August 14, 2025
Your kids are older. They’re busy. And let’s be honest, when it comes to planning travel with older kids —they’re not always jumping up and down at the idea of a family trip anymore.
But when you get it right? When you plan something they actually want to do, not just tag along?
That’s where the magic happens.
I’ve traveled with my own girls through every age and stage, and I work with families all the time who are looking for something beyond the all-inclusive or another crowded beach. These four trips work beautifully for travel with older kids—young adults, teens, and even full-grown twenty-somethings who live in another state but still want to spend time with you (on their terms).
1. Paris & Normandy by River Cruise
Best for: families who live in different cities, multigenerational groups, or anyone who doesn’t want to argue about dinner.
This is the trip that works for almost everyone. A Paris to Normandy River Cruise.
You start in Paris—yes, the Paris. A few days of café-hopping, vintage shopping, museum meandering, and just soaking it all in.
Then, you float down the Seine on a small ship that docks right in the center of town. That means no long bus transfers, no navigating from the outskirts, and—my favorite part—older teens or twenty-somethings can safely go explore a little on their own while you linger over another glass of wine on deck.
You’ll visit charming towns like Honfleur and Rouen, and end in Normandy, where history feels incredibly real. It’s powerful, it’s emotional, and it’s something you’ll be glad you experienced together.
No packing and repacking. No “What’s for dinner?” debates. Just a beautiful rhythm of connection, conversation, and calm.
2. French Polynesia
Best for: adventurous families, bucket-list dreamers, and anyone who needs a digital detox.
Ready to wow even the most jaded teen? This trip checks every box:
- Snorkeling with reef sharks and sting rays
- Drift diving along coral gardens
- Wading through 300 shades of the world’s most beautiful water
You’ll stay in family-sized overwater bungalows, where every sunrise feels like a movie scene. No Wi-Fi needed. Everyone—from thrill-seekers to chill-seekers—can find their own rhythm.
If you’ve been traveling with older kids for years and want something that feels fresh and unforgettable, this is it. Curious about French Polynesia, check out this article.
3. The French Riviera
Best for: stylish grown kids, food lovers, and anyone who’s over the condo-at-the-beach routine.
Let’s shake up the classic family beach trip.
The French Riviera gives you that perfect blend of glamour, charm, and coast. Think market mornings in Nice, seafood lunches in Antibes, and beach clubs that don’t involve dragging chairs and coolers through the sand.
Add in a visit to Saint-Paul-de-Vence—an artist village perched above it all—and suddenly, you’ve got a trip that feels as inspiring as it is easy.
Everyone gets a little freedom. Everyone gets great food. And everyone gets a sun-drenched photo they’ll actually post without being asked.
4. Bordeaux & Saint-Émilion
Best for: food and wine enthusiasts, road trip fans, and families ready to slow down a bit.
This is my favorite recommendation when clients say:
“We want a trip that feels grown-up… but still fun.”
In Bordeaux, you can taste, tour, and explore without a rigid schedule. Rent a car or join a small cycling tour. Wander through vineyard-lined roads, taste in cellars carved into limestone, and spend afternoons in medieval towns with just the right amount of cobblestone.
There’s wine, yes. But there’s also cheese, fresh bread, duck confit, and lazy afternoons at outdoor cafés. This is the kind of trip that invites real conversation—and lets everyone feel like part of the experience, not just along for the ride.
You can even pair it with Paris or the Loire Valley to round things out.
Travel with older kids is different—but it doesn’t have to be difficult.
When you choose the right destination, everyone gets what they need: a little independence, a little adventure, and a whole lot of connection.
And if you’re wondering whether they’ll remember it?
They will.
Let’s plan something they’ll actually say yes to.
Click here to schedule a vacation chat or email me here.
