Italy with 13 year old - complicated

[puppydustbin]

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.

Sorry for your loss. I think you deserve to splash out. It would probably take a lot of pressure off you as a family /

We have done a lot of this sort of holiday: www.neilson.co.uk
They have great beach clubs where you can all learn activities or do them. They also have packs of youngsters according to age (so you don't find that kids go with their siblings) and they get them involved. I have been doing this kind of holiday for 20 years and my are now adults - they still come. Your son might enjoy learning to sail or windsurf- so might you! The tuition is free. You can also use bikes, do yoga etc .

@puppydustbin

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.

So sorry for your loss xx

I can recommend Caorle which is a lovely family oriented beach resort just up the coast from Venice (best to fly to Marco Polo)
Beach activities and inflatable platforms in the sea are very safe and supervised. The hotels and restaurants are bloody brilliant. Being Italy most of the beach is split into private ‘clubs’ but the hotels all tend to have their own bit and it’s so relaxing to know that your very owns sunbeds and towels are included whenever you want to use them.

Go by boat trip to Venice for the day or a nice evening meal or there’s even a water park close by if you like those.
They close of the main road into the town at night and there’s often bands or outside films shown in the square after the passeggiata (all in Italian but good fun anyway). The shops are lovely too.
Honestly, I love Lake Garda but I’d go back to Caorle in a heartbeat - as you can probably tell!!

Oh, just seen I’m too late , ah well 😊

Youngsters usually get to know and make friends with others while they are on holiday and do activities with them.