A European Summer Vacation for the Family By Tiffany Hiller The parents will love a European vacation, but will the teen-agers? Absolutely! European vacations can offer incredible history, delicious cuisine, excellent water sports, mountain climbing, bicycling tours, and winery tours. You name it, Europe has it all! Europe is also a great way for the teens to experience a diversity of cultures from many countries. It's not all stuffy museums and decaying buildings, so get ready for a little culture! Another great reason to visit Europe with the family is the low value of the Euro against the American dollar. The dollar is even stronger against the British pound than it's been in the last seven years. Enjoy Italian Gelato Your teens will have plenty to write home about to their friends after a visit to Italy. To get a true feel for Italy, a must-see is the city of Venice. Walking in Venice during the summer may feel toasty (it can reach into the eighties during the day), but luckily, "gelaterias" are everywhere. The family can treat themselves to cool Italian ice cream called gelato, absolutely the best in the world! A great way to see Venice (and a necessity considering the number of waterways) is by boat. Boat rides through Venice can be fast and fun, something the teenagers will like. The kids can enjoy the boat ride while the parents ogle the palazzos on the Grand Canal. There are also boat-trips to the Lido, Venice's beach, or to the island of Murano, famous for glassblowing. Piazza San Marco is the heart of Venice, a huge heart beating with millions of pigeon's wings. Expect to spend at least $4 per visit on ten cents worth of pigeon feed. Small orchestras play at outdoor cafes while the birds enjoy a feeding frenzy. And the architectural marvels, such as St. Mark's Basilica and the Sistine Chapel, are within walking distance. British for a Day The best part of a Great Britain trip will be your teen-agers' expressions when you order "blood pudding" and "prawns." Travel to the larger cities of Great Britain, such as London, to get the most out of your vacation. Depending on your idea of summer weather, London remains around 70 degrees during the day and dips to the fifties at night. If you're in town between late June and early July, try catching the tennis championships at Wimbledon, the best of English lawn tennis. And in August, drive a short distance to the Notting Hill Carnival, Notting Hill, one of the largest street festivals in Europe, attracting more than a half-million people annually. While in London, be sure to see the Tower of London, one of London's most famous sights. Come as early in the day as possible and see the Crown Jewels before the crowds arrive. Add a dash of ceremony at Buckingham Palace, where Guards ride on horseback from Hyde Park to Whitehall, all dressed in scarlet tunics and silvergilt helmets. They change the guard at Buckingham Palace daily at 11:30 a.m. For the macabre, take an excursion to Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum, a collection of wax celebrities. Madame Tussaud's also has "The Spirit of London" Theme Ride which uses robotics to take visitors on a "Time Taxi" through 400 years of London's history. Another fun activity is London Walks, offering fascinating ghost walks through alleys, past landmarks and palaces. Other topics include spies and magical mystery tours. Getting around London can be easily done by tube and is lots of fun for the teenagers who don't normally travel by underground train. The "tube" not only saves you money, it's a quintessential London experience. Paris in the Summertime Paris, France is an ideal summer vacation for everyone. Mom and Dad will fall in love all over again while standing under the Eiffel Tower. The kids will actually be somewhere they would consider "cool." Your female teenagers will especially find a reason to stay a little longer outside the haute couture shops. From the twinkling lights along the Champs-Elysees, Norte Dame in all its gothic majesty, the treasures of the Louvre and the hypnotic smile of the Mona Lisa, you and your family will be entranced by this wondrous city. During early summer, June begins with Le Prix du Jocket Club, where thoroughbreds race from all over the world. Later in the month is La Villette Jazz Festival, with jazz concerts all over the city from churches, auditoriums, to concert halls. July 14th is Bastille Day (the French equivalent of America's Independence Day) featuring a parade down Champs Elysees and fireworks near Montmartre. Whether it's your first trip to Europe or your fiftieth, your family will be delighted. Be sure to check out some helpful travel sites that include information on hotels and vacation packages. You will find reliable travel sites online at www.clikvacations.com, www.deltavacations.com and www.coolvacations.com. Keep checking back for upcoming summer promotions that are regularly posted. Also see: • Take a family cruise • Book your summer vacation online now • Other family vacation destinations Tiffany Hiller is senior copywriter and public relations specialist at New River Technologies, a leading provider of online travel planning and booking services.