Holiday for 15DS after his sister ran away

[Moomoola]

Hi , we’ve had a bit of a time since Xmas when our DD vanished from home to live with medicalised f to m partner and their mum. Thanks mns who have been so supportive!
now we are all exhausted and need - some sort of holiday, that’s a bit unusual, where DS, DH and I won’t be rattling around thinking of DD.
DS is 15 and has been hiding in computer land, so could do with a bit of confidence building. DH knackered and stressed, I need distraction/adventure too as I’m fed up with DH!
i guess I’m thinking of some sort of adventure that’s tame enough but stops us thinking of DD.
we have 2 weeks. Not massive budget, but reasonable.
sorry to ask, brain is frozen with overwhelm.
many thanks.

What sort of things do you like doing? Are you sporty? I'm wondering if an organised tour/activity holiday might be good as you don't have to motivate yourselves.

Inter railing?
Center Parcs? (Abroad is cheaper than Uk)
canal boating?
Eurocamp?

In the UK or abroad? Are you sporty, is that the kind of thing you would like and do you want sunny climates?

What is your budget?
Are you fixed on specific dates?

I would look for cheap plane tickets around Europe, get yourselves tours and spend evenings eating outside in the warm. Maybe you could get your son to help you choose where/plan itineraries for each day with you, help you decide where the budget goes etc

Look at Intrepid - my DS has just done one of their holidays and has really enjoyed it. If you don't want to be that organised then fly to somewhere in Europe and go from city to city by train. Enjoy the culture, the sights and the food.

We did Turkey in 3 places last year, Istanbul - fascinating city, Cappadocia - where all the hot air balloons fly, check it out, amazing landscape; then a beach resort for a few days downtime to end up.

Would something like that work? It was a good mix fir us with teens of city, interest and downtime

My first thought was somewhere like Borneo to trek through rainforests, do ziplining, snorkelling, diving etc but I have no idea how expensive this would be!!

Closer to the UK what about Germany? They have good theme parks that might be fun, or you could go to Berlin or maybe to the Black Forest?

thank you, Im looking up the ideas. thank you so much. its hard to think clearly at the mo.

I can remember your first post about DD @Moomoola. I think a holiday will do you good.

Can second the suggestion of Centre Parcs. Look at Belgium or Holland. Both have great cities to explore and plenty of nice food too.

I hope it does all three of you some good

What about Greek island hopping?

Lots of islands to explore, planning where to go every day/couple of days etc

No time to get bored in the same place, but also potential to stay a few days somewhere you really like to relax for a bit.

Planning routes/ferries would be good for your son with help from you both re: real life experience.

Not particularly hardcore activity but an active holiday nonetheless.

Turkey. Istanbul is an amazing city, loads to do, easy to navigate, you could easily spend 4 or 5 days there. Then take a flight to the coast and relax for the rest of the fortnight. Everything is much cheaper than at home so you can do loads on a budget.

I don't normally share this on here because I don't want its specialness getting destroyed. I cannot recommend any more. Take bikes. It is the most special place. Fabulous memories. We went through trauma - the Isle of Wight is so gentle and this place so special. I dont know the family other than being a paying client. But they are so caring and passionate about what they do.

https://www.windmillcampersite.com/

thank you all! im very touched as Im feeling a bit crap atm. thelion that looks amazing, thank you for sharing.
Thuerky sounds good too - I like the idea of things being cheaper than here amylou and berlin and definitely borneo!
I will challenge my fears today and I guess Ill have a look at prices. I am suddenly so nervous of everything!
Thank you so much.

Whatever you do OP I hope it goes some way to helping you all recover a little

That camp site looks amazing. Could work for our family too, they deserve a treat. We have a severely learning disabled member but she would love this place, (now trying to book the helicopter!)

How far can you go? We are in Aus so obviously popular destinations are different but I know so many families who have had amazing trips to Vietnam with teenagers over the last few years, both pre and post COVID. Cheap when you are there and there seems to be so much to see and do. The kind of trip your DS would remember forever.

These family group hols in Croatia are great with a semi-organised itinerary
www.greenworldholidays.com

We did a last minute family PGL holiday last year and it was great! I'd been a bit sniffy about it (associating PGL with primary school trips etc!) but you know what, we had a fab time, and it was very reasonably priced considering all food was included. The accommodation was basic but clean, plenty of food, really friendly people, chance to try new activities but not forced to join in. I'm a convert!

Hope you have a fab holiday whatever you choose @Moomoola

A Cruise or Retallack Cornwall might be of interest.

thelionthewitchtheaudacityofTHISbitch
Thanks for the link to that Glamping site, looks interesting.

gogomo I hope you get the helicopter!

As many other PP, I find that having something physical to concentrate on - walking up a mountain, riding a bike, kayaking a river - can really help clear my mind for a time.

thanks ibiza id like to get DS to be more adventurous.

Agh, I’m so anxious! DS asking where we are going and I don’t know, I’ve never left it this late. I found euro amp in Italy but DH didn’t fancy it and of course it’s now full. Green world looks great but is 1,900 pp! And pgl is booked.
vietnam, yes please! But it’s a LONG flight. I don’t know what to do, but I do know we need an adventure. Not t all keen on hanging out with bored teen and DH!

Iceland. Absolutely jaw dropping nature and activities (glacier tours, hiking, thermal pools) to fill your boots, while also being extremely easy to get around (there is one ring road everyone follows) and there being a well trodden set itinerary so you don't have to plan much.