Mums do travel

Travel with and without teens

  • Home
  • Destination
    • UK
      • London
      • Kent
      • Northern Ireland
      • Wales
      • Elsewhere
    • Europe
      • Austria
      • Croatia
      • France
      • Gibraltar
      • Greece
      • Hungary
      • Italy
      • Netherlands
      • Norway
      • Portugal
      • Russia
      • Spain
      • Turkey
    • North America
      • USA
      • Canada
      • Carribean
      • Costa Rica
    • Africa
      • South Africa
      • Tunisia
    • Asia
      • Thailand
      • Bali
      • Singapore
    • Australia
  • Inspiration
    • Things to do in…
    • Things to do in London…
    • Where to stay
    • Language learning
    • Family travel interviews
    • The journey
    • Recipes
  • Published in
  • About
  • Contact
  • Travel shop
Home / Home Featured / Family travel with teenagers: why villa holidays work

Family travel with teenagers: why villa holidays work

December 29, 2016 by Gretta Schifano 18 Comments

Petroula - Corfu. Image courtesy of Villa Plus.

Petroula – Corfu. Image courtesy of Villa Plus.

I’ve teamed up with Villa Plus to look at why villa holidays work so well for families with teenagers.

Space

When they’re not on a family holiday, most teenagers probably spend more time with their peers than they do with their families. So when the whole family is together on holiday, it can be tricky, and it really helps if there’s space in your accommodation for your teens (and you) to have some privacy. Holiday villas are ideal for this, as they offer living rooms and outside areas as well as bedrooms and bathrooms. This flexible space offers plenty of opportunities for each family member to hang out with the rest of you, or to find a quiet corner by themselves.

Location

Villas are great because they offer you some privacy and independence, but in a spot which you choose. You can find villas in all types of locations, whether you want a place on the beach or up a mountain, in a resort or in the countryside.

Petroula - Corfu. Image courtesy of Villa Plus.

Petroula – Corfu. Image courtesy of Villa Plus.

Food time

My family (including the teens) love trying new food and going to restaurants when we’re travelling. But we enjoy shopping at local markets and cooking too, and this is where villas work well for us. Sometimes it’s more relaxing to have a barbecue and sit outside by the pool in the evenings than it is to go to a restaurant on holiday. Villas are also good because they have a fridge – vital if you have a teenager of the never-not-hungry variety.

Independence

It’s unlikely that your teenage children will want to do everything that you do on holiday. They will want to have some independence. Ours definitely are not interested in visiting all of the museums and UNESCO sites which my husband and I want to explore. But this isn’t a problem. As long as we’re staying somewhere safe and comfortable (like a villa), the kids can stay there and relax while we head off for a couple of hours to see what we want to see.

Mara - Corfu. Image courtesy of Villa Plus

Mara – Corfu. Image courtesy of Villa Plus

Extras

Besides comfortable and flexible accommodation, a great villa offers something more. The most important element of a happy holiday with teens is wifi. The next most important thing, if you’re somewhere hot, is a pool. I’m pleased to see that Villa Plus offer wifi and private pools as standard in many of their villas, as well as features such as table tennis and pool tables – they say that they offer more free added extras than anyone else.

Villa Plus

If you’re thinking about a villa holiday this year, its definitely worth checking out the Villa Plus website to see if they have anything which appeals to you. Villa Plus started with their first holiday villa 30 years ago, they’re ABTA bonded and ATOL protected, and can also arrange your flights, car hire and insurance if you’d like them to. Villa Plus have handpicked villas in locations across Europe, and aim to make sure that you’ll love your holiday. To see what their villas are like, watch this video tour of Athiri House, a Villa Plus property in Corfu. It has five bedrooms, a large heated pool and gorgeous sea views:

More on travelling with teens

You can read some of my other posts about travelling with teenagers here:

Travelling with teens: tips from parents

Travelling with teens: tips from teens

Over to you

Have you ever been on a villa holiday? How was it? If not, is it something which you’d like to do in future?

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Villa Plus

Family travel with teenagers: why villa holidays work image

Share this:

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)

Related

Categories: Parenting teens, Teens, Where to stay
Tags: Villa holidays, Villa Plus

About Gretta Schifano

I'm a freelance journalist and blogger specialising in family travel with teenagers, trips when parents manage to travel without their kids, and 50+ travel. I also write about vegetarian travel, parenting teenagers, adoption, SEN, ADHD and anxiety. My work's been published by the Financial Times, Guardian, Independent, National Geographic Traveller, Lonely Planet and others. I've lived and worked in Italy and Spain and am now based in rural south-east England with my husband, adoptive and birth kids and our dog. I previously worked as a social action radio producer for the BBC.

Facebook - Twitter - Google+

Subscribe to posts by email?

Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy

Comments

  1. Tania @ Larger Family Life says

    January 19, 2017 at 6:24 pm

    Villas are our absolute go-to when travelling, especially with so many of us. It’s great to have the space and comforts of home as well as the independence that a hotel doesn’t offer.
    Tania @ Larger Family Life recently posted…10 ways natural playgrounds help benefit children’s developmentMy Profile

    Reply
    • Gretta Schifano says

      January 19, 2017 at 7:44 pm

      Absolutely – you must really need all of that with your family.

      Reply
  2. Agness of eTramping says

    January 9, 2017 at 8:29 am

    This is an excellent idea Gretta. Villas are perfect for family getaways especially with teenagers. I think Ill be taking this down, as so when the time comes, I know where to go on holiday.

