Is 18 too young to travel to Europe with a group of friends about the same age?

Question

Is 18 too young to travel to Europe with a group of friends about the same age?

Answer 1

I did it and had a blast. It really depends on the maturity and responsibility of the group. If none of you have any travel experience or good social skills... it might be too young. It's not a matter of age as much as are you all responsible enough?

I traveled all over europe with my cousin and two buddies. We went there for the world cup. Just know what you are getting into when you travel so you don't have any unpleasant surprises.

Answer 2

Everyone is different of course, and some 18 year olds might be a little overwhelmed, but I think most would be fine. I'm 16 and have traveled extensively throughout Europe, including three trips just with my cousins who are 19 & 21, and I've always had an amazing time. Many people your age backpack there.

If you travel to Greece, Italy or Spain you will most likely get A LOT of attention from men, especially if you are blond, and this could be unnerving. Never engage with the men. If the comment is sweet-natured, you can smile, but for the most part it's best to completely ignore them. Do not, repeat, do not ever walk alone at night. On a school trip to Athens I left the hotel one night because the girls I was sharing the room w were having an annoying fight, and a group of men harassed me pretty badly. Fortunately a police officer came along, but I shudder to think what would have happened if he hadn't. I was 14. I've learned to never walk alone after dark, and to be very aware of my surroundings. I also was harassed a lot in Naples & would not advise girls to go there. Everywhere else I've been fine.

Your best bet is to plan the trip very well. Go to the library and check out the Lonely Planet, Let's Go & the Rough Guide. Read through it with your friends & come up with an itinerary. If you like the books, then have each of you buy one. You don't want one person to be overloaded w books. It's cool to have flexibility & allow for spontaneity, but if you are traveling during the high season you need to make sure you line up your accommodation in advance. A lot of train stations & TI centers will have booking services for hotels for a fee, but I think it's best to just pop into an internet cafe & book something if you change your plans. We've booked most of our accommodation a few weeks in advance, though. Places like the AF Chapman in Stockholm can get booked up months in advance during high season.

Other tips:

Get a small purse that is just big enough to carry your camera, money, a small notepad & pen & whatnot. It's a lot harder to pick pocket from a purse under your arm than a back pack.

Try to get your phone unlocked before you leave so you can get a local sim card. If you do separate from your friends, you want to be able to call them. You can text with most US carriers, but it will be less expensive to get a local sim.

Insure your electronics. Cameras, iPods & laptops are stolen or broken more than anything else.

Make a copy of your passport and all your ATM and credit cards (front and back...you'll need the back if it's ever stolen for the number to call) and scan it into an email. Leave a copy with your mom as well. If anything is ever lost or stolen, this info will make life so much easier.

Carry a small notepad with you and write down the hotel / hostel address and directions.

Many banks charge a high surcharge when you use your ATM overseas. Check with them in advance about the fees. Credit unions often don't charge.

I've heard of lots and lots of ppl, and especially girls, getting into heated arguments while traveling. When you're with someone for 24 hours a day weeks on end you are bound to get on one another's nerves. Just know this in advance, realize it's normal, and be resolved that you're going to stick together no matter what.

Popular places for young ppl:

The Pink Palace in Corfu, Greece

Cinque Terre, Italy

Florence, Italy (tons and tons of students are there)

Interlaken, Switzerland (awesome place for adventures)

Dubrovnik, Croatia (beautiful, affordable, hot guys)

Prague (gorgeous, romantic, great night life, affordable)

Get general travel advice at:

www.tripadvisor.com

www.ricksteves.com

www.roughguide.com

www.letsgo.com

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/in...

www.frommers.com

Some hostel review sites are below.

Check out my travel profile & feel free to shoot me an email if you want advice on any of the places I've been. I adore traveling, and hope to write a guide book one day, so I'm always happy to give tips.

http://travel.yahoo.com/mytravel?pid=aFY...

Have an awesome adventure! : )