Holidays with teenagers

[Socialaddict]

I am interested to know what are the best long and short haul holidays you have been to with your teenagers?
Just looking for some exciting new ideas really, regardless of budget. We are reasonably well travelled, (have taken DD on holidays since she was a baby, now 15yrs). Never done a cruise or a safari, so would be interested to hear any recommendations.

ajand thank you! You clearly have got it right! I really enjoy spending time with my teen DD and am so glad other people do too! I want to use every possibility for holidays together before she starts having her own life and not have the time to go with us! I also hope she'd always want to of course!

Just seen the safari question Social. I followed an itinerary published by a South African agent, and it was tweaked and booked by a company called Rhino Africa in Capetown (although I wasn't very impressed with them!).

I'm quite shocked to see people not wanting to holiday with their DC when they're older. Ours live their own lives, but we enjoy spending time together too. DS has just booked a skydive for DD as her Christmas present - for when we visit California next year. We all enjoy 'doing stuff' - long may it continue!

DC 17 and 19 and both still very keen to come on holidays with us, as well as going with friends. Cruise worked well for us.
I look forward to them coming with us for as long as possible which I'm sure they will if we pay, though DH and I will visit places that don't appeal to DC on our own.

The biggest success I've had with mine so far was Cuba on a small group tour for families with teenagers. European cities (mainly by rail) have also been good - Berlin, Prague, Krakow, Budapest etc. And we have been back to Japan many times.

The cruise we tried was not popular - too many old people (so entertainment mainly aimed at them), not long enough in all the interesting ports we stopped at, and no wifi on the ship.

anand thank you for the safari info! I am thinking of booking it through Trailfinders possibly for next year sometime! We also really enjoy holidaying with our teen DD. May it long continue! She does travel with friends also and we go on breaks alone, so all is good so far! I am just looking for doing different things every time we go away to keep her keen and interested. We are off to Switzerland skiing over Christmas, so looking forward to this! Planning a trip to Brazil in Feb and Japan and Hong Kong in April! So it should be fun!

Really interested in any suggestions for must see places in Japan from those of you who have been!
Has anyone sent their DC on volunteering trips abroad and have a view on this?
I just found this company that takes under 18 for volunteering in Mexico, Fiji, India and some other amazing places. What do people think of this?

Very successful summer holiday with DD15. Started in Boston drove to Cape Cod and then to New York. Mix of beach, traditional us summer holiday and cities. We also have enjoyed west coast Canada- outdoor stuff at Whistler in the summer and Vancouver.

We usually have fun whatever we do - short breaks in UK cottages also work well. Lots of walking usually but a great opportunity to talk.