It’s a holidays one - ideas of alternatives please!

[LittleRedRidingBoots]

We are currently on our last day of a 5 day all inclusive break in Tunisia. We’ve always done similar holidays (hot countries, all inclusive usually, chilling by the pool type places).

For the last few years though, we have realised that we actually don’t enjoy this type of holiday as much as when our DD’s were young. Our 18 year old hasn’t come with us this year so DD15 has brought a friend which has worked well as she’s been occupied/off doing her own thing to some extent within the confines of the hotel. However me and DH have been a bit bored and feel like we’d like to see more of the world.

We’d love some ideas/suggestions/places for next years holiday for us and DD15 (and possibly DD18) that are something a little different.

Thank you ☺️

Lake Garda.
Lots of apartments in hotel
complexes so get use of a pool as well as a small kitchen. Choose one within walking distance of the lake so you can go to the (pebbly beach) or hire paddle boards or similar and also walk to the ferry and then get the ferry to another local & picturesque town. You & your DH could do that by yourselves or your DD and her friend could. Also day trip to Verona which has sightseeing and good shopping

What sort of budget and are you happy to leave your comfort zone? We have taken our kids all over the world and it’s been amazing, but it’s not for everyone. We tend to do 2 weeks of sightseeing and activities with a bit of downtime.

Cruise?

So many places where you can have a bit of a break and enjoy some sightseeing.

We have enjoyed city breaks like Barcelona with our teens. Fly drive type holidays like Spain or Algarve.

I've just been to Croatia, lots to see there.

My parents are big fans of cruises, they do smaller boats (not the big ones with whole theme parks on board) in the Med and it's basically a nice floating hotel but everyday you visit a different place.

You could also look at more long haul, there are loads of companies that offer tours as a package to places like Vietnam, Thailand d etc.

We are going to try a lakes holiday next year, either one of the less obvious / popular Italian ones, or an Austrian one not quite sure yet. Our ds will have just done A levels then so it may be his last holiday he will want to do with us.

Lake Constance. We're staying in Friedrichshafen next year.

Costa Rica

Sri Lanka

Japan

Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast. A great mix of history/architecture and beach/pool.

We have just been to zell am see which we enjoyed.

Aegean for a bit of Greek island hopping.

Vietnam.

Malaysia / Thailand / Vietnam / Cambodia - can easily spend 10-14 days in one, or combine

Italy is gorgeous - I particularly like the north, both alps and lakes

Road trip or cruise in Norway? Possibilities are endless.

Is the issue the destination or the type of holiday? Because you could go all-inclusive to Thailand and see very little outside of the resort, regardless of how many activities it offers.

Are you after a different type of scenery or a more self-driven trip where you visit different sites and soak up the culture a bit more?

Point to point hiking in the Alps

Sicily

Thank you everyone! Some nice ideas here that we’d not thought of, and some places I haven’t even heard of. @ChiasMarinerasI think the issue is that we always do the same sort of holiday (AI in a hotel that we don’t really leave) so even though we have been to lots of different countries we don’t actually get to see much of them!

We were similar with younger DC. Last year DH and I did Verona, onto Lake Garda five days, onto Venice.
This year it’s Tuscany- Pisa, onto Siena, then Florence, then Cinque Terre then Luca.

I'm in Zell am See right now! What a gorgeous place. Today we took the cable cars to the top of the Kitzsteinhorn: stunning views and my teens loved the novelty of sledging in August!

So much to do and if you're staying in one of the main tourist areas you can get the Sommercard which gives free/discounted entry to attractions and free public transport in the Salzburg region.

I also just returned from the Zell am See area. Loads to do, beautiful scenery although the weather isn't guaranteed. I'd go to Austria again

Are there any particular routes you'd recommend @Rainallnight? We're thinking of walking point to point when DS is a bit older.

Go BB instead of AI somewhere that's walking distance from beach, restaurants, bus stop to the city or other attractions. Have a late breakfast and go out for the day. Have lunch. Go to the beach or if the hotel/apartment has a pool, relax by the pool for a bit. Either way have a swim.

If you had a big breakfast and cooked lunch, you probably won't be very hungry so have something light like cheese, olives and crisps with drinks on the balcony if you're in a hotel rather than an apartment, there will probably be a small fridge in the room at least. Or skip lunch (or just have an ice cream) then go out for dinner.

Holiday available in Spain incl Canaries and Balearics, Greece, Malta, Cyprus and many other places.

Canadian road trip? Banff/Jasper is amazing, so much to see.

Id also give real thought to a cruise - you have the all inclusive feel you’re used to but it’s generally a bit more luxurious and you can see various places, have a few busy days and get a feel for places you may want to come back to (me and DH went to Norway and Iceland on a cruise and have ended up going back several times).

We are currently in cisano San Vito on lake Garda. It’s a reasonably big site within walking distance to a small village with lovely restaurants. Also 30 mins each way walk to Bardolino and Lazise. Feels very safe and beautiful views. Ferries can take you all over and buses. 25 mins transfer each way. Really lovely

Safari? I took Dd (22) last year and there were children in our group as well as adults. We were all together everyday for game drives and meals, as well as sitting by the pool. There was no time to be bored, it was pretty full on from very early morning to evening, including some evening game drives. It was magical

My Niece went to Vietnam on an escorted group tour and had the best time, it was amazing.

why don’t you try cruising virgin voyages caters to families who have grown up kids
when you consider what they include in the fare it may seem expensive but when you consider what is included it can be very cost effective!!