Holiday ideas for age-gap family

[Belloc]

We are a family of 6: us two with two older children (22 and 18) and two younger (7 and 9).

Over the past 9 years we've always done Mark Warner summer holidays and it works very well as we are keen sailors and tennis players. But it would be so nice to do something different. (I don't want to cater AT ALL.)

Does anyone have any ideas?

Have a look at the First Choice Holiday Villages. We went to the one in Kos last month with a 3yo and 6mo. It was great for little ones but lots going on for older kids and adults aswell. They're all inclusive aswell.

Have a look at the First Choice Holiday Villages

Look at Neilson - similar but a bit more sailing, new resorts, other activities

Thanks will look at those things.

airplaneandsun - what do you mean by a bit more sailing. At MW you can sail all day if you want to, on various different boats.

When I read your title I was going to suggest Mark Warner but then read you have done those. We had toddlers and a teen at the same time and they were ideal for the reasons you gave.
Have you looked at Club Med?

Only that Neilson do more where it is manly sailing with a bot of tennis as opposed to 50:50 - we have done loads of MW too. They do flotilla holidays as well etc Club med would be the other option too

Would you consider Portaventura theme park and hotels? They're on the outskirts of salou, which has plenty to keep everyone happy and you have unlimited access to the park and reduced to water park where there'll be plenty to suit everyone.

I think there is a problem with 22 year old and 18 year old not being "kids". They are adults, but not parents. I would do something a bit more along the lines of a safari where it is not totally child centred but children get a lot out of it, as do adults. There are family adventure holidays that are definitely worth looking at. These would be different, exciting, somewhere new, and you would stay in hotels. Or what about doing highway 1 in California? San Francisco and Los Angeles would keep everyone happy.

Sunsail. We used to do those when we were about the age of your older children, was wonderful, and lots to do for younger ones too. Highly recommended. Our most successful late family holidays.

Oh yes sun sail is a great idea

sail a boat around a greek island? florida?

Would you consider long haul? We've stayed at some lovely 5* AI in Mauritius with our older teens. The water skiing, sailing, tennis & golf in included plus really decent alcohol. There were definitely activities for little ones too. The cost isn't much more than Club Med/ MW/Neilsons and it's much more luxurious. 12 hour flight are a bit of a bore though.

What about a self drive camping safari through Kenya Tanzania Malawi ? Easy driving and perfect for all ages. Can't do links but have a look at Africa Expedition Support. They send a guide and a cook with you !

Exodus do family holidays too - adventures for all

I would just organise something to suit the younger children. Tell the adults they are welcome to come and arrange their own activities, but that if they don't like it they can organise their own holiday.
We did that with a similar gap. The older one was quite happy to come skiing with us, but went with friends in the summer.