AIBU, or am I being pathetic?

I thought that. The teens I’ve spoken to have loved them!

Could try a cruise that ports each day somewhere new so you get the chance to explore.

I did a 4 day one which was good

Do you realise this is way over budget for most people?

That sounds awful, and it's your holiday too. You're definitely not being pathetic. Maybe you can figure out something that you will all enjoy, but don't torture yourself by doing something stressful that you'll hate.

Why not try a cruise? You can explore lots of different places on port days but without having to drive

There is a lot of middle ground between an all inclusive and driving a campervan around solo. I won’t do either, as the driving a campervan around isn’t relaxing enough and the all inclusive isn’t enough of a holiday experience for our children. Eurocamp is a good shout, book a treehouse or interesting accomm via canopy and stars, take them to natural hot springs in turkey or Italy or somewhere you can stay and go walking in Cappadocia.

Yep, I'd try a compromise, there have been loads of good suggestions already.

Im sure there is a compromise to be had. Could you rent an air bnb or apartment in a city and explore rather than a package holiday? There is comfort in a city and you can get around on public transport. Or do the holiday suggested but in the Uk - cornwall, scotland, norfolk for example and plan activitoes like paddle boarding, surf lessons, hiking etc?

I think you should try and do something exciting OP. Before you know it, they’ll have outgrown family holidays, and then you can do all the sitting around that you want to.

I’ve been a single parent since mine were tiny, and we’ve done lots of things. Yes it’s hard work but it’s fun too, and we’ve had some incredible experiences.

If you’re wary of driving, as others have said, try the Eurostar.

This. It's ok to say you don't want to do loads of driving on holiday. What about a nice hotel city break to change it up?

There's a happy medium here. Go to a touristy European city, that's walkable or has good public transport, and stay in a hotel. Get recommendations from the front desk for restaurants.

I'd recommend either Toulouse or Bordeaux: neither too big, both very good transport, both felt very safe to me. If your kids are older teens, they could even go off by themselves a bit. Both have easy rail links to coastal/more rural places if you wanted to escape the city.

My (not especially flashy) travel insurance package came with access to an online doctor consultation service to English speaking doctors in the country you're in. I used it once for reassurance on something and it was a great service.

Look at Eurocamp as they have English speaking reps on site who will help with any emergencies. I’ve stayed at several all over Europe, driving on my own with DS and we’ve had some amazing holidays. Maybe pick somewhere very close to the ferry port/airport (if you’re flying and hiring a car) and map your route beforehand. Once you get used to being on the “wrong” side of the road, it really is very straightforward and the motorways in Europe are very good.

They're already getting more adventurous experiences with their father, so I'd do what I felt comfortable with. Maybe you can look around and see if you can find some middle ground that would be a little different from the usual places you go together, but ultimately, the holiday is for you to relax, too, so I wouldn't agree to something that was too far out of my comfort zone.

The other idea PP came up with is good too, go for a city break, somewhere with lots of culture, a nice hotel, some history or walking, thats a good compromise. Madrid for instance is a 24 hour place with so much good food and culture, but no need to slum it in tent or hostels!

Why would anything go wrong? I drive on holiday all the time, I really enjoy it.

I think let Dad do the exciting adrenaline things. Its ok for you to do the relaxing holidays. If they don't like the activities they can chill by a pool, read, sunbathe. You're teaching them its ok just to relax, and thats a great lesson.

Yeah, and you could fly there in your gold helicopter!

I do think you’re being a bit pathetic tbh. My parents never took me on holiday anywhere outside the UK and part of that was down to my mum’s anxiety around travelling and I feel as an adult I grew up with a very limited worldview. That said, there are tons of things you can do that aren’t either package holiday or a campervan. I agree with suggestions for city breaks and trains. Or what about something like going to Tallinn and getting the ferry over to Helsinki? The train from Amsterdam to Berlin? Somewhere with a lot of history and natural beauty like Slovenia?

Was going to suggest a UK trial too, maybe flying or driving over the border so it’s still somewhat exciting. I don’t think you’re pathetic at all as this doesn’t sound like a relaxing holiday and chances are the kids might be bored of being on the road after a couple of days. I would get them to suggest it to their Dad and you could try a different country or resort with the kids instead

I’d do a city break somewhere - stay in a hotel with a b&b deal, and use public transport in and around the city. We’ve done Berlin, Barcelona and Budapest with teens and without a car, and I would recommend any of them. Or, as someone mentioned, Cyprus. I drove round Cyprus quite happily. I have driven abroad on the ‘wrong’ side of the road, but I never feel very relaxed!

This.

City break by train sounds a great plan.

What about a compromise? There’s some great holiday parks/water parks around France/spain - say no to the driving/hiring a caravan etc but look at some places together and see if there’s something you can all agree on x

I’d also suggest trains - you can get to Paris or Brussels or Amsterdam. Or fly somewhere that has excellent rail connections. Stockholm. Berlin. Paris. Madrid.

Interrailing around Europe is a great idea.

Or how about hiring a camper and doing a road trip in the UK?

You can still have adventures, they will be just be different to the ones they have with their dad, and there's nothing wrong with that.

I have travelled as a single parent around the world with my son. Often including driving as well. We have DIY/flash packed through Asia, exploring places like Cambodia, Thailand, Mexico. He is an adult now and looks back on the memories fondly and it's really shaped who he is as a person, and it's done him the world of food to see how other people live. We have found ourselves in some quite strange situations, but it all added to the adventure and certainly gave memories and stories to think of for life!!

Maybe don't start with backpacking around Vietnam. Perhaps try somewhere a bit tamer that won't be such a culture shock. Go somewhere with good public transport links, and where you either speak the language and/or they are used to English tourists. Saves getting used to driving on the wrong side of the road then. Although some countries drive the same as us (e.g. Cyprus)