Holiday abroad alone with child

[Loupop677]

Hi all,

I'm a single mum to my little girl (5) and hopefully some point later on this year or next year I would like to go abroad. Normally we travel with family, however as there are lots of us it's quite hard to please everyone. So I would like to have a holiday abroad just me and my little one.

Has anybody got experience with holidays abroad as a single parent of a young child?

[SamBeckettsLastLeap]

Do it, it's brilliant, terrifying the first time but you get so much from it.
For my first holiday alone I chose a package holiday with reps on site as I felt I needed the security if something happened (worried about falling ill etc ) also didn't want to have to think too much so it was easy getting of the plane, on to coach etc. I also wanted a busy hotel as I was a bit worried I'd feel alone. I found the reps checked in on me a bit more which was really nice and we had a fabulous time. More adventurous now and still love it.
Where were you thinking of going?

[Loupop677]

@SamBeckettsLastLeap aww that's brilliant to hear, can I ask where you went? That's one of my big worries - what if she gets ill, how do I get from the airport to the hotel (but as a package that will all be included). I would probably not go too far maybe the canary islands or Malta. How old was your little one when you first went?

[purpleme12]

I've been mine was 4 at the time
It was brilliant but I wasn't apprehensive about it anyway

[ineedaholidayandwine]

I haven't done it but a friend has a couple of times and always been fine, check out the Tui family life hotels as lots for small children.
Alternatively we stayed at the Tagoro Family and Fun in Tenerife and it was lovely, can even get child friendly rooms that have games and toys in.
I'd do a package that includes transfers so you don't have to think about taxis etc

[summersolstice43]

Its the best experience ever. I've done it quite a lot with my DD and we are so close due to the time spent together doing what we like without pleasing anyone else.

[Dizzy1234]

Totally do a package holiday so that when you get off the plane a rep is there to direct you to the transfer / coach.
Then turn up at the greeting meeting with the rep the next day so you know who they are.
Try somewhere like Spain as its not too far away.
Don't worry about either of you falling ill, it's unlikely but the reps will help you if anything happens, buy some good travel insurance.
Look on jet2 website they do family holidays, I love jet2.

[Butterflyfox]

Yes I’ve done it a lot alone with my two since they were born. Biggest challenge is the evening. Day times were fun. Pool or sand and they are happy all day. Flying is fine. If you are nervous do a package with transfers A hotel with kids club if you want some me time. When you fly check in everything so you just have a small backpack and your hands free. You do not want to be farting about with hand luggage. Yours is walking now so that’s easier too. Lots of snacks and colouring for the plane. But mine went to bed at 7 and I found myself sitting wide awake in a hotel room in the dark all evening. Not fun. If you have the cash splash out on a suite or interconnecting rooms so at least you can watch tv or read or something. Mine a bit bigger now so can stay up a little and we go to bed at the same time. A little late for them. A little early for me. Perfect. You can definitely do this. Choose a country that loves kids (most of Southern Europe) and everyone will be adore your daughter which helps.

[Tal45]

Do it! I've been to France, Sweden, Croatia and the Caribbean. I've never done a package because they're not my sort of thing but could be great for a first time. I just researched and planned everything very carefully before we went. Amazing times.

[heymammy]

My first holiday abroad as a single parent with 3 dc was to a holiday park about 30 miles outside Barcelona.

I booked flights and accommodation separately - to save money. Worked out the bus route from the airport to the holiday park - to save money. I was pretty stressed trying to trail 3 dc and luggage around the airport looking for the right bus!

It was at the tail end of the season (October hols) so the park was pretty empty, nothing much going on, youngest dc also took a weird fever two nights in a row and I had forgotten to bring calopl, no medic on site as end of season.

I wish I had booked a package holiday 😄 take my advice and book everything and anything that makes the holiday easier. If you can't afford to spend a bit, save up for longer!

The dc loved the holiday and have really good memories of it, I was pretty frazzled though

[ImInStealthMode]

When I was little (4 I think) my first holiday just with my Mum was to Jersey. I told her I loved it so much I wanted to live there - and now I do

Could be a good choice for you if you're nervous; short flight, same language, familiar food / brands if your little one is fussy at all, reciprocal health agreement with the UK in case of worst case scenario. Almost like a tester holiday before a big adventure abroad!

The Merton Hotel is great for kids, big indoor and outdoor pool with slides, evening family entertainment and a kids club in the holidays.

[NaturalBlondeYeahRight]

If your child is the sort to enjoy staying up, pick a hotel that has family shows/mini disco in the evening. Lovely to watch with a glass of wine. If she’s an early sleeper, put lots of great book on kindle and buy some nice snacks/wine for the evening - try and get a balcony so you can enjoy warm summer evenings. We love Majorca for family friendly.

[Belle89]

I did to the arctic circle when my son was almost 6.
Amazing experience, I pre booked transfers and also excursions. Was seated with a single dad and child for a hotel dinner/disco thing one evening, was a little odd at 1st having never seen them before. Was initially annoyed with the hotel at 1st and felt like they were saving tables but it was amazing, children played together and was nice to come across someone in a similar situation especially in a family packed environment. I have a partner now and alough I'd never have thought it at the time almost miss the days when it was just me and my son on holidays.

[Loupop677]

Thank you so much to you all, I'm feeling much more confident about the idea after hearing all your great experiences 😊 I will start saving and wait till everythings a little more settled. Shes a wild child who comes alive at night so would definitely enjoy entertainment and discos. I am looking forward to the idea of not going away with a big family and just having that quality time with my little one. Shes been on lots of flights before so as long as we have the ipad and some colouring she will be happy

[Inga85]

Hello, as a single parent, I am worry a lot to travel abroad because of mine and my daughters safety.
I would love to get advice about about Spain. Is it safe?

[pinoco]

I did it last summer with a 5 & 6 year old - we had a fab time. I went all inclusive with a holiday club so I could have a break for an hour a day.
I couldn't drink or do anything in the evening of course but we were all tired and ready for bed anyway!

[NaturalBlondeYeahRight]

@Inga85 Spain is so safe, pick a family friendly resort rather than a party destination and you'll love it.