Special holiday with 18 year old son. Post A levels and before university.

[Tombobombo]

Myself and my partner are looking for suggestions on a special holiday for us and our son next summer. Looking to go straight after a levels- June 20th onwards.

want something that feels special. Beaches and exploring very acceptable. We loved Costa Rica but our budget is a bit tighter now- maybe £10k?

thanks everyone

So circa £3k each?

how long?
board basis?
what type of holiday?

7 days would be fine but longer If possible. Budget may stretch a bit for somewhere extra special. We are very flexible on the type of holiday. Just looking for ideas that are outside our usual thoughts. We have considered south of France but in a more ‘fancy’ way than we would usually manage. Amalfi coast. But I accept we are but stuck in our ways.

Croatia ?

Look at trail finders. Kenya with safari

We went to Croatia last year- loved it

All of my children had a European holiday with their friends immediately after A levels. I’m not saying your child can’t do both, but maybe check to ensure there will be no date clashes?

What sort of flight times, board etc? We have done great trips with DD16 and DSS20 and do you want to chill in an AI place and do day trips? Or SC? Flight length?

Can I just ask, where is the £10,000 from?
Is this savings, or are you taking out a loan, or do you just have £10,000 hanging around?
Can't even imagine having £10,000 for a holiday, I simply don't have it. My budget for a holiday for 4 of us as a family is £1,000. Genuinely curious.

Slovenia is stunning! History beaches lakes outdoors trekking etc. So friendly too.

Or Jordan is fantastic. But might be too hot for you, depending.

I took my 18yo on safari after his Alevels summer 2024. Cost about £2.5k each including extra tours, but it was just the 2 of us and we shared so no single supplement.

We used https://www.newmarketholidays.co.uk/holidays/safari/
We stayed at Sebatana & had a fantastic week.

My DD recently went to Japan with a friend and they loved it. Flights were quite expensive but accommodation and food cheaper than they expected. They flew into Tokyo and then travelled round for 2 weeks.

What does your son want?

We had this scenario this year, plus it was DD's 18th birthday during the trip. We suggested safari, Asia, Canada but all she wanted was touring the Loire and the castles for a week.

Very niche, we are a history mad family, but she had an amazing time, loved the trip and while 6 castles in 7 days was a lot, it was something we most likely won't repeat, so it was special because of that.

We went two weeks and had a second week in Portugal to relax from the intense sightseeing.

Just to be boring exam contingency day is 24th June. Never been used yet but you need to be there if an exam gets rescheduled.

Good point! Thanks

Presumably that is uk holiday?

and are you “curious” about different houses? Grocery bills?

@TombobomboWhat is he interested in? Wildlife, active or doing not much or cities? You would get a week (at least) in South Africa for that - Cape Town and garden route. Wildlife reserve would cost more. It would be winter there though! But you might see whales and it’s hardly any time difference. South African guest houses are often great value for money too, as well as being outstanding! You could consider starting in Joburg or Durban where it’s cold in the morning and ok during the day. Lots to see in KwaZuluNatal.

We were going to SE Asia post A levels but then friends asked us to join them on a flotilla holiday in the Med and DS jumped at it. We all had a fab time. Cost of food etc would have been a lot cheaper in Asia… Turkey was $$$.

Everyone is different. Its not that much if you have it, certainly not for more than two people. I couldn't imagine not being able to know I had that amount to hand if I wanted to. It doesnt make you happy but I think makes people less sad/bitter.

We did New York, then train to Washington, then drove to Niagara and on to Toronto with eldest. Flew back from Toronto.

Then Cuba with the other.

I think if it’s a ‘final’ it needs to be a bit different.

Wow.

If it's any use, my brother and SIL are going to Cape Town SA next week with Trailfinders. They are going to stay in the V+A marina, trip to Robben Island, a township, a day long safari, a trip to see the penguins at Cape of Good Hope and two day trip to Stellenbosch wine country. It cost them about 4k each all in. They did pay extra for the trip to CofGH and Robben Island with Viatours, but everything else was included.

They are flying from Dublin via London with BA and are Premium Economy.

There might be ways of doing such a trip on a tighter budget. Just throwing it out there.

We taking DD to Sri Lanka on a 10 day family volunteering project collecting elephant biodiversity data (collecting elephant poo basically !), amd helping out with some local community projects in the evenings . Nice hotel (DD has additional needs and we have upgraded and booked an extra room too so she has plenty of space and adjoining room ) and then travelling up north for another week / 10 days but will stay in nice hotel and do some sight seeing and some snorkelling x

Think as part of the volunteering we spend a night or two in a tree house in the jungle too helping out day time with the elephants …. Gosh I need to read what I’ve signed up too !!!

what about:
malaysian borneo
central vietnam
bali or Java?
when ds finished his exams we did a round trip: hoi an, Hanoi, Luang Prabang, Bangkok and then Hong Kong - combination of beach, city exploration and some hiking in HK. We were living in China at the time so short haul for us, but may give you a few ideas.

Does that include spending mo eh etc or just holiday cost? We did 2 weeks Malaysia / Borneo / Singapore. Was about £10.5 including some meals and trips. Some places we had two rooms between 3 and some places 1.

we could have probably done it cheaper I think.

Thanks everyone for the ideas- lots of amazing suggestions. Think we definitely need to think a bit wider. SA and safaris Sound like great options to explore. The elephant poo trip sounds amazing! Not sure son would agree to it though. Thanks again