Playa de las Americas

[Lynn]

Well after my other thread about DD17 and her friend's going abroad for the first time without an adult, they have today booked to go to Play de las Americas in August.

My first instinct was to check the apartment on Tripadvisor etc. and it has some really bad and also "some" good reviews. It is called "The Optimist", don't laugh, I did :blush:

Has anyone stayed there?

It is only a 2 star and I am sure they will not be in the room for long. As long as it is clean DD will cope, she is planning taking the disinfectant with her


Any do's/dont's for teenagers in Tenerife?

(One worried mother :blush: )

[Scotsmomma]

Glad they've got booked Lynn....lol no sleep for you in August then....they'll be fine...I don't remember seeing the apts....I'll have a look out for them when we go in May.....when my boys started going abroad for the first time...I always told them to befriend a family group in their apartment complex....just so if they needed any help with anything they'd have someone sensible and probably trustworthy to ask

I still worry about them even though they've had loads of holidays on their own now...

[Lynn]

Thanks Linda

I am sitting here thinking of a list of do's and dont's already and it's only January :blush:

[Scotsmomma]

lol aren't girls more sensible than boys?
On my oldests second lads holiday 6 of them went to Cyprus....one of his mates had way too much too drink one afternoon and together with too much sun they had to call an ambulance for him....it came with one medic...and my son had to help carry the stretcher down a huge flight of stairs to the ambulance....silly boys....

lol sorry....I'm not helping with your worries

[Lynn]

lol aren't girls more sensible than boys?
On my oldests second lads holiday 6 of them went to Cyprus....one of his mates had way too much too drink one afternoon and together with too much sun they had to call an ambulance for him....it came with one medic...and my son had to help carry the stretcher down a huge flight of stairs to the ambulance....silly boys....

lol sorry....I'm not helping with your worries

Girls more sensible................oh I am not too sure about that. My dd does not drink so that is one worry off my mind, saying that she will probably have to look after the other four ;)

[Pebblesuk]

my DD is off to Tennerif to this July too, a group of 12 boys/girls are off for a week, the first holiday on her own, they are in 2 star hotel too!! cheap and cheerful- I hope!! trip advisor doesn't give it too bad a review but it is next door to a brothal.

[loadsapixiedust]

Tell them to be very wary of taxis, my friend's 2 lads were almost enticed into a car claiming to be the taxi they had called. Lucky for them a pair of off duty police officers saw what was happening and warned them or who knows where they might have ended up.

I'm sure the apartment will be fine, most teenagers wouldn't notice the difference anyway!

[jobowden]

Stay together, go home together, avoid 'The Strip' & keep an eye on their drinks whilst out! The sort of things they would/should do at home anyway.

[Lynn]

my DD is off to Tennerif to this July too, a group of 12 boys/girls are off for a week, the first holiday on her own, they are in 2 star hotel too!! cheap and cheerful- I hope!! trip advisor doesn't give it too bad a review but it is next door to a brothal.

Oh No :d:

[ukdiva]

Don't let your drink (alcoholic or non) out of your sight.
Don't let any of your friends go off with someone they've just met on their own.
Beware of unlicensed taxis.
Be aware of your surroundings.
Have an emergency supply of cash.
Most importantly....

HAVE A GOOD TIME!! :)

I remember my first hols with my friends, we went 18-30s to one of the Greek Islands, the hotel, if you could call it that! Was a right dump, but we had such a laugh that it didn't really matter!

[Minniesmum]

Some good tips, also avoid the beach when its dark.

[Helen uk]

Heres a brilliant site i found before our trip,there also links to the live web cam on the beach wich we done the wave on the hour and sister at home waved back,only we couldnt see her.

The beach is just to the left of the Mare nostrun infront of Mcdonalds and some nice places to eat/drink.

www.arona.org.

Then go to arona webcams

Then go to Playa Las Vistas(which is the beach area)

EDITED just to say.The beach is on 24hr camera and they are poo hot at any trouble or anyone doing things they shouldnt .

You can say to her give us a wave at 11am/pm and you can have piece of mind and you can also go back 24hrs so even if you miss you can check up

Just remembered about this hopefully it could help put your minds at rest. :wavey:

[motty1969]

Las Americas isn't as bad as you may think. It had a really crappy reputation a few years ago but it's getting much better. Me, hubby and little one go at least once a year, but we go in early Feb/ March time and October. It's clean , has good hotels we usually go self catering and usually about 3 stars. We stayed near where your daughter is going and it 's not a bad area.
Th main drinking area where Linekars, Weatherspoons, Veronicas is, is not bad, full of young and older people having a good time. There can be trouble where ever you go. There's always plenty of people about if any thing was to happen, god forbid, just tell her and her mates to keep their wits about them and have a good time.

[Steboz]

Hi

Can I ask how 17 year olds can obtain a package holiday, I assume this is what your daughter has booked?
My 17 son and his three mates (all 17 too) are after a week in the sun in July 08, but are facing problems finding a tour operator who will accept them.
I could book them flights and accom direct, but thought as it was their first holiday away a package holiday would provide a few more safeguards.
Thanks for any help

[Lynn]

Hi

Can I ask how 17 year olds can obtain a package holiday, I assume this is what your daughter has booked?
My 17 son and his three mates (all 17 too) are after a week in the sun in July 08, but are facing problems finding a tour operator who will accept them.
I could book them flights and accom direct, but thought as it was their first holiday away a package holiday would provide a few more safeguards.
Thanks for any help

Two of my daughter's friends will be 18 when they go, I don't know if that makes a difference. I also had to write a letter saying that I gave her permission to go.

They booked through our local "Going Places" and the brochure was called "Escapades".

After they had booked I noticed that The Escapades website stipulated that the minimum age was 18. I printed the page off and got the travel agent to confirm that my daughter was ok to go. The new 2008 brochure confirmed that they took 17 year olds with written permission from their parents. Some hotels will only accept 18 year olds.

Hopefully your Travel Agent will be ale to help you.

[Steboz]

Hi Lynn

Thanks for this. I had already discovered that having an 18 year old in their party was the answer, it was just with you stipulating that it was your DD17, that had me wondering if you knew of another means.