Passport disaster so no holiday! UK holiday suggestion please!

[millivani]

I was about to click PAY NOW on flights and accommodation for a luxury European holiday for the four of us to go next week. DH walked in, smiled and casually said "DDs passport expires in June..." I took my finger off the pay now button. Sigh.

So does anyone have any ideas for what we can do instead? I'm guessing even Ireland is out - the three month rule will apply there too won't it?

Two mid teens, all want to relax, ideally round a pool in the sunshine, no idea what to look for now. House with a hot tub somewhere? Spa resort that's teen friendly?

Surely you’ve got time to get the passport renewed before June?

Holiday is next week and you need 6m left on passport

Ireland is fine. Common travel area. Don't even need a passport!

Try for one day renewal appointment? Could then book (we did that once when realised day before flight to Thailand that DS’s passport expired - got replacement in 3 days then went to Seville)

Renew the passport and book a holiday when it's here!

How far do you want to travel and from where in the country? Driving or train?
Cornwall? Isles of Scilly? Channel islands? Edinburgh?

Channel Islands? You may not get southern Europe weather but you'll get the 'travelling by air or sea' holiday feeling and there are some lovely hotels. Photo ID required but no additional time required on a passport so DD will be fine.

Jersey is lovely!

You might still be able to get a passport in time though - even the non fast track ones are taking about a week at the moment (I've just applied for two first passports and they were done within a week) so I'm sure you could get an urgent appointment in the next few days if you want one.

it won’t be an issue for many countries outside the EU, you just need to check the country rules

What is your budget?

Can you not book one of the same day passport apts?

I’ve just renewed my passport and it took less than 6 days. And that included a weekend. I posted it for the 1.15 Saturday post and got it back around 8am the following Thursday. Plus I had had several update messages during that time. I was properly impressed! You will be absolutely fine for June.

Oops sorry misread your post.

No we were going to travel on Wednesday!

Generous I'd say

Oh I'm excited by all the channel island suggestions. Great idea!

Happy to drive or train

As another poster said - you can just drive between Northern Ireland and Rep. of Ireland - there is no border. I was in Belfast recently and we just drove to Dublin for the day.

Personally I'd book the alton towers hotel for a couple of nights, give the kids a couple of days in the park, and maybe one at the water park- think its indoor? Then maybe look for somewhere nearby for more chilled days- national trust walks, museums or similar before you come home.

Carbis Bay Hotel in St Ives overlooks the beach. You can get suites with private hot tubs, there is also an infinity pool. Even in bad weather the views are amazing and it really feels like being abroad.

Or how about a cottage with a hot tub and sea views?

You can still travel to the USA. Weather is very good in the southern states right now. You just need to get ESTAs for all. They usually come through pretty much immediately.

https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/usa/entry-requirements

We went to Orlando one year and didn’t even visit any of the parks. Just rented a villa, chilled, went out for dinner.

Chewton Glen in the New forest

You don't need any extra time on a passport to go to the US, go to California!

Isles of Scilly is lovely - you can get the helicopter out from Penzance to either Tresco or St Marys. Tresco I think has a spa but its pricey - we just stayed the 1 night and think it was £400 a night. Though can combine something cheaper on say St Marys or one of the other islands if any availability with a night there. Lots of kayaking, can swim with seals on St martins though not sure when that starts. Beautiful gardens with red squirrels on Tresco. Really nice seafood.

I think in Scotland Isle of Mull has like a spa hotel but never been, Skye is nice and close by with boat trips, wildlife etc though not the sun!