travel my little sister? - TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards!

**pinknic38** · 12-08-2007, 02:04 PM

My sister (who is 14) expressed some interest in traveling with me sometime. she and I are really tight so I think it could be a lot of fun and I would love for her to have that appreciation of other countries & cultures at such a young age. my mom is completely behind it but my mom never really travels abroad at all, unless you count the caribbean haha, so my sister can't get a lot of culture at this point without me.

anyway I am considering planning on something with my sister as my next trip. she's had a pretty hard time since I've been away (we've got a bit of a difficult family situation that's too long of a story to even begin to explain) but usually I am there and on her side and there for whenever she needs an out, so this past year has been pretty stressful on us. I know my mom would agree and would pay for, or help pay for my sister's end of the trip, and I think it would be good for her to go, but I am kind of at a loss as to what I should do.

what are some good locations that would be appropriate for her? we took her to las vegas in june and were able to include her in most of the fun that did not involve alcohol and she had a good time. I was considering taking her to Russia with me in September, but I was thinking perhaps an english speaking location for her first trip might be the better idea, to help ease my mind and hers. I considered Ireland or the whole UK, perhaps Australia (that's a it pricey but they can start saving I suppose).

anyway just wanted to get ya'lls opinion.

**joe7f** · 12-08-2007, 02:17 PM

Ireland would be a good choice but as you go north and west...um..yeah that whole English language advantage starts to disappear :D

My sister first went to London and then Eurostarred it to Paris. I think she regards that as her best trip ever so maybe something to consider.

What's great about London or Paris is that you instantly have a certain level of familiarity with those cities.

Edit:Oh and let me add, part of the Euro experience is the foreign language bit. So if you choose Ireland or Britain, you may want to include a trip elsewhere.

--Joey

**MolsonGirl** · 12-08-2007, 02:29 PM

I agree with the London/Paris Trip..

**TheJake** · 12-08-2007, 03:36 PM

the topic of this title sounds dirty.

I've been considering the same thing with my little brother who's about to turn 15. Let me know how your trip with her goes nicole!

**expatben** · 12-08-2007, 03:43 PM

Depends on what shes interested in. I certainly agree that London and Paris could be fun.

**pinknic38** · 12-08-2007, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheJake

the topic of this title sounds dirty.

I've been considering the same thing with my little brother who's about to turn 15. Let me know how your trip with her goes nicole!

OMG I didn't even realize the title! I forgot a few words I suppose, LOL!!!

anyway I called my sister tonight and the first word to come out of her 14 year old big mouth was "paris", so good call with paris & london, ya'll. I didn't even think of the eurostar. I think those are kind of ideal locations because I know there is a LOT to do in both places, and she wants to see the Louvre anyway.

as for what she's interested in, well she's like any other 14 year old girl... she loves to shop and she's got this monster sweet tooth so I think she will like eating in paris. I mentioned london and now she is convinced she is going to meet prince william. LOL dream big I suppose.

what about staying in hostels though? aren't there some age limits for hostels?

also she told me we'd have to go this december instead of next summer because apparent our mom & stepdad are planning some surpise trip thing for all of us (this generally equates to somewhere in the caribbean but maybe this year we'll actually be surpised lol) next summer, so she wants to go on Christmas break so she doesn't have to spend a lot of money in the summer. I told her it would be cold in the winter but she doesn't care. I suppose I will have to tell my friend that I was planning on traveling with next winter that we'll have to go some other time (cos the sister has gotta come first

**maracle** · 12-08-2007, 04:21 PM

You can't go wrong with London/Paris. Those were the two trips I went on when I was young and they were great. The language barrier isn't a problem in France because many people speak English (though they'll be a lot more willing to speak english with you if you learn a bit of french and try it that way first...)

Some hostels have age restrictions, but I think in most cases you wont have a problem. When are you planning to do this? I have a hard time imagining it ever being a problem in europe past 16 but I'm guessing she wont be quite that old yet. Many places wouldn't be organized enough to check anyway, does she look especially young?

