To have no clue where to go on holiday

[PookieDo]

It’s a big birthday for me next year and in the same year (3months apart ) my eldest child turns 18.

My friends and family will not do anything on my behalf for this birthday, I don’t expect them to anyway. I have considered throwing my own party (eldest would be happy to do a joint party) but on reflection why do I want to organise something for everyone else’s benefit when they aren’t really bothered anyway which is a whole other thread in itself
I threw my own 30th and organised it all and am not doing it again. IME it made me feel rubbish

So I think I will go on a holiday!
I haven’t been abroad on a holiday for nearly 20 years, I don’t like flying and am a single parent who didn’t want holiday debt.

• DC1 will be almost 18 and likes hot places
• DC2 will be 16 and does not like hot places - Neither DC really like cultural cities all that much ie old building, museum type places

Where on actual planet. do we go then? 😂
I am so stumped for ideas but I want to start paying something off soon
I would be willing to spend £2k at the very max

Ideas please anyone? Or AIBU to think this is going to work for all 3 of us and I should go on a singles coach holiday

What do they like?

Kayaking/high ropes etc adventures?
Edinburgh festival?
Europe by train and lots of coffees in different cities
...

Need more info.

What DO you all like doing?
How long do you want to go for?
Month? Are you tied to school holidays?

DC1 likes physical activities and has kayaked down the Ardeche, but DC2 went to Italy and hated Rome especially for the heat and all the walking.
They are so different

There doesn’t seem to be a website you can put your budget or likes/dislikes in and find a holiday which is so annoying

The heat in Rome can be unbearable the heat in Rome can be aweful, I would not rule out any city as a result. But what does dc2like?

It was about 40 degrees in Rome!
She did like Naples a lot. She is very arty and likes peace, quiet, tranquility and no pressure

But I don’t want to end up with DC1 bouncing off the walls with boredom in somewhere remote

In days gone by, we went somewhere simple like Yorkshire and then everyone took turns choosing the days activity ( to a budget ). You could take the paint box to somewhere and let one paint and the other explore.

@PocketMoneyMonster

Both will be on summer break after DC2 GCSE’s next year, DC1 in college so much more flexible if she has her work finished she can go

I like museums, or ‘old shit’
I do not want a physical activity holiday but I also do not want to have nothing to do for a week or 2 and us all be bored

Not too hot
Not too active
A mixture of relaxing and interesting
Not remote

We have stayed in caravans in the UK for years now, I can’t face doing it again. We have been many places in England and chosen activities to do, I think I want something that is more grown up and not just for them, but for all of us

Mid France, holiday village or static caravan site. Find one near to a river, a couple of towns. There will be plenty for the active one to do and scenic enough for the younger one.

I'd just do a beach holiday, chilling and relaxing for those that want to, watersports etc for those that are active. I like Paphos in Cyprus, Puerto Pollensa or Soller in Majorca and Denia/Javea in mainland Spain

And as it's your birthday you choose what is best for you

I want to go to Versailles!

Croatia ?

A cruise around Baltic ocean, Norway?

Or the ice hotel in Northern Sweden, you don't have to stay in the actual hotel (v v expensive). Only go there June, July, August and see the sun all hours too.

Definitely not hot, normally .

I would like to go to France

spend a day in Versailles at the palace (for me)
A day in Paris (DC1)
then a day at Eurodisney (DC2)

I think literally that would be us all happy!

You'd have to budget quite carefully but interrail passes for 3 or 5 trips in the month and visit various places? Paris + Amsterdam + somewhere a bit less busy? Berlin is awesome. Get them involved in planning itinerary?

Have a look at Euro camps or center parks on the continent

Or something like Terra Natura in Spain water park and zoo plus pools and beach

Why don't you do what you want then? Get the eurostar to Paris, spend a day or two at Disney, then travel on by train to the other places. It's cheaper to travel in Europe by train than it is here, and it's easy to book your tickets online. You could go in late June so you might avoid the summer holiday price hikes.

That’s what I am thinking about doing

Hotel outside Paris, go to the palace, 1 day at Disney and sightseeing Paris all by train then home

I live near an airport so I can get there

I am thinking to cut costs I could do it in March although it would be cold

It may not cost as much as you think to go in June, worth checking the rail prices.

Iceland. Blue lagoon for relaxing, lots of opportunities for DC1 to be active - hiking, ski-dooing etc. Very different to the U.K. Golden Circle is amazing. Possibly see northern lights. I’ve had lots of amazing holidays but this is the one that sticks in my mind.

How about a a holiday on the canals? It's really fun - our teenagers enjoyed going the locks etc. And if you pick the right route there will be lovely places to stop off at.
You could do this in U.K. or abroad.

Amsterdam/The Hague. Very chilled. Warm but not hot. Lots of cultural things to do. Nice beach. Good for cycling. Can you by boat or train.

Iceland

While I agree Iceland is fantastic, it's a very expensive destination. The Blue Lagoon itself would cost a fair bit for three people.

Loved Iceland but we went in January. Blue lagoon, Golden cIrcle, quad biking in the lava fields. Three or four days was enough for that, not cheap but I've holidayed all over and that was unique.