Young teen friendly resorts in Europe?

[Confused687]

Any recommendations on a resort in Europe (preferably Greece but not essential) which has some activities for young teens and tweens? Mine are too old for kids clubs but would love to be able to make friends with children their own age. I had looked at Mark Warner but their evening activities of 'Mr and Mrs competitions' and quiz nights make me absolutely shudder! We have always rented a very civilised house or villa in the past but I think a little holiday stimulation is now required.

How about booking a chalet at one of the Yelloh villages in France? Up market campsites with pools, beach, etc. Plenty of families to hang out with (although lots are French). No teen club but you can hire bikes /book into a surf club.

Park de la Cote Sauvage is lovely, as is Dune du Pyla.

Yelloh La Serignan Plage in the South of France was also recommended by a friend, although I haven’t been myself. It has a teen activity club and adult spa.

shank2 that apartment sounds great who was that with?

Yes Shank2 that sounds lovely who did you book with and whereabouts in Croatia did you stay?

My teens enjoyed the Mitsis Faliraki Beach - at the end of Faleikaki and they didn't see any nightlife in resort but liked the tat shops and McDonalds... all the things I don't!! I liked walking along the lovely sandy beach to the Wee church and the tavernas there. Entertainment was a bit cheesy but teens liked the snack bar and games areas. They also liked Theo's ( s/c place in Roda Corfu) and friends with 3 teens liked the Mare Blue AI in St Spyridion in Corfu.

Brighteyes, sorry I said in an earlier post, we're going to the Neilson resort in Croatia. I also get overwhelmed with choice but if I carried on researching we'd never get anything booked!

I think Confused is in the same situation as me with young teens - mine will be 14, 11 and 7. I wouldn't be happy with the 14 year old wandering around a large resort (got totally put off one campsite I was looking at with reviews saying drug dealers were hanging around on the beach ) but the Neilson setup gives the opportunity for them to have independence in a relatively safe environment with discreet supervision (I hope).

We'd love to do a flotilla holiday but one child is terrified of boats

Ok yes can’t stretch to Neilson. We have a 13 and 14 year old.
That’s dreadful re: the campsite. I was also looking at campsites as some of the slides and facilities look good good. It’s that delicate balance of letting them have some freedom without giving them too much.

Have a look at Splashworld holidays op (Firstchoice TUI). Lots of resorts all over the place, Spain, Greece, Portugal, etc.
These hotels have a water park onsite, and most of the slides are only suitable for 10 years plus, meaning you tend to get families with older children going there.
I’m not sure what they have in the way of official kids clubs, but it stands to reason that if they are aiming at families with older kids, there will be opportunity for your dc to socialise with others around the same age

Poptart - yes I shortlisted some waterpark hotels which could well have fitted the bill. But suspect OP may be put off, like me, by reviews describing people getting up at 5am to bag sunloungers

PoptartPoptart - thanks for the tip and yes the slides and facilities look great for young teenagers and I am sure mine would be in their element.
But prices for August are about £6,000!!! I don’t fancy paying that for the 6am sun lounger battle and we like to go out for nice family meals at night at a restaurant of our own choosing rather than battling it out over an AI buffet every night.
I would rather pay £2,800-3,200 for a decent sized room, in nice hotel or apart hotel for s/c or b & b and do our own sandwiches at lunch time and eat out at night. But their seems no affordable middle ground.

Probably not what your after but when my DC were that age they loved the European caravan parks, usually great pool complexes, organised entertainment and plenty of stuff to keep them occupied usually at lot of teenagers to meet and generally socialize with a mix of nationalities

Probably not what your after but when my DC were that age they loved the European caravan parks, usually great pool complexes, organised entertainment and plenty of stuff to keep them occupied usually at lot of teenagers to meet and generally socialize with a mix of nationalities

www.eurocamp.co.uk/holiday-types/eurocamps-best/great-for-teens

a good selection of sites suitable for teenagers, leave DC to do their thing while you relax or go and explore the local area

Thanks mirage937 - have had a look and love camping in the UK abut worry how hot we would all be in a tent or other accommodation. We live up north and DH doesn’t want to drive from home over there. Are their any sites you would recommend over other sites and any within walking distance of a half decent town to potter in and around and eat out at?

My teen loved our Neilson holiday, and so did I. We went to Adakoy Island in Turkey, but it was a few years ago, before we bought a touring caravan and ruined his life forever .

We take the van to France. He does actually love it!

Lots of food for thought here! Thanks all!

Would you consider a cruise? It is DS's favourite type of holiday & gives enough entertainment for him whilst DH & I also really enjoy ourselves. We don't see much of DS when on board tbh, other than dinner he enjoys spending time with other teens. On port days we go and explore together.

I'd recommend choosing line carefully, by the sounds of it you should avoid Carnival, Royal Carribean, NCL, Thomson and MSC. I'd recommend Celebrity or even more upmarket lines (Crystal?) if your budget allows.

Interesting Chewbacca, I have been researching cruises for next summer. Can you tell me more about why you have recommended those companies? I had been looking at NCL as a good choice for families, so all advice gratefully received!

You're right, NCL is a very family friendly line but OP suggested she wasn't keen on the, I guess, Butlins style entertainment and the lines I suggested avoiding all veer towards that style or entertainment quite overtly family friendly. I think the OP needs a more refined or upmarket cruise (for want of a better word). Celebrity and Crystal are more 'grown up' lines that also cater for children.

I'm with you op, I have a teen dsd she loves the water and the AI holidays she has with her Mum. I love ancient ruins and peace and quiet! We're looking at Greece this year I know what I'd like but finding something she will enjoy and be happy with for a week is proving difficult..watching this with interest.