Help me suggest some blended holiday destinations

[Firstblendedholiday]

My BF and I have now been together for four years. We don't live together. We had a weekend away earlier this year with all four DC and it went really well but was only two nights. BF is more keen than I am to do a joint holiday. We looked at it for this year but, for various reasons, couldn't make it work. After the successful weekend break, I am more confident that it could work but we have a lot of compromises to make and different expectations and budgets to work with.

Any ideas for 2025 would be much appreciated!

BF has DS20 and DD16
I have DS16 and DD13 (all ages they will be next summer)

Because of DD13, we're confined to school holidays despite the two 16 year-olds finishing early after their GCSEs.

Girls get along great, message and call each other occasionally even if we don't all get together often. They shared a room on our weekend away and both asked for a sleepover again at some point (haven't found a convenient time). Think they could share a room for a week. Boys get along OK but the age gap feels a bit more awkward. They didn't share on our weekend away and not sure if they would be happy to share, but maybe at a push.

Two of four with ASD and one awaiting a neurodevelopmental assessment. All manage really well in the main, but some dietary issues. Can get overwhelmed and be stubborn.

BF has only ever done city breaks with his. His DC like lying in and spending a lot of time online. Other interests include, lego, transport, crafting. BF likes art and galleries.

My DC and I tend to have more outdoorsy holidays. We go camping. Think bike rides, Go Ape-type activities, walking, water parks, but also enjoy castles and museums. We usually do a range/mix of things.

As I write this, I'm wondering all over again if a joint holiday is just a mad idea!

We have to accommodate potential second holidays with the other parents, probably before GCSE results day. So I think a week or 10 days max (if we're brave enough for 10 days) and probably right at the start of the school summer holidays.

I have a couple of vague ideas, but am interested in other suggestions as I haven't done anything except European camping holidays for a while now and that's not an option as BF's DC won't camp.

My holiday budget is usually £2k which is fine for camping. BF has a bit more but I can't really stretch mine much. Maybe £2.5k if I start saving a bit extra now and don't have too many unexpected "things" in the next twelve months.

Thank you if you've made it this far! Looking forward to hearing your thoughts.

How about a holiday park - lodge/ caravan rather than camping. Outside of Munich
Get one with pool and odd bits onsite if anyone wants to just stay on site.

Then those who want city, museums, galleries can go into the centre a few days. There’s lakes to the south for swimming, go ape type places, lots of historical places. You could hire a car and use car or public transport into centre.

To keep costs down you could also just drive. Then you save on 6 flights and car hire

@Caspianberg That's an interesting suggestion as my DS is quite keen to go to Munich. I suggested us camping and them in a lodge on the same site for this year, as a compromise, but BF was concerned about the WiFi supporting his DC's needs.

Maybe someone can tell me if you get good WiFi in these places. I usually see camping as a detox opportunity and get my DC to put their devices away for a bit.

Actually, had better add that I have a car but BF doesn't. We can fit everyone in my car, but if we're all in then there's basically no boot space.

I'd suggest an all inclusive resort (ideally with a water park/access to one), near a city, but your budget is a bit tight. It would mean those who want to lie in and go online can do so at their leisure and those who want a bit of exercise and culture can do so. I think the worst thing you can do, especially at their ages, is force them to spend all their time together doing the same things. Would you consider a resort like this? IME those who camp can be a little snobby about AI.

Duinrell in Holland. Theme park and water park included and various levels of accommodation as well as a campsite. Fab place and not too pricey.

@hatsoff234 We went to Duinrell a couple of years ago. Could be an option, although I'd like to go somewhere new to all of us. Not sure if my budget will stretch to the accommodation if we don't camp, but maybe if it's just a week.

A European Center Parcs? All lodges rather than caravans or tents. You could choose one from which you could get to some cool cities (eg Amsterdam, Bruges) for day trips. Start of the summer often pricey but cheaper at the end of august as European schools go back earlier.

