If your adolescent offspring are tricky to please on family holidays, try one of these holiday adventures
Ah, the joys of taking teenagers on holiday. Whether your little darlings are still delightful at 13 or are more18-going-on-25, you’ve got your work cut out planning a trip. But don’t panic. It is possible to have fun family holidays if you choose the right destination and seek out a suitable range of activities to keep demanding teenagers quiet.
They want to explore the world on their terms, so find ways to engage their interests and everyone will be happy. Here are a selection of the best teen-friendly breaks…For Beach-Loving Younger Teens: Majorca For teens who want to tan while brushing up on their language skills for forthcoming exams, the Balearic island of Majorca is a good all-round option. Families will prefer one of the quieter resorts – try the Prinsotel Alba holiday apartments close to Cala Gran beach near the town of Cala D’Or, which you can easily reach by hiring a car.
This small seaside hub, located in the southeast of the island, has beaches, a pretty port for alfresco dining and lots of sunshine. It’s a good base to strike out to the more remote beach coves and smaller inland villages, where you can soak up the local culture and practise the lingo.
With terrain for all abilities and a growing number of established routes, Majorca is an ideal place to hire bikes.
Before you set out, head to the local market to stock up on some picnic supplies. Hunting for traditional goodies such as sobrassada (spreadable pork sausage) or queso Mahón (creamy cheese) from nearby Menorca is a great way to hone your language skills.
Then follow the cycle path through orange groves and valleys shrouded in almond blossom for a family picnic at one of the beaches in the Cala Mondragó nature reserve. You’ll feel just like a local.