Single Dad, 13yr old son first holiday abroad

[ScottinNorwich]

Hi all, so I have told my boy I'll take him abroad this year. I've had a couple of holidays on my own overseas in the past couple of years (cannot recommend this enough by the way!). However, finding a holiday for just the 2 of us seems nigh on impossible unless I win the lotto!. 2 years ago I went to Turkey on my own all inclusive for £277 including flights!! However I can't seem to find any deals for a single parent. Any recommendations??

What about an airbnb apartment near the beach in Barcelona? I did this with ds last year. I can't say it was super cheap but there was no lottery win involved and we had a whale of a time. The combination of beach and city was brilliant.

Yes, just find a cheap airbnb place.

Its just supply and demand during school holidays unfortunately...

PGL maybe a good option (but do not book yet) they always have offers on the closer you get to the holiday (like adult 1/2 price or kids go free). I know a few families that have done the Ardeche and loved it.

www.pgl.co.uk/en-gb/family-adventures/centres/lou-valagran

I would use skyscanner to search flights (put your destination as everywhere) and it will come up with the cheapest flights.

Holidays to Salou tend to be quite cheap because you can fly into Barcelona (loads of flights) and flights to Portugal and Ibiza tend to be cheaper than other places...

Otherwise have you considered somewhere you can catch a ferry/drive - camp?

Have a look at a site called holidaypirates - it comes up with cheap offers most days but you have to be quick of the mark.

The Cote d'Opale along the coast from Calais is really nice and easy to get to, though not glamorous or hot. Wimereux is really pretty. About 30 mins drive from the Shuttle terminal gets nice.

He'd be too old for a child place anyway? Just look for a good deal for 2 adults and ask for twin beds in the room.

A city break seems like your best bet here. Sky scanner for cheap flights, and then an airbnb when you're there. Somewhere like Barcelona, Amsterdam, Berlin maybe?

You sound like a lovely Dad by the way and I'm sure you'll both love the trip

Try Almyra in Cyprus or its next door sister hotel the name of which I can't recall! I did a week there alone with my daughter a few years ago was great! We booked cheap flights with jet2 or similar and direct with the hotel, half board. It was lovely. Think it cost about £700 each not sure if that is above budget but it was good!

What about something like Inter-railing, staying in hostels and the odd night sleeping overnight on the train ?

There was another thread similar to yours 'that I answered on recently.
I suggested Oslo.
It is fantastic in the summer for teenagers. It is a relatively small city with a lot to do.
There is the Astley Fearnley modern art gallery which is always interesting but in summert people hang out on the grass outside and swim in the harbour. There are boat seats to the islands near by. The Vigeland sculpture park is a short tram ride away or 40 min walk from the city cutting through the Royal Gardens. The sculpture are interesting but it's a nice place to spend a couple of hours in the evening. The Fram museum is great and finding out about the South Pole expedition is great. There is so much more to do. It really is good for teens.
Berlin is good for teenagers as well Again something for everyone from quirky stuff such as the Minster Kabinett show, ferry rides ( included in your day pass travel ticket at only €7 a day. ( all your transport, busses, underground, trains ferries great value) Potsdam is. Nearby and worth a look.
If you are on a tight budget have a look over at Eastern Europe. Loads going on and good value from our point of view and aslso great for kids and young people.

If you want to do hot look around malaga. I like nerja and there is a fantastic water park nearby.
We diy holidays there booking accommodation and flights seperately.
If you fly to Malaga you can choose the busier resorts such as benalmadena, fuengirola or head north to torredelmar, torrox, nerja. You could even stay in Malaga as it has beaches

My sister and I did air bnb in Lanzarote last year in July quite cheaply.

Water sports are popular there (ok I just lay on the beach & swam in the shallows but our 'landlord' is a surfer & moved out there for the water sports & cycling events.)

There are caves to visit, a park of volcanoes, lots of nice beaches.
Eating out is cheap.

Sorry not too sure what boys like but you can stay somewhere remote, or in a resort or a town, whatever you prefer.