Published 28th Jun. 2021
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Welcome to the age of the 'tweenager' - the twilight zone between the innocence of early childhood and the dark ages of the teenage years. No need to panic though, because handled correctly these can be some of the most memorable (for all the right reasons) of all family travel times. For instance, you can start involving the children in the planning process (in moderation, mind, or you may find yourself going to California every single holiday) and, as you'll discover over the next few pages there's very little that doesn't work brilliantly at this age, so you can veer toward the ever more adventurous.
Dramatic deserts, camel rides, Indiana Jones movie sets (aka: Petra)... what wouldn't there be to love about a family holiday to Jordan ? Stuffed full of ancient history, a fascinating culture and spellbinding scenery, Jordan is a small country that earns big brownie points as a destination to delight the whole brood. Thrill youngsters with desert safaris, floating on the Dead Sea and ancient archaeological tours, while parents can enjoy nutrient-rich mud baths.
There is no better place to get away from modern life and really appreciate the great outdoors than Costa Rica. 25% of the country is set aside as national parks, and everywhere you look there are lush volcano-filled forests framed by miles of soft white sand. And then there's the abundance of weird and wonderful wildlife that calls Costa Rica home. These fantastic beasts are sure to charm the most nervous - and fantastic beasts are sure to charm the most adventurous - tweenagers. Our fantastic team of Americas experts will help plan every last detail of your family holiday in Costa Rica.
With its wild beauty and child-loving locals, the perfect option is a far-flung family trip in Indonesia. On an adventurous liveaboard cruise, explore the islands in comfort; days spent enjoying the best on land and sea. Does trekking in search of Komodo dragons sound like it might capture the team's imagination? Or exploring Bali by convertible? Or learning to surf? Wherever you go, evenings should be about barbecues under starlit skies after days that no one will forget.
Turkey ticks some serious 'must visit' boxes when it comes to family holidays. Sitting where continents collide, it's a beguiling blend of culture, history, scenery and incredible hospitality. The country is home to lunar-like landscapes, buzzing cityscapes and one of the best coastlines in the Med - the Aegean - all of which merit exploration as a family. Ideal for tweens and teens, this is a place that will capture their imaginations and teach them so much.
Egypt is one of those dream destinations that caters for couples and families alike. With your family fez on, enjoy a delectable double act of culture and beaches as your explore ancient pyramids and temples before some beach time. Take guided tours dripping with grisly details about mummification that will thrill the youngsters. Then, in Hughada on the Red Sea, your sea-loving squirts can go on snorkelling adventures while indulgent spa treatments await parents.
Practical advice and inspiration for your next trip
With four teenagers in or entering sixth form, my family have noticed firsthand that A Level study demands not just recall but interpretation. The jump from GCSE to A Level is substantial; essays are longer, critical thinking matters much more and independent evaluation is rewarded. Several experts suggest that examiners across AQA, Edexcel and OCR consistently reward students who demonstrate awareness of competing perspectives, real-world examples and a confident grasp of context.
26th March 2026 - Family Travel
With four teenagers currently moving through the GCSE and A Level years in our household, we have become mildly obsessed with the idea of the ‘incremental gain’. Not in a hot-housing sense. More in the way that any decent sports coach knows that small, cumulative advantages often show up where it matters – in the final scoreline. Because one thing becomes very clear very quickly when you have children doing GCSEs and A Levels across AQA, Edexcel and OCR:
24th March 2026 - Family Travel
It’s no secret that we’re strong advocates of a family sabbatical, so amid the downpours of February, we were delighted to host an event at the Royal Academy discussing just that. Bringing together Thomasina Miers of Wahaca, Walter Kerr of Oppidan Education and, of course, our very own Tom Barber, the event opened the floor for a practical and frank conversation about the best way to take a sabbatical with your children.
26th February 2026 - Family Travel
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