Ideas for holiday with older teen boys 14 & 17? (Without insects or fish...)

[Jng1]

Older teen is spending a week away with friends early July but wants to come with us too (is quite home-loving, not particularly party-type boy!)

Younger teen has some general anxiety issues, especially to do with insects (won't sleep in a room with any kind of insect in!) and fish (won't swim/sail in sea). Strange and difficult, I know, but that's how it is. Ho hum. So that basically rules out far-flung places, jungle, safari etc and sailing/watersports holidays.

So we all want to go away, but can't agree where/what. DS2 is also quite vocal about what he DOESN'T want to do, so:

• no 'traipsing around French towns/markets' (we have done a lot of that over the years )
  
• no city break type weeks in UK (boring apparently)
  

DH & I really struggling to think of something for July/August which will
a) still be available
b) not send DS2 into a tizz
c) be fun as possibly a last family holiday for DS1

We're outdoorsy, but not particularly sporty. In winter we enjoy skiing. Thought of alpine/hiking holidays, but just seems a bit dull/ for retirees!

Any ideas/suggestions?

[Daringdaschund]

Cycling holiday?

[juneau]

What's your budget? There are adventure-type holidays that don't involve jungles or water-sports Family Adventure Company, or what about a nice family-friendly hotel with lots of pools, slides, etc, somewhere in the Med? Spain, Portugal, Italy, France, Greece and Turkey all have the kind of places that appeal to teens and I'm sure you could still find availability now. I've only just booked our summer holiday (admittedly in Northumberland ), but there was still lots of stuff available.

[Jng1]

Budget is very flexible. Cycling has been discussed before, but I have two issues with it:

• DH is a cycling nerd so will bore the rest of us senseless and complain about any bike that isn't his, and
  
• I can't keep up with DH/Teens and get fed up trailing behind

[Jng1]

Not too keen on big hotel/pool/complex type holidays. Usually full of younger families and teens get bored and skulk back to their rooms if they're not 'doing' something. Then DH & I usually end up having arguments about how 'he's not paying for an expensive holiday for them to hole up in a room and watch Netflix'. I tend to agree, but blame us for not organising a more engaging holiday!

[WankersHacksandThieves]

I know where you are coming from. I have two quiet teen boys and younger one hates insects though is okay in the sea.

Successes for us have been: Villa in turkey (Dalyan) private pool so quiet as you want it to be, walks into town for lunch or dinner, we did a jeep safari - no insects involved but a fun way to get out and about. Also did a boat trip and boys like to jump of the boat fro swimming but possibly not for you.

Centerparcs, plenty of activities and depending on where you pick, things to do outside. Lakes is good and we've done Karting and clay pigeon shooting outside the centre. We've twinned this a couple of times with Forest Holidays lodge for a bit more luxury and hot tut.

Duinrell in Holland - on site "theme" park and swimming pool with slides etc and access into Amsterdam/Leiden.

New England (did this when they were younger but might be good for teens) We flew into Rhode Island (to stay with family for a few days) and visited battleship Cove which they might enjoy. Did a few days in Boston (possibly don't want to do the aquarium) and then drove up to Maine, bit of shopping in Freeport.

This year we are doing another villa holiday but in Menorca, wifi and pool and beach nearby. SOme meals out, some meals in, books & board games for the evening, walkable into Cuitadella but boys don't need to come. We'll take some movies to watch. Days will mainly be spent lying reading and listening to music by the pool and we've made sure there are bbqing facilities too.

[Jng1]

Oh, DH is fussy about 'not slumming it' so doesn't like anything too rustic ....

I know, I know.... we sound like a right bunch. Personally I'd be happiest to go on my own and sit with a book in a sunny corner somewhere....

[DameXanaduBramble]

I know it's not for everyone but Dubai? Luxurious, no mossies, (or not many) and the hotels have nets to stop jellyfish etc on the private beaches.

[Daringdaschund]

Iceland? Hong Kong?

[WankersHacksandThieves]

By the sounds of it, maybe something in the States/Canada might suit? You could do Toronto, then travel down through New England and end up in New York? Or do West Coast, Grand Canyon, San Francisco etc? Or do part of the rail journey from West to East Canada?

[CherylVole]

oh fuck it go to Florida - mate got a hotel as part of Universal and the boys went off and did stuff, parents can eithe rjoin in or lounge by pool

[juneau]

There are lots of bugs in the US and Canada in summer ...

[CherylVole]

we did Daylan too with boys your age - was great - loads of trips and Jeep water fight safari too stayed here www.aydoshotels.com/aydos-suites/ but there is a hotel next door too

[CherylVole]

NOT center parcs
they are way too old

[CherylVole]

mate of mine with lots of cash went to a PGL place in france. IKR but they all loved it. Canoeing down the ardeche or somewhere? Loads of other families - very low key
iirc they went twoce

[WankersHacksandThieves]

We stayed in the Villas belonging to this hotel:

www.cluballaturca.com/en/

[WankersHacksandThieves]

NOT center parcs
they are way too old

I disagree, if your teen isn't into clubbing and is fairly quiet then CP is good as they can do all the sports activities and go back and forth to pool and cycle around, play pool and table tennis and do things like the rope courses, paddle boarding and archery etc and there are usually things to do outside the parc. It gives you a good base with activities on site. tbf at age 13/14 we thought we'd outgrown it and wouldn't be back but ended up going again last year with 16 and 15 year olds and they enjoyed it again. Ends up not being cheap though...

[Jng1]

Some good ideas here, thanks, however...

• We did a villa in Turkey a couple of years ago - agree, it was a good holiday and we did the boat trip etc, but don't think we'd go back again so soon/now (don't feel it's as safe at the moment)
  
• We've already done Toronto, New York, California (San Fran, Yosemite, Tahoe etc) and Florida. All great holidays, but 'been there, done that' etc
  
• I refuse to go to UAE
  
• PGL too rustic for DH & no canoeing for DS2
  
• we've done a lot of Center Parcs in the past and think they are a bit old now tbh
  

Er... Iceland and Hong Kong sound interesting...

[fluffiphlox]

An activities holiday in the Alps?

[Jng1]

Possibly Fluff, but just seems a bit dull!

Does anyone know anything about Thailand/Cambodia etc?

[titchy]

Japan? Norway? Iceland? Cruise?

[LIZS]

Alps can be fantastic We did a multi centre rail tour in Switzerland last summer. Most resorts offer activities and free lift passes. You get fewer bugs at altitude too!

[irregularegular]

Tokyo is pretty cool...

There's plenty more you could do in US and Canada.

We did a great holiday in Morzine in the Alps in summer. Hiking, mountain biking, climbing, canyoning, zip wires, white water rafting, paragliding. Not "old" at all. Very nice indoor and outdoor pools and tennis courts too.

We went did a catered chalet with Simply Morzine on a family adventure week, but you could also just self cater/hotel. There were teens on the Simply Morzine holiday but the average age is definitely younger - though may vary from week to week?

[irregularegular]

I'm hoping to do either Vietnam/Cambodia or Borneo next summer with our (then) 14 and 16 year old. I'm expecting plenty of bugs and fish though.

[BigGreenOlives]

We went to Cambodia, really enjoyed the temples around Siem Reap, the markets & countryside. Everyone went on the morning trip to visit the temples then we came back had breakfast/lunch & the teens lazed around. Final trip out around sunset with our guide was optional. We went on to Vietnam to a beach. No bugs but sweaty.

[CherylVole]

s1 arrived home from Se Asia this morning. Had upset tummy for two months but LOVED it.

I can ask him what he would think of it for a family holiday if you like?