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Teenagers

Parenting teenagers has its ups and downs. Get advice from Mumsnetters here.

Original poster

Holiday for us with 17 year old

19 replies

Butterbur · 25/01/2011 12:06

This is probabbly the last year DS1 will come on holiday with us, and we're trying to find something he'll enjoy (preferably with girls other kids the same age), and which'll suit the rest of us (Also have DS2, 15 and DD, 13).

Neilsons are our favourite, we all like sailing or windsurfing, but to go at the time we wanted to the place we liked was going to cost £9k, just for the holiday.

Has anyone got any cheaper ideas? We were hoping not to spend more than £5k on the holiday itself.

OP posts:
mrswobblebottom · 27/01/2011 18:14

Similar problem here with big teenagers, we are going to Florida when they finish GCSE and A levels in summer before main school holidays start. Probably the only holiday they would want to come on now, or maybe Center Parcs as they still get freedom there. Mega prices there for any of the school holidays before summer though!

Have mentioned a few days away at half term, to see local football team playing away at a ground in North East. He would love to watch the away match if he was having time off college, but mention 5 of us going on a mini-break and he said no way!!

We usually do UK holidays, but def will refuse to come anywhere now. Sad, no more Cornwall beaches all together!

Original poster
Butterbur · 27/01/2011 18:30

Unfortunately we did Florida a couple of years ago, when our UK camping holiday was flooded out.

Disneyworld etc. is the seventh circle of hell for me, and I don't think even the kids would want to go again so soon.

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Redsrule · 29/01/2011 00:22

Last year went to Morzine with my sister's family boys 17 and 15 and girl 14. Whitewater rafting, canyoning etc whilst my sister and I sat with the little ones by the pool. The boys have both suggested going back this year, obviously after the lads holiday in Crete. There were loads of teenagers in wetsuits and we hardly saw them in the evenings because of impromptu BBQ's etc plus nephew no 2 is still going out with the delightful girl he met. Think it cost about a thousand each.

Original poster
Butterbur · 29/01/2011 09:28

Redsrule, where did you stay? Did you make your own arrangements or go with a tour operator?

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Redsrule · 29/01/2011 10:16

www.activitiesabroad.com and they were fab!

brimfull · 29/01/2011 10:19

Have you looked at cruises , we did one last yr. Loads of kids and no flights if you ppick the right one.

Original poster
Butterbur · 29/01/2011 19:21

Will look at activitiesabroad, Redsrule.

Ggirl, I couldn't bear a cruise. I think it would bring out my claustrophobia. Perhaps I'm the one who's difficult to please!

OP posts:
kreecherlivesupstairs · 31/01/2011 08:33

Thailand, go to Phuket or Krabi and wave goodbye to your eldest Smile.
I'd recommend club Med on Phuket, all inclusive and plenty to do for everyone.
I have no idea of prices TBH, we lived in Bangkok and flew down very cheaply.

Original poster
Butterbur · 31/01/2011 16:12

Thanks for the recommendation, Kreecher. Sadly it would cost about 12 grand Shock.

OP posts:
mummytime · 31/01/2011 16:34

Probably cost a fortune but worth looking into one of the US outdoors places. Eg. Camping Cabins in the Ainderondacks (up State New York) or Maine. Lots of fishing, and canoeing and fab great outdoors, and lots of other youngsters. Once you have the flights you can find places not that expensive to stay. We also like Utah/Northern Arizona, amazing scenary and very different from home.

ScaredOfCows · 31/01/2011 16:44

Watching with interest. Our youngest will be 17 soon, isn't at all sure about coming away with us again, but would if we did active/interesting stuff. But what???????? And where??????????????

Did an activities abroad holiday last year - the Ardeche - and it was great, but he doesn't want to do that again.

overthemill · 01/02/2011 08:24

i'd recommend going to big campsite in france, spain, italy etc through uk company eg eurocamp. They will have ones they suggest as good for teens. Mobile homes wil be good, but our 17 yr old loves tents. Loads of people to hang out with, safe activities and fun. Pick one ear something yoi enjoy too. We chose Royan last year and bunged 2 eldest in surf school. Fabulous time for one and all and not expensive.

webwiz · 01/02/2011 08:44

That's what we are doing this summer overthemill DD2 will be 18 and DS is 14. DD1 may come with us as well depending on whether or not she can get work in her summer holiday from university (she'll be 20).

haggis01 · 01/02/2011 17:43

Interesting - I was looking at Morzine last summer but in the end the children plumped for Iceland (4 Dc from 17 - 7 years of age) it was fantastic and suited everyone. The older kids were able to go glacier climbing with one of us while the other adult went on a black sand beach with the younger 2. The scenery was great - geysers, waterfalls,volcanoes, tectonic plates drifting apart. There were also snow mobile rides (scuba diving in lakes- which we didn't do )whale watching, cruises, fishing etc. The weather was lovely (between 16-22degrees)not hot so we were busy and active all day. Often too tired for anything but DVD's in the evening. Everyone we met was really nice. We felt we had only scratched the surface and everyone would like to go back again. In Reykjavik there was a cute children's zoo with a great playpark to visit and the older ones went to the nearby ice rink.
There are plenty of operators that will organise a bespoke package for you but we did it ourselves to save money. We stayed in a luxury flat and did a mix of organised tours and vehicle hire -with flights, airport car parking and food etc we managed to do it for around £3k for the six of us.
Iceland is the cheapest it has been for over 20 years - we were surprised how good the exchange rate was and came home with lots of money!which had never happened before.

Great thread for ideas - holidays for teens mixed with younger kids are tough.

LadyGlencoraPalliser · 01/02/2011 21:10

We have been on flotilla with Sailing Holidays a couple of times. They are a good bit cheaper than Neilson's and there is always a gang of teenagers on the summer holiday flotillas - they tend to get together in the evenings and go off to tavernas together. I'd totally recommend it.

motheroftwoboys · 08/02/2011 17:19

Cruise most def. On very big ship. No chance at all of claustrophobia. Grin Heaven for teens! Heaven for parents as you can see them - or not - as you prefer. Our sons are 20 and 18 now and they still want to come on holiday with us. Aargh! Went to Lykia World in olu Deniz one year and that was great but more expensive than cruse. Also Mark Warner - they love it but just too expensive.

SecondhandRose · 08/02/2011 20:08

We went on a Disney cruise last year and DS age 15 wasnt coming back to the cabin until 2am. He loved it.

upahill · 09/02/2011 18:28

Chamonix is wonderful and so much to do. We went ice climbing in the middle of summer, paraglyding,whitewater rafting,rock climbing, hiking in the alps and loads more. It wasn't expensive for what we did. I am desperate to go back soon!

inthesticks · 09/02/2011 19:19

Interesting thread as I'm looking for something different this year with the thought in mind that there won't be that many more holidays for the 4 of us. Ds1 is 15 and DS2 13.
Always done beach packages since we had the children. I had thought of one of those French campsite things but I have reservations about hot caravans (def no tents). Also it would be too far to drive.
DH however has always wanted to go to Iceland. I was a bit dubious but haggis01 I think you may have convinced me.

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