    Reply
    • Gretta Schifano says

      January 9, 2017 at 9:27 am

      Thanks Agness!

      Reply
  3. kirstie says

    January 4, 2017 at 6:19 pm

    Never done a villa. It’s a thought…

    Reply
    • Gretta Schifano says

      January 4, 2017 at 6:20 pm

      It could work really well for you guys, I reckon!

      Reply
  4. Ting at MTM says

    December 30, 2016 at 3:23 pm

    I think Vila holidays are a plus whatever age your kids are. We definitely like the freedom and flexibility they bring!
    Ting at MTM recently posted…Family Holiday Inspiration: Bibione, ItalyMy Profile

    Reply
    • Gretta Schifano says

      January 4, 2017 at 6:26 am

      Yes, I agree!

      Reply
  5. Sarah Ebner says

    December 30, 2016 at 12:43 pm

    Totally agree that villas are perfect with kids – actually of any age, I think, but when they get older, they definitely need the space away from us!
    Sarah Ebner recently posted…Travelling Times: Our Top Places to visit in 2016My Profile

    Reply
    • Gretta Schifano says

      January 4, 2017 at 6:27 am

      Yes, space really is crucial as kids get older.

      Reply
  6. Annabel says

    December 29, 2016 at 7:44 pm

    Villa hols are great for little ones too, my boys need LOTS of space when they’re on holiday!

    Reply
    • Gretta Schifano says

      January 4, 2017 at 6:28 am

      That’s true, little ones need space as well!

      Reply
  7. Nell (the Pigeon Pair and Me) says

    December 29, 2016 at 6:15 pm

    It does sound as though Villa Plus have thought of everything. My son’s beginning to act a bit like a stroppy teenager already (at the tender age of 7), so I’m taking notes from your words of wisdom!
    Nell (the Pigeon Pair and Me) recently posted…Backyard Cinema’s Winter Night GardenMy Profile

    Reply
    • Gretta Schifano says

      January 4, 2017 at 6:28 am

      Oh dear – that’s very early to start with the teenage attitude!

      Reply
  8. Nichola - Globalmouse says

    December 29, 2016 at 4:09 pm

    We love our villa holidays too, they work SO well. I really miss not having been on one for the last couple of years so really want to make it happen in 2017.
    Nichola – Globalmouse recently posted…A science centre your children won’t want to leave – Technopolis Mechelen, BelgiumMy Profile

    Reply
    • Gretta Schifano says

      December 29, 2016 at 4:48 pm

      They do work well – they just offer so much flexibility, I find.

      Reply
  9. Cathy ( Mummytravels) says

    December 29, 2016 at 4:01 pm

    Villa holidays are such a good way to travel – I love them with my daughter because of the flexibility and space, which makes life so much easier with little ones. Good to see they’ll still be working for us in a decade when she’s a teenager!
    Cathy ( Mummytravels) recently posted…9 reasons to visit Beaches Turks & Caicos with kidsMy Profile

    Reply
    • Gretta Schifano says

      December 29, 2016 at 4:49 pm

      They absolutely will still be working for you then – possibly even more than they do now!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




CommentLuv badgeShow more posts

Search site

Follow me!

Email: gretta at mumsdotravel dot com
Follow me on FacebookFollow me on Google+Follow me on TwitterFollow me on InstagramFollow me on YouTubeFollow me on PinterestFollow me on Bloglovin

You'd like posts by email?

Booking.com

Most popular posts:

  • How to pack for an 8 kg luggage allowance
    How to pack for an 8 kg luggage allowance
  • Thailand with teenagers: a two-week summer itinerary
    Thailand with teenagers: a two-week summer itinerary
  • Where to find Mary Poppins film locations in London
    Where to find Mary Poppins film locations in London
  • 5-night itinerary for Northern Tunisia
    5-night itinerary for Northern Tunisia
  • Itinerary for a three-night Berlin sightseeing trip with a teenager
    Itinerary for a three-night Berlin sightseeing trip with a teenager
  • What to do when your teenager doesn't want to go on your family holiday
    What to do when your teenager doesn't want to go on your family holiday
  • 5 of the best: UK castles for family stays
    5 of the best: UK castles for family stays
  • 60 free things to do in London with a teenager
    60 free things to do in London with a teenager
  • Top things to do in Sicily with teenagers
    Top things to do in Sicily with teenagers
  • How to go seal watching in Winterton, Norfolk
    How to go seal watching in Winterton, Norfolk

Recent Posts

  • How to apply for Italian citizenship: everything we’ve done so far
  • How to explore London’s top attractions from home
  • Amsterdam virtual museum & gallery tours
  • Introducing Armchair Travels
  • How to explore Florence, Italy, from home

About

  • About
  • Published in
  • Contact

Disclosure

This is a personal blog written and edited by me, Gretta Schifano. Sometimes I’m given products or sent on trips to review, but I always make this clear and give my honest opinion. See my About page for full details.

Copyright © Mums do travel 2019
Header by Suzanne Barton
Website by
Callia Web

Sign up for my free newsletter:
Subscribe to the Mums do travel mailing list... it's FREE!
You'll receive family travel news, offers and competitions. Once you sign up you can download my tips for saving money on family travel.
Your information will *never* be shared or sold to a 3rd party.
Sign up for my free newsletter: