Holiday abroad and entertaining 14 year old???

mae

I want to book a holiday abroad for the main school holidays this year but don't know where is best to go with a 14 yr old. I remember going away with my parents at this age and being very bored and feeling very restricted. I would like there to be alot for him to do although he at the age we would prob have to twist his arm up his back to get him to join in. I wouldn't like to take a friend for him with us as I wouldn't like the resposibilty of someone elses child abroad and also to be honest he doesn't have a specific best friend he would like to take anyway. We have a 2 yr old too but they are easily entertained at that age.
Anybody any suggestions??
Thanks

nelly_2

Orlando, you cant fail there.

StudentSaver_2

Camping in France? Can't recommend it highly enough. I've done it all my life. Go with a company that provides a club for teenagers, eg Eurocamp or Keycamp, where your son can make loads of friends and be entertained for the whole holiday. Gets him out of your hair and gets you out of his! A lot of these operators also do clubs for smaller children a few times a week, so there's something for your 2 year old as well. Have a look at the links below:

Eurocamp
Keycamp (Keycamp and Eurocamp operate the same clubs)
Canvas Holidays

mae

Thanks..We've been to Orlando don't really want to go again at the mo..
Re the camping I will give it some serious thought although I am a very girly girl who likes an ensuite etc etc..sorry I'm a wuss..

gentlepurr

we have a 13 yr old, and went to dominican republic all inclusive in july 2004. he was 11 then, but loved being able to do his own thing when he wanted to do it.

last year when he was 12 we went to greece, but found that there just wasn't enough to keep him occupied, as much as we liked the tranquility.

this year we decided on all inc again, as although it wouldn't be my first choice of type of holiday, its so flexible for our son, it makes it easier for us all to chill and enjoy.

2 weeks dominican for 3 £2050 all inc,
2 weeks greece, sc £970 for 3, but by the time you add spending money on, dominican was by far the better deal, and long haul too!

this year, 2 weeks venezuala, all inc, but in hotel grounds in private bungalow with seperate shared swimming poll for a small group of bungalows, £2250.

think they were all pretty good deals.

whatever you choose, good luck, its never easy with a teenager!

xx

Amba_Gambla

How about a PGL family active holiday.... they have centres in France and in this country. They run the activities in such a way that the whole family can go on one activity, or little jimmy can go an abseil, while mum and baby go sightseeing and dad goes mountain biking....

PGL

MrSmartprice

What's wrong with a beach/pool holiday? I cannot understand the obsession with having to keep children entertained for evey waking hour, especially when it involves parting with vast amounts of money.

Get him to visit the library and get a couple of books to read by the poolside when he's had enough swimming and sun. Anywhere in Spain, Greece or Portugal should fit the bill.

Philippa36

MrSmartprice wrote:

What's wrong with a beach/pool holiday? I cannot understand the obsession with having to keep children entertained for evey waking hour, especially when it involves parting with vast amounts of money.

Get him to visit the library and get a couple of books to read by the poolside when he's had enough swimming and sun. Anywhere in Spain, Greece or Portugal should fit the bill.

I totally agree until we get there and then its a completely different story. I would much rather spend a little extra to make it a relaxing holiday for us all, instead of having to listen to bored teenagers.

mae

Mr smartprice this is what we have done up to now, he is very good and will read a book or a newspaper and he is very good company too but my problem is that my other child is only 2 so as much as he loves her and plays with her at times he is like an only child and I was hoping to teach him some social skills by going on a holiday where he can be more independent and spend time with other children not adults for a change. Obviously I want to spend time with him too but I would like a balance for him this year so I don't mind spending more money because he is 15 in June and I don't know how many more holidays he will want to come on with us.. Not really sure if mountain climbing etc etc is for us or him for that matter he has never shown much interest so maybe we nned a beach type holiday that is very family orientated with seperate activities for children??

Eagle_1

MrSmartprice wrote:

What's wrong with a beach/pool holiday? I cannot understand the obsession with having to keep children entertained for evey waking hour, especially when it involves parting with vast amounts of money.

Get him to visit the library and get a couple of books to read by the poolside when he's had enough swimming and sun. Anywhere in Spain, Greece or Portugal should fit the bill.

Obviously Mae knows the teenager and if the teenager is a kid who needs activities then so be it. Im in the same kinda position only my Daughter is 10. I will be going to a hotel which has kids clubs etc because I am not going to spend a fortnight away with a bored kid who will winge, moan and twist on.
If we were talking about a couple of kids who would keep each other company then things would probably be more different....but we aint, we are talking 1 kid.

billlew

Took my 3 children aged 9,7 & 4 on a venue holidays camp site, Le Brazilia in Canet Plage (25miles north of Spanish Border) in 1989. They loved it so much we ended up going there every year until 2003. Offered them Disney and other options but they loved it so much.
The eldest 2, now 26 & 24, want to take their children this year along with us (probably for baby sitting).
website for venue, we found we got a more personal service from them is https://www.venueholidays.co.uk