Holiday for me (49) and DS (17) please

[lovemydog]

DH can't get any time off during the school hols. DS1 (aged 20) is going away with his GF's family. Where can I go with DS (aged 17) that will suit us both? Sunshine and a pool, please - maybe a beach. Neither he nor I are particularly sporty but would probably enjoy watersports. Previous family holidays have been camping in France, villas in France/Italy/Majorca but these are too expensive for two, also I am a wuss and don't like driving on the "wrong" side of the road. Doesn't have to be cheap and cheerful but don't want to break the bank either. Any ideas?

Three day safari in Kenya, followed by nine days at the beach.

That sounds good! Will investigate. Has anybody done Borneo/Malaysia in summer? Thinking about the finances, I am happy to spend what we would have done on a villa for 4 in Europe on 7/10 days for me and DS. We probably won't have many more family holidays . . .

No sorry. Have done Kenya a couple of times - the first time we stayed in lodges for the safari and the second time we camped. Both are fabulous but the camping is wonderful as you can lie in bed listening to the animals at night.

Maldives are also lovely - can just chill out by the ocean or do snorkelling/diving.

How about Cuba? Half time at the beach and half the time travelling to Havana and elsewhere. Not that expensive either.

What about Cyprus (Eastern end is best). They drive on the same side of the road as the UK if you hire a car and their electrics are the same so you don't need adaptors if you bring anything electrical. Great watersports around Protaras, crystal clear sea and guaranteed sun. It is very hot though, July & August. Quite a few packages available on Expedia.

Belize is fantastic - you can spend half the time on one of the islands and go snorkelling/diving etc, and then at one of the jungle lodges (there are different levels of expense on these, from fairly basic right up to extremely swanky), where you can do all sorts of trips, river kayaking, exploring caves, even a trip to tikal in guatamala. And it is a British colony so, if my memory serves me right, they drive on the same side of the road as us.

Or learning to sail in Turkey?

Morocco, I loved exploring Fez when I was a little older than your son, Marrakesh (sp?) is also meant to be amazing.

Thanks all for some great suggestions and will definitely keep them in mind for the future. Dear BIL called last night from New York. He and his DW will be working in Canada for the next couple of months so he has offered us the use of his appartment in NY/house in the Hamptons! DS thinks this will be fab (DS1 is madly jealous, but tough, he will be with his GF's family in Tuscany for a fortnight . . .) So now I am looking for flights to NY. Not at all what I thought we'd be doing but looking forward to it!

Multiple at having a bil who calls to say you can have the use of his apartment in New York and house in the Hamptons. Even more after just writing that out.

said - I know, I'm sorry He is a star.

That's the stuff of my fantasy life. Need to add a as teh on its own looks so mean-minded.

BIL has been in NY for 10 years now and has always said we are welcome to visit. His apparment is teeny tiny,though - only one bedroom (even if it is round the corner where SATC is filmed) so we never thought that it would work having four extra people staying. The Hamptons house is also one bedroomed, he only bought it at Easter. But for me and DS it will be fab - now off to google what we can do for 10 days or so!

I am so too. I love NY and a house in the Hamptoms. Now you had better have a brilliant time!

Booked. Going on 18 August, returning 31 August. Oh, and DS's girlfriend is coming too (this is good!) Can't wait.

We did similar a couple of years ago - 6 days on the North Fork of Long Island followed by 10 days in Manhattan. Suggest you go to the Hamptons house to relax for a few days first and get over the jetlag before heading to Manhattan when you will need all your energy.

You'll probably need a car on Long Island, but you won't need it or want one in Manhattan.

I highly recommend trying to see a baseball game while you are there. Both the Yankees and the Mets have home games while you are there. Alternatively, go to a Long Island Ducks game while you are in the Hamptons house - great fun.

There is great waterpark on Long Island, not too far from the Hamptons house, just at the end of the Long Island Expressway (I 495). Google for Splish Splash and Long Island.

I am sure you will have a great time.