Can't decide on holiday destination!!!!

[MagicMary1]

So we are deciding on our yearly destination we usually go to Tuscany, however this year we fancy something a bit different.

We have my two boys, ages 17 and 16 like to do sporty activities and also chill a bit. We have 3 other teens who are my dsc and two toddlers.

We have a generous budget but can't break the bank.

I would like an all inclusive but dh wants a villa (but IMO it makes no difference to price as we eat out).

We are looking at all places I'm happy with Caribbean or med or cruise. Has anyone got any suggestions. Cruise I think would be good as younger kids can go the the kids club.

Only places we are ruling out is North Africa and turkey, due to safety concerns.

So has anyone had any suggestions of somewhere they have been that would suit are needs every time I suggest a place it's not right for someone.

Oh and camping as well is ruled out. I'm not sleeping in a tent with 5 teenagers!

Hot? Beach? Long or short haul?

Yh has to be hot beach, about 2/3 weeks in late July/august.

Have you considered Mexico? DH and I went last May and stayed in a lovely all inclusive. They had kayaking, snorkeling and pedalo things included on their own beach you could only access as a guest, and some other things you had to pay a bit extra for. Food was amazing and lots of pools to choose from. Places around and about to do other sports etc as well. Only thing I'd I'm not sure how easy it is to eat out as the resort is huge (but doable, I'm sure - can get taxis into local town etc, we just didn't). www.princess-hotels.com/en/hotels-riviera-maya-hotel-grand-riviera-princess-5-stars.html

We did Costa Rica a few years ago - my kids were under 10 so didn't do a lot of the more extreme sports (rafting, ATVs etc) but we went ziplining, which even my 4 YO did (they tie them to an instructor) which was pretty amazing. Plus the beaches are fab, snorkelling is good too, the people are lovely and the whole country is geared up to Ecotourism. There are lots of other things to do too, like visiting volcanos, hot springs, more monkeys and sloths than you can shake a (metaphotical) stick at, boat trips etc. If you pick the right beaches, they are very calm and toddler friendly, plus some of them have jet skis and parasailing straight from the beach for the older ones if they fancied it.

We travelled around and stayed at a number of different hotels/resorts. The only thing I would say is that the roads aren't the best, so travelling between destinations isn't always the quickest.

But all in all, I would def recommend!

Corsica? You could get a nice villa and there are lots of great restaurants plus watersports on the coast.

South Africa has a lot of different stuff to do.

You could also look at somewhere like Cape Verde which is still good value. I use www.101holidays.co.uk/where-to-go-on-holiday-in-november/ (ignore the month, I just pasted the first link I found) has been really helpful finding places to go at certain times of year.

That hotel looks lovely Paris, will definitely consider Mexico and Costa Rica. I fancy something more exotic will show to dh now .

Definitely look at a Neilson beach club holiday in Greece! Best kids clubs ever for toddlers and teenagers alike. You probably won't see your teenagers as they'll be so busy sailing, windsurfing, playing tennis, cycling... whatever takes their fancy. And the little ones will beg to go to kids club as the nannies are amazing and they too get to take part in an incredible amount of fun activities, it's a great mix of family time and time where everyone gets some time to themselves. Food is usually great too. Look into it - I've recommended it to several friends who were sceptical to start with but absolutely loved it as there is truly something for everyone!

(My personal favourite is the Vounaki Beach Club - most amazing setting you'll ever see!)

We took our 3 teenagers and twin toddlers to Antigua a couple of times - that was on land, but with lots of sailing things to do for the teenagers and a kid's club for the toddlers (i.e. for the parents) and worked well. 5 teenagers probably makes it a good idea to have lots of things to do and opportunities for the 9 people going away to do different things and not be under each other's feet all the time.

A cruise usually means all cooped up together so I am not a fan.

We did 2 weeks in Bermuda last summer (including with a baby) which was on a beach but may not have enough activities for some people.

We also liked Panama and found a villa on Bluff Beach which was great (and spent part of the time on the small island I owned in Panama at that stage but that latter part was more survival, wild, than family relaxed holiday with food on tap....)

Some kind of Nielsson type summer holiday might work. The first thing I would do is work out the dates of exam results for all 5 teenagers if they are doing public exams (they always come first for us and we make sure we aren't away then); then if they are at fee paying schools we try to go the very earliest we can go before state schools break up as it's a bit quieter. Then I ask them - teenagers have strong views and it's nice if you can do a survey of them - what kind of holiday etc. What we tend to find with so many teenagers and older (5 - one family) now is some have very strong views such as I will only go to XYZ and others will do whatever the others want which is fine. Work out whose views are strongest (and then I get final say as I pay for everyone, lucky me.....)

If I had your combination I'd pick a hotel rather than a villa so you can be a bit separate from each other and activities and a kids' club. (I prefer outside of Europe for the summer although we're sticking with Europe for this summer (just booked) for particular reasons; I had been looking at 10 mile beach Cayman but my preference is always totally alone, beaches, no people around so I always compromise on what some of the teenagers want - one likes loads to do, sports; another like a very smart posh hotel environment)

It was great. We did a few days trips too, toddlers may not be so keen on Chichen Itza, but also did Xel-Ha which I think they'd really enjoy and the teens can be more daring and jump off rocks etc if they want to (very safe, and everyone wears a life jacket regardless)! Hotel also has a baby and kid's club if that takes your fancy for a few hours. All in all would highly recommend it

Oh we booked through First Choice - bit holiday campy but I've never done all inclusive before so that's just the (unnecessary) snob in me coming out , they were fine and it was fantastic value for money. Can do as little or as much with them as you like.

Look at Neilsons - lots of included watersports for all ages, nearly all inclusive but still a couple of meals out. Good accommodation.

We took our teenage boys ( and younger DD) on a cruise last Easter. They had a blast. It was a large ship, with lots to do, the boys spent most of their time on the sports court, but there were also great water slides, a ropes course, mini golf, pools etc. There was a teen club but they never even made it to that! Plus you get the bonus of a different place to see each day. It was fantastic, and we are saving to do it again.

Definitely Montpellier in the south of France It's a vibrant city with lots for young people, there's a huge cultural scene, restaurants are excellent, the locals are wonderful, lovely beaches are nearby and the surrounding area is magnificent for day trips

In fact it has all the charms of the Riviera but without the matching prices ...

We're Neilson devotees (well, we are until the kids buzz off!). I'm a beach bum, son a tennis freak and daughter and husband sailing fanatics. Something for everyone and the kids clubs, if you can call them that, are fabulous.

Personal favourite is Lesvos. It has the most gorgeous village within a 10 minute walk and is really safe for teens wanting to socialise.

Become a member of the RYA to get a 10% discount.

Royal Caribbean cruise ships are awesome for kids and teens.

We've been on a few now and love seeing a different place everyday.

On the buffers ships they have rock climbing, zip lines, surfing simulators, an ice rink, dodgems, sky diving and rolls skating.

Getting two cabins would work out much cheaper than one huge one and they have a promotion on right now that gives you a free all inclusive drinks package for the firs two guests in each cabin.

Bigger ships not buffer

Kathmandu resort Majorca has a water park attached and a kids club

Sun city Africa is amazing

Iseesheep our favorite was also Lesbos (we've pretty much tried them all, several times) until we discovered Vounaki. No comparison IMO.