Post-GCSE holiday next summer with two teens - need ideas pls!

[maranella]

Next summer we want to do a big holiday with our two boys (16 and 13). We're very aware that we won't get many more holidays with older DC, so we want to do something cool, but budget is not limitless.

I was thinking Costa Rica, as I think the mixture of adventure and wildlife would appeal to everyone and they've both said they want to go, but I'm worried it's going to be too hot and humid and we all hate being sweaty. Hot during the day is okay, but humid is not great for any of us.

Our best holiday ever was three weeks driving around California, which had something for everyone (cities, nature, wildlife, great weather, cool shops, great food), so if anyone has any brilliant ideas of a similar type I'd love to hear them.

No one is interested in a safari. We're not keen on cruises either. We like to do our own thing really and not to be stuck with loads of other tourists, which is why neither of those appeal. We've never been to Asia and are open to that, but we don't really want to be sweaty there either! TIA

Climbing Kilimanjaro? We're not that adventurous, but it gave me a laugh thinking of my DH's face if I suggested it

New Zealand: we'd love to go there, but a) our summer is their winter and their winters are apparently similar to UK winters (apart from the skiing - which is tempting!), and b) I'm not sure if we'll be able to take more than 2 weeks and if so it's too far.

I'll definitely take a look at some of the African ideas though, as the distance/time difference will be fine and I'm thinking that maybe Canada is an option. Some friends of ours did Vancouver to Calgary via Banff and Lake Louise and said it was amazing, so I might arrange a dog walk with her and pick her brains about their trip!

Thanks again for all the wonderful ideas - it's always so interesting to hear what other people did/want to do.

I keep thinking about an organised family holiday but have been concerned that post gcse our dc would be too old. Although a lot of them are publicised as being for teens, the minimum age is a lot lower and I’m sure 16yos don’t want to be with young kids the whole time

Iceland is pretty interesting. It definitely won't be too hot or humid and the flight time and time difference means you're not going to spend half a week suffering from jetlag. It's amazing, like nowhere i've ever been before!

indeed and thinking about it I actually went post GCSEs, at 16. Fascinating! And at the right age to appreciate it.

Our teenagers loved the safari in South Africa. But we went in October, not sure I'd be as keen to do Cape Town in their winter.

As you say, our summer isn't great in terms of more exotic countries which are in rainy/hurricane seasons. My friend went to Belize last summer and apparently it was amazing and great snorkelling. I think there's a brief window in July between seasons.

Western Canada is beautiful but dare I say it, a bit dull.

These are our Aug trips. Only certain places are ‘good’ to go at that time.

• Peru. Has your DH done the Amazon as well? We climbed MachuP, ours loved the trek and the variety was amazing. We did a home stay on lake Titicaca
• Namibia - amazing variety and adventure. Self drive is easy and we added Vic falls and a stay in Zambia at the end.
• Iceland - just incredible scenery and adventure such as glacier hikes and zodiac trips. Whale watching, quad bikes.
• Indonesian Borneo, Komodo national park, Bali - wildlife, boats, volcanos

Next up

• Tanzania wild camping, safari, and then off to Zanzibar

Looking forward to going to Ecuador and Galapagos Brazil Botswana

If I could only do 1, Peru!

I'm looking for something like this too but with a 17 y o, and it needs both beach/pool relaxation and a bit of mind expanding. Totally recommend Costa Rica. Any other suggestions, and how did the Peru fans do it? I think we are past the family group stage sadly.

We had it booked by a company, and then got picked up for some trips, had time where we navigated alone, and periods where we had a guide. It was fantastic.

extra stuff such as paddle boarding, e- bikes, white water rafting was added for the kids, but were fantastic. We wanted the trek, jungle, food and cooking, cultural and history stuff but the kids loved all that too.

thoroughly recommend.

Sounds brilliant! Any company recs?

We went with Steppes Travel, but have used Families Worldwide (tailored) and Audley travel before.

How about
Argentina
Brazil
Guatemala (amazing)
Morocco
The "stans" (Uzbekistan etc)
India
China