Most parents packing their teenagers off to Europe for the first time send them to one or more major cultural capitals to see the famous sights: London, Munich, Paris, Rome, Florence, Venice, etc. And all those cities are indeed feasts for the eyes and other senses. Nobody would argue that they shouldn’t be on a bucket list.
But then there are some who opt for a “road-less-traveled” itinerary. Both kinds of adventures fire a young adult’s imagination. But the former is intended primarily to stimulate the intellect while the latter often emphasizes character building and looks to chip away at adolescent parochialism with a more “authentic“ European experience. That would best describe a QBE expedition.
Our crew members don’t get lost in great hordes of tourists or stand in lines for hours waiting for a glimpse of an artistic masterpiece. Instead, they explore more off-the-beaten-path coastal Europe. They get to make new friends, some who don’t speak the same native language. They learn a new skill—traditional sailing. They set and meet ambitious goals. And they get the chance to experience unexpected folkways, avoiding the faux culture and claustrophobia of crowded tourist traps. Too, sailing from port to port, there’s more time to reflect and assimilate new experiences along the way.
In a recent Instagram post by filmmaker Nancy Myers (Something’s Gotta Give, The Holiday), she mentioned that she first went to Paris as a year-eleven student, along with her French class. It made an enduring impression. In fact, Europe features prominently in several of her romantic comedies. Interestingly, there were several comments from her followers mentioning that they, too, had first gone to France as teenagers and that their experiences in the French capital profoundly enriched their lives, as well. So Paris is indeed a great destination—a proven winner. It can even be a life-changer.
But to paraphrase the famous line from Casablanca, “You’ll always have Paris.” Or Rome. Or London. They will always be there, waiting for you. A teenage European expedition on classic yachts won’t be. Alas, we all grow up and move on with our lives.
Then, of course, maybe you can find a way to do both during the same summer break?