The 10 family holidays that teenagers won't sneer at
Parents are not ideal travelling companions as far as older teenagers are concerned, but you may be able to lure them in with a well-planned holiday.
Remote cottages will not win you many fans, but you’re usually on safe ground taking them somewhere far-flung and exotic, or to a resort with activities laid on and a ready supply of people their own age.
From post-exam relaxation by the sea to the family adventure of a lifetime, now is the time to plan the perfect trip - before they’ve moved out and are holidaying with their friends.
Here are 10 summer breaks to tempt even the grumpiest adolescent.
1. The ultimate city break
New York’s energy is perfect for teenagers – and, indeed, for children of all ages.
The chief draw is the street culture and the prospect of cheaper clothes, sunglasses and iPads - but you might also just lure them to an exhibition or film at the ultra-cool Museum of Modern Art - and teens will be impressed with a good hotel (for reviews of our favourite New York hotels, see here) or save money by booking a flat in a cool Brooklyn neighbourhood.
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To make the most of the trip, hire a car and drive to the Hamptons, Rhode Island, or even the Jersey Shore for some East Coast beach life.
But, then again, your family may find LA more its speed. Read this New Yorker’s account of how California’s coolest city beats the Big Apple for holidays.
2. Short-haul urban cool
Short trips to European cities can also work well if you pick the right destination. Barcelona, Rome, Nice or Cannes are all good options for the summer – and have you visited all of these: the European cities you should take your child to before they're 18.
Closer to home, London is a stimulating place for teenage children – and London hotels often drop their rates in July and August.
3. Surf centres
You’ll find the same laid-back culture that makes Cornwall so popular at resorts in south-west France and northern Spain.
Try the Aquitaine towns of Hossegor and St Jean de Luz for good waves and relaxed atmosphere; the larger cities of Biarritz - or San Sebastian in Spain - have superb beaches and a humming nightlife.
For more destinations, see our guide to the best beaches for teenagers around Europe.
4. Dual destination
Vary the pace by combining a city break with open spaces – a few days in Cape Town, South Africa, say, followed by a safari in the Kruger National Park.
Or head to Vancouver en route to the Rockies for trekking, kayaking, mountain biking or float-plane trips – Canadian Sky is a good tour operator.
5. Long-haul animal-spotting
Parents become quite a lot less embarrassing when they’re footing the bill for a trip of a lifetime. Talk to your children. This may mean a safari to Kenya or Tanzania. But a surfing and jungle trip to Costa Rica would also offer plenty of chance to explore, together.
Walking in the Himalayas is a challenge that will appeal to active teens, Jon Stock took his and described it as "the most bonding family holiday we have been on".
6. Club holidays
Opt for a club-style holiday abroad with a range of activities on tap. You’ll find a full list of our favourite beach club tour operators for teens here – including Mark Warner, Club Med and Neilson,all of which offer a mixture of tennis and watersports.
For a more unstructured and social break, try the Peligoni Club, on the Greek island of Zakynthos, where guests stay in villas dotted around the north of the island and congregate at the sailing club.
7. A villa with friends
Rent a villa or house with friends who have children the same age. Avoid remote locations and ideally find somewhere within safe walking distance of a town or large village where teenagers can wander off independently. And read our etiquette guide to villa sharing to avoid any clashes.
Beware villas in "residential areas" of towns, which can be a long way from the centre. Corfu, Crete, Ibiza and Majorca are all good bases. For large villas, try CV Travel or Abercrombie & Kent.
8. Overland adventure
Extraordinary holidays in the world’s greatest adventure playgrounds – including the Grand Canyon and Machu Picchu – are bound to get your family off the sofa and away from technology.
Read here for our top 10 adventure holidays for families. For further ideas, Exodus runs independent overland trips — you decide where you want to go and it provides a guide. Minimum number of people is four, but costs are lower if you combine forces with one or two other families.
9. Sports breaks
La Manga in Spain and and Vila Vita Parc on the Algarve in Portugal are purpose-built resort villages with golf courses, tennis courts and their own restaurants and bars. Both are popular with families and provide a safe environment for teenagers to socialise away from their parents. You can book sports breaks through ITC Luxury Travel and Thomson. Summer is also an excellent time to cycle - try Austria.
10. Experience nature in the raw
A trip to Iceland gives teenagers plenty to write about for their GCSE or A-Level geography. The subject comes bubbling, hissing and roaring to life here – and there’s plenty of exploring and hiking to be done in the summer months. Alternatively, the Faroe Islands offer drama, high-end dining, and helicopter taxis to get you from place to place.
