I have fucked up holiday

[Youagain2025]

I booked a holiday in tunisa. I have never been abroad before as an adult. I did not know tunisa is not a safe place to go. I didn't even know you could look it up. I just thought that if its not safe that all flights to that area stop . But that's not the case . I tried changing it but they told me I can't because airline operator do not go to the area I want . Its with tunisa airlines so basically it only gos to tunisa? . So i can't go change to a different destination. But unless I pay a load of money I can't cancel either.

Just to add . I do have learning difficulties. Which is probably why I did not realise all of this . I'm so pissed of

Thank you . Yes I would definitely ask. Ds have been abroad a few times to . Although he normally gos to America to see his friend. But he knows about all the airport side of things. And as you say everyone has a first time.

That's done already it was just a tick box thing

I think you'll be absolutely fine, OP. I would say give yourself more time than recommended to get to the airport. My DH always insists on an extra half hour (sometimes it ends up being an hour LOL) and it just makes things easier and less stressful. Your DS sounds like he's used to cruising through solo so don't let him be too casual!

Take some food for you and the kids - airport prices are absolutely crazy now. On the plus side they have water fountains so you can take empty bottles and fill them up.

To be honest it feels like you're being herded along in airports these days, with shouted instructions all the way through security, so you'll be fine. It's no more difficult doing all this to go to Tunisia than if you were going to Spain.

Make sure you have crystal clear instructions written down on how to find the airport transfer at the Tunisian side (and a contact/Plan B if it goes wrong). Then you're set to go. It seems like so many Brits go to your hotel that there'll be tons of people to give you tips on where to go etc.

But it covers your children's SEN?

DD has ASD and we cannot use Jet2 insurance that is offered as it doesnt cover pre existing conditions.

Her ASD doesn't increase the premium but I do have to answer questions such as if she can verbalise her needs, if she takes medication etc.

They do that to panic you into buying but it is usually a lie. If you browse on Incognito mode that can help a bit. Anyway it's done now.

When is the holiday and have you submitted the passport applications yet? Make sure you have good medical insurance.

That cancellation policy is harsh, and the amount it would cost you could buy you a UK break. My advice would be to go for it, assuming you have the passport issue sorted. don't expect luxury, just be happy to have the sun, slides, beach and no cooking. You'll hardly need to spend anything if you don't leave the resort, and you'll be looked after. Buy the kids some pool toys. Mine spent a whole week in the pool with snorkels, masks and dive sticks at that age. See what everyone else is wearing at dinner and blend in. Be careful to stick to luggage weight and dimension limits for the flights. It's all designed for your convenience once you get to the airport.

Well done OP (I think some people are underestimating you).
When are you actually due to travel? Is it soon or later in the year? And have you applied for your passports now?

Tunisia is great and the people are very friendly. We travelled by train to Tunis and Carthage and hired a car to drive to El Jem, which was 100% worth it. Taking note of current precautions, have a wonderful time!

I think many of the people egging OP on to take this holiday are MN "disaster vulture viewers" who enjoy getting a stranger to put themselves in a situation that can be used for their personal entertainment. They might be hoping for another live thread update or some other drama to follow. This applies very often to dubious advice in medical situations, relationships, schools, children etc.
This is clearly a very vulnerable adult who is trying to organise a holiday that is totally out of her depth of experience.

OP is a long time MN poster, @JellyCupcake. Hence (I am guessing), her current user name, YouAgain2025 😂 She is a very capable mother and (I think) grandmother who has successfully navigated her way through some difficult times. You are making assumptions because she said she has some learning difficulties. You probably wouldn’t be making the same assumptions if she had specified that she is dyslexic or has ADHD or ASD or she suffers from anxiety.

There are some really nasty posts on here that are completely uncalled for. The OP is going on a normal all-inclusive holiday, she doesn't need endless lectures about changing her clothes or terrorism. She's doing her first trip abroad in a perfectly sensible way.

Some of you were the ones bullying the SEN kids at school, and it shows.

In your situation I would just stay at the hotel and not do anything more adventurous. It's good you're not going alone.

I really enjoyed Tunisia and travelled around loads on my own, but I am quite experienced.

The tourist areas are no more dangerous than any other country in North Africa. If it was unsafe the package outfits wouldn't be selling holidays there.

Enjoy thé sunshine and thé novelty of a new country.

It's not a tick box thing.
that insurance on the tick box is a basic, standard insurance. If you or any of the passengers flying have any medical conditions it will not cover you.

Re clothing. Just use common sense.

At thé pool, in thé hotel compound and adjacent beach- beachwear.

