Questions about traveling/backpacking.?

I'm 16 and this summer I get to on vacation for a whole month anywhere I want with a friend. I'm debating between Europe and China. So the question is:

Would going on a tour or backpacking be more fun? What would be safe? Where should I travel? How do I get started? Would there be a lot of problems in traveling as a minor? Just any advice/tips would help. Thanks!

I have found that backpacking is far more rewarding as a travel experience and also probably a lot more affordable on a young persons budget. Avoid the package tours, they suck and you never really experience anything. I dont believe you would have many problems travelling because of your age, 16 isnt really minor in most cultures anyway. I wouldnt worry about safety too much unless you were planning on going to Liberia or somewhere like that. Americans seem to be obsessed with this "is it safe" question. This is pretty funny to me considering that Americans live in one of the most violent (statistically) countries in the industrialised world. Truth is that in almost any country in Europe or in fact most countries in the world you will be as safe or even more safe than you are at home. Get yourself some guidebooks and do some research, some places are easier to travel in than others so be careful about where you choose to go. Europe is probably your best bet as China is quite daunting for even the most experienced travellers. But by all means make your own choice, just make sure its an educated one.
The best advise i can give is to prepare but dont overplan, travel at its core is an excercise in freedom and overplanning limits that freedom and ensures that nothing interesting ever happens to you. Embrace adversity because the toughest times make the best stories...Travel changes people, be open to that change....and have fun. I started travelling when i was about your age and it has become a lifelong obsession.

I say give Europe a try before China. If it's just the two of you, and you're both 16, avoid the dangers of going alone such as getting lost, being scammed, or getting in trouble and go with a tour. I also found this:

"Children, Minors, Teenagers Traveling Abroad

In addition to a passport, an unaccompanied minor must carry a parental permission slip authorizing travel abroad alone. Several copies should be made of the permission slip, and the copies should be kept in separate but safe places. The minor should carry one of the copies of them at all times as part of their travel documents.

The permission slip should be signed by both parents and, if traveling to Mexico, notarized. If the minor is from a one-parent household, a call to the proper country consulate office may be a good idea. In the case of death or divorce, a substantiating document might also have to be carried along (copy of death certificate, legal guardianship, or divorce papers). A letter signed by either parent specifying who will be meeting the minor at the foreign airport (sometimes an airline requirement) may also be needed.

It is the minor's responsibility, and that of the parents, to make sure correct and proper travel documents have been secured prior to traveling abroad. Some documents may result in additional cost.

If an adult is traveling abroad with children other than their own, they should seek out proper documentation from the minor's parents stating that the adult in question has permission from the parents to travel abroad with the minor and make life and death decisions on their behalf. Again, the document should be properly signed and notarized; copied several times with the copies kept separate in safe places; and one copy carried with you at all times as part of your travel documents.

Penalties regarding minors consuming alcohol or trafficking in drugs carry stiff penalties abroad. Do some additional research on this subject as it pertains to the country you're visiting.

Minors traveling abroad, either accompanied or unaccompanied, should be mature, down-to-earth, sensible young adults who can be trusted and depended on to do the right thing.

Teens and young adults who exhibit social problems and do not adjust well should not travel abroad. The problems exhibited at home may be magnified abroad, will be far harder to deal with over long distances, and may turn out to be very costly. Exercise good judgment." http://www.worldwide.edu/travel_planner/travel_safety_children.html

Greetings - Backpacking would be way more fun, but you have to look at your age. It makes me so happy you already have a thirst for travel, but caution must be used.

I would wait for the big backpacking adventure until you are over 18, will be much more fun then any way.

In the mean time have an excellent adventure by tour in Europe it will build your love of travel.

footprintsdownunder