I say Japan. People usually do not speak too much English, but enough to get by. Personally I stay in Kyoto. Europe is easier because you can always fall back on your English.

Korea and Japan both come to mind. If Asia is off the list, then Budapest. This is a great overall idea by the way... The world is getting so much smaller every day, by the time your kids are your age it will not be possible to go to places as foreign as what they could visit today.

No matter where you go, get an apartment for the month... Actually live there, don't just be a tourist.

I think I would like Japan. The culture is interesting and the food is good.

I've heard Paris thrown around a bit... I've also seen a few posts say don't go there because it is too easy and too similar to home, at least from a material/product standpoint...

This is exactly where you want to go... and maybe some places in Italy or England where some of the cars/food/fashion that we can experience here at home come from. It sounds like your kids are good kids... just caught up in the trappings of modern society. If you go somewhere where there is something they can relate too, you stand a better chance of them paying attention and peaking their interests about about the culture and history.

Let this be a gateway trip to expanding their horizons, not a punishment for being used to having modern electronic devices that most other kids (and adults) have today. Start with something where it is foreign, yet familiar and plant the travel bug. I guarantee as they get older they will want to see more and different places where things aren't so familiar.

South of France/Cote d' Azure

...with day trips to Paris.

Japan is a profoundly different culture and takes years to really 'get.'

European cultures, not so much.

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:P

I love travelling. I wish had more time and money to do more.

Have you thought about Brittany? Lots of outdoor stuff to do, hiking, biking, beaches, castles and beautiful countryside. A little bit French, a little bit English, you should really check it out.

Brittany tourism

Czech Republic is very nice AND inexpensive. Prague is a beautiful city. Berlin is a large city with a lot of historical & cultural things to see and do. I didn't find it to be crazy expensive either.

Russia, really?

Paris : too expensive but lots to see. Not good in summer : 75% tourists.

thinking....Munich is nice but also very expensive now.

I like some of the other suggestions. Fun to think about and a good idea for the family's sake.
Wish we had done this when I was a pup.