European holiday ideas with older teens

[Emmaheather]

I feel at a bit of a loss as to what to do for a family holiday with older teenagers and would welcome any suggestions.

I have two boys, who will be 19 and 17 next summer. They get on fine but aren't really close. One is pretty sporty and sociable, the other is happy to read and play games. I'd love somewhere peaceful with the option to cook at home but also eat out without driving. Pool and seaside enjoyed by all.

We had a bit of a disastrous holiday to a remote villa in France last year. We had a pool shared with a couple of other villas and there was a pool table/games but my sporty/sociable DS went a bit stir crazy as it was too isolated. Big trip to America this year to see family but not something we'll be doing again anytime soon.

I'm just not sure how to juggle everyone's needs and whether we should call it quits on family holidays (for now anyway). I'd be interested to hear what works for others with older teens and grateful for any recommendations.

We had a great week away with Alpine Elements with our older teens. It wasn’t self catering though

I’m finding keeping it short is working with my older teens, we have done self catering in Tenerife a couple of times and that’s been nice, lots of options to eat out, shopping, a bit of sightseeing and reliable weather and a pool. We’ve kept it to 5 nights, so they aren’t away from friends for too long.

We’ve also done Lille for a couple of nights, no pool but we had a nice time eating and exploring. Eating very important to my teens!

I would add mine are a little younger, 15 and 17 and my 17 year old is not coming on our next trip. We are looking forward to DH and I just pleasing ourselves in a couple of years.

City breaks with cities that have a sort of beach or river, so the sporty one might be able to go off in the day to the beach/water etc, the other one perhaps meander round, go for nice dinner each night, see shows or something, something historical if they're into that, mountain walks or something?

Palma, has beach, city, mountains which are all walkable from the old town, that sort of place

We got a villa (Cala d’or, Mallorca) and let them bring a friend each at that age. Was a bloody revelation- we did know the friends though. They did their own thing as it’s in town/beach and we did stuff together. Otherwise like others have said, city break that’s shorter. It does get really tricky (impossible) to please all at that age.

Will take a look at that - thanks

Last couple of years we have done a villa with a pool, separate bedrooms, walkable to restaurants, online shop on day 1 but supermarket nearby too

Mornings are do whatever you want, wake up when you like
We usually eat breakfast/lunch/brunch in
Give them 2-3 choices of place for dinner
They have some chill out time in their room but play card games with us too. We’ve had villas with a pool table, hot tub, table tennis, cinema (not all at once!) which has gone down well

Do some separate stuff splitting off into kids/parents or one parent with one child & some together - trips out, meals, mini golf etc

No pressure on anyone

Places were Fuerteventura, Rhodes, Algarve, Menorca

Duinrell in Holland is good. You can do the sightseeing, Amsterdam etc, but still have the swim complex and theme park.

The European centre parks are another option. Again, sightseeing through the day, and activities in evening etc. They’re cheaper than the British ones.

Annecy is an fab area in France. Swim inthe lake lake, cycle around, go parascending, or explore the area such as Chamonix and Geneva. Very pretty area.

Wild card - a cruise? Many go from Southampton.

I don’t have teens but I do have two very different DC similar to you and I find multi destination holidays work well.

Last year we flew to Biarritz and spent two days there in a hotel- it’s busy, nice shops, lovely beach and a nice food hall market.

Then we had a villa half an hours drive outside of Biarritz which was more rural with a private pool but only half an hour from beaches.
Then we drove to San Sebastián (an hours drive) and spent three days there in an Airbnb. Great food, lovely beach and busier again.
Ryanair flights, cheap car hire, basic hotel in Biarritz, splashed out a bit on the villa to get a nice pool made it all do-able. We loved it and it hit the mark for those who wanted quiet and relaxing vs those who wanted to be on the go.

Other combo holidays we have done:
Some days in Seville combined with villa near Algarve
Salzburg combined with some days in a lakefront resort in the mountains

Oh I would also recommend Italian lakes as a good one destination compromise- lots to do (hiking in the mountains, water sports, ferry hopping, shopping) but also nice hotels to just chill out in.

Really helpful ideas and shorter definitely sounds like the way to go. I like the idea of planning a couple of different types of holidays - maybe 5-7 days in a villa then a city break at another time.

We just got back from a 3 week holiday (as we were visiting family in the USA). Quite frankly a miracle we are all still on speaking terms!

Really helpful thanks! Where did you find your villa? I was a bit disappointed with Airbnb this holiday and think properties were oversold and reviews didn't fit with my experience

@jackstini sounds like the sort of holiday that could work for us. How did you find your villa?

Villa Plus and booking.com, then flights through Ryanair, EasyJet, Jet2

We always do a taxi transfer too - so much quicker and easier

@Emmaheather that villa was Airbnb, I’ve also used Booking.com. I do spend a lot of time looking- I really scrutinise the pictures, amenities and reviews.
Also I think if you are moving around it puts less “pressure” on the villa to be perfect.

My dd loved interrailing - especially when given the liberty to plan stops/activities. We booked nice accommodation via Booking.com and generally stayed 3 nights in each place.

Cruise on one of the better lines they specifically cater for older teens as well as little kids. Celebrity, Holland America etc, avoid P&O well unless you like a dirty Butlins

@Funf thanks for the suggestion. I don't think a cruise is for me - I feel a bit claustrophobic about the idea of it!

They are great value and a good way of seeing lots of places, Sea days are the only day you cant get off but we have never felt claustrophobic, plenty to see and do or you can just sit if you want and watch the world go by. Plan each day even if the plan is to do nothing.
Never know until you try it, Cruise Critic forum is a great source of info

@Emmaheather if you choose a cruise with lots of stops then it doesn’t feel claustrophobic.

An you link to the villa if you recommend please @NaturalBlondeYeahRight

A medium sized town near the sea or swimming lake. Sporty and cultural option covered, no one has to anything but can go on trips organised by the person who wants to do them. Meet in the evening for a meal and cards.
suggestions: Palma, Sitges, Valencia, Malaga, Lake Garda, Budva, Corfu, Crete, Lagos - Portugal, Nice, Montpellier, San Sebastián

@Emmaheather
The above san Sebastian / biartiz is a great idea but add in st Jean de Liz in the middle .
The three places are so different and distinctive however I think they would love Europa park.
There are absolutely amazing roller coasters but the whole park is an absolute wonder to explore the poolsbhotels water park etc. could combine it with Basel in Switzerland and Strasbourg in France.

We did a mix of citybreak first and then relaxing somewhere else afterwards.

US (Boston, Newport, NY to celebrate DD's 16th birthday, I could have missed that town)
Germany (Berlin and Alps)
France (Loire chateaus) and Cascais near Lisbon

Saying that, we are all history nerds and love museums and sightseeings so the first week was intense and the second was about going for walks, beach, sunbathing,

Last year we did an island hop in Croatia with slightly younger teens , it was amazing. You can choose self - catering and in vibrant towns with beaches and restaurants. Check out Brac island and Korcula

I have a 19 and 18 year old (boy, girl). Split, Croatia was a big hit this year ( we did Airbnb). Loads to do, good restaurants and a lively town. BUT…it was very expensive. Activities were reasonable for a holiday location (we diid rafting, speed boat tour, quad biking and zip lining) but we ate out mainly which was very expensive so you could cut costs that way.