Tag Archives: Teenagers

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Best Destinations for a Family Vacation

It can often be difficult deciding where to go for a family vacation, especially if you are hoping to keep children of different ages occupied and entertained. To help you in your decision, OROGOLD has put together some of the best destinations around the world for a family vacation that will leave you with plenty of fond memories.

Beach chairs on beach in Thailand.

Soneva Kiri, Thailand
A beach vacation is usually quite a safe bet with children of any age, and, from the minute that your boat arrives at Soneva Kiri, children are greeted by staff from The Den, a brilliantly run kids’ club. Divided into different age groups, the club offers a variety of activities, from arts and crafts to snorkeling lessons. Adults can enjoy their child-free time at the Six Senses Spa, with a variety of treatments as well as yoga and ta’i chi classes. The sea is always warm, and free of jellyfish, so the family can enjoy fun in the sand together. When you want to cool down, adults and children alike love the Chocolate Room and Ice Cream Parlour, and relaxing evenings can be spent watching a family movie at the outdoor cinema.

Family going for a road trip

USA Road Trip
Since being trapped in a car for hours with screaming toddlers does not sound too appealing, this is a better option for those of you with older children. Some of you may prefer to travel in a traditional RV, spending the night at the many campsites dotted around the country, while others may appreciate a tailor-made trip organized by a boutique travel company, offering activities that you wouldn’t have thought of yourself. From chefs teaching children how to forage for food in the woods, to a slight detour to a fun-filled water park, to spending a hot day white water rafting, the USA is full of great family activities.

Navagio Beach, Zakynthos, Greece

The Peligoni Club, Greece
Located on the untouched coastline of north Zakynthos, Greece, this is an ideal destination for families with thrill-seeking teenagers. A family run hotel, parents can opt for the water sports package for unlimited windsurfing and sailing lessons, aimed from beginners through to the experienced. The enthusiastic kids’ club staff organize an array of activities, from volleyball games in the pool to mocktail making lessons. The village of Alykes is just a short boat ride away, ideal for teenagers who want to do some independent exploration. Twice a week, there is a beach barbecue for children of all ages, while parents can linger over a long meal at the bamboo-shaded Greek restaurant.

When choosing a destination for your next family vacation, OROGOLD recommends finding somewhere that specifically caters to the ages of your children. Every hotel kids’ club also offers different activities, so it is worth finding out what these are in advance, to ensure that they are activities that will interest your children. Whether you road trip through America, or relax on a sandy Thai beach, OROGOLD’s top family vacation destination picks will no doubt provide you with an unforgettable vacation.

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Family Vacation Planning Tips

Family vacations always start out with the best of intentions, but can often end up extremely stressful. To make your next family vacation not only calm and stress-free, but also plenty of fun, OROGOLD has some top family vacation planning tips for you.

Family deciding where to go while on a holiday.

Let Your Kids Have Their Say
If you have children of different ages, it can often be hard to try to accommodate everyone’s wants and needs. If you have already chosen a destination, OROGOLD suggests allowing each of your children to choose one thing in particular that they would like to do on vacation. Help them to do some research on the internet to find out what is available and give them some choices. This will make sure that everyone feels involved and excited right from the start.

Family looking at a map while camping.

A Flexible Itinerary
Over-scheduling too many activities during your family vacation is a sure sign that there will be problems ahead. Children in particular don’t tend to enjoy too much sightseeing, so keep this at a minimum. Try to have a couple of goals for each day, with things that you are hoping to do or see, so that if one doesn’t work out, you will still have a backup plan and won’t be left with absolutely nothing to do. When you do plan particular activities, remember to keep at a comfortable pace for everybody, keeping each family member’s preferences in mind when planning dining options, activity choices, and even wake up times in the mornings. OROGOLD also strongly advises that you set some time aside for private time, especially if you have teenagers with you.

Sad girl in a car

Expect the Unexpected
Whenever you are traveling, it is always advisable to expect the unexpected, especially when it comes to travel delays and long waits. This is even more important when you are traveling as a family, with boredom leading to arguments, which then starts the vacation off on a sour note. To overcome this, pack a carry-on bag with a change of clothes for every family member, as well as medicines and necessary toiletries. You should also pack a good variety of travel games and snacks, as these will come in use when you are busily trying to keep the children occupied during a long wait.

Collage of a family's holiday photos.

Vacation Memories
Everybody loves snapping photographs when on vacation, and it is likely that your children will be no exception. Consider giving each family member a disposable camera and a journal, where they can keep track of their vacation adventures. It is also a great way for the family to share memories after the vacation is over, by looking through and discussing each family member’s journal and photographs. If everyone in your family has a smartphone with a camera, consider purchasing a pocket-sized printer, to help bring everyone’s photos to life at the end of each day.

Planning a family vacation can be difficult, especially if everyone in your family is quite particular about what they like to do when on vacation. By planning a flexible trip, and including everyone’s preferences in your vacation activities, your family vacation is much more likely to be a great success, resulting in precious memories that you will treasure for a lifetime.