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Holidays

Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

Original poster

Family holidays with teenage boys...

58 replies

Bonsoir · 21/02/2010 10:07

Help!

I always found travelling with young children totally straightforward; DD (5) is still very portable; providing we take along plenty of drawing things she is happy to join in almost anything.

The DSSs (12 and nearly 15) are, however, much harder to please. DSS1's idea of heaven on earth is Club Med, which is just about my idea of hell.

What do others do? Inspiration needed...

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upahill · 24/02/2010 09:34

Decorhate...... Your words fill me with fear!! My eldest is going to 14 this year and I recognize that he won't want to be going on family holidays for ever. There is so much I want to do as a family. I want to go to Canda with them, go volcano walking, take them on a safari,lots more skiing, etc etc etc!!!

time is running out

DecorHate · 24/02/2010 09:47

Kids these days Bonsoir! - I met up with some distant family from the US recently and said to one (who has teenage boys) that his sons would be very welcome to stay with us if they ever decide to backpack around Europe - he admitted his sons are totally spoiled and would be shocked at the thought of staying in a hostel rather than a 5 star hotel!

Original poster
Bonsoir · 24/02/2010 09:50

Don't tell me, DecorHate. My DSSs are lovely in many ways, but they are incredibly spoilt. I fear for the day when they have to pay their own way and find that the 5* lifestyle they have been accustomed to is beyond their reach...

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alypaly · 24/02/2010 10:02

bonsoir have a look at the sani beach hotel in Halkidiki. It had everything we wanted and the food was brilliant for children too and if you want peace and quite there is an adult only restaurant. The hotel is so good that the children can eat in the restaurant next doo whilst you spoil yourself in a quite one occasionally. It had tennis,(6 courts) table tennis,organised things for children of all ages(not at all tacky)proper volleyball for adults and children. it has a beautiful marina and whilst you are ther the manager will take you out on a cruise for 4 hours. They do it as a free gift to you and if you ask nicely you and DH could go on the 1 hour candlelit cruise with canapes/champagne which is also fre.

alypaly · 24/02/2010 10:03

that is the Sani beach hotel and spa not the sai beach club.

upahill · 24/02/2010 10:05

Bonsoir. What about a cruise? I have never fancied them tbh but youngest DS keeps going on about doing one so I have looked into it. I must admit I was really impressed and amazed at the activities to keep all the family happy on some of them.

Original poster
Bonsoir · 24/02/2010 10:06

Thank you alypaly.

I love Greece!

That hotel is just a little too big for our liking, however.

We stayed here three years ago and loved it. But don't want to go back to the same place.

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Original poster
Bonsoir · 24/02/2010 10:07

No boats - I get dreadful travel sickness! I can just about bear the odd crossing.

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upahill · 24/02/2010 10:38

I'm same with boats tbh Bonsoir, thats why I keep putting a cruise off although DS keeps begging to go on one. DH has reassured me how the big cuisers are stable and you can hardly feel them move.

I'm not convinced though!!

alypaly · 24/02/2010 11:23

looks fantastic bonsoir...thats gone into a favorite list. What room would you recommend. Ther are 3 of us (one teenager of 17)

Original poster
Bonsoir · 24/02/2010 11:37

alypaly - you'll have to interrogate the hotel - we went as a couple + toddler (in one large double bed) and a second room for two tween boys, so quite different combination to you.

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Merrylegs · 24/02/2010 11:39

Bonsoir - that hotel looks lush! How many of you stayed there? I have 2 Ds (14 and 12) and a DD (8). Could you tell me a bit more about your hol there?

(FWIW, we often stay at tennis hotels as my boys are big tennis players. Would that be your thing? If so I can give you details of our favourite. Tis pretty nice.)

Original poster
Bonsoir · 24/02/2010 11:43

Merrylegs - yes, am very interested in a tennis hotel - DP and boys are very keen.

x-post as to our combo at Bratsera. It is the hotel with a swimming pool on Hydra. I love Greek island holidays in towns/villages with no cars because it means that children can wander around on their own. Hydra has some lovely bars on the port which not at all rowdy, even quite glamorous in a totally low key way - there were well-known but super discreet people from the London art world around when we were there - and you could definitely let your teens out on their own in the evening. I wouldn't hesitate to do so.

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Original poster
Bonsoir · 24/02/2010 11:45

I am wondering about this. Has anyone been to Spetses?

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Merrylegs · 24/02/2010 12:44

We have stayed here a lot. Not Greece though! But has always been fab weather, the lake is gorgeous with fun watersports for kids and stunning views. The thought of being with other people on holiday makes my teeth itch, but it kind of works here. It's like staying in a large country house with a tennis crowd. The food is amazing and all locally grown. The kids are completely independent as is all very safe. There is a spa (and a small gym which my 14 year old especially liked). The tennis programme is fun - especially for the kids and they put on mini-tournaments etc.

Original poster
Bonsoir · 24/02/2010 13:14

That looks very lovely, Merrylegs, and we haven't yet had a family holiday in Austria. Did you fly and rent a car? Have you ever been there at the end of April and, if so, how was the weather?

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alypaly · 24/02/2010 13:19

merrylegs...if you like tennis hotels then the one i recommended to bonsoir is brilliant. They have two resident pro coaches ans 6 clay of high standard.

alypaly · 24/02/2010 13:20

sorry cocked that link upwww.sani-resort.com/en_GB/our-hotels/sani-beach-hotel

Merrylegs · 24/02/2010 13:26

We have both hired a car and been there without (using buses to get around). Without a car it's a 45 minute taxi ride from Salzburg airport (hotel send one). It is a 5 minute walk to the village and the lake from the hotel. We have only been in August when it was almost too hot, tbh. Their ski season goes on a while, until April but not sure when exactly it finishes.
My tennis is pretty ropey, but even I joined in to justify the lazing around the pool and the 5 course meals!

Merrylegs · 24/02/2010 13:27

Thanks alypaly! I think a friend has been there and said the coaching is first class.

GetOrfMoiLand · 24/02/2010 13:29

Anna I went to Aegina several years ago. It is iirc a 2 hour hop from Piraeus.

It is a beautiul island, with a nice main town (Aegina Town), I slightly shabby (but in a nice way) tourisy resort called Aghis Marina, and loads of little fishing villages. Beautiful ancient ruins on top of the hill above Aghia Marina as well.

I really liked it. Don'5t think there is that much in way of activity for teenagers however the beaches were pretty and was lovely walking country.

alypaly · 24/02/2010 13:29

evrything is first class...although its a big hotel...the staff make you feel very special . We have been back 3 times and it just gets better.Sports are good with twice daily volleyball on a proper sand court too.The whole area is very cosmopolitan and the marina is gorgeous

Merrylegs · 24/02/2010 13:34

alypaly - that is a good recommendation if you have been back 3 times! The one we go to is also almost always repeat visitors (we will be there again this summer!). Do you book the whole thing as a tennis package, or book the tennis when you get there?

Portofino · 24/02/2010 14:14

this looks very nice!

jamaisjedors · 24/02/2010 14:17

Maybe some ideas here