Teen DS to go on holiday alone?

[4andnotcounting]

I’m looking for some advice. My ds1 and ds2 will be 18 and 16 in July 2024 (both will have finished their yr 13 and yr 11 exams. )I have promised them a holiday abroad for years. None of us have ever been abroad. Despite planning, I’ve found I Cant afford for us to all go as a family. I didn’t want to let them down again and so suggested would they want to go on their own instead? (eldest child very mature - ds2 respects and listens to ds1. )
(I have previously asked family if someone would take them but always let down - to I think mainly because It’s chool hols it’s dearer. )
ds’s want to go but they don’t know where? They’ve suggest Australia and canada.😮 I said what do you want to do there and they said they don’t know and for me to plan something . I haven’t a clue I’ve never been abroad on holiday. I think it’s very far and very expensive.

Does anyone have any suggestions where they could go for a week and what kind of things they could do for that week? (Any country suggestions) It would be end of June July time )straight after exams finish) I want them to be safe and have a fun experience. I am really rubbish at this sort of thing. I never went on holiday as a child either . It feels a bit daunting but I really don’t want to let them down again.

any suggestions / advice appreciated . Thanks

Could it be they’re thinking Canada/Australia as these are English speaking countries?

I didn’t have holidays abroad as a child either and I found it very overwhelming even as an adult when I did! Depends on your kids personalities but it may be a bit much for them to deal with different languages on top of being at their own at their age.

Could you possibly take a day trip to Paris/Amsterdam with the 3 of you? Have the option of the train, and they get their mum there too.

Or even get a cheap flight to Ireland and spend a weekend there just to have the experience of flying, being in a different country but still English speaking. Sort of ease your way into it! A longer holiday in Ireland would be expensive but a weekend might not be too bad.

There are many European holiday destinations where English is spoken by anyone they would encounter.

Honestly OP, I would think about a few nights in a European city and go with them. Go midweek for cheaper flights, maybe get an Airbnb. It doesn't need to be for a full week. Especially as they don't have experience of travelling abroad. Barcelona is a great shout, lots of interesting things to see and do and easy to get around.

if they are worried about language then Amsterdam/the Netherlands is a good option , they will easily get around on English. You could do a week and travel around or also combine with Paris/Belgium. You should join them though - going abroad will be a nice experience for all of you.

Ignore me. Zombie post

How about you book them a weekend away in the Uk . As a tester....
Camping or YMCA. They can have some freedom. But your near enough to help.

If this goes well, send them on a ferry to France for a weekend.... Poole do one as foot passengers. So not too expensive.

That could almost do a mini adventure every few weeks...

I’d say if they need you to organise it for them they’re not ready to go it alone. A big part of the preparedness of travelling is researching and booking what you want to do, not getting your mum to do it for you, and the way you have described them makes them sound a bit clueless. Get them to plan an interrail trip in Europe or package holiday to Greece as a first trip - somewhere relatively close and safe. If you want to overcome the language barrier a trip to Ireland may even be a good first step.

My DS and his friend want to go on holiday post GCSE without parents.
I have said Ok if DD and her BfF agree to take them, they will be 20 by then.
I wouldn't allow it at 16 and 18 though, its too much responsibility for an 18 year old,expecially if they haven't travelled much