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!

@Joystir59

You've reached that point where you stop having family holidays. Your 18 year old should be earning money and saving for holidays with their friends, and the same will be true if the 15 year old next year.

Well that's depressing. I'm in my 20s and still go on holiday with my family.

Quinto du Lago in Portugal. There's a lake with sailing and an inflatable course plus paddle or ding etc. great restaurants too.

Costa Rica?
We had a trip all booked up for Summer 2020 but of course that was cancelled. We had planned to travel round, but someone here highly recommended the Tulemar resort at Manuel Antonio on the beach and in a sloth colony. We'd planned to relax the last few nights there, but you could spend the whole break at one place.

@Joystir59

You've reached that point where you stop having family holidays. Your 18 year old should be earning money and saving for holidays with their friends, and the same will be true if the 15 year old next year.

What a ridiculous thing to say - ‘you’ve reached the point where you stop having family holidays’ why?? Plenty of people enjoy holidaying with their children when they get into their 20’s and even 30’s before grandchildren come along and then even after grand children come along.

I second Ibiza! If you get a hotel with nightly entertainment, that would fit the bill I'd say.

@DairyM1ilk

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.

Unfortunately it's the school summer holidays, so any resorts with activities on offer will have a lot of kids around, unless it's an adult only which you can't do because of your 15 year old 🤷🏼‍♀️

Maybe a previous poster is right about an actual travel agent, even just for ideas. I think it’s great your teens still want to go on holidays with you and like you said it’s been a couple of years without.

Tricky part is you have an adult child and older teen so no adult only hotel access so you will probably always encounter small children especially in august.
But I’m sure there are some places that are U.K. less child orientated places and with a very healthy budget of 10k I’m sure you will.

AI in Mexico. They have some lovely hotels. You can do catamaran trips with snorkelling as well . We love it so much we've been back a few times

I would look at Neilson like a previous poster recommended.

They have hotels in several different countries so there would be variety in temperature. I can't remember if it's half board or AI. They have loads of activities, gym, sailing, paddle boarding, tennis, cycling, climbing. Some are included. Some are extra. With the sailing it's only available at certain resorts. I haven't been but was looking at as my next holiday and then Corona virus hit.

You need to look at Kalkan in Turkey- it’s very beach club, water sports focussed and great for teens.

I’m not sure about AI hotels but there’s a culture of getting chefs in to your villas to cook for you - lots available and reasonably priced.

Look at the USA. Lots of beach resorts with what you asking for. West Coast of Florida or California coast specifically. If flight prices are prohibitive, travel indirect.

@DairyM1ilk

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.

put the kids on the job....tell them what your budget is and see what they come up with

Madeira would be perfect. Not to warm, lots of AI to choose from, fewer children and water sports/walking.

At that age, we did California. Beach teen culture, water sports. Anything you could think of. Newport Beach, Santa Monica and climate not as hot as med in August. Need to research and could do two centre. We actually did a month in a few places. Been a few years but USA a know how to do holidays, when we went everything was light years ahead and certainly a cool trip for teens within your budget.probably have to five though. Beach resorts in Florida great too but humid in August
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Drive,

I second Mauritius. That time of year it is their winter, so will be 22-24 degrees during the day, with cooler mornings and evenings. It's not super busy with little kids, especially in August, and they have lots of water sports to offer. Also other things like the botanical garden, quad biking, horse riding, hiking and lots of lovely resorts with gyms, golf and other activities or you can rent a villa. Rent a car and drive around.

Italian lakes? Water sports available, nice villages to visit and a cable car. Can do a boat trip and sunbath, plus excursions if you want.

Have a look at the Tui Robinson hotels op, could be a good option for you in terms of food/activities/location.

@Joystir59

You've reached that point where you stop having family holidays. Your 18 year old should be earning money and saving for holidays with their friends, and the same will be true if the 15 year old next year.

In your house maybe. Not in ours and not in many other people's either. You do realise that every family is different?

Would you consider Africa? a few places on the Kenyan coast would fit your requirements. Plenty of water activities from courses in scuba diving and kite surfing to more chilled wind surf lessons, paddle board or kayak hire etc. UK summer is the coldest time so temperatures won't be much above 25 degrees however its likely you won't have to lift a finger anyway as even if you go for a private villa it will come with a maid and you can usually pay a bit extra for a chef also. Depending on which part of the coast you visit theirs also options for day trips or overnight excursions inland to do mini safaris also. 10k would be more than enough budget for 4 of you provided you aren't looking to be in the most luxury of resorts

Fuerteventura?? Fairly hot but very windy which keeps it feeling cool. Dh is a bit heat averse and managed to mountain bike around a volcano and go quad biking there. Also there's a small water park in Corallejo and some decent resorts with activities

@Joystir59

You've reached that point where you stop having family holidays. Your 18 year old should be earning money and saving for holidays with their friends, and the same will be true if the 15 year old next year.

Your name should be Joythief.

My suggestion was going to be South Africa it’s their winter there so not too hot.

I cannot recommend Jamaica enough for this age group. I love Jakes at Treasure Beach - lots to do, lovely villas, incredibly chilled resort. Or look at Negril with i's amazing beach, snorkelling, cliff diving. Great music, great food and very relaxing.
jakeshotel.com/

@HastaLaVistaBebe

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.

My dream destination is to go to Iceland. 😊