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Holidays

Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

Holiday after Christmas with 18 year old - where?

20 replies

BeautifulTulips · 25/05/2025 18:14

Looking for suggestions on where to go just after Christmas for DC’s 18th Birthday celebrations. We are tied to School holidays, so will probably go on Boxing Day or the day after. They are keen to go to New York, I’m not so sure but could probably be persuaded! What other ideas do people have? Thanks

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xmasdealhunter · 25/05/2025 18:33

Personally I'm not keen on the states at the moment due to the political climate. Toronto? Lots to do, beautiful in the winter.

BeautifulTulips · 25/05/2025 19:07

I must admit I was wondering about America due to the political climate. I have never been to Toronto, I’ll take a look at that. Thanks

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BeautifulTulips · 26/05/2025 08:15

Hopeful bump for any other suggestions!

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notyummy · 26/05/2025 08:19

How long do you have overall and does it have to be long haul? We have enjoyed city breaks with our teen at 17/18/19 - Rome, Barcelona, London. Alternatively perhaps somewhere that has quirky or interesting stuff to do/see? (Cape Town/surrounding area or Vietnam. She was a bit younger when we did Vietnam but lived it.

MrsBennetsPoorNerves · 26/05/2025 08:21

Iceland?

Silvertulips · 26/05/2025 08:21

Flights are limited over winter, so go on love holidays type sites and see what’s available.

New York will be incredible cold at Christmas.

Twilightstarbright · 26/05/2025 11:52

We recently went to Florida and didn’t notice the political climate at all. NYC is a fab 18th birthday trip.

minnienono · 26/05/2025 11:56

It will be cold and potentially have disruptive snow in late December in New York, personally I’d opt for something like a Caribbean cruise at that time of year, cost won’t be different to New York.

cheezncrackers · 26/05/2025 13:31

Winter in NYC can be bitter, but then again it can be mild, like here. If you choose to go, just bear that in mind. Since this trip is for your DC's birthday and you can afford to do what they want to do, I think I'd be inclined to do that. Is that time of year the best time to visit NYC? No, not in my opinion (and I know it well), but you could have an amazing time and all the attractions will be open, as usual, plus you'll see all the Christmas lights, the tree at Rockefeller Center, etc.

If your DC is open to other ideas, what about Cape Town + a safari? No time difference, so although it's a 12-hour flight you have no jet lag. Or one of the other classic Christmas destinations like Thailand?

LoudSnoringDog · 26/05/2025 13:34

we flew to Thailand on dec 27th. It was fantastic

reluctantbrit · 26/05/2025 15:09

Will he be in Y13? I would double-check times for mocks and any coursework deadlines. It's in general a bad time for holidays.

DD had mocks mid-February, her friend end of January. She also had a coursework deadline in February (first full draft) and one practical performance for drama.

We went away to see family in Germany between Christmas and New Year and several school books came with us, she did at least 2 hours work each day.

We delayed a bigger holiday to July.

CatherineCawoodsbestie · 27/05/2025 22:03

We went to NY in February this year and it was our best family holiday ever! We had booked a year ago, with the optimism that Trump would not be reelected, so we were wary about that politically and ethically, but it did not mar our holiday in any way. All of the New Yorkers we met were liberal and fiercely anti-Trump.

We took clothes for artic conditions, but it was relatively mild, light winds and sunny. Jeans and rab jackets sufficient.

There was so much to see and do and the atmosphere /vibe was incredible. We did all the tourist stuff you would expect, museums, shops, diners, theatre, ice skating and hours of meandering. It was very pricey but we did push the boat out. We stayed in a large chain hotel near Times Sq, which was more than fine - personally, out of choice, I would stay in a serviced apartment or smaller hotel in East or Greenwich village, and use the take out delis for some cheaper meal options.

oh, and we used the metro day and night with no issues and felt completely safe.

The only trouble is that the teens say they never want to go anywhere else!

Truetoself · 27/05/2025 22:26

If it’s for his birthday then you should go where HE wants, no?

mambojambodothetango · 27/05/2025 22:41

Lanzarote! We took our 10 month old there in January and have been back many times Dec/Jan/Feb.

mambojambodothetango · 27/05/2025 22:42

God sorry, I read 18 month old. Ignore.

MaybeItsJustTimeToStop · 27/05/2025 22:47

NYC is great if that's where they want to go,but does it have to be December? Could you wait until the next school hol but tell them on their birthday, we did new year in new York a few years ago and it was a horrendously busy time to be there.

BeautifulTulips · 28/05/2025 07:46

Thanks all for your input, some really helpful suggestions especially around checking coursework deadlines! I know that mocks are before Christmas so that will be okay but I have asked DC to check coursework dates next week. I love the idea of Thailand, or a Safari, but we are literally limited to a week because we would have to be back for work/ school on Monday 5th Jan and we need to be at home with wider family on Christmas Day. It may be that we need to do a holiday later in the year perhaps after A-levels but DC doesn’t really want a big party and was keen to do something to celebrate over New Year which is when their birthday is.

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crumpet · 28/05/2025 07:50

How about Morocco? Not too long haul but far enough away to feel like a real treat

VillaSearchByAbby · 30/05/2025 16:36

Antigua? Daily flights from the UK, Virgin Atlantic were great. We went in Feb and it was amazing, nearly went at Christmas but had family commitments. There is lots to do especially if anyone is into sailing. If you went for a week then books could come too and laying on the beach could double as revision. It is also one of the safest of the islands and so if your son heads out alone for a drink or potter he should be fine. Falmouth harbour is very `below decks' with all the super-yachts.

BeautifulTulips · 31/05/2025 18:44

Antigua and Mexico sound amazing, DC likes the idea of water sports -thank you

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