Suggestions for holiday with only child teen

[HolidayHeadache1111]

I am tearing my hair out trying to find somewhere, so I'm throwing it out to the MN massive for help! We're trying to organise our first holiday abroad in three years. All three of us – me, DP and DD14 – want somewhere sunny in southern Europe where we can lounge by a pool, visit the beach occasionally (not massive beach fans) in a place that's traditionally local and lots of places, things to see, etc. DD's deal breaker (we've all been allowed one) is she wants to go somewhere she'll meet other teens – sadly taking one of her friends with us isn't an option this time, as her closest ones (i.e. the ones we'd be happy to take) are away at the same time. So an Airbnb isn't an option because she'd get lonely and bored. We're open to doing a holiday package resort but mine and DP's deal breaker is that it's somewhere that's quieter and smaller than your average place.

I'm looking for a unicorn, aren't I?!

If anyone has any suggestions, I'd be so grateful!

i think it’s optimistic for her to make friends tbh at 14 and on her own as at the holiday clubs are generally out her at under 13 and if older activities available… generally tumble weed

where have you been before that you enjoyed

we love greece and lanzarote

I saw a website for a resort in Croatia that was aimed at teens with activities like rafting and paddle boarding. Can't remember the name though.

That's good to know, thanks.

We love Greece, south of France and the Balearics.

I think I know the place you mean! I'm loathed to spend ££££ on somewhere with activities and her not do them though. She's more of a bookworm.

even more optimistic then that she’s going to make friends!

Would you consider a cruise? Plenty of teens and clubs/activities for your daughter while having multiple stops means you could find the quieter areas to visit each time. On sea days you can lounge by the pool for as long as you want.

I'm in the same boat. Maybe we can book the same place 🤣. We usually have DD1 with us but it's only dd2 this year. She's quite happy to stay in the hotel room all day but I'd really like her to make friends so she's not just stuck with us 😊

We were in the same boat. Debated booking a resort-type hotel (not us). Ibostar hotels have teen clubs at not ridiculously expensive hotels.

In the end decided not to as no guarantee that she would want to go / find a friend. So have booked this hotel in Turkey. Hoping water sports means there might be other teens. Was very impressed by Cachet staff too - they really knew their stuff.

https://www.cachet-travel.co.uk/d/property-tamarisk-beach-hotel-ortakent-bodrum-turkey.html

She's actually really good at it – she's had 14 years of practice! She tends to make friends by the pool or in the evening.

That place looks perfect, thank you for sharing!

That's a good plan! We can organise a Mumsnet only child teens get together!

Excellent!

I'd love that, not sure I could (quite literally) get DP on board! But I'll definitely check out options.

We stayed in Puerto Pollensa, Mallorca, a couple of years back when DD similar age. Recommend the Puerto Azul hotel. She made friends round the pool - took her a while to warm up but got there in the end! Area & hotel have all the things you're looking for.

My niece went with her mum to a Neilson resort in Kos in Greece. They have teen activities. She loved it.

Slightly different idea; how about one of the French luxury campsites? We find that at campsites kids and teens can mix more easily as you aren’t hidden away so much. A lot of them have lovely pools and some aren’t too far from beaches. If you look at the Les Castelles chain then you’re likely to find upmarket places. Sometimes they have properties to rent rather than just tents.

I'd second the idea of a cruise - very easy for single teens to make friends, as they all have teen clubs. IME, it tends to be that the teens go for the first evening, to meet others, then do their own thing for the rest of the cruise. Plenty to see and do for everyone, especially if you pick a port intensive cruise.

The only down-side is that ships (especially large ones) can seem very busy, and the pool is always busy! But you can almost always find quieter spots away from the main pool area, or book a cabin with a balcony so you have your own little area to escape to.

My dds used to always make friends on holiday. One year we hardly saw DD1. She made friends on the first day and hung around with her new friend the whole time. But they haven't made any friends for the past 5+ years. Dd2 is horrified at the thought of trying to make new friends on holiday. She just wouldn't know how to go about it. But she'd probably find it happens naturally if there's other kids at the resort in the same boat

I'd look at cruises myself, several companies have good term programmes. My dd loved it (she's not an only but her elder sister is autistic so didn't come out of her room much)

impressive! my teens stick together on holiday or holiday with friends… i don’t think i’ve ever known them to make friends with other teens whilst on holiday since being a teen

she must have guts… does she go up and introduce herself?

so last time abroad was when she was 11? where did you go and what type of place?

I found it is difficult for teens on AI resort holidays. Most only offer games/consoles as activities or sport like tennis, football.

We basically decided to stop and move to city breaks with a short resort stay at the end or in the middle to relax at the pool and just flop.

Much better but then DD loves city breaks.

Mark Warner, Neilsons or Club Med are brilliant for teens but you’d need a healthy budget.