Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Holidays

Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

Original poster

Where to go outside Europe for special holiday with teens?

62 replies

stripycats · 25/05/2024 13:58

DS2 is desperate to go outside Europe and next year boys will have just done GCSEs and A Levels so it will be a good time to go away, maybe for the last time together the three of us (I hope not though!). I've been to the USA and Thailand years ago but boys haven't been out of Europe, though we've been to loads of places there. As an added complication, Ds1 isn't keen as he thinks there is nowhere we will all like - he can be a bit of a stick in the mud though and if I can find the right place he'll be fine. Also, I'm a teacher so we can only go late July/August.

Our requirements/wishes:

  • Neither of the boys are sporty and they can swim but not very strongly, so no active/adventurous stuff wanted.
  • They don't like sitting on beaches or by pools - or not for more than 1 day/an hour or so per day.
  • DS1 loves history and would be in museums for endless hours. He also likes cathedrals and some art galleries. DS2 doesn't but will tolerate.
  • DS2 loves shopping (but won't have heaps and heaps to spend!). DS1 doesn't but will tolerate.
  • They both like 'tame' attractions like cable cars, funiculars etc.
  • DS2 loves animals and wildlife. DS1 doesn't but would tolerate a limited amount.
  • Both enjoy walking somewhere lovely, like on cliffs, a country park type place, by a river etc.
  • DS2 loves a theme park as long as not too extreme. DS1 says he doesn't but enjoys once there.
  • Definitely not Dubai or similar for any of us.

Cost would be a factor but I haven't set a budget - I have savings I'll probably be dipping into, which I don't usually for holidays. I haven't got pots to throw away but I think I spend £3-4k usually and obviously expect to be paying more than that for this. They don't want to be away more than 2 weeks max as they have to spend time with their dad too and don't want to be away from our house the whole summer.

Any suggestions would be very gratefully received.

OP posts:
atotalshambles · 25/05/2024 14:06

My teens loved Miami and Florida. Otherwise Canada or California. We went to Miami at Xmas and found the USA v expensive however. Also, not sure if Florida would be too hot for July/August and might have a hurricane risk. Other options that occurs to me is Washington (lots of culture and museums etc..).

MrsTerryPratchett · 25/05/2024 14:09

Outside Europe for less than 2 weeks is a bit of a waste, just because travelling there and jet lag if it's east or west is a lot. You've wasted 2-4 days before you start.

Talipesmum · 25/05/2024 14:10

I was going to say Canada or America too. You can avoid it being too hot if you go a bit north.

Talipesmum · 25/05/2024 14:12

MrsTerryPratchett · 25/05/2024 14:09

Outside Europe for less than 2 weeks is a bit of a waste, just because travelling there and jet lag if it's east or west is a lot. You've wasted 2-4 days before you start.

If you go to the US I’ve found I adjust pretty quickly when I get there. I’m useless for several days when I get back mind.

cherryassam · 25/05/2024 14:13

An east coast US trip might work - Boston, New York, Washington DC. Could have some time in Cape Cod or similar.

Not as long a flight and not as much jet lag as the west of North America.

Somersetcallingme · 25/05/2024 14:13

The cost of living on the us is high now - its an expensive trip eating out wise.

AI Mexico gives the best value for that type of holiday.

Flights will eat into your budget a lot. I would imagine you'd needed nearer £6k

Justrolledmyeyesoutloud · 25/05/2024 14:15

I was going to suggest east coast USA too

CrunchySnow · 25/05/2024 14:16

I would go to Western Canada....fly to Vancouver and do a few days shopping and sightseeing. Then get a bus/car/train to the Rockies and stay in Banff/Jasper. You can get a cable car up the mountain in Banff to some hot springs. Go to Lake Louise/Peyto Lake on the way. A couple of days in Lake Kelowna would also be nice.

Or go to somewhere like Vietnam/Japan.

ladybirdsanchez · 25/05/2024 14:23

The USA is so expensive at the moment that I fear the flights alone in July/Aug will eat up most of your budget. I think your best bet may be a package. Summer is tricky for long haul in terms of weather, as a lot of places are very hot and humid, but your money will probably go furthest in Asia (not Japan - that's very expensive and it's also about 40 degrees in summer).

