Holidays with teens......ideas please.....

[SheilsW]

Just wondered if others would share with me ideas for holidays, (home or abroad), that encompasses having two teens in the family......help! I have a 16yr old daughter and a 13yr old son.
We are not exactly an active family (hiking, white water-rafting, abseiling down cliff tops, that sort of thing doesn't float our boat) but are open to trying less strenuous activities! We have done Disneyworld many times, love it, but its time for a change. Cruising esp. Royal Caribbean, is good but I fancy doing something different!!
My daughter would probably like to split her time making new friends and being with us, and probably won't be wanting to come with us on family hols very soon, so I would like to make it this one special and different. My son finds it more difficult to make friends out of his comfort zone but loves sport. 2weeks on a beach or by a pool would send me and my hubby insane as we prefer to keep occupied.
Any thoughts and ideas very, very gratefully received!

[WorrySighWorrySigh]

We have DCs similar age and have always enjoyed holidays on French campsites (Eurocamp type of thing).

Can I suggest re-posting in the Travel section as there you will find lots of friendly faces with travellers tales to tell!

[SheilsW]

Thank you! Am new to this blogging game and am ashamed to say I haven't a clue! (But I will learn) what are DC 's?! I see so many people using initials to shorten things.......and I will try and put my questions on the travel bit of the blog. And many thanks for your suggestion, gratefully received :)

[BarnYardCow]

Europa park in Germany. Strasbourg half an hour away, Freiburg half an hour the other way.

[Portofino]

Something like Keycamp / canvas in the Dordogne? Loads of stuff to do - canoeing on the river, castles, caves etc. nice food. I have st avits loisirs bookmarked. Kids clubs so chance for them to make friends.

[SquinkieBunnies]

I was just looking at Bluestone www.bluestonewales.com/ and was wondering if it would be good for us, with Dd 8, after reading all the things to do I think my 19 year old might like to come with us, nice cabins, places to walk, things to do or not depending on your mood and what looks like nice food. I know my kids (young and old) would enjoy the indoor pool slides and the lazy river (which is the only part I'd try) Seems like a nice places to meet others their own age to just hang out with.
It's now on my list of places to take Dd on holiday.

[WorrySighWorrySigh]

DCs - Darling Children (and here are loads more acronyms to bring you up to speed with the arcane language of MumsNet!)

I think that the advantage of self-catering somewhere where there are lots of other people is that you can please yourself and everyone else at the same time.

For us the campsites in France mean plenty of outside space for everyone. A well stocked fridge means that everyone gets fed what they like when they like but the cost doesnt go mad. The pool is somewhere to cool down without having to be in it or by it all the time, teenagers can take themselves.

And the things to go out and about to see...... Depending on where you go you can visit:

• standing stones
  
• volcanoes
  
• ruined castles
  
• ornate castles
  
• sand dunes
  
• ravines
  
• lakes
  
• beaches
  
• mountains
  
  Can you tell I love France?

[cupcake78]

Seeing as its a special family holiday I'd be going for more of an adventure if you can afford it.

Fly drive to California, Las Vegas, grand canon etc. Yellowstone national park and the Rocky Mountains.

I can personally recommend the American Deep South, Nashville, Mississippi, New Orleans. Boston/Cape cod is beautiful and offers beaches and loads of things to do and see.

Switzerland into Austria and northern Italy is gorgeous!

Alot depends on your budget and interests.

[goldwrapped]

Personally going to take my teens to Marrakech this summer... Have been lots of times without them & it's time for them to see it! Lots of nice, quality hotels with kids activities while you relax by the pool then the medina & the square for shopping & to blow their minds with snake charmers & dancing monkeys! All inclusive 4* hotel for around £450 per person per week .... Perfect.

[cardibach]

Agree, Marrakech is fab!
If money is not too tight, try the Adventure Company or Explore family sections. I have used these a lot with DD (now 17) and there are some great teen holidays. THe adventure is not all white water etc as I don;t like that either - you can find experience type adventures easily. THey aren't cheap, but are worth every penny if you can run to it.
If you fancy Morocco, I went on this one and it was great but very full on.
FOr a (much) more relaxing holiday, this and this were also fantastic.

[mummymeister]

my 3 teens loved islamorada on the florida keys. weather perfect - it has never reached a 100, lots of outdoor things to do that werent too strenous, great places to eat and chill.

[Allycat]

We went to Salou in Spain a couple of years back. There is a massive brilliant theme park called Port Aventura which used to be owned by Universal Studios. Next to it was also a waterpark owned by the same people.

The rollercoasters were amazing and Salou itself was lovely with a great beach.

[moomirama]

We have a 14yo DS and love cupcake78's California idea. We don't want to drive though as it's such a big state, we are looking at Exodus and Adventure company which do holidays to interesting places and take a lot of the driving/planning out of your hands. I'm probably a bit more active than you (am looking forward to white water rafting!), but they have gentler programmes as well.

I know what you mean about making it 'special' with your DD growing up, I'm aware that DS will only have a couple more years of wanting to go on holiday with his parents, and keen to make it as memorable as I can!

[SheilsW]

Hi to everyone of you lovely people who have taken the time to send me lots of ideas to look and think about, many that would not have come to mind without your thoughts and help, I am very touched! This 'Mumsnet" is a great idea!
Many thanks to the lovely"worrysighworry" to for sending me in the right direction for understanding all the shortcuts too. Not going to get me off here now! :)

[Whoknowswhocares]

Western Canada is great. We've been twice with our teens and it is absolutely the fabbest place we've ever been.
There are lovely cities with lots to do (Vancouver and Victoria), mountains(easy using the cable cars) beaches and abundant wildlife with as many activities and places to visit as you want but none too strenuous
Pricey though to do it well, what's your budget?

[Leeds2]

New York

[NaturalBlondeYeahRight]

I always thought I might save a safari trip for when mine are that sort of age.

[SheilsW]

Thank you everyone for your very diverse ideas for us which I am looking through now. I really appreciate you all contributing and fingers crossed hope to get something booked soon....will let you know! Meanwhile I am still open for anymore ideas...and thanks!