Top tips for teen trips

Perhaps unconventional, South Korea is an option worth considering if you want to introduce your young adults to new cultures. The country’s capital, Seoul, is an electric entanglement alive with entertainment and technology. Surprisingly, it is also considered more family-friendly than Japan’s capital, Tokyo. Teens can immerse themselves in the K-pop scene, visit high-tech design hubs, and explore trendy shopping streets such as Myeongdong, refuelling on famous Korean fried chicken. Then, escape the city in favour of outdoor activities in Busan, or head to spectacular Jeju Island for a few days by the beach.

STAY: The Shilla Seoul
Situated on a hill with stunning views of Namsan Mountain, the hotel is conveniently close to Seoul's highlights, with shuttle services to Dongdaemun Market and Myeongdong. An extensive fitness centre, luxurious indoor and outdoor pools, and a golf range combine to make this a refined retreat that balances city exploration with relaxation.

Montréal is among Canada’s coolest cities, distinguished as a cultural melting pot at the heart of Quebec’s untamed beauty. A French-speaking enclave, it offers those studying the language a chance to brush up ahead of exams, while the acclaimed Science Centre provides an illuminating afternoon for all. There will of course be plenty of opportunities to get outside and experience what Canada is all about; biking, ziplining, sailing, and skiing your way around. Hike up Parc du Mont-Royal to the panoramic viewpoint. Or, find common ground over a thrilling ice hockey match in its original home.

STAY: Four Seasons Hotel Montréal
The hotel's prime location in the Golden Square Mile offers access to high-end shopping and vibrant attractions, such as the nearby Leonard Cohen mural and cultural hotspots. Inside, you'll find a heated indoor pool and a Forbes Five-Star Guerlain Spa as well as chic dining options.

We’re always on the lookout for the best up-and-coming destinations – and if you’ve been anywhere near social media recently, you’ll have seen the alabaster shorelines of Albania touted as the ‘Maldives of Europe’. We’d be inclined to agree, and it seems many leading luxury hotel groups do too as the clutch of exclusive accommodations grows in number along the Albanian Riviera. Kissed by the turquoise Adriatic, Durrës is a European beach destination of the highest order. Meanwhile, a sprinkling of ancient Roman ruins – including the impressive Durrës Amphitheatre – presents opportunities for deeper enrichment for teens keen on archaeology and history.

STAY: Meliá Durrës Albania
Modern and alluring, this high-spec hotel offers everything needed to keep teens entertained, including a state-of-the-art gym and plenty of activities, whilst also being conveniently located for reaching the main town.

Spiced broths that speak to the soul, summer rolls delicate as dew-covered blossom, and noodle dishes that fuel fast-paced cities, as they do the rhythms of the jade-green countryside: Vietnamese cuisine is one of the world’s most rewarding. Budding culinary enthusiasts will deepen their passion on a trip to this bubbly Southeast Asian nation, savouring French-influenced fare in lantern-festooned Hoi An and slurping Bún bò (noodle soup) in Hue – all while being treated to a side of beaches and swoon-worthy bays. Of course, there is also a captivating history to pick over, and a concoction of culture backdropped by wild beauty to finish.

STAY: Anantara Hoi An Resort
As well as a prime riverside spot in pretty Hoi An and a definitively Southeast Asian aesthetic, this low-rise hotel also offers cooking classes, during which would-be chefs will gain an appreciation for local flavours.