Ideas for a family holiday with teen, tween and mother-in-law

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I'm getting myself in a confuddle so could really use some ideas. We're a family of two parents and two children (teen and tween) We've just got back from a non package holiday with an apartment and rental car. DH was fed up with all the driving, and teen was extremely bored and didn't want to do anything with us.

Next year, I'm thinking of potentially taking them out of school after Gcse exams, so early July. We have to take my MIL next year, and thinking it might be easier to take a friend for teen. A package holiday with transfers would give DH a break from driving. This is added cost with rooms, although MIL would pay for herself.

Lastly, I'm thinking about something fun for the kids, eg a waterpark and theme park nearby. Open to all suggestions!

Can anyone come up with some ideas for me that I might be missing? AI has suggested Salou or Antalya. Budget would be up to £7,000 max. Ideally less if possible. I wouldn't mind UK for example.

Forgot to say that Salou is out because DH and teen went there this year. Thanks in advance.

I’d be going to Turkey AI with onsite water park. Some of them like Liberty Signa also have swim up rooms which the teens will love.

Key camp type holiday imo, something with a water park within walking distance of a village/town.

@jeaux90 I really fancy Land of Legends so this is the option I'm looking into the most. The shows and rollercoasters might fit the bill. Thanks for the hotel recommendation as I'm getting overwhelmed with choice.

This would make the most choice budget wise. We stayed in one near Paris when the teen was little and it was fantastic. We caught the ferry, and DH drove in France last time, which he wouldn't want to do this time. Could look into other options. Thanks 😊

Tenerife has Siam Park and other attractions. You can get packages that include entry to Siam Park. Lots of boat trips and excursions.

I'll have a look into this, thanks. They might like something like a jeep safari. Excursions are worth looking into as an idea as opposed to the theme park. Might break it up a bit more, a few morning excursions, then pool afternoons. We've done a few boat trips and I've never been much of a fan. Great ideas and different angles coming up, thanks 😊

Don’t do the land of legends hotel. In the middle of nowhere (no beach) with just the theme next door (others may advise differently). There are other hotel with free access and transfers.

That's really helpful, thanks 😊

Duinrell in the Netherlands. Take the ferry, and from there it’s less than 1 hour drive. Once you’re there, you don’t really need to do any driving. There’s so much to do onsite, and if you want to get offsite, you can get to most places by bike - it’s flat and there are paved cycle routes leading to the nearby towns, beach and train station. My DC’s favourite nearby outing was Madurodam. The whole complex definitely feels safe enough to let a teen go off by themselves.

The more I'm thinking about it, Tenerife and Siam water park seems like a good idea. I've seen 4x4 trips to the volcanos that look fun. MIL wouldn't mind us going off to do things she wouldn't enjoy.

Anyone done any excursions in Tenerife I should look into? I love circus/dance/light shows if anyone has any suggestions? Or recommendations about one's the teens would like? The tween is very brave so would give anything a go, too.

Thanks all for giving me a bit more focus xx

Sorry! Just saw your post now - haven't heard of this before. Will have a good look.

@Forgottenmyphone this place looks amazing. I'd go for a Dungalow accommodation option. Will definitely float it as an option to DH and gauge his reaction with the driving. Maybe even an option for the year after.

If your budget will stretch to it, club La Santa works really well as a multi generation holiday. Plenty of activities, divine wellness centre and sunbeds by the pool. There are lots of pools, some for fitness swimming another for splashing around, very child friendly

Warm but breezy weather so need to be extra careful with sunscreen

A very model of stylish, ecologically-sound life. I would live there if I could. Have a look on their app to get an flavour of the kind of activities available every day. Enjoy.

https://www.clublasanta.com/

@FinallyHere wow, so many activities! I can see the tween would love the bouldering and slack line activities. Out of our budget though due to the amount of bedrooms we'd need.

I'm back to Tenerife idea. We wouldn't get everyone in the one car to travel to Netherlands camp, so that would have to be for a year when MIL isn't coming. Package holiday with transfers is best option for next year.

This and fly drive. There are some really good sites in Southern France, close to civilisation and good for teens.

You could afford two caravans for a bit more space.

Portugal? There seems to be a nice hotel I keep looking at called Aquashow that has a huge water park and theme park rides that I’m sure your kids would enjoy! Half board with flights works out roughly £1,100pp with transfers and baggage

edited to say the rooms look great as they are interconnected!
https://www.jet2holidays.com/portugal/algarve/quarteira/aquashow-park-hotel

Tenerife on a package is a good all around option because they have a good bus service to get out and about, loads of providers for excursions, activities etc keeping prices reasonable, bigger hotels will have teen and tween activities laid on (some inclusive others extra) and most hotels of a decent size will have a car rental desk so you can hire for a day or two if you want to go off the beaten track. We usually use tui for ai because it’s really joined up and they haven’t let us down (yet…) it could be hot, or merely warm but typically not as scorching as the med.

Nielson is what you need. We have done several times with in-laws, teens and tweens. Everyone gets a holiday. Gets expensive over summer so the earlier you can go the better.

Looks fabulous but when I'm looking for next year, nothing is coming up for me.

Yes, the room issue has been spoken about because it gets expensive once you're looking for a room with a separate bedroom. We're probably going to put all girls in one room, and all boys in separate room. Would be nice to have a bit of privacy for me/MIL.

That's good to know because I don't cope well when it's scorching!

Just had a look, thanks 😊 Out of my price range due to needing to go early July onwards.

I haven't unpacked my suitcases from our holiday we returned from Thursday so I really need to carry on with this. DH wants to get them back in the attic so I need to come off Mumsnet and get that done! Feel like I can now that I have a plan.

Thank you all for your great suggestions 🥰

Tenerife can be scorching in the summer! It can also be windy which makes it feel cooler at times.

But in the time I lived there summer was generally 35° (which I love) and the year o was pregnant with DS who was Born in August it was hotter than that!

Jeep safaris are fantastic but I’d suggest doing the night ones where you get a meal thrown in.

Siam park is great by all accounts but built after I moved back to the uk.

Loro parque is great and well worth a visit.

The catamaran boat trips are the best.

Google informs me they still do the Medieval knights show at Castillo San Miguel.

There’s also a flamenco show weekly which is great for those who love light and music and dance.

Do Duinrell, then Beekse Burgen in a Safari tent on site. Amazing

this place is amazing for an all ages holiday. No one will get bored. Restaurants fab.

2hr driving or train to essen and taxi similar timand and you don't need a car whilst you're there.
Flights to schipol easy. Wew done it before where we spent one night in Amsterdam and a week at hof van saksen. Last time we hired the farm house with sauna and jacuzzi and stayed for 3 nights. Bliss.