@piccolorhinoceros Well, we're all going to have to compromise somewhere. DS is a real foodie and likes the camping BBQs and has some food allergies. DD is vegetarian and fussy. Though I suppose AI might make it easier to accommodate everyone than if we go self catering and have to take everyone's dietar/sensory needs into account.

I just love the freedom and outdoors nature of camping and being in a hotel really doesn't appeal (think I'd feel trapped). But I might just have to try it as I agree that it seems highly unlikely we're all going to go off together and do the same thing every day so a resort/park might work best.

Have you got any particular resorts in mind?
Actually found myself looking at a 7-night Norwegian fjords cruise (have always thought I'd hate a cruise and feel trapped) precisely because it seemed to offer everything.

You could stay at Lalandia Billund and do day trips to the Lego House, Wow park and Aarhus.

Valencia is a good shout, beach one side and city centre on the otherside so you have the best of both worlds.

So you'll be looking for three potentially four rooms if they boys don't share?

Assuming you're paying for two rooms I think the budget is tight for school holidays for AI.

Eurocamp / Siblu would work, either in one large van or two individuals.

Friends have just come back from a fjords cruise with 18 and 21 yo children and loved it. There's definitely the option of doing nothing or exploring everything.

Yes. Oldest (young adult) took a sofa bed in a living room when we did a weekend away. I was thinking we'd be looking at Airbnbs really.

I would choose a city somewhere culturally outdoorsy, Munich is a good suggestion, or another smaller German city?

Book something right on the outskirts that’s advertised with WiFi! Ideally you’d be on a public transport line into the city center for those who would like to do that, but close enough to the countryside that you can get out for hikes, adventure parks, lakes etc.

I stayed in an Airbnb in Nuremberg once that was 15-20 mins on the tram into the city center (loads and loads of historical stuff to do, plus some more “geeky” transport museums, castles…). At the same time, if you drove another 15-20 mins in the opposite direction you had national parks, a zoo IIRC, theme parks etc. Good WiFi and the option of going out to eat or doing a basic shop and some easy meals that might satisfy everyone.

It wouldn’t have slept 6 otherwise I’d recommend it, but it had 2 bedrooms and a big sofa, a similar layout might work for you.

Your budget is the limiting factor for AI (given that's it's school holidays), plus food allergies could be an issue depending on severity. But for talking's sake, for your budget and rough dates

Marrakech 880pp
Marrakech half board 580pp
Alicante half board 645pp
Fuerteventura 832pp
Tenerife 820pp

So there are options out there for traditional 'resort' style holidays where everyone could do their own thing. Marrakech is a bit of a wild card but I was thinking more from a cultural/sightseeing POV.

I get you with the liking your own space/outdoors/freedom, and I'm the same, but with 4 kids in their late teens resorts could be a better option than campsites (I speak from experience of being 17 and camping with my parents!). And you're not trapped in the resort, especially if you choose somewhere in Spain etc where it's really safe to leave and wander around the surrounding area.

Those prices are all for four rooms too, and I'd recommend easyJet over TUI as they let you book a room for 16+ not just 18+.

Thank you, that's really helpful, especially the hit about easyJet over Tui. As I've never done AI, I find it hard to know where to start. I know exactly what I want from a campsite, though! My two would love Morocco. With the allergies, I'd probably feel safer in Spain because I speak Spanish and think they might be more understanding of the issues. That's given me something to think about.

@RobinHood19 I probably wouldn't have thought of Nuremberg, but none of us has been so I will look into that.

I wouldn't go camping if your BF is not keen and his children have never been, it's a recipe for disaster if it is more than 1-2 nights and will spoil the holiday.

I agree with Germany, I actually lived near Nürnberg for several years and you have the whole Frankonia Switzerland on your doorstep, a car hire would be advisable though.
https://www.frankentourismus.com/?setLanguage=true

You could also look up Chiemsee, outdoor things to do, easy to access Munich by train or Salzburg.