Are There Any Lone Parent Friendly Holiday Companies?

[TwoIfBySea]

You know, ones who won't rip me off for daring to be a single parent and wanting to take my dts away?

My mum's Christmas pressie to me this year is to be a holiday some time next year (just need to decide where and when and brace myself for being deemed "bad" for taking my boys out of school for a week.) I don't want to spend everything on the holiday and have nothing to spend when there but all the holiday companies I have looked at seem to be charging full adult price for either one or sometimes both of my sons.

It will be somewhere in Europe that is for sure and the holidays we had before two became one were spent in Holland/Belgium etc. I really would love a hotel with half board so I could maybe relax. Maybe I am asking for too much!

I used to work in the business as well. Had I known the future I'd have collected some contacts back then!

[gillybean2]

There are a few aimed specifically at single parents. It's not as cheap as doing it yourself, but you do get the company of other parents and plenty of children for your kids to play with. I don't think any of them run in school hols though...

I have been away with mangokids and will be going again. Another friend of mine has been with mango but also smallfamilies. Someone else on here recommends a holiday club which is supposed to be cheaper but doesn't include your flights/travel in the prices I don't think. So make sure you're looking at like for like if you're comparing 2 different offers. There are a couple of other things out there I think, try googling it.

If you're not that worried about company for you and the kids and are happy to have a family holiday together I really recommend doing it yourself. Book the flights, hotel, car hire etc yourself. It will work out much much cheaper than a holiday company. Be sure to get insurance too though in case any part of it goes wrong. You could also look for an all inclusive deal if you don't want to pay out extra for food and drinks.

I have done it myself many times and saved myself loads of money, especially on flights to America. I'd never use a package deal again to be honest. But if you prefer someone to sort it all out for you then you are going to pay more.

Bear in mind the exchange rate where you go. Europe is mega expensive as the euro exchange rate is poor right now. USA has better exchange rate but not as good as it was. So bear in mind what it's going to cost you while you're there, not just the price of the holiday itself.

There are loads of great holiday options in the UK too. If you are prepared to wait for a very last minute deal you can get some really good bargains. A week at centreparks at the moment is much cheaper than the price if you havd booked it months ago. Little tip with them too, if your dates don't need to be booked way in advance and you can go at the drop of a hat, simply ring them up and ask what deals they have for next week...

[AdAstra]

if you're wanting a cheaper option you could always join the family group of the Couchsurfing network? Lots of families across the world are members and they offer a free bed and usually meals, friendly guides, company...It can feel really daunting travelling alone with kids but it helps if you're staying with 'friends' or at least people who understand! CS has a vouched-for system too so you know the person you're going to stay with is legit.
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[TwoIfBySea]

Great, well it is a start, thanks!

[dottylotty]

Hi

There are a few single parent websites where other single parents advertise holidays both in the UK and Abroad. One of them has a forum like this so I could not attach the link but the other is the Single Parent Travel Club....this may be of help to you... you can join and advertise the holiday you would like to go and some people may like to join you.....great if you want to share a villa etc.

[RockinSockBunnies]

I'm off with Mango Holidays for February half term with DD. We're taking the plunge and going on the Romania ski trip! I'll report back and let you know how it goes. I know Mango offers a variety of lone-parent holidays and destinations and the people seem very nice when I spoke to them about our holiday .

[gillybean2]

RockinSockBunnies that's great. We went with them to Wales in the summer hols and are going to the reunion weekend very soon too. We really enjoyed our holiday with them. I'm sur eyou will too.