Advice from a teen with a taste for travel

I am responding to “When Traveling With Kids, the Question Lingers: ‘What If,’ ” [Kids on Board, Jan. 9], in which the author writes that she would never take her children anywhere other than Mexico or Western Europe.

I am 14 years old, but when I was 12 my parents, younger sister (10) and I went on a 4 1/2 -month trip. My family visited 12 countries on four continents, including countries in Africa and Asia.

When my family and I were in Africa we went on two safaris, one self-guided in Namibia and one with an experienced guide and driver in Botswana.

Though travel always involves risks, my parents spent many hours researching on the Internet and reading travel books. They did this so that they could understand the risks and try to minimize them as much as possible.

I would encourage families to take their children on trips. I know that it will give them a whole new look on life.

Lauren Van Soye

Anaheim