Holidays That Actually Work With Teens
Planning holidays when children are small is relatively straightforward. Find a hotel with a good pool, a kids’ club and perhaps ice-cream on tap and everyone is happy. But once children reach their mid-teens, the dynamic changes completely. Suddenly the things that once worked so well feel childish, and teenagers have very definite ideas about what they do and don’t want from a holiday!
Here are a few things I’ve found that consistently make the difference between a trip that everyone enjoys and one where the teenagers spend most of the time wishing they were somewhere else. Reassuringly, it’s not always the most complicated or expensive options that work best.
1.Independence
Teenagers love places where they can feel a little grown up. Being able to wander into a town square to shop for jewellery, walk along the beach, or head out for dinner in the evening makes a huge difference.
2. A Proper Pool or Beach Scene
Once children reach their teens, the kids’ areas lose their appeal very quickly. A beautiful beach, a large pool with atmosphere, or somewhere with beach clubs and watersports is much more appealing.
3. Things To Do
Most teenagers have little interest in traditional kids’ clubs, but they do love doing things. Tennis, paddleboarding, sailing, hiking, football, gyms and watersports are often the things that will keep them happily occupied during the day.
4. Somewhere That Feels “Cool”
This is the slightly intangible one, but it matters. Restaurants of the moment, sunset spots, beach cafes and places that feel a little stylish all add to the experience. Older children enjoy destinations where they feel like they are having a proper travel experience rather than being confined to a resort designed for younger children.
5. Reliable WiFi
It probably goes without saying, but good WiFi is essential. Whether it’s staying in touch with friends, sharing photos or streaming music by the pool, it’s one of the small things that keeps everyone happy.
A few hotels that tend to work particularly well with teenagers
Every family is different, but these are a few hotels that I’ve found consistently work well once children reach their mid-teens.
Agapi Beach Resort, Crete
A relaxed all-inclusive just outside Heraklion with lovely gardens and a long sandy beach. It has a friendly, easy atmosphere rather than feeling like a huge resort, and there are plenty of activities for older children alongside excellent food,
Ikos Resorts
Ikos has set the benchmark for luxury all-inclusive holidays. The resorts combine beautiful beaches, excellent restaurants and a wide range of sports and activities, along with dedicated Just4 Teens club that gives the younger teens their own space.
Parga Beach Resort, Greece
This is a lovely option if you prefer somewhere that doesn’t feel like a typical resort. The hotel sits on Valtos Beach and is arranged as bungalow-style rooms amongst olive trees and gardens. What makes it particularly appealing with teenagers is that you can easily wander into the charming town of Parga for dinner or an evening stroll. It feels as stylish for the adults as it does for the teens,
Valamar Girandella Resort, Croatia
A great choice if you’re looking for somewhere slightly different from the usual Mediterranean resorts. Sitting above the sea in Rabac, it offers beautiful swimming spots, lots of sports and activities, and dedicated spaces designed for teenagers to hang out during the day and evening.
Verdura Resort, Sicily
For families who prefer an Italian resort experience rather than an all-inclusive, Verdura is a wonderful option. Set along a huge stretch of coastline in Sicily, it combines beautiful pools, excellent food and an enormous range of activities from tennis and football to watersports and sports academies during the summer.