Barcelona

I'm sure you've heard the complaints: too many tourists overrunning the place, especially drunken English revelers partying late into the night. Yes, this is a problem, so choose a hotel that's not in the party neighborhood. Beyond that, though, the natural rhythms of Spain -- late dining, late rising -- will work perfectly with your teen.

I always chuckle at that notion -- some places take a stink among the travel hipsters as being "too touristy". They'd rather go to some undiscovered locale. Me? Really, if tourists are going there, it's for a reason. And Barcelona's stuffed to the gills with reasons. Great art, great food, and that thesaurus-defying Sagrida Familia. (I really can't find good adjectives for how astounding it is).

Spend some time at the beach, Barcelona's got them right there. Nice, yellow sandy ones. Relax, and let your kids go out and find some other local teens (OK, more likely other US tourist kids, but regardless -- it's OK to let go a bit).

There used to be a great, cheap connection between Atlanta and Barcelona. It's not cheap anymore. But you can still get good, inexpensive flights to and from Barcelona with Paris or Rome.