Your best ever holiday with teenagers

[Louloubelles]

I’m getting fed up with the dark and cold and need something to look forward to. Thinking about a holiday next summer after exams or later in the year.
Looking for inspiration. What have been your best holidays with teenagers? Mine will be 16 and 19 and will hopefully still want to come with me! Any budget. Cheap and cheerful or once in a lifetime.

2018 was first holiday after my separation so me and mg DS had a week in Lefkas. He was 13

Tbh he wasn’t the greatest company during the day. I left him in bed while i went for breakfast then had an hour or so on my own round the pool before I woke him.

We did a couple of days just sunbathing, did a boat trip then got a cab to main town for a mooch.

Evenings were much better. As we were sharing a room, I got ready then went to the pool bar and gave him some privacy to get himself sorted out.

We then wandered down to the main strip along the seaside, had a drink then dinner before making our way back to the hotel for a nightcap.

I have the fondest memories

The following year at 14 he’d developed a bit more of an attitude and was bored most of the days. Again evenings were better and we found a bar which had a pool table and table football so he could okay with other teens while I sipped on my ice cold vino.

We were booked to go to Sorrento in 2020 bug Ed all know how that went!

By time things were back to normal he was coming up for 17 and no longer interested in going away with me

A 2 week drive along the Wild Atlantic Way in Ireland. They had an absolute blast!
We have taken them to Asia too which they also loved.

Dominican Republic is gorgeous and my 17 year old loved it

Another vote for Morzine - we had two weeks there last summer with teens and all absolutely loved it. Spectacular scenery, loads to do, fantastic restaurants and hospitality. Already booked again for 2027!

@Muchtoomuchtodo can you give more info is love to do that thanks

Guatemala. Mayan ruins, amazing wildlife, lovely people.

You need to be a bit careful about safety, which means paying for nice hotels and good tours. But it is lovely.

We were thinking safari then beach.. although the Japan trip above sounds fantastic! @Voodooray what time of year did you go?

So interesting to read all these but quite pricey I think and my budget prob won’t reach

@Louloubelles id suggest Europa park
It's a huge theme park based on counties ,the hotels are amazing the rides are fantastic but...the location is incredible for exploring france Germany and Switzerland. So I would explore that and tag on Europa parl
Not to be confuses with caravan operator euro camp.

Depends on the teenagers! Ours like sunbathing, eating out glamour and cocktails. Other teens are hearty day trip types which ours would hate. They also hate travelling around they just want to “chill”.

We loved 3 nights Rome with a pool then a small farmhouse in Umbria with our own little pool.

We went with Alpine Elements and had a catered chalet with friends. It would be easy to book accommodation independently avd then whatever activities you fancy as there’s so much choice.

Definitely skiing. No contest. Ask any of my three boys what kind of holiday they would have if they could only choose one and they’re all unanimous that skiing/snowboarding is the holiday they love the most.
Unfortunately that might be difficult in the summer!
To be honest mine didn’t really enjoy the lying in the sun/pool holiday that much. They are all desperate to go to Japan but that’s going to take some saving for so we’re aiming to do that the year the middle one finishes exams.

California, although it was 10 years ago. You couldn’t pay me to set foot in the USA anytime soon.

@Muchtoomuchtodo thanks where abouta was it based

Skiing for us too ! have five teens/young adults and we ski every year . But they would forsake all other holidays and trips for skiing . I think I would too.

Last summer was fab though. Slovenia - Lake Bled, Ljubljana , did gorge walking , lake swimming, rafting, zip-lining . Then went luxury in Austria for 5 nights and walked etc.

We’ve taken the kids to the jungles of Borneo, we’ve been to Kenya and Botswana. Peru and the Galapagos was also a big hit. We also love the Far East and have been to Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore. This summer we’re going to Hong Kong and Vietnam. I’m not sure which they would say were their favourite but we all tend to love being around animals so the safaris and jungle trips were popular.
We refuse to go to the USA under the current regime but we do want to go to New York in early December to do all the Christmassy things.
It really depends on what your teens and you enjoy. I’m sure some people would hate our holidays.

Japan has been out favourite. Teen DC absolutely loved it, it's such an amazing country. The summer is very hot and humid, but autumn is a lovely time to go.

We went there with teenagers too!
This was a few years ago though... we spent one week at Domaine des Ornes in Northern Brittany, explored the area, then travelled through frankly gorgeous historic towns down to South Brittany where we stayed at another mega campsite. Lots of standing stones there. We went to lots of beaches and cycled everywhere. Had great time.
Good budget option.

Our teenage boys said our holiday to Thailand was their favourite (we did Bangkok, Koh Samui & Khao Lak) & then Florida a close 2nd (theme parks & also loved Miami).

Thailand , so beautiful, wonderful people and culture, amazing food, elephants , beaches , temples

Another recommendation for the Alps. Went to Morzine last summer with my teenager and had a great time! Lots of activities, Morzine is a lovely town and can use all the chair lifts and cable cars in summer to get up the mountains.

We’ve done Morzine too. Had a great time.
last year end of exam double we went to Vilamoura in Portugal with some of the kids friends. The boys went to Albufeira on a few night, the girls were happy with Karaoke in the port. Had a villa with private pool. They had a lovely time.

One of the best holidays with our teens was Croatia activity holiday with Green world holidays, they do specialist trips for teens and their families. I have never known an organisation like it where they really care about your enjoyment and take care of you and all the arrangements. It was truly special.

Active holiday in Slovenia - mountains and lakes and all the fun outdoor activities that go with it. We had a blast.

Japan was great but Vietnam probably just beat it for us. Sleeper trains, lots of traveling around, gave them Race Across the World vibes. Wonderful people, culture, so much fun and very affordable.