Where do you go with older teens?

[timetochangethename]

Looking for ideas for older teens but not yet adult.

Currently on a European AI but so many younger families that teens seem a bit out of place.

Thinking about trying a villa next year, never done one as thought they'd be bored when younger plus the idea of cooking puts me off but maybe it's time.

We always do city breaks at Easter which we all enjoy but like to have a bit of a chance to chill out in the summer.

Most successful ones with our teens have been an apartment near Munich, an AI in Cape Verde and a villa in the Italian Lakes

We’ve done NYC
Also did Greek villa and they brought a friend each - was hard work
This yr staying in small hotel central Greek island resort - all walkable and lots going on, will go round island and surrounding islands, boat trips, quad hire etc

Thank you. I think DD is now going to the bold octopus tomorrow!

I like the idea of mixing cities and the beach. Where are you planning to go? I'm always looking out for new ideas.

@Sycamorethanever what made the villa hard work?

We're so undecided on the bringing friends as think it will change dynamic of the holiday and what happens if they fall out or the friends don't get on) unlikely but has to be considered!) But I'm concerned if they don't bring friends they'll be bored and then bicker.

I guess the oracle is finding a villa in an area where lots of things are walkable for the teens so they can explore without us, and has plenty of restaurants but that doesn't seem to be as easy as I thought.

Lots of things made it hard work…we chose a villa within walking distance of buzzy place thinking they’d go in with their friends and be a bit independent - they didn’t want to 🙄

One friend wanted to do something specific that the others didn’t so that made things tricky. One friend liked having lunch at the villa (well, brunch as they’d weren’t awake for breakfast) and the others agreed so ended up making lunch each day. Not a fan of this on MY holiday!

DDs friend and DSs friend were a bit awkward around us and each other. We felt we had to be on best behaviour and not bicker like we usually do as we had guests. Trying to find things to do and places to eat that all of them liked etc etc.

Biggest was 6 of us so couldn’t hire a car! Wouldn’t do it again.

Neilson Croatia but it’s pricey. Teens loved it.

Ours have also loved being away with other families.

Our teens had different interests. We usually had a villa for a week and went out to eat and some sort of excursion every day. We attached it to a few days city break sometimes . We just tried to mix up the activities to suit everyone .

Weirdly my 2 older teens say they really enjoy our holidays. They’re certainly not the sort of holidays I’m told on here that teens will enjoy. I think they’re probably outliers, but happy with that.

last year small hotel on edge of not very lively resort in a Greek island. Mix of pool and beach days, hired a car for a few days and went off exploring all over. Did lots of random things. Ate out every night with us and didn’t moan that there wasn’t loads to do. Time spent together in the evenings having a drink and chatting.

this year much of the same. Different island, probably even quieter area. They say they don’t mind. So fingers crossed it goes as well. My two are the same sex, they don’t spend loads of time together at home but get on well on holiday and happy to share a room.

My DS was the same. He loved our holidays just being in and around the pool all day then dinner out followed by a garden bar with music. If we went while football was on, he’d watch the match while I chilled with a couple of wines.
We never went anywhere with any sort of organised entertainment, always went SC or B&B and usually somewhere in Greece. Funnily enough the one time we went to a busier Greek resort, he didn’t enjoy it anywhere near as much.

But horses for courses. I can imagine other families would find our holidays far too quiet and inactive for their teens.

@Ohhelpicantthinkofaname yes but you have teens as in plural! When you only have one they can start to miss the company of other people their age.

I only had one and he was happy in the pool with other kids during day but evenings he wanted to spend with us. We always went back to hotel bar late on so he could chat with the boys he spent daytimes with.

Think as an only child he’s very used to adult company and always enjoyed it.

Could you by any chance share the name - this is my nirvana. Currently on a high end campsite with teens stuck to devices and meeting no one

We've done a week in Lljubljana, Slovenia on an adventure holiday (summer alpine stuff plus rafting/river kayaking) , plus a two days in Venice on way home - that was an excellent trip for us all, though one day in Venice was enough for them.
We did 10 days in Lagos, Portugal in an apartment with pool/near beach , did kayaking, paddle boarding, swimming, eating out, waterpark - had a really great time.
Currently in small hotel in Kefalonia, small beach town with nothing but a few lovely tavernas, paddle boards, swimming, kayaking, boats to hire. Incredibly hot though right now.
Depends what you and they enjoy really, we're happy with a few activities and chilling time/eating out/playing cards in the evenings.

You are choosing to ignore the posters suggesting cruises, but it really is perfect for teens with a variety of personalities.
Separate rooms, but interconnect with balconies if you like.
I have two off kayaking, one clambering over ruins and one in the library because there really is something for everyone! Also musical, theatre, food and craft type type things.
If you choose the right cruise line there can be lots of restaurant choices plus evening activities and you can get together as much or as little as required.

@Paxosnaxos it's Vila Sol apartments- it's next door to a big golf hotel and course but there's a lot of apartments in the next door complex on Vrbo

@CuteCillian I'm not ignoring the cruise suggestions in fact if you'd like to offer some company suggestions I'd be grateful. I was actually just assuming that they will be well out of our budget.

I'm also concerned that they will be over run with small children but I maybe wrong. The hotel we went to this year was really lovely but I was very aware (especially in the restaurants and pools) of how many young children were running around. I think the problem is we are ready for adult only holiday resorts or out of "school holiday" trips but our kids are (not quite) there yet!

That looks totally amazing. Similar to a place we’ve been to but better and the reviews are even better too. It is £££ though you’re right so maybe we’d better start saving now for 2024!

I totally get that point about very young kids. We are also ready for adult only, but ds is only 14, and does need to be around other teens. Aaah well in another few years…

I would also like recommendations of cruises.

Royal Caribbean, ideal for teens. A few small children but not too many.

Yes, Royal Caribbean for us too

Celebrity, same group as RC. AVOID Carnival!

One is into doing activities, the other would rather sit and read, listen to music on a beach type holiday. City breaks work well for us, and we have done a lot over the years, but my dh and I do feel we also need a longer more relaxing holiday as a break from work

A cruise is perfect for this - you can all be doing your preferred activity at the same time - especially on the larger ships where there are lots of activities if you want them, but also quiet areas to sit and chill if you prefer.

We like NCL, especially the larger ships, as it's very relaxed - no need to book dining etc unless you are going to speciality restaurants - and drinks are included if you book the right package, which is great as drinks on board are pricey. We also find NCL to be the best value for money.

But the larger Royal Caribbean ships are also fantastic, with so much to do.

We must be unusual because our kids still like to holiday with us and they're in their 20s! I guess they're not going to turn down a free holiday lol. Plus they actually enjoy each other's company even if they do (still!!) bicker sometimes!! We've done city breaks, or apartments in the Algarve or Costa del Sol.

Definitely another vote for a cruise.
No need to take friends because they will make new ones. Ours at all ages, including teens absolutely loved cruises. The variety suits everyone. It is worth paying the extra because so much is included.
Otherwise Center parcs or Florida theme and water parks.
A villa didn't work for us, we didn't have perfect MN teens. We had the ones who had massive lie ins everyday and then took ages getting ready. They did enjoy lolling (us not so much 🙂) but lots of activities on offer, sightseeing, food cooked by someone else and full days out worked much better for all of us.