Holiday ideas please! One adult (me) and a 14yr old, struggling for ideas!

[PancyFants]

We usually holiday with other family/friends but this year we are holidaying on our own. It's been a good few years since it's just been the 2 of us, and I'm looking forward to the freedom of not having to please lots of people, if I'm being perfectly honest.

However, I am a bit concerned about DD getting bored of me, although we do get on well and Dd is good company.

Dd likes things like theme parks/ water parks/ water sports, although she isn't the type to join in activities, or make friends with strangers. I'm happy to do these things to, to an extent. I'd like somewhere warm, nice beach, some places to visit. Not overly fussed about where we go, although feel we have done spain/canaries/Balearics to death, so would rather avoid.

I've looked into New York but not sure. I'd like to do something a bit different. If anyone has been anywhere that they would be able to recommend I'd love to hear about it! (I'm wondering if years of going along with other family choice has left me incapable of making a choice!

I've a reasonable budget and tied to school summer holidays.

We went to Lake Garda last summer; DCs 15 & 17. We needed somewhere a bit more lively for them and where they could wander off on their own to find things to do. We stayed on a campsite (not our ideal choice of holiday!) in a very good mobile home - plenty of space, decking etc. The site was right on the edge of the lake and had restaurants and bars on-site as well as table tennis, pools, tennis courts, bikes and some very cheesy evening entertainment that you can avoid if necessary! It felt very safe (was gated and CCTV'd at night). Lovely town within walking distance, easy to get to Verona by train, lots of ferry trips across the lake, beautiful villages, Gardaland theme park within 2km.
As I said it would not have been my ideal holiday (villa and pool for me!) but it was great for the teens (they, too, are not mixers but they enjoyed it as it had enough to do without being full-on.)

Oh thanks 3cats, not somewhere I would have thought off, but off to look at it just now!

Have a look at Sri Lanka.
Beaches, sightseeing, washing elephants! safaris (saw 2 leopards)
We did 3 weeks there was around £1000 each with flight, private car and driver, accommodation. Booked flights ourselves with Kayak.com and accommodation with www.booking .com and agoda. Our driver guide was amazing and great with all ages. www.genuinesrilankans.com.

How about a cheaper city break? Amsterdam maybe, or Berlin?

How about going somewhere you could learn to scuba dive together (or another water sport)?

If scuba diving does appeal btw, I'd suggest finding a dive school near you in the uk so you can get the theory/pool part of a PADI course done before you go (typically a weekend)

We took 3 fussy teenagers on a med cruise with royal Caribbean and they loved it.
Hear from family that Mark Warner resorts are great for teens but can be pricey.

I was also going to suggest a cruise, we have children in their nappies and children at university and find a cruise offers us all something.

I also have friends with only children who also use cruises

Thanks all, some great suggestions to look into!

I really do fancy New York but pricing it during the summer holidays is making it really expensive (mostly the hotel prices as the flights aren't too bad) It's cheaper to do 2 weeks in Orlando!

I've never really fancied a cruise, but perhaps should reconsider, I assumed they wouldn't be geared up for teens but perhaps I'm wrong!

Thanks again, will do some investigating!

We did windsurfing/sailing with our teenage DCs. Some of the Neilsons resorts are good for teenagers, with organised teenage social events, nd there's plenty for adults to do in the daytime as well, including spa stuff, and yoga, as well as windsurfing, and sailing. It's also very friendly for the solo traveller.

I particularly recommend this one for that type of holiday.

The Euro is in your favour ATM, so I'd consider Rome, Paris, Berlin, Barcelona, Amsterdam, Antwerp, Madrid, etc. Rome would be lovely at that age.

I am just checking your recommendations out OneHand? Thanks

Thanks again everyone! I'm going to check out all the suggestions and try to get something booked over the weekend

If you read all the Lake Garda threads, it may help you make up your mind. I was dead set on Greek Islands with my dcs (including ds, 14) but Lake Garda looks so well-loved here on MN, I am booking flights right now.

Sri Lanka - Highly recommend

We have been to Sri Lanka few months ago. They have everythings good for a nice holiday such as;

• Culture
• Wild life
• Hill country
• Beaches and many more..

I used a small family run Tour agency which was very cheap and professional. They did everything for us to have a nice stay.

Contact them from here if you need.

www.srilankansafestdriver.com

My DD 15 loves cruises .... all the teenagers tend to join the teen club and socialise together .... not great if you are looking to spend time together (because your teen will disappear for most of the holiday) but cruises work really well for teens !