Why is finding a summer holiday so hard with an 18 and a 15 year old?

[DairyM1ilk]

After no holidays for the past two years, we want something special, but I am finding the difficulty that by August, DS will be 18 so he'll be classed an adult, so 'teen activities' won't apply. DD will be 15.

An added difficulty is that we all find the heat a bit difficult, so if we're going to be somewhere hot, we don't want to have to lift a finger in terms of our food, but also finding entertainment.

At the same time, we don't want to end up in a family resort surrounded by young children (no offence to anyone with young kids out there, we've been there, we're passed that stage now).

Ideally, we would like a lovely resort with a pool near a beach that offers a lot of activities, like water sports, yoga, gym, excursions...

Half board would be our preference but will consider AI.

I'd be really grateful for recommendations of specific hotels. TIA!

We don't want to go to a city in August.
What appeals is a peaceful clean environment near a beach with lots of water sports/activities available, optional entertainment at night, local excursions, yoga, gym, just chilling. No screeching young kids.

Does it have to be a seaside beach or would a lake do? If so an alpine place maybe? Switzerland or Slovenia, northern Italy or Austria...?

East coast of Mauritius used to be good for water sports. It's a few years since I went so I can't recommend a particular hotel but there are several AI with excursions.

I was going to suggest the Alps, too, but it may be too hot in the middle of summer.

Canadian lakes with a few days in Toronto to explore? Beaches but not as hot, lots of outdoor activities
www.todocanada.ca/150-things-teens-ontario/amp/
There would be lots of different price options.

Hotel Istra in Croatia. It's brilliant. Has its own water park, gym, pools, spa, and diving school (my son did his open diving certificate with them). Also lots and lots of activities if you want them. Kayaking, snorkelling, archery, football, hiking, etc. Set on a lovely island and attached to a smaller island that has a fitness trail on it. Half board available but also has some great restaurants on the island for lunch. A short boat rip away is Rovinj, a fantastic little place. Plenty of opportunities for day trips.

Slightly different but how about the alps or the Pyrenees? you can get some lovely chalets for great prices as its technically not their peak season. You’ve got downhill mountain biking, chairlifts up mountains, white water rafting, rock climbing, lakes to swim in (with beaches) and some places would have summer skiing.

The weather should be better for you being up in the mountains and there’s lots of lovely mountain restaurants to eat at

With that budget I would try mexico / Dominican Republic. They are more adult holidays and have lots of water sports and a few excursions.

Most hotels on the strip in Mexico are lovely and as the Americans visit they are good for customer service.

Id go somewhere cheap in Asia.

Bognor?

@NameChangeNameShange

Canadian lakes with a few days in Toronto to explore? Beaches but not as hot, lots of outdoor activities www.todocanada.ca/150-things-teens-ontario/amp/ There would be lots of different price options.

Usually right up our street but we've already done that holiday

A villa on a resort might provide you the mix of quiet privacy and potential activities/entertainment. Have a look at the Domes resorts in Greece (but prob doesn’t meet your temperature limits). Otherwise Austria is amazing in the summer, not too hot, loads of walking, swimming, summer tobogganing (best fun) and nice hotels

California also not too hot

Have you considered Iceland? Not too hot, lots of exciting activities (glacier hiking, horse riding, whale watching etc) and everything is very well run. Quite expensive though.

Are either of you teachers? Your money will go much further in July.

What about something a bit further afield so that it's also an experience? Cancun in Mexico has amazing beaches, lots going on but you can also do day tours to chichen itsa (spelling I forget) or Las isla mujeres. Or what about Botswana? No beaches but plenty of pools and then you could do the wildlife tours and see elephants etc? Or as pp the Caribbean, Bonaire is on the quieter side but amazing scuba diving and the kids could get qualified out there also kite surfing etc. Or last suggestion go to Thailand, if you get out of the main beach resorts there are some amazing places and you could plan to go to a couple of island tours.

Ibiza? Great as a teen and nice vibe. Atlantis in the Bahamas during Spring break. Dubai is fab for 'not lifting a finger'. Club Med is a good shout. Or as there is a larger budget, go for something a little different - safari, Thailand, Vietnam? In fact at that age I loved my holiday to Koh Samui- old enough to go to the bars on my own, meet travellers safely, lots of hotel watersports and lots of fab food which meant I wanted to eat out with my parents.

French Alps ?
We had a great holiday in Morzine with DS and a pal a few years ago. Loads of activities such as mountain biking and canyoning available, but also peaceful walking, a village pool ) or stay somewhere that has its own) and not as hot as a beach location.

Some of these replies are ridiculous. I didn't realise 18 year olds are no longer allowed to go on holiday with their family and HAVE to save up to go with their mates

OP how about somewhere like Grand Hotel Tremezzo at Lake Como. It has yoga and arranges water sports etc for guests. I'd also consider Goa, weve stayed at some beautiful hotels there that would fit the bill and not many young families there. I'd also check out hotels in the Algarve.

Have you considered going in to an actual travel agent? I know there have been a lot of high St closures but we have a local one and they were incredibly helpful and knowledgeable when I went in recently

August isn’t great for Carribean or Indian Ocean. Somewhere in the Canaries would be cooler than the Med, but still the beach holiday you’re looking for. Try Corralejo in Fuerteventura perhaps. Gran Canaria is a good shout too. I don’t know Lanzarote and am not a fan of Tenerife. Or maybe the western part of the Algarve in Portugal although that is likely to be hotter.

Can I suggest Chamonix in france? It's known as a ski resort but is really beautiful in summer. Lots of outdoor cool stuff such as canyoning, white water rafting, etc. They also have the scariest high ropes I have even been on.

Lots of amazing walks/hikes, glacier views - the list goes on.

There is a lovely lake just down the road (lacdepassy) that I obviously love. You can chill out on its beach or go swimming with snow topped mountains in the background.

It's a bit of organising so definitely not your all sorted AI holiday - but the teenagers definitely won't be bored!

My family and extended family used to go to Mexico every year, us 'children m m' ranges from 14-23 and loved it. Lots of activities (sports & water sports) for all ages free and then also had the natural water parks and adventure parks for trips. Beautiful beaches and brilliant all inclusive. We always stayed at the Rui tequila and I even got married there recently we loved it so much.

Many of these suggestions - like Ibiza, Greece and Cancun - will be far hotter than 26 degrees in August. The Canary Islands (and esp. Fuerteventura, which has lots of water sports and reliable wind), would be a good bet OP. Lots of resort hotels with the kind of facilities you want. A family I know with four DC often goes there, because it has something for everyone. I don't know which hotel, but take a look at that island.

@Perfect28

Are either of you teachers? Your money will go much further in July.

July not an option unfortunately. Holiday needs to take place first half of Aug so we can be back for results day.

Mexico appeals but I've read that August is not the best month (hurricanes, sargasso...)

Club la Santa in Lanzarote? Hot but cooled by a breeze. Lots of sports including wind surfing. Half board if you want it. People I know who have been love it.