Holiday with older teens/young adults

[MikazaMikaza]

DS is 19 and DD is 16. We have not booked a holiday because we don't know what to do as a family, as DC just seem to go through the motions of being with us, and DH and I find ourselves having to carry the load of making a holiday happen, if that makes any sense. They seem to be happy just being on their phones for hours on end, and it seems such a waste to do that on holiday. None of us tolerate the heat, so it seems the UK is our best bet this summer.

We might have left it too late, but I wanted to ask if there are any organisers of activity holidays somewhere like Wales or Ireland where there's some activities organised like walks, cannoning and cycling, so we're not completely left to our own devices to organise the whole thing. Possibly with other families, but obviously we wouldn't want to be with families with younger children, no offence to anyone!! We've been there, done that, no more.

I'd really appreciate some specific suggestions and recommendations. Doesn't have to be Wales or Ireland by the way.

Have you thought about Japan? Honestly was the best holiday we've had. Everyone had a ball. My kids are 17 and 14 and dying to go back. I got the kids to research and find at least one thing they wanted to do and worked around that. If they're happy, we're happy.

Why would you suggest Japan to someone who can't tolerate the heat? And wants a UK holiday?

😂
Japan is definitely on the cards, but for Easter, not for the summer. We're not completely insane.

I think there is some in the Lake District

a random idea no idea if it is exists these days but is there some Scout/Guide centers or where school groups go that are also open to the public when not in use in the 'normal' way

A river boat holiday! Busy daytimes as they will be doing locks and driving...

I was going to say the Lake District, not sure about accommodation this late in the summer but this company seem to arrange stuff. My DC have both done ghyll scrambling as teens

https://chaseadventure.co.uk/?https%3A%2F%2F

St davids Pembrokeshire, you would have to book things yourselves but available is coasteering, boat trips, surf lessons at New Gale, paddle board hire and lessons in Solva, swimming and jumping at blue lagoon. Try Wild Lakes for climbing, wake boarding and an inflatable adventure lake. Fishing trips from Fishguard too.

If you're happy with some day activity suggestions, we did a trip with these guys in Wales https://www.go-below.co.uk/. There will be companies nearby that also offer canyoning, I'm sure of it.

ZipWorld also have a variety of ziplines on different locations (longest/fastest etc) which are good fun, if expensive.

Could add in a walk up Snowdon, a day at Portmeirion, steam train ride somewhere - I think I did Ffestiniog railway. Castles galore throughout Wales. Big Pit or the slate mine are also a decent half day out in my opinion.

Canal boat, any seaside holiday with water sports. We went swimming yesterday off the South coast and did a big hike. How about learning to windsurf, kayaking stuff like that?

Leave them at home if they're not that bothered? I don't understand people who drag their older teens off on holiday and go to all that expense if they really don't want to be there.

Believe me @worksucks2023, I am tempted

Something like Simply Morzine might work. Shouldn't be too hot as French Alps, and can do loads of organised activities like canyoning and white water rafting.

Real Family Holidays ticks all your boxes- UK, organised activities, other families but there might be lots of young children- luck of the draw.

Or YHA activity holidays where they organise it all for you - they're brilliant but get booked up fast!

We had success last year on the River Wye, lots of canoeing / paddle boarding. Ross is nice to stay in and v. accessible by road.

I think youd get away with taking the 16 yr old on holiday but i cant imagine any 19 yr old who'd be happy going on a holiday his mum had booked activities for him...

Let them grow up

I think I don't know anything about 19 year olds. I think I don't know my son at all!!

I really wasn't joking when I said don't take them. Would they even care? Think of all the money you'd save. And think how liberating it would be to do exactly what you and your husband want to do. Honestly, I came to this realisation with my own 'child' (now 20) a couple of years ago and she's really not scarred by it. Most kids that age just want to do stuff with their mates and just go along with parents because it's 'free'. They're not particularly grateful for all the money you're spending on them.

Have you asked him if he actually wants to go with you? I probably wouldn't have wanted to go, but might have for a weekend. I might be wrong, but at least one of my stepkids would probably happily holiday with us forever if we were footing the bill. The other will probably drop us like hot brick.

A week in New York might get his attention. A week in Wales, perhaps not. Talk to him.

My dc are older (20s) and still come on short holidays with us, more to spend time together than anything else. We've done lots of the sorts of activities you describe in Wales (Snowdonia and Pembrokeshire) and the Peak District, as well as France, Slovenia, Iceland. I would do them as one-offs, not packaged into a holiday in case it is mostly younger kids. My dh loves that stuff so my dc didn't feel they were "children's activities".

I would decide where you want to go and then google providers - but to start you off:

https://pyb.co.uk/

https://naturalresources.wales/days-out/places-to-visit/north-west-wales/coed-y-brenin-visitor-centre/?lang=en

https://www.pureoutdoor.co.uk/activities/peak-district-mountain-bike-courses

In the UK, I would pick something reasonably hardcore/with a higher age limit. We found they were a bit "tamer" than their equivalents elsewhere.

We found YHAs (some of which do run activities or have schemes with local providers) worked well when they were younger and could pal up quickly and tear around the grounds with other kids. Not so much by late teens.

My top tip is stay somewhere where you can leave them sleeping/scrolling in the morning and go for a swim/walk/coffee etc. Mine were usually quite pleased to see us by lunchtime and we could do stuff together in the afternoon and we enjoyed our active mornings doing as we pleased.

Do they like theme parks as opposed to kayaking etc? Or ask them both to research and suggest something they'd like to do?

Or rent a holiday home with a pool?

Centre parcs
City breaks
Surfing
Sking (not now)

We dont do long weekly cottage holidays anymore.

It doesn't work for them and we don't have a good time

Also have started leaving them alone for a few nights and going off alone or with the dog.

Have you actually asked them what they’d like to do? If the answer is “dunno” then I’d personally suggest a Norwegian fjords cruise with someone like royal Caribbean.

You were 19 once