Europe for under 18?
 

Me and my friend are both going to be 17 next summer, we really want to go away. We are happy to stay in Europe(we live in england). We are thinking Spain. Possibly Portugal if that's better. I am trying to find out if it is legal. I read something earlier about Spain not accepting minors? But couldn't find much about it. Please can people help?

Dutch 17year olds go to Spain with their friends all the time. Not every hotel will accept you, but tare enough that will.
Salou is a favourite spot I believe fora sun sea and sangria holiday. Look at package tours.
If you want a more cultural visit then you need to check if hotels will accept two under 18s.

There are a lot of restrictions since 17 is considered a minor in Spain and Portugal, but you should encounter very few problems if you plan ahead on where you will be staying.

By the way, it should be "My friend and I will be"...

Ibiza, full stop, no question.

One of the geatest club scenes in the world.

Ackislander

No idea where you are from but you know f all about British youth culture.

I went when I was 17, I was living in London renting a flat of my own at 18.

Yes, I would agree going to some of the major, inland clubs would be an issue but a week in San Antonio is no issue. I accept 17 is a little young, 18/19 is better but I did it and thousands do.

Foryou.

Do as I did 20 years ago. Go into your local Travel Agent, they know the areas and book with them. You will have local support in the form of a resort rep to nurse maid you. Club 18 - 30 take 17 year olds, go and enjoy yourself.

Fodors simply isn't the place to take advice on a trip like this. Posters like the one above know absolutely nothing about growing up in Britain.

I was going to say Ibiza...those kids look like they MIGHT be 13.

By the way, the airlines and/or tour operators will probably want a letter of consent to travel from your parents.

Legally there are no restrictions for minors to travel within the EU - assuming that their parents or legal guardians give consent. Not necessarily in writing, but that sure can be very helpful - especially if it is written also in the language of the potential host country. A long legal tirade in Queen's English may not always get you where you want in rural Andalucia.
If OP and his/her friend are not EU citizens they may also want to check what requirements they need to meet to enter the Schengen area as unaccompanied minors.
And it's another issue what minors are allowed to do at their planned holiday destinations.
Spain, for example, now restricts alcohol consumption to 18+. Also admittance to clubs or similar may be restricted - either by law and/or door policy. Some major clubs along the Med are not too much into allowing even legal adult teens 18-20 to their establishments but have higher age limits.
Eventually, it can be more fun to save the money and wait another year until you guys are adults.

>By the way, it should be "My friend and I will be"...<


By the way, it should be "My friend and I <i>shall</i> be"...

((I))

In the Netherlands alcohol consumption will be 18+ from January 2014. In Belgium it's still 16. Belgium could be fun, if you can get tickets for one of the festivals. Plenty of under 18s go to those (except for Tomorrowland, which is over 18).

I don't know if that has an impact on your planning - maybe not. But where alcohol is prohibited under 18, you may have trouble getting into bars and pubs.

I have nephews and nieces who have gone to Spain while under 18, it did not seem to be a problem. Chersonisos in Greece is another popular destination.

We all may be showing signs of racial stereotyping. Just assuming that a 17 year English lad would only want to go clubbing and drink Southern Europe dry!

what on earth does race have to do with it?

Where the alcohol age is 18, most pubs and clubs will only admit 18+. Perhaps the OP intents to visit museums, or go hiking. But in my experience, 17-year olds do not want to sit in their hotel rooms in the evening.