Recommendations for a European holiday with older teens please

[Monr0e]

Happy New Year everyone. Probably like a lot of others today I’ve started thinking about our family holiday this year however I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed with the choice if I’m honest and looking for some recommendations to help narrow it down.

We are a family of 4, DC’s will be 18 and 15 when we go. We need a minimum of 2 bed apartment rather than family room in a hotel due to ages of the DC, (DS and DD).

We have one week at the beginning of August that we can go, I am looking at Europe but no one has any particular places they want to visit so anywhere is really an option. The only things we do want are either an apartment or villa with a pool and not too remote. We went to Italy last year and while the villa was stunning, the location was quite isolated and we missed being able to head out in the evening and have a stroll around a local town or beach front with lots of choice of places to eat. So while we enjoyed the adventure and exploring last year, this year I want minimum effort and everything nearby if possible as we only have one week.

I would be very grateful if anyone has any recommendations, including apartments or places they have stayed, I’m finding it difficult to find actual apartments on the holiday websites and most only seem to offer hotels or studios which wouldn’t be suitable. Thank you 😊

Strasbourg? Great access via train from Paris. Europa theme park accessible.

Dubrovnik? Although August might be a bit hot?
Our young adults enjoyed the old towns, some kayaking in the bay and the visit to the island / Game of Thrones tour.

We were in adjacent rooms in an hotel which worked for us. Nice pools/spa/gym and buffet restaurant which suited our sons (who eat a lot!)

We went to Croatia with 16 and 18 year olds last year, did a couple of nights in Dubrovnik them for the ferry to Milna on Brac, Villa with a pool
within easy walk of the harbour, safe for everyone to just potter, good choice of food and trips of you wanted to explore

We did Crete in summer 2023 with DCs 18 and 14. Stayed in apartment in outskirts of Chania Theos Villlage apartments. Lovely and modern with great pool. Walking distance to restaurants and taxi ride into centre for more. Watersports available plus botanic garden and beaches, boat trips etc.

Would you consider booking two rooms in a hotel? Might make the search easier. That’s what we’ve done for the last 3 years with dds who will be 20 and 17 when we go away this year.

Thank you, I'll definitely look at Croatia, it sounds like we would all enjoy it.

Any tips on areas to stay?

We have considered 2 hotel rooms but Ds and Dh don't like to share, dh snores, very loudly! An apartment (or villa) is ideal as it gives us an extra room and space.

I have teens similar age.
Lots to do in Omis in Croatia.
We also stayed in trogir. Lovely little town.
Also try Port de Pollensa in Majorca.
Or Morzine in France for an alpine summer holiday. Lots to do there too.
I look on air b n b then try and find clues to book more direct (lots of villa agencies use air BnB but cheaper to book direct).
This year we are going to the Algave.