We have keycamped for over 10 years now, anyone suggest something different?

[lilibet]

Feel in need of a change, the ds's will be 15 and 11 next summer. Budget is no more than £2k and we have to go in the summer holidays.

The things we love about camping in France are the freedom for the boys, the lack of routine for us, (no having to eat breakfast between 8.30 and 10.30 etc), being able to go for a walk through a French village and not see anyone for miles at siesta time.

Mine and dh's idea of hell would be a 'package' type holiday where we are herded like sheep from plane to coach to hotel, and then sit round a pool or on a beach and never get any peace or solitude and the boys don't get any freedom.

I feel that we only have a few holidays left with ds1, (dd has already deserted us) but we are getting a bit bored of the same type of thing even if we do different camp sites.

suggestions anyone?

Have you asked the ds what they would like to do? If they got involved with the planning, budgeting, what you are going to do when you get there etc would that help?

Hard to know what to suggest that would give them the same amount of freedom.

Have you thought of a touring holiday where you stay a while and then move on and explore a different region?

Not freedom exactly but have you considered something like a BTCV conservation holiday?

I loved these when I was a teenager. I only did the British ones but they do loads of international ones now. Inexpensive and they are brilliant - you even end up with new skills (assuming you're not a farmer or countryside ranger at the moment). I don't think you ever feel as refreshed as after a holiday where you learn something different and spend a lot of time outdoors.

The only thing is that as an adult, I would avoid the really basic ones now - I would go for accommodation with some form of bed rather than sleeping bags on the floor. HTH

what about a backpacking type holiday. i've done that it in India, Nepal and south east asia without kids but will do it again when the dss are older. If you got good value flights then i reckon you could do it for £2kish.

The thing is, although we go camping, we are in a three bedroomed, two bathroomed all mod cons type thing - I don't do rough!

It's very difficult - Mb, I was going to ask you about the place in Holland, Durinell?

Or is that going to be much of the same but no peace and quite for me and dh?

How about a boat up the Rhine/Black Forest area or even Loch Ness? Great for walking, cycling etc An example

Duinrell is superb for the kids, and we have always had an excellent time there.

It isn't exactly restful! But TBH if the kids are worn out from all the stuff they do in the day, they are happy to let Mum and Dad have a quiet time in the evenings.

You can also hire bikes and tour round on the (excellent) network of cycle paths. Amsterdam is an hour away

Folégandros in the Cyclades (Greece) fits your bill perfectly.

You can get EasyJet to Athens, then hop on a hydrofoil from Piraeus to Folégandros. There are various 3 star hotels on the island and you can take a bus around if you don't want to hire a car (unnecessary IMO with children as big as yours).

Totally safe for your boys to wander around on their own. Very peaceful village but animated tavernas in the evening.

Look at Anemomilos Apartments or Hotel Kallisti on Folégandros.

Our ideal holiday with our two DSs - involves a self catering apartment/gite/cottage whatever in a small resort town (we prefer mountains to sea but this formula works for both) where boys can go off and have a wander - go to swimming pool, play tennis, mini golf whatever and also have the opportunity to be booked in for things like white water rafting, foret suspendu, canyonning, kayaking etc. giving us some free adult time.

Try these for value villa's
halfpricevillas.com/

or think about a holiday home swap.

www.homebase-hols.com/ to somewhere much more attractive. If you don't pay for your accomodation or car hire, just flights and food, think of the extra's you could do with your DC's. There are plenty willing to swap in the school hols and in France.

Thank you - we shall discuss tonight!