Kirstie Allsop's 15 Year Old Son

Youth hostels, it's what they're for. Some are amazing, some are a bit scuzzy, the vast majority are nice.

So depends on the child. But I hope I would have the courage to let them go if they were mine.

100%. Equally, there are plenty of 15yos who’ve grown up with no money who’re really streetwise and resourceful, can survive on a tight budget etc. Lots of kids are young carers or live semi-independently at 16 (in care).

I think it comes down to the individual kid’s needs, personality and confidence, whatever their background. But prior experiences and money deffo helps.

I bet they travelled from friend to friend. Or accommodation was prearranged by parents.

That's because it was the 80s
in the 80s I went by myself on holiday on a train with no accommodation booked and it was fine
These days aie bnbs won't allow under 18: and most hostels and hotels without parental letters and signed passports and faced communication with manager
st 17 it's easier in places like berlin. Which is why I think they stayed with friends and family

It’s actually pretty common in my daughter previous school as a post GCSE trip, mostly Ibiza, Greece or Croatia and one went on her own to Russia. (This was a four years ago)

No doubt it is.

However, my friend and I were very, very working class and just saved up from working double shifts waitressing, and went.

I look back at us fondly.
I am now a slightly anxious adult who overthinks and finds travel a bit of a challenge.

So wonderful to think of the sixteen year old me, never having been abroad who shrugged and thought ‘why not?’.

Adventires when young are so important

I travelled alone by train from North West England to Bordeaux in the summer I finished my GCSEs. I survived.

Teenagers used to go out and work, start families etc. And whilst it's good that we no longer expect that of them, we do still need to teach them to be independent and stop infantilising them.

I wonder if anyone has asked KA the question? I’d be curious how they managed this.

DS from 16 onwards, although probably could have navigated ok at late 15, managed the train by himself and all the London Underground, but he couldn’t stay over (with his mates in tow) as none of them were 18! How is this manageable abroad? Must have taken LOTS of planning!

We’ve always found hostels mostly fine for under 18s in this country, though I don’t think they let them stay in dorms.

Not if I’m paying half! And running them to the airport at 4 am! I certainly get a say thanks very much!

And as young attractive teenage girls on their first holiday without parents, I wanted to
be sure they were travelling somewhere suitable, and not where they would be subject to lots of hassle from men. Surely it’s normal to be concerned and to steer a bit?

I’m all for independence but parenting doesn’t completely stop at eighteen! Just look at the number of parents in your local IKEA this weekend buying stuff with new university students.

Lots of teen and young adult men combine alcohol with swimming on holiday and dive in to a too-shallow pool or get swept out to sea. Or they get mugged or assaulted in a local tourist nightspot.

They have to learn how to handle these things but it’s best to learn gradually. I wouldn’t want them hiking around S Africa on their first solo trip abroad for example and as a parent of course I am going to advise and express my opinion.

Exactly. I found a place in Italy after calling around all afternoon and sending signed copies of mine and the other parents passports. And it was a hotel. Youth hostel would touch them. The kids went again this year to a different country but cat sat in a friends empty flat to avoid the accommodation drama

No need to be snarky. I wasn’t babied at that age but wouldn’t have been mature enough to go interrailing. Everyone’s different.

It won't be happening here,, but the world is a very different place for the wealthy,with money and connections

I remember that. Shovelling in coins in the local currency and hoping that you get to communicate all the essential news before being cut off!

It's really astonishing how dramatically communications have developed in such a short space of time, relatively speaking. Kids now have never known a world where you can't call internationally on a whim, speaking as long as you like, for free.

Oh and also I had never been abroad prior to going imtetailing for six weeks.

Funny because we didn’t think it was an issue in any way and we did survive.
When I think of my teenager doing it in a few years it would worry me.

Nope
tried those too!
not even possible in a lot of English hostels when looking at universities and that's same country

None of your (or our) business. Just because you disagree doesn't make it wrong.

Ah yes, no mobiles at all so only contact when found a pay phone and parents were at home at same time.

I know 3 brothers who tried this. Both under 18 and the youth hostels wouldn't let them stay.
So not sure how a 15 and 16 magaged it.

A lot of hostels are Ok, from memory

I think the context is important. This isn’t a teenager who has never left the country or city they live in. They will be well travelled, have connections across Europe and have the confidence that public school gives kids. They likely travelled around Europe staying with friends and family along the way.

It will get her some much wanted attention though I am sure.

Sounds like she bought up a sensible lad, who she trusts.

Too many kids these days being wrapped up in cotton wool, who can’t do a thing for themselves in adulthood!

I did this when I was 16, pre mobile phones. We stayed in youth hostels, which were hairier than i probably told my mother once back home. I was definitely not from a privileged background but was very independent from young so was phased at all. By contrast no way my 15 year old would fancy a similar trip - he’s no less smart or sensible but lacks the gung-ho attitude I had (which drives me crazy but also suits me fine when I hear what his peers have done).

Had no problem finding places to stay from hotels in Rome through to youth hostels.
Never an issue