Holidays your teenagers will love
In our experience, travelling with teenage children can be one of the most fun and fulfilling holidays you’ll take. We also know that when you get it right, you can guarantee they’ll be wanting to tag along with you long after they’ve left home… Every family has a checklist (teenagers definitely do), and general consensus and buy-in are always good to get early on.
Of course, when you’re dealing with a variety of opinions, there’s much to consider. Near or far flung? Adventure, relaxation, or more importantly, both? Somewhere with all your favourite pastimes, or new experiences? Wifi or not? Here are a just few ideas to throw into the mix…
INTO THE BLUE
A week (or two) on a yacht is an all-time favourite, and a holiday that by popular request is often rebooked for the following year. Think floating villa with a different destination each day, from a quiet bay for some snorkelling or paddle boarding, to lively towns for tavernas, shopping and nightlife. The Ionian, the Adriatic and Turkey all promise excellent sailing conditions, dreamy coastlines of turquoise bays and empty beaches. One of our guests recently returned from the former (a holiday to wind down post A level and GCSE exams), reported that once their daughters had checked the UV levels for the day, they bagged the best suntanning spots with a book, and their phones went untouched!
If you want to take it up a notch, then consider the BVIs, and if you have the time, then the waters of Indonesia will make you very, very popular. And best of all, a fully-crewed boat means no experience is necessary.
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If you’re thinking about heading further afield, why not sign the whole family up for a scuba diving course? Bali is one of the hottest destinations currently, where you’ll find some incredible reefs, (not to mention food everyone will love, and fascinating culture), or journey further east to Sumba and beyond to experience remote civilisations, dragons and exceptionally memorable family time. |
| Closer to home, consider learning to surf at a boutique ecolodge on the Portuguese Atlantic coast, or head to one of France‘s lesser known coastal retreats, cycling to the beach with a picnic, kayaking, fishing and generally taking life at a very leisurely pace. |  |
OVERLAND EXPLORATION & ADVENTURE
When your children are old enough for some proper adventure, the possibilities are as endless as they are exciting. There’s nothing we love more than creating itineraries with a bit of everything thrown into the mix. A destination that sparks every imagination is Sri Lanka. From elephant safaris to cookery lessons, to tuk tuks, ancient culture and glorious beaches, it’s a great starter for family adventure. We can’t miss Costa Rica off our list – pretty much every family who returns from here says it’s their all-time favourite. Rainforests, unbelievable wildlife, white water rafting, ziplining and more glorious beaches – it’s hard to beat.
| Family Holiday To Sri Lanka | Family Holiday To Costa Rica |
The vast continent of Africa offers up all sorts of possibilities for families with teenagers, where the list of activities and adventures is practically endless. It’s doubtful your children will pass up the opportunity of a safari followed by a week on a tropical beach, whilst some of the lesser visited countries, such as Namibia and Malawi will definitely fuel their imaginations. Camping under the stars in the Namib desert, then tracking wildlife with a San bushman; visiting remote villages and snorkelling in the world’s most species rich lake, are all extraordinarily enriching travel experiences.
SOCIAL BUTTERFLIES
Some of the best holidays with teenagers are often with another family. Parents can unwind, whilst your children happily entertain themselves, coming together at mealtimes, Mediterranean style. Villa holidays are convivial, relaxed and work perfectly for one, two or more family groups, and when you add in a large pool, a chef and a rib if you happen to be right on the coast, there’ll be no complaints from anyone.
CITY STREETS
Very often, your teenagers’ holiday plans mean there’s precious little time for a proper family break, or exams are looming on the horizon, however there is always time for three or four days away all together. We love the idea of taking the teens to Marrakech to discover its vibrant markets and rich culture. Or a short hop to a European city can be the perfect solution and an ideal way to regroup. Cities like Paris, Amsterdam or Copenhagen are small enough to easily navigate (think bikes or boats), and safe enough for your teens to head off by themselves to explore. If shopping appeals, there are plentiful vintage clothes stores; fashion not found on the UK high street, and even a visit to at least one gallery will result in a bigger smile than that of the Mona Lisa. Trust us!
Contact us to start planning a dream holiday with your teenagers today.