teenage first holiday without parents -any good venues?

[poppy34]

dsd wants to go away with his mates for first time without parents in summer.

Any ideas where - he would prefer somewhere sunny and if poss quite likes the idea of going abroad? any thoughts where? Without being too overprotective am not too keen on anywhere where main attractions are sun/booze (ok I know I'm all over protective here) so something where can do/see something as well would be good. Although know this is massively naive...

mine went to newquay

must admit the yha/newquay option sounds great... however persuading dsd of this option is another matter.

no hang on newquay is a hotbed of teenage lust and frolics she wont need persuading

18 so not a baby but quite a young 18 iyswim

DS1 went to Fuengirola (Costa del Sol) on his first holiday-with-mates when he was just 18 - for 7-10 days, can't remember exactly.

It was a sun/booze holiday (late nights & late starts) but he came home unscathed, & there was an internet cafe with webcams so we saw him on msn most days to keep track of what he was up to.

Malaga has lots of cheap flights from all over the UK & there is good public transport and loads to do there.

trefusis - great site . In terms of what he'd actually like this is spot on but he wants to go it alone with his mates so there is an element of losing face.

Have already suggested Paris but that was vetoed - the logic of a boys mind are beyond me.

My DS1 (17) and his mates went to Berlin last year. They stayed in a hostel and had a GREAT time - lots of clubbing involved. They were planning on Budapest this year but now going to Festivals including a couple in Portugal - Festivals brilliant for novice travellers. So many people there. We were in Turkey last year - near Olu Deniz and he said that would be a fantistic place to go with friends.

When I was a teenager lots of people went off straight after O Levels for a cheap holiday (before school summer holidays/prices started).

When I asked some children at school they said most travel companies won't let groups of teenagers books/travel until they are 18 now

I was a bit surprised at that tbh, but I presume they've had a lot of trouble.

Can teens fly and do an independent holiday - say two boys aged 16 or 17? I always imagined mine doing this tbh. Maybe it's just wishful thinking.