DS (18) has had a rough time of it recently, with his girlfriend of 3 years finishing with him a few weeks ago. He starts a new job middle of January and was planning to go on a trip with her beforehand. As that's now all off, he's still keen to get away but feeling trepidatious about going on his own. He's pretty independent but understandably worried about spending his hard-earned cash on a trip that ends up a bit shit and lonely. He has a budget of around £400 so Southern Europe. Obviously, the first two weeks of January will be quiet, and I'm wondering if anyone could recommend any backpacker type experiences that would mean he was surrounded by like-minded young people - either as an organised trip or just a destination. I remember from my 20s that youth hostels were really sociable and ideal for single-travellers, but have no idea if this is still the case. Many thanks for any ideas..