About six or seven years ago I decided I wanted to take each of my kids on a big trip, anywhere they want to go, just the two of us, sometime before they move out. I’m not sure they (or even my husband) believed I was really serious about this until I set some money aside and started getting on College Student about choosing a destination a year or so ago. (i.e. “Yes, I really do mean ANYWHERE…even if it’s overseas.”)
I thought he’d choose Athens or Rome, given his interest in classical languages (he’s had two years of Ancient Greek and I don’t even remember how many years of Latin). But he didn’t choose Athens or Rome. He chose…London!!! I’ve never been to London, (I’ve never been to Athens or Rome, either) so I’m very excited. (Except for the fact the dollar is pretty low right now.)
And we’re really going…I just paid for our airline tickets and put the deposit down on the hotel. We’re going in May, right after finals. Junior High Kid will still be in school, so I don’t have to worry about him being alone all day. Of course Junior High Kid thinks this is incredibly unfair that we’re going to London without him. But his turn is coming. If he wants to go to London in four years, I’ll take him to London. If he wants to go to Timbuktu, I’ll take him to Timbuktu (hey, wouldn’t THAT be cool?). The whole point is to spend a week together…a week they’ll remember for the rest of their lives.
So now we have to figure out what we’re going to do while we’re there. We won’t be signing up for any packaged tours, I know that. We like to explore on our own, following our own time table rather than someone else’s. College Student’s Old English (and Old Norse) professor is from London, so he’s getting some advice from him. And I have a friend whose husband is from London, so I’m getting advice from them. There will be no shortage of things to do…the problem will be narrowing our choices.
This is SO COOL!!!!
I want to do it. Heck, I’m going to do it. What a great idea. Anywhere in the world. The Maud will want to go to the Galapagos, I’ll bet money on it.
Have a wonderful trip!
Wait ’til she gets to West! They have some sort of spring break trip (actually, it’s 10 days, as I recall, so it extends past spring break) to the Galapagos Islands. College Student considered it a couple years ago…but since he didn’t actually go to the school and didn’t really know anyone, he decided against it.
not so random commenter
That is really awesome to do for your kids. I lived in London for two months, you guys will love it, just make sure to see some theatre in the West End, it will be worth your while…and your son should get a great student rate.
My mom actually did this for me and my sister too (except we got to choose the destination of a family vacation), I went first and was told anywhere in the US and I chose the grand cannon, my sister got anywhere in the world and chose London as well…I was jealous she got to choose out of country and I didn’t, but oh well, I got to go on both trips :0)
Re: not so random commenter
How long ago did you live there? We’re definitely planning on some theatre! Can’t go to London without taking in a show, right?
We did the big family trip last summer…London came up as a possibility then, too. That’s where the kids wanted to go, but my husband wasn’t too excited about it. So we went to Alaska instead.
Re: not so random commenter
I was there for a summer while studying abroad, I also have been there once on vacation with the family.
Alaska sounds wonderful, I would love to go up there, I hear the cruises around that part are a good choice.
Re: not so random commenter
The Alaskan cruise was nice, but next time I’d like to see more of the interior…and go to places that are a little less “touristy.”
LONDON! Yay, you. I am insanely jealous. What a perfect trip!
I hope so! 🙂
Re: London
I’d love some suggestions!
I’m not a shopper, either (unless we’re talking books…or food…maybe even mandolin music…but that’s about it. Any other shopping bores me.) I hadn’t heard of Harrod’s basement…sounds interesting!
We’ll be staying right in the heart of things — City Inn Westminster, which I understand is on the River Thames and near House of Parliament, theatre, public transportation…
what a fabulous way to make a memory!
That’s the plan! 🙂
Terrific idea, Dori. You rock. I don’t know if we can afford to do this. My husband and I are getting ready for our first trip out of the country ourselves, and we’ve been saving for years. But I love the idea of this! I’m going to think of how I can make it work for our family. Thanks!
Oh, congratulations! Where are you going???
Scotland, for two whole weeks! We are so excited!
That sounds wonderful, too!