Dreaded Exams are upon us. Students across the country are sitting exams and tests – GCSE’s, A’Levels, SATs, Progress Tests and Dissertations – all are putting our children from Y2 to University under stress. Destinology believes holidays are the perfect cure for tension and anxiety – here are our post exam recommendations.
For the young ones who just need to play.
Post Y2 & Y6 SATS - Play Away the Stress
Dubai
Dubai is home to amazing family experiences, including The Lost Chambers Aquarium that offers snorkelling and Aqua-treks, an indoor snow centre, Ski Dubai, and numerous water parks that entertain and thrill. All this fun will banish SAT stress.
Stay at the Jumeirah Zabeel Saray. Sinbad’s Kids Club offers fun filled activities from morning until late and it features its own mini water park, climbing wall and playground. There is also interactive gaming and iPad stations for when exhaustion sets in. The pool at the Jumeirah Zabeel Saray is 59 meters and overlooks the Arabian Gulf and, if that isn’t enough, there is a private beach.
Eat at one of 10 restaurants and bars. The kids will love Plaj, situated beachside and serving Italian - their speciality is the pizza, hand tossed and prepared in a wood-fire oven. What child doesn’t love pizza next to the beach after a hard day of play and fun?
Maldives
In the Maldives, resorts are surrounded by the calming influence of the Indian Ocean's tides and pampering is guaranteed.
Stay at The Six Senses, Laaamu. A child loving resort situated in the southern part of the Maldives. The on-site children’s club is called ‘The Den.’ Scattered around the resort are children’s toys and activities include: outdoor ball games, treasure hunting, pizza making, arts and crafts, dancing, indoor games and music making.
For sporting families there is volleyball, football, table tennis, and cycling on dry land. For water babies, there is snorkelling, surfing, windsurfing and catamaran sailing.
After a day of relieving post exam stress, settle down to dinner at one of six bars and restaurants. We guarantee children of all ages will head straight for the Ice and Chocolate Studio where they will find 40+ flavours of ice cream. Don’t worry, for accompanying adults there are indulgent chocolate truffles including Mint Mojito flavour!
For the teenagers who still need love and support even though they don’t think so!
Post GCSE and A’ Level – Activity to relieve Anxiety
Greece
The southern-most and largest of the Greek Islands, Crete, is renowned for its wild natural beauty, thousands of years of culture and delicious cuisine. The island is a paradise for thrill seekers with a wealth of adventure opportunities.
Keep your teens occupied between exams and results with a holiday filled with activity.
Stay at The Blue Palace Resort and Spa. Situated on the North of the Island close to Elounda it has two pools and a private beach. Situated on the beach is the Watersports and Dive Centre, which is going to wash away all signs of stress. Here you and your teenagers can try water skiing, windsurfing, knee boarding, wake boarding, and trick skiing. You can also learn to Scuba dive and explore the ocean.
The fitness centre offers indoor and outdoor classes including yoga and pilates - both excellent for promoting a healthy mind and body.
There are 8 restaurants/bars and The Blue Door is “Gucci” (cool for those of you not down with teen speak,) on the beach, an authentic taverna serving meze and traditional dishes.
Junior Suites have a private sea-water pool and verandas to allow for some lounging and there is the absolute necessity of Wi-Fi for Snapchatting, WhatsApping or You-tubeing.
Mexico
Tulum in Mexico is considered to have one of the best beaches in the Riviera Maya and is home to Quintana Roo, Mayan ruins. This UNESCO World Heritage Site wows visitors - even teenagers!
Stay at Dreams – Resort and Spa, Tulum and your teens will love you forever and forget the stress of exams in a moment.
Dreams Tulum shares a beach with sea turtles who hatch from July (just after the exams finish) to December and the resort makes every effort to protect the baby sea turtles as they make their way to the ocean. Guests often get the chance to watch this incredible event.
This All-Inclusive ‘Ultimate Luxury’ means that you and yours can eat and drink at any of nine dining venues - we think you should head for El Patio – authentic Mexican cuisine in a casual, relaxed atmosphere.
You will be waited on with pool and beach service and there will be no arguments about bed making as there is a daily maid service too. Activities include tennis, volleyball, hiking, football, kayaking, snorkelling and there is a PADI certified diving centre. If the competitive spirit is present take part in beach Olympics.
The Core Zone Teen’s Club is open 10.00 – 21.00 and is specifically for ages 13 – 17. At the Zone are plasma televisions, Xbox and PlayStation consoles, Foosball and other table games. There is also a daily activity schedule.
For the kids who are all grown up and about to fly the nest.
Post Degree Dissertation - Relax Away The Strain
Vietnam
Not an obvious choice for a relaxing, tension relieving holiday but Danang was once used as a relaxation destination for American soldiers during the Vietnam War.
Stay at The Fusion Maia, Danang, a spa inclusive hotel that is sure to make you forget exam stress forever. The Fusion Maia Spa with its holistic approach to wellness rejuvenates and is the ideal place to unwind. Choose an Energy Experience, Mindful Body Work or Inner Beauty Ritual. Meredian therapies are designed to give a sense of balance and relief to mind and body.
The Natural Living programme activities and workshops include mindfulness, feel free yoga, breathing balance and improve inner calm – sure to destroy the post dissertation stress.
After a day of relaxation, there are 4 restaurants/bars, Destination Dining – you choose your location and Pop Up events to refuel your body.
Choose from bed and breakfast, half board or full board - whichever you choose, 2 Spa treatments every day are included! That is relaxing.
Canary Islands
There are over 90 miles of beach to enjoy on the second largest of the Canary Islands, Fuerteventura, and the volcanic landscape is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Forget exam stress as you walk along the shore, sit on the sand and eat Spanish tapas.
Stay at the Gran Hotel Atlantis Bahia Real Grand Luxe. 5* and situated on the beach this hotel will make you forget your worries when you walk through the door.
The Coco Bahia Lounge & Club is situated over the water of the Atlantic Ocean - Chill Out is the perfect location to lounge on Balinese beds in the sunshine lapped by a sea breeze, enjoying a cocktail.
Relax at the Bahia Vital Spa. Here ‘Salus per Aquam’ (the wonders of water) pamper with the intention of achieving a perfect balance between body and mind. There is a heated indoor pool, hydrotherapy circuit, water bed, massage seats, swan necks, whirlpools and to shock a way any anxiety a cold plunge pool. There are also massage, reflexology, Indian mushroom and kinesiology therapies if you still need to unwind.
There are numerous water and land-based activities to try your hand at too. Enjoy sailing, fishing, diving, surfing and kite-surfing at the beach and trekking, mountain-biking and jeep safari in the volcanic countryside.
Family Rooms comprise of two rooms with communicating doors and both have bathrooms and terraces so you can be a family but the kids, this may be the last time you can call them that, have privacy too!
Destinology believes travel is an education but don’t tell the kids!
