This is not a list of the best pools and resorts for teenagers. Your teenagers can be explorers. They’ll discover the world, learn new skills, experience unique cultures, and be part of a family adventure.
Splashing in the waterpark will always be an option. But it’s amazing what’s possible and comfortable when you look beyond typical holidays with teenagers. Holidays can be life changing for teenagers. Here are six ideas to get you started.
Become a Safari Ranger in Africa
Imagine your teenager learning to be your safari guide. That’s the program on offer at top family safari camps in Botswana and Kenya.
For half the safari you explore together as a family, getting up close to the big five and much more. The other half is a dedicated young rangers program, where teenagers learn how to track and identify animals, plus life skills like shelter building, animal conservation and fire making.
Then on the final day your teenagers will lead your game drive in the African wilderness. Talk about a close connection!
Explore Costa Rica
Costa Rica is our favourite destination for families right now. It has the perfect balance of luxury, comfort, adventure and nature. It’s both a beach holiday and an explorer journey in one.
White-water raft to a five-star ecolodge that’s only accessible by river. Track monkeys and sloths on the forested slopes of a volcano. Learn to surf on quiet Pacific beaches. Discover a country home to 6% of the world’s biodiversity.
Have an Adventure in the Dolomites
The Dolomites are close to home and a great road trip destination with your teeangers.
Ascend to Italy’s adventure playground, a veritable wonderland of beautiful mountains, good luxury hotels and a little added glamour.
If your teenagers are addicted to their iPads then the Dolomites should inspire them to get outdoors. Think white water rafting in Val Pusteria, tandem paragliding in the mountains, canyoning near Lake Garda, plus some spectacular hiking.
The Dolomites can turn the most screen-obsessed child into an outdoor enthusiast and explorer.
Take a Teenage Expedition
National Geographic does more than nature documentaries. They organised tailored summer expeditions for teenagers, across the world. For example, learning wildlife photography and Aboriginal culture on a trip in Australia. Or joining in a conservation program for endangered sea turtles in Bali.
Unfortunately, these expeditions were heavily hit by the pandemic. But other operators are filling the gap, creating trips exclusively for teenagers. As you may want to join in, your offspring will be flying solo and exploring with like-minded others from around the world.
National Geographic continues to operates programs for teenagers in wildlife destinations like the Galapagos. Your whole family explores on the same vessel, but the activities are tailored by age, with teenagers going deeper into conservation and animal identification.
Want a Better Holiday for Your Teenagers?
Relax and Explore in Iceland
Most families want a summer holiday that combines downtime for the parents and plenty of activities for the kids. These 12 family beach holiday ideas celebrate the best resorts for this type of trip.
The biggest challenge when travelling with school-aged children is travelling at the same time as all the other families with school-aged children. How easy is it to achieve your tranquillity and downtime, when there are hundreds of families in the resort?
So how about Iceland instead? This wild island is like a giant kids club, where everyone has space and freedom to stay active. Snorkelling, kayaking, hiking, caving, whale watching, ice fishing, hot springs, walking on a volcano…here’s a guide to exploring Iceland as a family this summer.
Plan Ahead for Lapland in Winter
Maybe you’ve already booked your summer beach holiday. Well done, because most of Europe’s beachfront resorts are already full for July and August. But after a classic family summer holiday, consider something more adventurous in winter.
Lapland is home to a lot more than Santa Klaus. Older children can go dog sledding across frozen lakes, stay in a treehouse hotel, learn the arts of ice fishing and ice skating, then capture photos of the northern lights. We also love the opportunity to connect with local people, like Sami reindeer herders in Lapland.
Helping Your Teenagers to Become Explorers
Think of how travel has influenced your life. The people you met, cultures you discovered, experiences that made you think a little differently.
Travel is the great educator. Just imagine how travel can positively influence your children.
At EliteVoyage we’re not about the Harry Potter themed cruise on the River Thames. We’re about exploring the world and making a connection with what’s real and unique. From walking with Masai warriors in Kenya to cooking pizza in Italy, joining rhino conservation efforts in South Africa to surf lessons in Portugal, we have so many ideas that will inspire your teenagers to explore.
And with EliteVoyage, your holiday will be easy and comfortable, every time.
