Ideas for summer holidays with older teens

[wonderstuff]

Next summer we will have a 16 and 18yo, the 18yo is unsure if she wants to holiday with us, obviously if she gets a better offer.. but really want to do something with 16yo. DC1 wants a city, DC2 wants something chill. We took them to Rome this year and while they liked the food, there was way too much walking. Neither of them really into sightseeing. Neither of them too keen on heat, mid-20s is fine but they get grumpy if it’s too hot, which I think rules out all the affordable resorts in southern Europe. We are restricted to school summer holidays as I’m a teacher.

Im thinking maybe Brittany? Dutch Center Parcs (will they be too old for that)? I think we could stretch to a £4K budget. Which I think keeps us in Europe.. We had a really good long weekend in Lille recently, but would like a longer trip. Decent food is the one thing we all value.

We went to Center Parcs Paris this year. Have you looked up that one? It’s got a lovely pool and way quieter than CP in the UK. You will need a car if you want to go off site. But it’s a 10 min drive to Disneyland and Val d’Europe. Later has free parking and only €2.50 one way into central Paris. It’s on the RER A line, one stop before Disneyland. We had days out in Paris, days doing not much and also 2 days in Disneyland. Paris is very expensive however. Think London prices.

We did Copenhagen the year our two were those ages. Had an apartment in the new dock lands area which was pretty chill and great for calm public transport. Lots to do in the city and plenty of green space. Kids go back to school there earlier than ours so wasn’t too busy. Eating out was eye wateringly expensive but always good and we combined it with cooking some nights. Easy to get out of the city by train or over the bridge to Sweden.

Copenhagen is indeed a great city!
Iceland?
cruise on Norwegian Fjords?
Or do your main holiday at Easter or October half term then it’s not so hot?

Ferienparadies Natterer See is a stunning resort/park in the Alps just a few km from Innsbruck. It’s right on a lake which has water sports, beach volleyball and an aqua park. There’s a bus which takes you into the city centre in about 20mins.

Netherlands!

We can’t really do Easter or May because of the big exams this year 😩 so English summer holiday. We do fancy Copenhagen, the cost has put me off a bit (I do love eating out on the cheap in southern Europe). But that definitely an idea.
Paris we have done both the city (which they enjoyed) and Disneyland (which they also liked but not enough to go back again).

The alps sounds good, but we aren’t particularly sporty.

There are some great holidays in alpine regions.

we had a fabulous trip with Alpine Elements with 15 and 17 year olds.

You can do as much or as little as you want, and many resorts have outdoor pools

Anywhere in the Alps and Lakes for an active holiday combined with a day or two in the city where you fly too - e.g. Lyon, Salzburg, Innsbruck, Munich, Turin

Or go north to Copenhagen, Rügen, Bornholm, Hamburg/Bad Segeberg

Another vote for Copenhagen. If you stay somewhere like Norrebro, eating out isn't too bad, and the tourist attractions (castles etc) are not too expensive. We got a train to the Louisiana art museum by the sea, which would be great for teenagers and you can swim in the sea after seeing the museum. There are also lots of vintage shops which teenagers might like.

Watching!

Norwegian cruise, Northern European one or even a med one - don’t book trips just use public transport to visit places in easy reach of the port in the morning then chill on the ship in the afternoon (or go off without them) most ships have 3/4 berth cabins which are cheaper per person of course if a little crowded or opt for inside cabins. I’d actually not book until next year, 4-6 weeks out for better deals

Copenhagen is indeed a lovely city, but anywhere in Scandinavia is expensive, so it may not suit the OP and her family.

What about Lisbon? Our kids really liked it. You could stay in Cascais or Estoril (on the coast nearby) instead of in the city, if you prefer. Plenty to do and see, nice beaches, day trip to Sintra (if you're interested), good food, everyone speaks English, charming old town, museums, shops, wonderful pastries!

Currently at Landal Hof Van Saksen (Northern Holland) with teenagers and it's great. Amazing swimming pool and watersides, beautiful lake with beach, we have brought a dinghy with us but there are free kayaks / SUPs in the afternoon. Loads of activities for older children and the cycling is lovely and easy as very flat and safe roads. Lots of interesting towns to explore nearby and a brilliant adventure zoo with a rollercoaster a short drive away. It's mid 20's today and we've been swimming in the lake.

Italy! If food is your thing get everyone to watch Stanley Tucci (LOVE him) and get about Italy by train you can stay at Agriturismos that are very reasonable and food also excellent! I really enjoyed my Italy break with the teens this year and it doesn’t need to cost a fortune!

Oh might you say where you went and what agriturismos if you could please ?

I used to take my boys on bicycle sightseeing tours in European cities. They are more fun than walking and not as tiring and there tend to be more cycle routes.
You could probably hire bikes yourselves and download audio guides, but I’ve always found human guides are more interesting and quirky.

Seconding Alps. Fly to Geneva, couple of days there or in Annecy for the city-lover, then head somewhere like Morzine, Chamonix or Samoens. We had an active-ish holiday in Morzine but you don’t have to be sporty (I’m not). There are lovely walks - take the ski lift up so walking is all downhill - the scenery is just gorgeous. These towns have a nice buzz in the summer, with a weekly food market and live music etc. Lots of good restaurants too - it helps to like cheese…

Or Dolomites could also be great especially if you don’t need all the active stuff.