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Holidays

Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

Original poster

Italy with 13 year old - complicated

55 replies

puppydustbin · 29/01/2022 17:09

We want to go to Italy this year.

Without going into detail, we've had a rough couple of years. Our eldest son died, leaving us with our younger son, who is now 13.

This will be our first holiday with just the three of us. We haven't been on holiday since 2017 when DS1 was with us.

I'm worried for DS2 being on holiday by himself. We can't do the holidays we used to do because he doesn't have anyone to play in the pool/do activities with.

We don't really want to take one of his friends because we can't afford an extra person and he doesn't have any friends we know well enough to take away.

We were looking at Amalfi Coast but worry he wil be bored. Where can we go that he will enjoy, but will also be resful for us. We've been to Lake Garda on a family holiday in the past so probably don't want to go back there.

OP posts:
Frazzled2207 · 29/01/2022 21:35

Ps if you’re set on Italy Lido do Jesolo is good fun though not nearly as scenically nice as Sorrento. But easy for day trips to Venice and Verona.

Twilightstarbright · 29/01/2022 21:36

What about somewhere like Berlin and staying in a hotel with a pool so you can combine sightseeing with chilling by the pool.

SheWoreYellow · 29/01/2022 21:42

Oh I’m so sorry.

In your shoes, I would have a rethink and do something that you could afford for four and let him bring a friend. You don’t need to know them well in advance.

Original poster
puppydustbin · 29/01/2022 21:50

Thank you so much everyone.

I've just booked a week's Neilson holiday in Sardinia!

We talked about it and he said he would like an activity holiday but with us doing them with him.

This looks perfect, although over budget! But a week feels doable and something for all of us.

OP posts:
Frazzled2207 · 29/01/2022 21:52

That sounds fab op. I’m sure it won’t be a brilliant holiday for obvious reasons but you will get to chill and he will have loads of fun.

Toanewstart22 · 30/01/2022 08:48

Have a wonderful time!

sweepthenmop · 30/01/2022 17:46

That's brilliant, I hope you all have a great time.

If you haven't already I would put DS name down for the teen club even if he's not sure, as they can get very busy. When you get there he can decide how much, or how little, time he wants to spend in the club.

LesLavandes · 30/01/2022 19:51

Fantastic! I hope you have a fabulous time! I'm sure you will all love it

Verite1 · 31/01/2022 01:03

So sorry for your loss.

We have been to parco San Marco on the Italian side of lake Lugano a couple of times. Loads to do in and outside resort. Climbing, watersports, archery etc. Real mix of nationalities when we went. We loved it.

www.parco-san-marco.com/en/home/

Verite1 · 31/01/2022 01:05

Sorry - should have read the thread before commenting. Am sure Sardinia will be great - I’ve always wanted to visit myself.

Funf · 31/01/2022 09:24

I feel for you all.
Have you asked him what he would like? Some cruises cater well for Children with excellent clubs. Some cheap deals about and when you consider usually its all paid for except drinks I feel its good value.
I would slip away and talk to the kids club staff as we have found them to be excellent and well trained to make kids have a fantastic holiday, ours had a better time than us.

I would also consider a Cheap UK holiday, North Wales or similar with loads going on and book a few activities, you have to keep an eye on the budget though,

maddy68 · 31/01/2022 09:34

I don't think that's the best destination for him to meet friends and have fun. My choice would be Spain (nice places not benidorm,, maybe sitges or tossa de mar , lots of nice places, can do trips to Barcelona , monsorrate etc from there ) or Greece. Be aware of covid vaccination issues. Most EU countries require over 12s to be double jabbed

Hoppinggreen · 31/01/2022 09:40

OP has now found somewhere suitable and booked.
Hope you all have a lovely time puppydustbin

trumpisagit · 31/01/2022 09:58

That sounds perfect OP.
I have boys of a similar age and they would definitely prefer us to do the activities.
I am sure he will want lots of lazy teen time on his phone, or staying in bed, when you can relax with a book. Have a lovely time.

Toanewstart22 · 31/01/2022 11:41

@maddy68

I don't think that's the best destination for him to meet friends and have fun. My choice would be Spain (nice places not benidorm,, maybe sitges or tossa de mar , lots of nice places, can do trips to Barcelona , monsorrate etc from there ) or Greece. Be aware of covid vaccination issues. Most EU countries require over 12s to be double jabbed
Talk about pissing on the OP’s parade

Ignore OP. It sounds bloody brilliant

Ozanj · 31/01/2022 11:49

I think you’re overthinking this. Anywhere will be nice provided you’re all there as a family - suggest you book some day trips to Rome (it’s a lovely train ride) / Pompei / the volcano / seeing a football match if possible and it will be great for him. If you stay at a Hilton or similar then you may also have access to kids clubs but you need to research this a bit in light of covid.

haba · 31/01/2022 11:56

I'm very sorry for your loss Thanks
Please be prepared that the business of going away on holiday without DS1 is going to be difficult for all three of you, as it's going to dredge up memories of all those past holidays and fun times.

We did Neilsen in Italy, and there were so many other children - DS2 will have a fantastic time. The clubs are v laid back- your DS can do the activities with you, or with his age group, they're completely flexible.
My children are v different to one another, and one spent about 95% of the time with us, the other about 5% mostly decided on the spur of the moment.
Have a wonderful time.

ArachnidArachnid · 31/01/2022 12:01

Sardinia is amazing, OP, what a great choice.

maddy68 · 31/01/2022 12:05

I thought I was being helpful.
I don't want to add to her further stress of being refused travel !
I want her to have the best possible time ? It's massively difficult all round sorry if it came across that way!

Original poster
puppydustbin · 31/01/2022 19:15

@maddy68

I thought I was being helpful. I don't want to add to her further stress of being refused travel ! I want her to have the best possible time ? It's massively difficult all round sorry if it came across that way!
Don't worry, DS2 is double jabbed!

I think I need to get a letter to prove it.

OP posts:
Muchtoomuchtodo · 31/01/2022 19:20

I’ve always thought those holidays look amazing for teens. Even if they’re not keen on chatting to others, the fact they’re sailing, windsurfing or whatever with their peers is great.

@puppydustbin from 3rd February we’ll be able to get digital covid passes for over 12s.

Original poster
puppydustbin · 31/01/2022 19:21

@Muchtoomuchtodo

I’ve always thought those holidays look amazing for teens. Even if they’re not keen on chatting to others, the fact they’re sailing, windsurfing or whatever with their peers is great.

@puppydustbin from 3rd February we’ll be able to get digital covid passes for over 12s.

You have just made my day Smile
OP posts:
Muchtoomuchtodo · 31/01/2022 19:25

@puppydustbin I hope you all have a fantastic week xxx

MzHz · 07/02/2022 00:10

Why don’t you Airbnb and then it won’t cost you much extra (food only) to take a friend for ds. Parents can pay flight

We do this with our ds and have done now for 4 years- holiday isn’t holiday without him now :)

I’m so sorry for your loss too. I wish you all the best and lots of love to you all.

MzHz · 07/02/2022 00:11

Missed your post, Sardinia is great! Enjoy!!