Where to take my 22 year old son for a short break.

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Atleastonce

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Hi,

I am trying to arrange a trip to take my 22 year old son on. I have given him the opportunity to choose a destination (internationally or domestic) but he is so busy at work and just can’t get around to deciding. He is a huge Apple fan and I was thinking of a Silicon Valley tour to some tech companies. I have done some research and I know most don’t grant access inside but you can do some ‘campus’ type self guided tours. Has anyone done something similar.

This won’t be any more than a 4-5 day trip (plus flights) as my time is also limited. I will probably do flights on points but not decided on that yet. My son has the first two weeks in August on leave so looking for that time frame.

Any suggestions please

Thanks.
 
Japan is perfect for a short trip like that.

Relatively short flight, same timezone and enough technology to sink a battleship.

Agreed - the US for such a short time is horrendous for jet lag, I do it multiple times a year and would avoid at all costs.
 
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Hi @Atleastonce , do you have a goal for the trip?
22 for a male is a very impressionable age - what he experiences before 24 will greatly affect the structure of the brain.
a. if you want him to value his 1st world existence - take him to a poor 2nd world country or 3rd world country. This resets the meter.
b. If you want him to test the boundaries of his personal self - take him on a physical trip: South Island NZ, Tasmania hiking or mountain biking, surfing, rock climbing.
c. To find inner peace - UBUD, hinterland Byron (prep the ridicule cannons) for yoga and cleansing (pros not long enough).
d. Have fun and enjoy the family - Fiji, Seminyak

I'm sure there is a book for this - this is written on a Sunday arvo after some good pinot, so rather scant in consideration or detail.
 
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I'm not suggesting this as the perfect destination for a 22 year old, but we've just come back from a 5 night stay in Paris and loved it. We've been many times before, so didn't bother with any of the tourist stuff. My point - nowhere is really that far away to discount from your list.

FWIW, we're more than twice the age off 22.
 
My suggestion given length and time of year would be to keep it close and go to Queenstown. You can ski/snowboard in the day and go out for dinner/drinks in the night. At this age, it may be your last holiday with him so pick somewhere you can bond but won't get too sick of each other.
 
For something different you could take a look at Guam / Saipan .... I went there as a 22 year old, but with a GF not my dad :)

Spectacular scenery, history (WW2), beaches, diving .... great memories.
 
My suggestion given length and time of year would be to keep it close and go to Queenstown. You can ski/snowboard in the day and go out for dinner/drinks in the night. At this age, it may be your last holiday with him so pick somewhere you can bond but won't get too sick of each other.
I also think Queenstown sounds like a good location. Short flight. Lots of activities - active and passive and places to eat / drink.
 
I have 19 year old and a 22 year sons.
There's no way I would waste 2+ days of a 5 day trip on transit. I would try to make it as short a flight as possible.
We've been to lots of places with our sons in the last 10 years, all geared to make them happy, and Me and their dad happy at the same time.
1. Sounds cliche, but Thailand. My sons ABSOLUTELY loved Bangkok. yeah yeah they liked the tropical islands too, but not nearly as much as crazy, chaotic Bangkok. Technology until it runs out your ears. Lots of it cheap, fake, and lots of it real. Easy to tell. Usually they'll tell you. If not...if it's a $100 apple iphone, it's gonna be a fake.
They loved the temples, the culture, the foooood, and the shopping.
2. Japan, as other posters said - Unbelievable. Loved it. Only need to go to Tokyo. It's a slightly longer trip, but SO worth it. Doesn't matter WHAT the weather is like, Tokyo is absolutely fantastic for boys. The lights, the city, the food, the sounds, the shops, the tech, the anime, the bars, the trains, the shinkansen, take a day trip to Fuji, ....that's probably my #1 suggestion.
3. Hong Kong. Love it. So much to see, so much to do. Great markets.
4. Hawaii. Not just beaches. Hikes, Geology, volcanoes, beaches, jungles, helicopters, submarines, war history, shopping,what's not to love?
5. Fiji. So close. 5 hours. At afternoon tea time you could besnorkelling off the reef. ALWAYS choose an island, not a mainland resort. The underwaterviews......world class. Boating, fishing, swimming, skiing, relaxing, pina coladas...again, what's not to love.
No way I would go to the USA. Travel 27 hours, 24 hours of jet lag, one day tour, one day rest, repeat. ergh.
 
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