Post-Divorce Holidays - where did you take your DCs?

[Joyfuldays]

We are a few years post divorce and my DCs are 18 and 14. I could do with taking them away somewhere. They like the sound of Italy for 2 weeks.

I'm a bit overwhelmed! I know I should pull my socks up, but COVID has knocked my confidence & recent stories don't help.

If you're a divorced mum alone, where did you take your kids? Care to share details for where you booked, etc? I would love to find somewhere nice - a villa or something - but am nervous about getting it all wrong!

With those ages, you could go pretty much anywhere. I split from their dad when my kids were 6&9. We’ve done loads of trips, although I’m careful with my planning and going places where I feel safe and confident. The only thing I’d say is 2 weeks is a long time as I feel like I’m “on duty” at all times, so prefer shorter trips. But my kids are still a bit younger, and due to covid the last time we travelled they were even younger. We’ve been to loads of places in Europe and N America. We prefer city breaks/activity plans because sitting by a pool is too intense for just 3 of us. (In my opinion)!

Good luck.

(Our first trip was to Italy, my kids still remember it, exhausting, but amazing, and I was sooo proud)

I went to an all inclusive in Morocco. It was a fab hotel - no worries about cooking etc so we all got to relax and we had some nice days out exploring. One place I’d love to go is Croatia. A lot of similarities to Italy but not as expensive.

Thank you, both! Yes, they are a bit older now and probably easier. Ooh I'm liking the idea of an AI with a few days out. Italy's not so wonderful for that. Croatia is a great idea!

Keep the ideas coming - if anyone has specific places they'd like to share, I'm all ears. I can't muster the inspiration, but we are off in just a few weeks.

Mine were smaller but I used to do all inclusive because I knew it would be the least hassle. Mostly Spain or Greek Islands once went to Tunisia but wouldn’t go back as a woman by myself I wasn’t left alone and only left the resort once because of it.

With that age l would plan a city visit as well as a resort as its a great opportunity to see somewhere interesting as well as enjoy the sunshine. So book the resort and plan to visit the city for a day. Examples for us were Barcelona/ Lisbon/ Dubrovnik. And remember your oldest is an adult so not as big as responsibility as a much younger child so try and relax and enjoy it as it will be far easier than you think..fun in fact.

I am just back from Ai in Eygpt
. Ds 15
. We did a couple of day trips amazing..

If you are anxious i booked Hayes travel so i could walk in and ask questions

I've been all over as a single Mum with my kids - Spain, Florida, NYC, Nova Scotia, Berlin, Thailand, UAE, Vancouver, Caribbean, Alaska. I don't do packages. I book flights and then hotels/rental cars etc myself. As teens they prefer city breaks. If you're new to it and a bit nervous I'd start somewhere like Spain just to get used to travelling and not being too far out of your comfort zone. Andalusia is always lovely and really easy to get around. Malaga and the small coastal towns along from it - Benalmadena, Torremolinos etc are all on one train line and those towns are easy to get around on foot once you get there.

Italy (easy food for teens). Berlin / Munich if they do history they can find them interesting. I’ve had friends who have paid for villas and dc have stayed in rooms on screens and it’s been super stressful dragging them out. So I go to cities and that way can do stuff together or I can go off to a museum on own. I find 5 days about right. USA is easy for longer holiday no language issues, everything online / book hotels on apps and hiring car and driving is super easy. Most hotels have pools. Also good clothes shopping for teens and plenty of places they’ve heard of.

I took my 6 and 8 yo to France by train and hire car, Stayed in a villa with friends but did the travelling alone. yours are old enough to be pretty self sufficient and enjoy an adventure. Go for it. What are you unconfident about?

Can I just ask where those of you using villas, are booking them? I'm a bit nervous about that part!