Under 16 Holiday

[joeybo]

Hi!
me and my friends are planning a post GCSE getaway to Santander, Spain. There are six of us. 3 of us are 16 and 3 are 15. Could somebody tell me whether our age is at all a problem? Due to travelling, booking etc. And any possible ways of solving these probelms?
Thank you

[Buenchico]

Passport control, UK: Probably no problems. (They tend to ask questions about unaccompanied minors leaving the country but they're mainly bothered about young people running away from home, or similar situations. They probably won't give you too many problems leaving for a group holiday).

Passport/Immigration control, Spain: Unlike Portugal (where you would find it hard to get in without an adult) you probably wouldn't have any problems.

Tour operators: No tour operator is likely accept a booking from anyone under 18 years old. (You're too young to enter into a legally binding contract). This means that you're almost certainly going to have to try to arrange your accommodation and flights separately . . .

Flights: Many airlines (e.g. Ryanair) will only accept 15-year-olds on their flights if a parent (or guardian)sees them off and remains at the airport until take-off. (It's not clear from Ryanair's site how you can board a return flight when your parents are still in the UK and so can't see you board the flight back!). Some airlines will only accept bookings made using the credit/debit card of the 'lead passenger'. This might give you problems making the bookings.

Accommodation: You probably won't be able to book accommodation through a UK agent, for the same reason that the UK tour operators won't take your bookings. You'll probably have to find some way of booking direct with the hotel or through an internet booking site which will, say, accept one of your parent's credit cards, even though they're not travelling. Even if you can find a web site which lets you book, it would be best to speak directly to the hotel to see if they'll let you stay there.

What you're proposing is probably not impossible but it will certainly be very difficult to arrange.

Chris

[joeybo]

Thank you very much Chris. We have done as you stated above with the exception of getting a ferry instead which charges 16 yr olds as adults. Also we are planning to stay in a local hostel which does not have any age restrictions on the website however we are planning to call to check. Do you know if bars and clubs over there will allow 16 yr olds in? i hear the laws are more relaxed in Spain? Again thank for all the great advice. One more question how do u reccomend persuading a few reluctant parents to agree to the thoroughly planned getaway!?

Best Wishes

[Buenchico]

Thanks for taking the time to reply.

Unfortunately, I'm not the best person to advise you about pubs and clubs in Spain. (My clubbing days were over a good many years ago!). From what I've seen in the media, the Spanish authorities have recently done a great deal towards increasing enforcement of the age-restriction rules in clubs and bars - but I think that's it still likely that you'll find one or two places which will let you in.

How do you persuade parents? The method which has been employed by thousands of teenagers in the past has been to win over a 'third party' and get them to do the persuading. For example, it's often easier to convince doting grandparents about such things, than it is parents. Get Granny on your side and let her do the persuading!

Whether you're speaking to parents or grandparents, don't mention clubs and bars - that will be the kiss of death for your plans! Equally, don't pretend that you won't be seeking alcohol - you won't be believed! Instead, take a 'middle course': Saying something like, "We though we might be able to get a couple of bottles of wine to share on the beach each evening" might just be enough to fool the parents!).

Chris