Teenagers first trip without parents

[KingCatMeowInSpace]

DS17 and 4 friends are planning a trip next June (2 will be 18 and 3 will be 17 when they go) and looking for ideas of where to go.

They've only done family package holidays and never spent more than a day together.

They've mentioned Krakow, Berlin and inter-railing but not looked into them yet - looking for other ideas to consider.

Anyone's kids done this type of thing and have any suggestions of places they should consider? They'd like some things to do/see and keep busy. They're all quite excitable and like fun but as only 17 and never been away without a parent, I'm thinking agh!

With 17 year old, the issue is hotels might not accept their bookings (although with an 18 year old with them it might be fine). My dc travelled in Europe age 17 (with another 17 year old), so they used hostels, all booked in advance which were fine with under 18s, although I had to email permission in advance.

Hostels were also good because they could self cater and keep the costs down..

I think inter railing is good at that age - they get to see a few different places which they enjoy and learn a lot of life skills. Berlin and Krakow both great cities for teens. Spanish cities are really fun.

You may get a bunch of people saying it’s really hard to find accomm for 17 year olds - it isn’t - hostels will be fine, you may need to send a letter of permission, but given some of the party is 18 you may not.

Did they use a particular train pass type ticket then just choose countrie/hostels themselves and book it all separately ? I've seen some companies that have itineraries but not sure much about it at all. Theyre not the most organised teenagers!

www.seat61.com is the holy grail for interrailing. It gives all the info. My dd signed up for Hostelworld and has been all over - with friends or on her own - since she was just 18. Barcelona, Krakow, Valencia, Milan and Lake Como, speed tour of Italy by rail - she has Warsaw and Berlin lined up. I was a nervous wreck the first time but so far so good. For hostels you need to take a padlock for the lockers. Can recommend a cable and lock for securing luggage on the train. Normally hostels are OK with 17 year olds - hotels and airbnb can be a problem. Dd has a Revolute card so she can use it in the local currency.

I think my dc chose destinations and hostels first, then booked train tickets. They were only away 10 days so that worked fine. They were very organised though, which helped. I know you say yours are not so good at planning but they have a while before they go and maybe this will help develop skills!