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!

Yes this! Cruises are fantastic holidays with teens. We hardly saw ours on the sea days and evenings! We also had amazing stops which meant it was never boring. Definitely take a look at this option.

You could look at the hotels with Alpine Elements. Some have pools and you can be as active as you want. No beaches though

We have an only teen (15 year old ds).We are doing a Neilson activities holiday. But he’s sport mad so will do water skiing, scuba diving etc.. He may or may not make friends, he’s easy going but a bit shy. If anyone will kick a football with him though he will be happy!

The best teens club we ever used was at the Sherwood Exclusive Lara in Antalya, Turkey
Here

DD was 13 at the time and an only. We barely saw her! Lots of sporty stuff, crafty stuff and things like cocktail making (virgin) and Xbox competitions. The club was 12-15 I believe, so she didn't feel like she was too young or too old. However, it's an AI large hotel, so may not be what you are after.

Have you thought about a campsite. I had the best time on them when I was younger. Lots of teenagers from different countries, lots of things to do normally. They might have teen discos as well.
You don't need to camp, you can get lodges etc.

I'd definitely consider a cruise or could you comprise on the laying on a beach for only part of it, I'd recommend Green world holidays for an activity type holiday with other families. They have villas in Slovenia and Croatia and specialise in families with teenager activity holidays.

I with PP who suggested Mark Warner or Neilson.

Thanks for all the suggestions! There are some great ones here. Looking at all the different options now – including cruise! – and I'm confident we'll find something we like. So glad I posted now!

Yes, she happily instigates conversations, I'm often in awe of how she puts herself out there! When she was little we always encouraged her not to stick like glue to one best friend but have lots of really great ones, because the whole BFF scenario at primary could be horrible when there was a fallout. She's carried that through to senior school so her social circle at home is really wide. I wish I was more like her!

Went to Greece but with another family, so she had oven-ready company.

The beauty of a cruise is that, for most cruise companies, you all embark and disembark on the same day - so if your DD makes friends, they are there for the whole cruise. They are all in the same boat (so to speak) and are all wanting to make friends the same time.

We've been on hotel holidays where my kids have made friends, only to find that the friends are going home two days later, and they have to start all over again. This generally (there are some exceptions) doesn't tend to happen on a cruise.

We took 14yo dd on a med cruise last year, she's very shy though and didn't speak to anyone the whole trip!! But, she loved relaxing on the ship and the days out.

We are looking at a long weekend in Budapest as I think she'll love the thermal spas.

It's really difficult with a shy teen that doesn't like the sun 😔 but has FOMO if we go without her. Counting down to adult only holidays tbh 😂

Seconding Green World for a group holiday at a base, with some activities

HolidayHeadache1111 we've now booked Gran Oasis in Tenerife

In our experience of 14 cruises the kids clubs usually cater for up to age 21 and very well and professionally ran

I know this is an old thread but what did you choose in the end and did it work? Facing the same issue

This looks great, have noted the details. Have you been in summer and if so was it scorching? Or October?

We went in July. It was mid 30’s so not ridiculous.

Bitez is £5 taxi away for shopping / different restaurants (the hotel let you swap dinner for lunch). Bodrum was a £1 dolmus or £10 taxi and very good shopping / cool vibe. We did a scuba dive from Bitez. And my daughter leant to water ski. Highly recommend as a holiday.

You can take DS with you if you want, hes's very sociable. He's not sure about girls though, think his sister has put him off them

Thank you @Pantsnomore ! Mid 30s bit much for ours right now but in a couple of years reckon they could cope. Will see if it’s open in October half term too

A cruise would tick all the boxes and they have clubs for different bands of children including one for teenagers.