Within thé hôtel and the restaurant - shorts and a top. You wouldn't wander round inside an hôtel anywhere else in beachwear would you?

Outside - long sleeves and longish trousers/ skirts.

You don't need tons of outfits. Just a very few changes of clothes. You can always rinse them out and they will dry overnight. Rohan do good travel stuff and you can get excellent bargains on eBay.

Does it cover your children's SEN and your learning difficulties? If you haven't declared those then the insurance might not pay out for anything if needed.

Nobody is underestimating anybody and I think that's disingenuous to state so.
There is clearly a vulnerable OP with learning difficulties with disabled children looking for help and answers on this thread.
the 'tick box' insurance will not cover for pre-existing medical disclosures.

I have worked as an underwriter in insurance for 10+ years. You MUST go through a company that specifically covers for pre existing conditions and you must declare absolutely every single thing. There was a story on the news recently about a baby being stuck abroad who had a stroke and was not able to fly back to the UK because the mum didn't disclose something very minor which was unrelated to the stroke. These things are important and it's not underestimating the OP to make her aware of these things.

OP it's advised for Tunisia that holidayers are also up today with Hep A & B, typhoid, tetanus and potentially rabies vaccinations too. In case you weren't aware.

English is very much the unofficial second language of Tunisia as opposed to French, especially for anyone who wants to work in the tourist industry. Having travelled around both Tunisia and Spain, I would rate my chances of finding helpful English speakers if needed equally good in both, if not higher in Hammermet. Also, most airports have special needs assistance which really helps. Our son is SEN and they help us through security etc. Here's the link for Heathrow. Again, you'll be totally fine! Just pack the ipad or whatever keeps the kids happy on the flight. Plus, it's only a three hour flight. Not much difference to Spain!
www.heathrow.com/at-the-airport/assistance-and-accessibility

Another tips suggested to me that works really well on flights with our two boys (aged 5) is to put together a little bag of mini toys in your hand luggage. Don't let them see it or know about it, just bring out another little thing to keep them occupied every half hour. A wind up car, one of those horrible squeezy balls, a springy... Little fun throwaway things. It just holds their interest and stops them becoming a pain!

To be fair, the point of the thread is that the OP was suffering huge stress and anxiety about a normal, all inclusive holiday. She admitted she was having trouble and had a significant lack of understanding of the circumstances. She asked for the information.

You do need to look into proper insurance though OP. The tick box thing will not be adequate. Bye get mother adult to assist with this.

*maybe

*another

@Youagain2025

It will all be fine :)

Just a quick check list of things that need to have considered and covered before you go:

Travel insurance (and one that covers your family specific needs)

How will you get to the airport, do you need to book parking or a taxi?

How will you pay for things along the way, do you need to change some currency up or check with your bank how much you may be charged for using your card in a foreign country?

Do you have transportation included in your package holiday for getting from the airport to the hotel, if not that needs sorting.

Have a google for what type of plug sockets they will have so you can buy some plug adapotors on eBay to take with you to use your electronics.

I had a really lovely time in Tunisia when I stayed in Hammamet.
I was a lone female and felt safe.
I hope you enjoy it!

I was giving you the benefit of the doubt that you are so anxious yourself that you struggle with the idea of anyone pushing themselves out of their comfort zone, but I don't think that's what this is.

How OP is funding the holiday is not relevant. In an ideal world everyone would have a couple of thousand pounds in the bank in case of an emergency on holiday, but that's just not possible for a lot of people. If I'd lived by that rule I wouldn't have left the country until I was nearly 30. My early 20s were full of holidays where I ran out of money and lived on pot noodles that last 2 days. But I had some great times and nobody died.

Yes OP has learning difficulties but who are you to declare she's "clearly a very vulnerable adult"?, just because she's not familiar with travelling. She has an adult DS going with her to assist. I think you're being extremely rude and condescending now.

I don't think anyone encouraging her to go is a "disaster vulture viewer". We just aren't snobs that think we have the right to decide someone is too poor or not intelligent enough to enjoy a holiday.

OP, I would really advise you to check (with the help of someone else who is a more experienced traveller) your travel insurance as it can be very confusing (and I am an experienced traveller and i find it confusing!). Check that it covers your destination and your family’s specific needs and maybe have the policy details to hand (could even print off and pop in suitcase if you wanted to be very old fashioned) and the emergency number if you need it.

Have a good holiday!

Me and my family have been to Tunisia and it was safe. We walked around outside the area we had booked out all inclusive hotel in/package holiday. Where you are staying is a tourist place its safe as holiday companies would sell there if not.