Canary Islands with teens

[HappiDaze]

I've never been to Tenerife or Lanzarote but would like to take my older teens there next year.

I'm taking them to Majorca this year. I'm hoping they'll love it and plan to go back in which case if you have any recommendations for older teens who are too old for kids clubs in Majorca then I'd be grateful too.

So far I've only really taken them on AI or Mark Warner type holidays.

We've done city breaks too in the last couple of years so I know they're happy to explore a bit more now

When they were younger we also went camping and had caravan holidays in the UK but I'm not overly fond of self catering

But I'd love a good self catering complex in Majorca or Canary Islands with decent pool and access to interesting town and places to eat out either at the complex or nearby. I prefer AI.

So do you want recommendations for self catering or AI?

Both please

Just anywhere that people have really loved staying at

Basically I'm used to AI but want to look at SC especially with 2 bedroom apartments so more space and places to explore and mooch around

It's not like we holiday abroad every year but when we do that's what I like or am looking for

https://www.clublasanta.com

I've gone back every year since I first discovered it (apart from the covid years) There really is something everyone, world class sports, lots of taster and introductions and the spa is brilliant too. Three fifty meter swimming pools. Paradise

Lots of restaurants, small well equipped kitchens and loads off lovely spaces for takeaway eaten outside

Weather warm and breezy. Sunscreen required. I simply love it.

If you want to get out of the hotel and explore easily, then I’d definitely recommend Gran Oasis. They have several attractions nearby, plus a good choice of coach excursions. It has bike hire too (plus a really nice spa!)

I did Tenerife this year with my son for his 14th and we both unexpectedly loved it!

We went on a pirate ship whale watching tour which stopped off in the most incredible Jurassic Park looking bay and let everyone swing off the boat on a rope. We saw loads of dolphins and whales, the crew were BRILLIANT and the boat was playing ACDC when we weren't sneaking up on whales which my son loved.

We went on a submarine to see rays and other sea life, again brilliant, couldn't recommend it highly enough.

We went on a volcano tour that took all day and was worth twice the price we paid.

We were in an all inclusive on the quiet end of the island, but it had self catering facilities also and the meals were alright for what we paid out. Two pools, and whilst we weren't that into the entertainment it was there?

We haven't Majorca yet so interested to hear what people recommend there!

These all sound fantastic and exactly what I'm after. Thank you

We're going to Iberostar club Cala Barca for the first time.

My DC are probably too old for it but it was recommended on MN, I had no idea what else to book in Mallorca / Majorca and it looks lovely and spacious near villages and towns.

It also is a 2 bed apartment and plane leaves from the one airport I like to fly from.

I'll let you know how it was on our return if you like

Please!

I never thought I'd like the Canaries, the only one I haven't enjoyed massively so far was Fuerteventura. Not much to do if you don't enjoy basting like a sausage. 😁

We'll be in Cala D'Or and I'm realising I haven't really planned any excursions and yours sound amazing @Beenhereforever1978

I feel like I need to plan something exciting like that.

Shame it's too expensive for 2 weeks during the summer holidays. I miss our cheap 2 week holidays in June where we had some excellent Mark Warner holidays. They were half the price of what I'm paying for just a week.

We'd all go stir crazy in a villa so it's tricky to get the balance right.

I always go in Feb as by that point I am prepared to commit crimes to see sunshine 😂

All in our excursions were about £400 for the pair of us which I can't complain about really. Two included a meal.

I'd never done all inclusive/excursions before and was, frankly, a bit of a snob about it before but we loved every minute and our reps were brilliant.

Haha just misread this as Canvey island and I was about to advise against!

I've dug out some pics for you 😊

The volcano tour I can't recommend enough, you end up at the top by night, and because it's a no-fly zone they're allowed to use laser pointers to show you all the stars. The tour guides were so knowledgeable and fun. Pic is when we stopped to watch the sun set from above the cloud line.

The submarine has divers that go down with it (it doesn't go very deep) and the rays know them and come bounding along like dogs when they show up. Photos don't do it justice, it was beautiful.

The Pirate ship does exactly what it says on the tin, really nice paella, whales and dolphins, free drinks, and a lovely pit stop. I think it was less than £40 pp including the coach from the hotel?

I can send a link to the hotel if you like? It wasn't 5* but it was the cleanest place I think I have ever been in my life, rooms were decent and it had 24 hour snacks which is important when you have teenagers 😎

Oh yes please Beenhereforever1978 can you please send a link or mention the name of the hotel, sounds perfect.

We were originally booked into a hotel that had free water park entry, they changed it last min to This one and in the end we didn't even end up at the water park? We're planning to go again though because it's one of the best in the World apparently.

I liked this end of the island because it was quieter, but that's just personal choice.

On what island?

Thanks for the photos @Beenhereforever1978