Ideas for a straightforward last minute week away with an 18 year old

[Ponkypinky]

We’re going round and round in circles. Every time we think we’ve found a holiday an external obstacle blocks it: I’m talking a jury service summons, the passport office losing a passport during renewal, a work commitment so a family member has to drop out (young adult, career enhancing event so non movable), limited time due to dog sitter availability.

We’re so tired already I’m getting to the point where I want to give up but I don’t want to cancel the dog sitter at short notice and this particular week is the only time DH can take off as we’ve already had to move the holiday dates once.

Can anyone help with ideas?

Here’s the criteria:

Monday to Sunday holiday (yup, limiting)
Soon. Very soon.

Two adults and 18 yr old son. I want something good as it might be the last time he wants to come on holiday with us (particularly if we end up in Drearyville)

Travel: we only have 7 days so I really don’t want to spend 3 days travelling (ie getting to the airport the day before for a 6am flight)

A holiday with certainty - it’s been a tough 3 years and I can’t face unexpected travel delays, changed flights, Eurostar and train delays/cancellations. We’ve been burnt before. DH doesn’t want to drive so ferries are out too.

Done the UK especially Scotland, Yorkshire, Cornwall, East Anglia, Lake District, Somerset/Dorset. DH doesn’t want to get a barge on the Norfolk Broads. We’ve done the big city breaks already.

Budget: £3k

Wild and outlandish U.K. holiday ideas would be appreciated.

Every time we think we’ve found a holiday an external obstacle blocks it:

So you had found some possibilities? And now you do have this week free? So what were those possibilities? Can you adapt to fit?

Second this.

What city breaks in Europe have you been on?
Where can you fly to from your nearest airport?

Obviously, it does all depend on what you and your son are interested in, but how about touring Ireland? Explore the coast, see the towns and cities. If you’re dead set against driving altogether, then that’s probably not going to work, but driving around Ireland is not like pelting down motorways for hours on end.

Just go on Jet2 OP there are loads of package and all inclusive deals on there out of EM and Birmingham.

Been to

Paris
Amsterdam
Berlin
Vienna
Budapest
Brussels
Bruge

How about Bovey Castle Hotel on Dartmoor? Golf, spa, falconry, gin!

Port Lynpne? Super lovely luxury accommodation, hurtling around on golf buggies looking at animals and nice restaurants? Then head to the beach for a few days (Hastings/Rye)?

I think I'd want to do something really fun with an 18 year old. Mountain hikes, toboggans, cable cars, lakes. Something different and memorable rather than a tour of a city. Maybe Switzerland or Austria.

Cyprus is really cheap next week! Lots of self catering options. The war in Iran seems to have calmed so this might be an great option.

Otherwise, I’d book a hotel in central London and have a great time at a show and the museums etc.

It would help to know what the 18-year-old likes to do.

Is s/he active and sociable? Shy and/or a recluse? Loves shopping? Gaming? Football? Up for anything or difficult to please?

In the UK how about somewhere like Snowdonia and Zip World?

Third Croatia - it's where all the young athletic types I know go.
If that isn't your bag maybe the German lakes? Hiking, biking, boating all in one.

Budapest
Palma

I'd do London for a 3 night/4 day stay tbh. Travel by train. I'd blow the budget on a cool hotel. Somewhere with a pool. The Art hotel in Battersea has a rooftop pool for eg and is in a great area. I'd do picnics for lunch and First Table for suppers (50 percent off food - loads of good restaurants). Lots of good free stuff (parks/museums/) plus not too pricey paid for stuff like paddlebaording, boat trips, the Wes Anderson is still on at the Design museum - you could go to Japan House (free) after. Plus theatres/shows....loads to keep you entertained, can be low-key or high energy. Not weather dependent....

Venice is nice if it's in June and if you fly to Marco Polo you can get a water taxi from there which will feel like part of the holiday.

if you like sports and activities and can flex your budget a bit Neilsons beach club are excellent. There's likely to be older teens who've finished exams around in the next couple of weeks Search Results | Neilson
or train to Edinburgh for a few nights and then a couple of nights maybe somewhere like Aviemore or Pitlochry?
Belfast is also good for a city break.

Croatia or Slovenia

Slovenia. Fly to Ljubljana. It is a very small, easy city. Ljubljana airport is halfway between Ljubljana and Lake Bled. If you don't want the city, head straight to Bled - or, if you want it a bit wilder, a night or two in Bled then go on to Lake Bohinj or Kranjska Gora. The distances are small, the buses are reliable, the scenery is amazing, plus lots of activities/outdoor stuff, or just chill/swim /enjoy the scenery.

Which airport do you want to fly from? That's easier for people to look at!

Would you consider another airport? What's wrong with three or four nights instead of seven if you're tight on days of the week?

Is there a major train station you can access instead?

If you're looking for a package, I'd think something like Palma or Athens would have enough to do and other places to get to while you're there.

From the list of places you've been though, it looks like you don't like heat so maybe getting too hot for the Med now.

What about the Italian lakes?

Was also going to suggest cutting the trip a night or two shorter if it keeps the costs within budget.

Factoring in the dog dropping off time, am I right in thinking Birmingham or Leeds between say 12.00 and 17.00 on the Monday (this Monday?) would work? Returning Sunday afternoon? And two rooms?

I looked at Slovenia! Did you hire a car? I found a nice Hotel on Lake. Led ut wondered about it being a bit remote. How easy was it to get to Ljubljana?

Slovenia could not be easier or more organised to get around. Roads and links are brilliant, everything runs beautifully. It very easy to bus between Ljubljana and Bled and for that matter pretty much all of Slovenia.