Parents are not ideal travelling companions as far as older teenagers are concerned, but if you want to keep family holidays going there are certain options that will still pull them in.
Remote cottages or serious culture may be beyond the pale, but you’re usually on safe ground taking them somewhere far-flung and exotic, or to a resort with activities laid on and a ready supply of people their own age.
Here are 10 summer breaks to tempt even the grumpiest adolescent.
1. New York
New York’s energy is perfect for teenagers – and the new Sex and the City film is bound to make it an even more appealing prospect.
The chief draw is the street culture and the prospect of cheaper clothes, sunglasses and iPods – but you might just lure them to an exhibition or film at the ultra-cool Museum of Modern Art (Trailfinders: 020 7938 3939, www.trailfinders.com).
To justify the air fares, hire a car and drive to the Hamptons or Cape Cod for some east coast beach life (www.discovernewengland.com).
2. More urban cool
Short trips to European cities can also work well if you pick the right destination. Barcelona, Rome, Nice or Cannes are all good options for the summer.
Closer to home, London is a stimulating place for teenage children — and hotels often drop their rates in July and August (Kirker Holidays: 020 7593 2288, www.kirkerholidays.com).
3. Surf centres
You’ll find the same laid-back culture that makes Cornwall so popular at resorts in south-west France and northern Spain.
Try the Aquitaine towns of Hossegor and St Jean de Luz for good waves and relaxed atmosphere; the larger cities of Biarritz — or San Sebastian in Spain — have superb beaches and a humming nightlife.
For more information, see www.alternative-aquitaine.com and www.sansebastianspain.info.
4. City and wilderness
Vary the pace by combining a city break with open spaces — a few days in Cape Town, South Africa, say, followed by a safari in the Kruger National Park (Rainbow Tours: 020 7226 1004, www.rainbowtours.co.uk).
Or head to Vancouver en route to the Rockies for trekking, kayaking, mountain biking or float-plane trips (Canadian Sky: 0870 9079 605, www.canadiansky.co.uk).
5. Exotic locations
However embarrassing it is to be seen with parents, teenagers will risk it in California, Barbados, Hong Kong and other exotic long-haul destinations (Trailfinders: 020 7938 3939, www.trailfinders.com).
Costa Rica and Belize both offer enough challenge and variety to enliven world-weary teenagers (Reef & Rainforest: 01803 866965, www.reefandrainforest.co.uk).
Closer to home, Marrakesh is colourful and exciting for two or three days — though very hot in mid-summer (www.i-escape.com).
6. Club holidays
Opt for a club-style holiday abroad with a range of activities on tap. Mark Warner (0871 703 3887, www.markwarner.co.uk), Club Med (0871 424 4044, www.clubmed.co.uk), Neilson (0870 333 3356, www.neilson.co.uk) and Sunsail (02392 222 222, www.sunsail.co.uk) all offer a mixture of tennis and watersports — and teenagers can check out the options for later gap-year stints.
For a more relaxed regime, try the Peligoni Club, on the Greek island of Zakynthos, where guests stay in villas dotted around the north of the island and congregate at the sailing club (01243 511499, www.peligoni.com).
7. Shared villa
Rent a villa or house with friends who have children the same age. Avoid remote locations and ideally find somewhere within safe walking distance of a town or large village where teenagers can wander off independently.
Beware villas in “residential areas” of towns, which can be a long way from the centre. Corfu, Crete, Ibiza and Majorca are all good bases. For large villas, try CV Travel (020 7401 1026, www.cvtravel.co.uk) or Abercrombie and Kent (0845 618 2200, www.abercrombiekent.co.uk).
8. Overland adventure
The Adventure Company (0845 450 5316, www.adventurecompany.co.uk) and Explore (0845 013 1537, www.explore.co.uk) are among the companies offering teenage-only departures for their overland trips for families — and you can check the ages of the other children in the group when you book.
If this still sounds too risky, Exodus runs independent overland trips — you decide where you want to go and it provides a guide. Minimum number of people is four, but costs are lower if you combine forces with one or two other families (0845 863 9600, www.exodus.co.uk).
9. Sports breaks
La Manga in Spain and Val do Lobo on the Algarve in Portugal are purpose-built resort villages with golf courses, tennis courts and their own restaurants and bars. Both are popular with families and provide a safe environment for teenagers to socialise away from their parents. Book through Barwell Leisure (0870 049 3095, www.barwell.co.uk) and Thomson (0871 231 4691, www.thomson.co.uk) respectively.
10. Center Parcs
Center Parcs work surprisingly well for all ages, especially if you team up with friends and go in a group. All villages now have spas in addition to large indoor leisure pools - and activities include riding, racquet sports, golf, quad biking, archery, laser clays and paintballing.
There are villages in Suffolk, Nottinghamshire, Wiltshire and Cumbria (08448 267723, www.centerparcs.co.uk).
Joanna Symons