The Travel Bug: Nature versus Nurture

Now we're ready to range farther afield, say to London. After the kids help plan the itinerary, we ask a travel agent to book tickets, hotel rooms, and a car. The only new skill we have to develop is driving on the other side of the road.

Master of the Metro
During a side trip to Paris, we encounter another small challenge. Like many of the great cities of the world, Paris has an extensive underground transportation system. It's called the Metro and the kids have the confidence to give it a try.

At first, it's chaotic. We have to figure out who to pay, how much, where to wait for the right subway train, and when to get off. But we learn to use the subway map and friendly strangers give us a hand. No problem! Mastering the Paris Metro gives kids the confidence to ride the subways of Budapest, Moscow, Rome, Tokyo, anywhere we want to go (except maybe New York City).