Where to go?

[Runningcommentary]

Trying to find a 2025 holiday and struggling! This year we did Majorca, which ticked our boxes but would like somewhere different next year.

Criteria is hot (in May), sandy beaches, near to a bigger town or city for day trips as DH gets bored with beach / pool days. A hotel with a kids club for teens (13 yr old) and ideally football pitch. Good veggie options, hotel big enough for activities and entertainment but not so huge that we stress about where DS is if he’s exploring hotel / away making friends. Walking distance to shops and restaurants, eg marina or seafront.

Flight from Midlands airport of no more than 4 hours.

Any suggestions welcomed!

Cyprus although might be a little bit over 4 hours flight.

Kalimera Kriti Hotel in Crete

If you have a big budget I would look at Football Escapes.

If not, the First Choice Holiday Villages offer football coaching.

Olu deniz in Turkey . Amazing place .

Paphos in Cyprus should tick your boxes if you can find the right hotel (I've only been to quieter places that don't offer the stuff you want!)

I'd do a Med cruise on a line like RCL. Brilliant for teens to make friends, they have the run of the ship but you know roughly where they are, plus some city day outs (port days) for DH.

Crete or Rhodes?

This looks like a great option. I’ve never fancied a cruise but must admit, looking at the ships and tour options it looks brilliant. My only worries, which may be irrational, are that sometimes you read about sick bugs that go through a ship given close proximity of passengers and rough seas. Not sure if that’s common?

We've done about 20 cruises and (touch wood) haven't yet had a sickness bug. It does happen but you'd be unlucky. There is a lot of encouragement for hand washing and antibac.
Rough seas is exceedingly unlikely to be an issue in the Med in summer. Mid ship cabins are best if you are worried.
Btw, I would generally advise avoiding ship tours, usually v expensive and personally I hate being on a coach of 50 people. We DIY by walking, using buses, trains, taxis, small local tour operators but we always aim to get back to the ship long, long before its scheduled departure (min 2 hours) as the only benefit of a ship tour (IMO) is that they wait for you if you are late back. Teenage DS was always itching to get back on board anyway! He loved it, the freedom he had on the ship, the food selection & availability & made some great friends.

Thanks for the feedback- yes we’d be independent explorers too. I can imagine DS not wanting to leave the ship. I quite fancy the Northern Escapes Cruise!

Crete or Cyprus as many have suggested. Best bet for hot weather in May. Or the Canaries

We are going to Cyprus next year and are staying in an AI but are only a short walk to Ayia Napa so we can easily go for walks during the day and early evening (before the nightlife gets going)

Watch 'Emma Cruises' on YouTube. Her latest trip was on a ship that had just had an outbreak of, I think, norovirus.

Embarkation was delayed while they did a deep clean of the ship. There are wash hand stations to use before eating, and a tip I saw from another YouTuber is to wash your hands again after you touch any tongs.

If you stick to the med there are unlikely to be rough seas.