Low stress holiday

[eekwhatnow]

The last four summer holidays I’ve been on have made me physically ill and wiped out the full week. I’ve realised I don’t enjoy holidays as a parent. Too much stress about getting it right, spending, etc etc.

Anyone got any ideas for a totally low stress option that would work with teenagers and an active husband? I don’t really care but like nice scenery.

What bits do you find stressful, if you let us know we can suggest things to combat that

I would recommend an AI in Croatia. The AI element takes away a lot of the decision making and it’s stunningly beautiful.

What kind of holidays are you going on? The issue maybe that you feel it’s your responsibility to keep everyone happy.

I personally find it less stressful to be in the UK- somewhere in Cumbria/lake District or Cornwall..... But that's because I like having a range of things with me and enjoy being over prepared.... If they are active could go surfing, paddle boarding, canoing or kayaking. And you could sit with a book to read....

With teenagers I’d go on an activities break.
That way they are entertained all day and you can join in or sit with a book.
Have a look at Neilson for ideas

Thanks all. We’ve done France gites, Greek island airbnb, eurocamp a few years back (although didn’t get sick then to be fair), north of Scotland, Croatia villa, New York. So quite a variety. I think I just find the pressure of making it lovely the worst. But I’m not really sure. It’s literally just occurred to me that I don’t like them!

Have never done AI. Maybe it’s worth a go. Was also thinking UK might be easiest although still got ill in Scotland.

The best thing about AI is not having to think about food. No planning, shopping cooking, clearing up. You can still enjoy going out and about but that whole underlying daily drudgery is removed. As you mention gites and Airbnb I guess there’s been a fair amount of self catering involved? And that you have done the lion’s share? Of the thinking if not the doing?

It’s probably the thinking you have to be in charge of everyone’s enjoyment…if you can let that go it might improve things somewhat…

or if you have a stressful job it’s very common to get sick on holiday.

I kind of empathise even though it’s just me and DH on holi day, I used to love going away..but I’m not sure I’m so bothered anymore….

If you’re going out and about during the day you can do this with half board. Get breakfast provided, head out for day and come back for dinner. Unless you get an AI that also provides lots of activities the teenagers want to do I’m not sure it is worth it if you spend a lot of time off site

Have you considered an organised family tour with a company like Exodus, Intrepid, G Adventures or Explore? The stress is still there on picking the right trip, but once you've chosen the itinerary is set. We just did the Exodus family Namibia one, was fabulous. Obviously Namibia costs an awful lot of money, but they have a variety of trips through Europe as well as outside of Europe, though none of them are what I would term cheap.

Neilson holidays where DH can be as active as he likes, there are teenagers everywhere for activities and getting away from parents, and you can just relax and enjoy the scenery.

Forget everyone else. What would you like from an ideal holiday?

It's not for everyone but I love center parcs for this. No airport, nice and easy, and I felt safer letting teenage kids do their own thing whilst we were there (compared to a foreign city where they don't know the language).

Cruise! From Southampton for a really easy holiday! If you go Royal Caribbean there is loads to do for the teens- sports/game zones/waterpark. You can park yourself on a sunlounger on the quiet deck!

Port days you can either join a pre planned excursion or wander around under your own steam- your choice! Absolutely loads of choice for meals- proper dining room where the staff will look after you or a huge buffet which would suit the teens. It’s a very flexible holiday with lots of options but actually not much thinking/planning- you make it up as you go along.

This is such a helpful exercise. I think I just want to be looked after now I think about it so lots of good suggestions here, although we’re careful with money so think might have to work out what we can afford.

I’d also recommend a cruise with teens. Different places every day to explore but equally you can chill on the ship and do your own thing. My DC didn’t join in with any of the teen clubs. It used the outdoor cinema, table tennis, coffee & cake stops, ‘pub’ quizzes etc. I was a lone parent so took all the pressure off as they can go off and explore always knowing where they could find me reading a book. We’d go off the ship every day and explore historic sites, go for hikes and swim in the sea.

For meals we didn’t even always eat together if one of the DC fancied pizza etc. just really chilled!

We’ve been on 3 with Celebrity Cruises - Med, Greek islands and Norwegian cruises.

I second the ideas mentioned on the thread and have done and enjoy all of them. I'm still going to Centerparcs with my now 24 year old and 22 year old ds's - we first starting going when ds1 was a toddler because there really is something for everyone. These days they can go off doing paintballing or playing tennis (or watching football in the sports bar 🙄) and I book a half day session at the Spa 😀

All inclusive holidays are amazing - no thought needed and that's my favourite relaxing by the beach-type holiday - and you can get hotels with gyms/tennis courts/activities for your dh/ds while you take books and read by the pool. Food and drink on tap just takes a lot of the stress out of things, I find.

I've only been on a couple of cruises fairly recently and bloody love them - I love that the view is constantly changing, it's all inclusive by its nature and you get to explore places for a day or so and make a list of places you might want to go back to - so should suit your dh/ds re: getting out and about. I go with my Mum (in her 80's) and we tend to do a mixture of booking the day trips off the ship so we see everything, and having days where we just stroll around if the ship's port is near the town. The at sea days can be thoroughly lazy!

Sadly, all of the above are fairly costly - but if you can afford it, doing one a year or every other year for a proper treat of a break is definitely worth it 😀

Go AI somewhere. The problem with Uk or self catering breaks is you have to organise a food shop, unpack it. Keep the kitchen clean, tidy round and empty bins etc before you leave. It’s just an extra layer of hassle.

Hi op. Don't take the kids is my tip! Mine stopped being interested at 14/16 so stayed with grandparents.

We then booked a stunning self catering in Tuscany with a long pool. Ate what we wanted, drank by the pool.

Then your DH can go off exploring and you can sleep with a book by the pool.

Get your children and DH to organise the holiday and stop being a martyr.

Depending on the age of your kids, I also think an AI might suit. They can go off and participate in the sports activities, there’s usually a spa with treatments, several pools , all meals included etc. You’d need to pick one that has the activities they enjoy. It’s nice to hire a car too and explore but that can bring an added level of stress.

I find Skiathos easy - loads of hotel choices with sports, tennis courts, spa’s, beautiful beaches, everything accessible via the cheap island bus that drops off at the beaches.

I find 7-10 days is enough for a beach holiday personally. I like to move on to a totally different area or place like a city after that.

I agree- get your DH to organise it with input from the teens.

Most AIs don’t have enough to do for active teens/husbands IME

I would echo the suggestion of Neilson or Mark Warner or Beyond Beach. All these have watersports, biking, tennis on offer and plenty of other teens around - most make new mates pretty quickly as they are doing the activities together so there’s no awkward need to approach someone randomly (unlike in a normal resort).

They have quite a lot of meals included (varies between companies) but not fully AI. I like this as you can eat out sometimes. Beyond beach doesn’t include flights so it’s easy to add on a few days in an air bnb if you want.

You can wave them off to their activities and lie by the pool.

It is not cheap it must be said but you can get good deals booking either very early or (if you are brave) very late.

Another vote for Neilsons!