Holiday ideas for me and DS11?

[Yogapoga123]

Hi I’m looking for some holiday inspiration 😁
It’d be for next summer rather than this year, and for myself and my son, who’ll be 11 by then. It will be a kind of finishing primary/starting secondary school memory.

As a rough idea, I’m thinking somewhere abroad, hottish, we’re both reasonably outdoorsy so some activity stuff, a safe destination but interesting too. Don’t want to just sit on a beach for more than a couple of days really. Happy to do longish haul but budget may be an issue. Am thinking of doing an organised group trip but haven’t done this before and they seem expensive.

Any suggestions please!

I took my DS to New York when he was 11 - he absolutely loved it!

I went to Morocco with my 9 year old. The company was Tourdust, who were excellent, we did Iqbal (spelling?) and some mountain walking, then a desert camp and then Marrakesh. Was amazing!

Tenerife!!!

Although we did this I February last year and it was fairly warm so maybe not the best plan for summer months! Teach me to read more carefully!

When my son was that age, the two of us went to various Club Med resorts over the years and he loved the variety of activities they offered.
I'm just not sure when that sort of holiday will be allowed (and yes, I'm specifically thinking of the rather excellent buffet meals !)

We are SE based, so often drive to the continent as it works out cheaper than flying and you can do more stuff. My favourite trip was along the coast we stopped in Plopsaland theme park, spent a week in a fantastic Centre Parks on the Dutch coast, daytrip to Amsterdam, several days in Rotterdam (such a surprisingly cool city, loads to do), then home via Ghent and Antwerp.

How about somewhere like this? europe.huttopia.com/en/site/dieulefit/?datestart=&dateend=&people=2|0 There are organised activities.

We have had a couple of wonderful trips with Sunvil. We told then what we wanted and they came back with exactly what we asked for both times. Cannot recommend them more highly.

www.sunvil.co.uk/

Mark Warner and Nielson were big hits when my DC were that age.

Great suggestions, thanks everyone. I’m going to do some research on these this afternoon!

Please tell us how you get on OP. I need to live vicariously right now!!

We are hoping to go to Cyprus this year. Fingers crossed.

Another vote for Morocco. The Atlas Mountains are fantastic, I found beyond the main square in Marrakesh tourists get very little mither, it’s really interesting and the architecture is pretty.

Consider inter-railing? We took DD when she was 11 and had an amazing time. Under 12s had a free inter-rail ticket with a paying adult (don't know if that's still the case).

Costa Rica was wonderful with a lot of cool outdoor activities - zip lining, hot springs, hiking in the rainforest.

We're planning to do Japan next, it looks really interesting.

I’m tempted by Morocco. I’ve been before, only to Marrakesh though, and I’d like to see the Atlas Mountains. I found the hassle factor pretty annoying in Marrakesh though. Is it different outside of the cities? Or perhaps things have changed (I went about 15 yrs ago)

DD and I have enjoyed :
Venice
Budapest
Alicante
Barcelona
Marmaris

some great ideas on the thread! I have never thought of inter railing but that might be a good idea as DS1 is a dreadful flyer.

Hi OP I travelled to Punta Cana in 2019 with just myself and DS. DS loved it it’s one of my best holidays.
www.tui.co.uk/destinations/dominican-republic/punta-cana/bavaro/hotels/memories-splash-punta-cana.html

Have you considered the also? You can stay in a chalet for a week and then go to the the south of France for a week. My DS and I did this all by train. Was fab.

Duinrell in Holland.

Holiday park with theme park and pool complex next door.

Beautiful beaches nearby.

Trips into Amsterdam and other Dutch towns.

We've done a few of the Tui Magic/family life and found them to be great for active children. My kids have done tennis, archery, aero trampolining, football, aqua spin, mountain biking etc. Similar and more on offer for the adults. All run by well qualified instructors. Great rooms and high standards for food. Would definitely recommend

I'm interested in doing this too - DD is a similar age. She was supposed to go to Paris with school this year and which is obviously cancelled so I was considering taking her there by Eurostar.

Morocco would be much too hot in July-Aug. If you want to go there, wait for October half term.

What's the budget? At that age honestly eurcamp with activities is great they do house riding, rock climbing etc.
What are his interests? Pompei was brilliant really interesting and you can do beach and walk up the volcano too. It would be seriously hot though in the summer

I have everything crossed vaccinations will let us travel by then! My parents took me to Turkey when I was 10 - absolutely loved it. The heat, the history, the shopping, the food, the sailing... I could keep going on!