Barcelona will be heaving in July and could potentially be really hot.
Less obvious capitals that we've really enjoyed Stockholm, Copenhagen and Budapest. One of my kids particularly likes Vienna.

Netherlands. Cycling around is easy and can take bikes on river buses. Lots to see and do.

Rome is my favourite European city, it really has it all. Amsterdam is also a great city and easy to get to.

Paid for my daughter and her best friend to go to Amsterdam for her 18th birthday prezzie...
They made it home without too? much trouble...

• gave me an interesting ice cube tray from the Sex Museum (I collect ice cube trays...)

Stockholm and Copenhagen (latter less so) are expensive.

Eating out is expensive but we've found most prices comparable to UK or Germany.

Good point re the heat.

Berlin could be a goer. I’ve been and loved it so I’ll add it to my list.

Never considered interailing where would I even start??

https://www.interrail.eu/en/interrail-passes/

Do a cruise. There’s plenty from the UK to Spain and France etc or do a 3/4 nighter and go to the Netherlands. It’s something different experience wise if you haven’t done one before, plus a mix of relaxing and seeing the sights in more than one country

Rome, then take the train out to the coast for a couple of nights to chill at the beach.

Also, www.seat61.com has some great explainers on using Interrail passes and booking the reservations that some high speed trains (Inc. Eurostar) and sleeper trains need.

Rail Europe is good for working out itineraries.

And there are quite a few Interrailing Facebook groups.

Barcelona then a few days by the beach in Sitges?
Valencia - beautiful city, amazing science museum and aquarium and a beach.

What time of year? What did you like about Berlin and not about Paris?

Berlin was already on your list in the first post.

Amsterdam is great for that age if he hasn't been. Also Barcelona or Madrid