If you're concerned, you could stick with Hostelling International affiliated hostels...when you book online with them you put in the ages and it will let you know if there are any restrictions. Hostelling International accommodates families so you should be able to find hostels through them for sure in the UK and France. The only downside here is that these hostels tend to be a bit more expensive than independant ones. They're also often nicer facilities though.

**pinknic38** · 12-08-2007, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maracle

When are you planning to do this? I have a hard time imagining it ever being a problem in europe past 16 but I'm guessing she wont be quite that old yet. Many places wouldn't be organized enough to check anyway, does she look especially young?

apparently we're planning on going somewhere in december. so it won't quite be as crazy as it would be in the summer I'm sure. she does look a bit older than 14 so maybe it won't be an issue. I checked out a few of the hostels on TP's search engine and I think it was Aloha who said anyone under 18 had to stay in a private room with their "over 18" guardian, which I can understand.

**BigE** · 12-08-2007, 05:48 PM

I have always wanted to go to Munich with my little brother (he turned 30 today). He drinks a lot more beer than I do and that is a lot.

Paris is a smart choice - a very girly place.

**Sijuki** · 12-08-2007, 08:54 PM

I think the London/Paris bit would be a splendid first jaunt out of the country. How nice of you Nicole to take your little sister traveling.

**pinknic38** · 12-08-2007, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sijuki

I think the London/Paris bit would be a splendid first jaunt out of the country. How nice of you Nicole to take your little sister traveling.

welll what can I say, I'm a great sister!

she needs a little vacay, and we haven't been able to have any fun adventures (besides las vegas in june) this year so it would be a nice little trip I think. I guess paris for sure is decided and possibly london (she thinks maybe she wants to spend the whole time in paris... we'll see). and I don't think I could be more excited to see the Louvre when there are not nearly as many visitors!

**Sijuki** · 12-08-2007, 09:04 PM

How long are you going for?

**pinknic38** · 12-08-2007, 09:33 PM

probably just a week, she doesn't get a lot of time off for school in the winter and we don't want to miss christmas (GOD FORBID, I would hear about this until christmas 2009, if we missed christmas 2008, especially after me missing christmas 2007... haha)... if we do both london and paris I was thinking maybe 10 days.

**kiwichick** · 12-09-2007, 12:21 AM

in terms of hostels in paris it might be worth u checking out AIJ i dont think they had an age limit and they have super cheap twin rooms, like maybe 12-15 euro each i think? its not the coolest hostel but still pretty adequate
i dont think u can book it on the likes of hostelworld but they took our reservation fairly happily by email

**lauren313** · 12-09-2007, 06:12 AM

I really think London is a good idea. From there, as mentioned you can go to Paris, but remember that isn't the only place you can go on the Eurostar. Or you could even get a cheap Easyjet/Ryanair flight somewhere else in Europe for a few days, just to get somewhere a bit different.

**MolsonGirl** · 12-09-2007, 07:07 AM

Just keep in mind if you are trying to sneak her in, they will take the passport or at least check it in most places, which of course has the birthdate clearly marked

**lauren313** · 12-09-2007, 07:41 AM

YHA/HI hostels take under 18s

**simply_angelic** · 12-09-2007, 08:27 AM

Man I wish I had an older sister like you when I was 14! Sounds like a great idea. I think 10 days in london & paris would be perfect. (For a girl that likes to shop you really can't beat London...and it's cheaper to fly into)

**jengt** · 12-09-2007, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by simply_angelic

Man I wish I had an older sister like you when I was 14!

I wish I had an older sister like you now! My family doesn't get the whole traveling idea.

I think it's a wonderful thing you're doing for your sister Nicole. Not many people would do something like this for a younger sibling. You're aces in my book!

glitterhairdye · 12-09-2007, 10:27 AM

My mom took me to Germany and Austria when I was 14 and that was my first trip abroad (I had been to Mexico and Canada though). It was amazing. We went to Munich, Salzburg, and Dachau. It was only a week and a half but it was an amazing first trip. I guess it helped that I spoke german, but those places are great. We stayed at a cheap hotel, but i've seen kids of all ages at hostels, especially in Dublin. They're all very family-oriented.