I think I'd chat to a travel agent once I'd firmed up the budget, but off the top of my head the places with okay weather in summer that shouldn't break the bank include Mexico, Sri Lanka, Borneo, Indonesia and Vietnam.

mitogoshi · 25/05/2024 14:37

On that budget and those interests - Sri Lanka. Mini safari, boat safari, temples, elephant sanctuary, walking in tea country, museum in the capital. Pretty friendly and manageable, English widely spoken and they have ubertut! (Or did last time i went) travel by train, backpacks to feel a bit more adventurous but it's in reality tame and should be manageable on a fairly modest budget not much more than you normally spend as long as you opt for locally owned b&b's which would be more interesting anyway.

NeedToKnow101 · 25/05/2024 15:06

Japan or Sri Lanka, or Kerala (although not sure when is a good time to go to Kerala).
Or stay in Europe and go to Heraculum and Pompeii in Italy.

maw1681 · 25/05/2024 15:11

MrsTerryPratchett · 25/05/2024 14:09

Outside Europe for less than 2 weeks is a bit of a waste, just because travelling there and jet lag if it's east or west is a lot. You've wasted 2-4 days before you start.

I disagree, have been to the states twice, once for 2 weeks once for 10 days. It was all the time I could take off work

Riverlee · 25/05/2024 15:12

Cruise to Iceland?

MooseBeTimeForSnow · 25/05/2024 15:17

I’d always suggest Singapore, but not with that budget unfortunately.

And it does get quite warm in Northern Canada. Hence the wildfires in Alberta and British Columbia.

Chocbuttonsandredwine · 25/05/2024 15:20

At that time of year most places outside of Europe will be £££ for flights. At least £1k each.

if you were happy to do basic or spent £10kish then Sri Lanka would probably be ideal:

Would you consider Marrakesh/morroco?

Marlaysydney12 · 25/05/2024 15:21

Yucatan penisular in Mexico. (Outside of Cancun) amazing history, food, mayan pyramids, very friendly.

Original poster
stripycats · 25/05/2024 15:23

Thanks so much for the ideas.

DS1 is convinced we wouldn't have enough to do in N USA as there isn't enough history there, which is also a reason he's discounted Singapore, which I do love the look of and feel DS2 would love. Is there much to do there aside from shopping?

I haven't set a budget yet. I could pretty much double my usual spend. I'd rather not really but it would be worth it if we all had a great time. I would be gutted to spend that much for one or both of the boys to be a bit 'meh' about it. They are not spoilt, rude kids, but obviously you know if a holiday's been a bit shit, even if no one actually says so!

OP posts:
cherryassam · 25/05/2024 15:26

Could you ask both of them to come up with 3 places they would like to go and see if there is any crossover?

I think there is a lot of history in NE USA - but I guess it depends what he means by history?

Original poster
stripycats · 25/05/2024 15:28

Wow - that much for flights @Chocbuttonsandredwine ? I've already done some random searching on Skyscanner and for going this year a few different places came up at just over £2k and for next April (I know I'm not going then) it was ever so slightly less.

I'd love to do somewhere like Morocco but have heard it's difficult for women? Don't know whether having 16 and 18 year old boys would help with that?

Yucatan really does appeal but again, I've heard scary things about Mexico. We don't want to feel we have to be on a resort or an excursion all the time.

OP posts:
ladybirdsanchez · 25/05/2024 15:29

I would be gutted to spend that much for one or both of the boys to be a bit 'meh' about it.

So involve them in planning the trip. They're old enough and if they've played a part in choosing the destination and the activities you do they'll be more invested than if you do it all.

Original poster
stripycats · 25/05/2024 15:33

Yes, they'd definitely be involved in planning it and always have been for all our holidays. The problem with this one is that DS1 is being so negative and basically doesn't want to go, but he is one of those people who can be a bit like that and it's worth jollying him along a bit. However, I have to admit there are so many European destinations that suit all our needs but DS2 is desperate to go elsewhere, and I would also like to go somewhere new.

OP posts:
DisplayPurposesOnly · 25/05/2024 15:35

DS1 is convinced we wouldn't have enough to do in N USA as there isn't enough history there,

Ha ha ha har....! Silly DS.

I was going to suggest a few days in Boston (quite a bit of history there...) then hydrofoil/fast ferry to Provincetown for northern Cape Cod. Possibly even a couple of days in Reykjavik if flying Icelandair and budget allows.

ChanWork · 25/05/2024 15:38

It's got to be Japan, fabulous for teens