Me and my 17 yr old holiday destination ideas

[MediatorM]

I’m keen (amazingly) so is my son to have a weeks trip with me in late June post college end of term, he’s going away with friends to Spain in Aug so happy to head away with me before his trip. I need advice on destinations as I think he’ll get bored of a holiday in the sun with not much to see or do nearby. I don’t particularly want to hire a car so somewhere coastal but with things to see or do. Any recommendations for overseas please not the UK.

What about a cruise?

At that age, I'd personally be recommending a 4 night city break rather than a more drawn out week long semi beach holiday (which is what I'm guessing you are thinking of when you say near the coast?) In my experience with teens it's a lot more fun to have a few days of really high value activities (in terms of excitement, not necessarily cost) and quit while you're ahead than trying to fill a week, especially on any kind of budget.

Kraków would be a great choice.

City break like Berlin, Nice, Amsterdam or Dublin

Valencia, Barcelona or Lisbon.

What does he like doing? Water park? Kayaking, museums, nightlife, archeology?

@MediatorM what kind of things do you both like doing? Would you stay in more than one place?
Slovenia could give you city/mountains/lakes/coast.
Austria city and lakes/mountains - hiking, white water rafting, culture too...
Italy same again.

We went to Milan last summer (me and DS19 and DS14). Stayed in centre of Milan, loads to do. Then we got trains to Lake Garda, Lake Como and Bergamo. Trains in Italy are very cheap and easy (you book them on Trainline).

Berlin, Prague, Ljubljana

Iceland is cool and lots to do. Look at the Italian Lakes (maybe stay in Peschiera as it has good train connections to Verona, Venice etc, ferries to other places and beaches to use/swim in the lake). Or a city break to Amsterdam or Barcelona (also has a beach) maybe?

Istanbul, Barcelona, Rome

City break. Berlin would be my choice, but you could maybe fly to Berlin for a few nights, then a train to maybe Hamburg for a few nights.

Just realised that you said coastal but I’d still recommend Berlin as top choice anyway!

Berlin or if you want coastal Copenhagen.

Nice or Barcelona - loads for teens in both places

Not coastal but my son and I are going to India this week. Have booked a tour. Delhi Agra and Jaipur.

Agree with a PP that Iceland is fascinating. Took DS 18 for 4 nights and had a great time under bright blue skies. Lots of local swimming pools.
When he was 19 we went to Dubrovnik and enjoyed that too but would have found the summer too hot, we went at Easter.

Where did you plan to go to OP? My son and I had a fab experience in India. Only problem we had was the Heathrow fiasco and I sent my son to the airport in Delhi before i went to southern India on retreat and his flight was cancelled. BA thankfully put him up in a hotel but then put him on an alternative airline.

West of Ireland!! I always say this because it's such a beautiful place and very multigenerational
Can fly to knock stay in Westport do fishing climb croagh Patrick have surfing lessons. Great food great nightlife
Whatever you chose have a wonderful time just watched the winners of race across the world mum and son team and thought what a lovely thing to do!!

I have done Barcelona with one kid
I’m doing Dublin this year with another
And going to probably do a long haul with my middle DC In the winter

Bali!

Depends what kind of thing they like, and also what you are looking for? I'm guessing you may like a bit of relaxation and they might like to be out and about doing stuff all the time (if anything like my boys at that age). They were bored senseless sat at a pool all day.

City break in a nice hotel with a rooftop pool could be good. Barcelona has a beach too.

What about Italian cities, you could do Rome for a few days then get a train somewhere else for some chilling, or do Rome and Naples (for Pompeii and Herculaneium(.

My son enjoyed Berlin, has has been mentioned, when he'd done his GCSEs (he liked the history and thought it a cool city).

Just make sure you go somewhere with nice food. Teenagers seem to be obsessed with food....

My 19 year old went to MIlan for a few days with his mates a few weeks back. Got very cheap flights They got tickets to a game at the football stadium, went to Como (ate "the best pizza ever, best gelato" etc 😄)

Ahh that’s brilliant!!
Honestly it’s a completely underrated holiday destination, it’s so easy to get around Italy (and so cheap!) that we got to see so much!
We also did the San Siro tour but we went in August so no matches, we did see them laying the pitch which was quite cool as both boys are footballers!

Wow, bet they loved seeing the San Siro. I love Italy as a holiday destination, there's something for everyone. Somehow we've only ever ended up going without the kids though, been to Rome twice (youngest DS did a brilliant school trip there), Sorrento (including Pompeii and Herculaneum), Capri, Portofino. Desperate to see Venice before it sinks, Florence and other parts of Tuscany, Dolomites, the Lakes.....love, love, love it!

As for young people, what teenager doesn't like as much pizza, pasta and gelato that they can get their hands on?! 😀

Malaga would be perfect .