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Over the years, our holidays have gradually changed. When the kids were toddlers and I needed a lot of pairs of eyes, we favoured big family holidays - usually a package deal where everything was taken care of or a big villa/apartments with the grandparents coming along for the journey too.
Fast forward a few years and now that H, H and J are older and more independent, I really feel like the world is our oyster. They're brilliant travellers and long journey times and exploring on our own no longer feels daunting. With the whole world to choose from though, picking a family holiday destination with tweens can be overwhelming. There is SO much choice out there and it can be difficult to know where to start.
I've recently discovered 101 Family Holidays - a leading UK travel website founded by Sunday Times writers Mark Hodson and David Wickers. If like me, you're always planning your next trip away, it's a brilliant resource to get you started and find some inspiration. Key features I love about 101 Family Holidays include:
- You can filter holiday destinations by the time of year
- You can filter holiday recommendation by age of children
- There's a section dedicated to educational trips
- There's a section with holidays for families with three children or more (hurrah)
- There's an area of the site dedicated to single parent holidays
As the name suggests, there are over 101 holiday types to choose from and there's everything from luxury cruises to dog-friendly cottages, lodges, waterpark holidays and more. I've hand-picked 10 suggestions from the site which I think will be ideal for holidays with tweens. Let me know if any of these take your fancy:
UK Holidays with Tweens
Sands Resort Cornwall - We stayed with Sands Resort Cornwall earlier this year and their facilities for tweens were second-to-none. With complimentary wetsuit hire (you're right by Newquay beach), zip wires and an outdoor pool on-site, complimentary childcare and film nights (which the kids really enjoyed) and flexible dining options for families, I honestly think Sands Resort Cornwall is one of the best hotels we've ever stayed at. Nothing is too much trouble and I'll always remember snuggling up with hot chocolates in the bar and taking in the glorious sea views after a family swim. Happy days.
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| Sands Resort Cornwall |
Canal Boat Holiday - We actually booked a boating holiday a few years ago but sadly we had to cancel (as it was trumped by Florida). Harry, Heidi and Jack still regularly ask if we can re-book and I think it may be on the cards at some point over the next few years. I love the idea of a trip with Waterways Holidays and I bet it would be a wonderful chance for us all to work together as a team and learn some new skills.
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| Canal Boat Holiday |
Escape to Northumberland - Despite living in Northumberland, we book at least one break here every year. We're such a busy family and our Northumberland holidays always offer a chance to relax and unwind together. Nothing beats staying in a cottage in Northumberland with a proper log fire, some cracking country pubs and of course, some of the best beaches in the world. If you're looking for a chilled holiday with tweens, I highly recommend Northumberland.
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| Craster, Northumberland |
European Holidays with Tweens
Resorts with Water Parks - My three love a good water park and now that they're pretty good swimmers, it's great for me too as they keep them entertained for hours and I get a chance to read. Of course us parents get dragged along for the slides sometimes still and riding extreme slides with your kids is actually brilliant fun. We've booked a resort with a water park attached this half term and Jet 2 Holidays have a fantastic range of options on their site too.
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| Atlantis Toboggan Waterpark, Vendee |
A Ski Trip - Skiing in France is not something I've ever fancied myself but the kids are dying to go. I think the après-ski life is more for me! What I love about family ski holidays is that most come with ski schools for kids. Combining family time with learning a new skill sounds like a fab option for February Half Term.
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| Family Ski Trip |
Blue Lagoon, Iceland - I've always fancied a trip to the Blue Lagoon in Iceland and think it would be a brilliant place to visit with tweens. Relaxing in the hot springs would mean our iPhones are a million miles away and would definitely offer a proper chance for us all to unwind.
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| Blue Lagoon Iceland |
Luxury Holidays with Tweens
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| Marrakech Riad |
A Family Cruise - A few of my friends have been on cruises and all absolutely rave about them and I do agree that they're a brilliant way to see the world. Imagine waking up at a different port every morning. I really fancy and all-inclusive Family Cruise around the Meditteranean. I'd love to take the kids to Greece and back to Italy and I think a cruise is a brilliant way to see multiple destinations in one trip. I just need to find a ship with 5 birth cabins - let me know if you have any recommendations.
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| Family Cruise |
Family Safari - I think most people will have a Family Safari on their bucket list. Now that my children are older, I think they'd be able to handle the early mornings and long days a lot better now and although we've taken part in attraction-type safaris before, I bet nothing beats seeing the big five in the wild.
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| Family Safari |
Luxury Caribbean Water Park - Steve and I met a couple during our second honeymoon to Mexico and they absolutely raved about Beaches Holidays for families. Their Pirate Island Waterpark has definitely caught my eye and if money was no object, I'd be there in a shot. With the Caribbean's only surf simulator, watersports, water slides, lazy rivers and dedicated pre-teen programme including pizza making, reggae lessons, glass bottom boat rides and more, Pirate Island sounds like the kind of place you'll never want to leave.
What do you think? I'd love to hear your suggestions for the best holidays with tweens, don't forget to check out 101 Family Holidays if you're in need of some more inspiration.
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I find it so tricky for holidays as we have a teen and then two young kids. We have opted for a Tui family holiday for our next holiday as there was stuff for the teen and little two. We are also planning a villa for next year too x
ReplyDeleteI bet it is tricky! Tui family holidays are brill aren't they x
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