Single parent holiday help!!!

[bunnyapple4]

Last minute I know, but I just had an unexpected windfall of £2.5k, and instead of squirrelling it away I've decided I want to take dd7 away on her first holiday abroad.

I've been looking and looking and my brain is totally and utterly addled with the options.

Can anyone hit me with some recommendations? I want to go somewhere not too far for a week, but far enough to be consistent sun, stuff for dd ie water slides etc, near a beach that doesn't involve trying to navigate local transport systems as I don't feel confident enough, full board (or AI, although I don't drink and obvs will be single parenting so would that be a waste of money?), not too long a transfer, and preferably within the 2nd and 4th week of the summer holiday (28th July up until the 18th August). Maybe Fuertaveura? Cyprus?

Anyway, can anyone help? I am absolutely shitting myself as it's been years since I've been away, let alone with dd on my own... but she deserves a holiday. And frankly, so do I.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions!

hotel robin hood benidorm is my suggestion and club mac is fab in alcudia ..very laid back both of them

I've never been to club mac but I've read the reviews. Sounds like hell. I would stay away from that hotel if it's just you and your daughter. Don't go to a hotel below a 4* if your going all inclusive.

The TUI website allows you to set lots of preferences such as flight times and board. I found a pretty much perfect trip through them for just over £700.

I went there as a single parent
Didn't have a bad experience at all

I don't agree that it's only worth going if it's 5 stars or over

I do AI and have been to some nice places in Turkey. I like AI for the safety factor: we can stay in the resort with plenty of places to eat. I would feel vulnerable having to take taxis and going out at night just with a child. One with a private beach is best so I don't have to worry (as much) about child being lost, stolen or our belongings being stolen as I don't have anyone to watch them when we are in the water.

We're going to Turkey this summer!

Tui Blue Flamingo Lanzarote.

4 hour flight, about an hour transfer on a coach, beach right next to the hotel and it's a little cove perfect for kids.

(I took mine as a single mum last year. Only thing I would change is he was so clingy I couldn't put him down all the way round the buffet, but yours is older!)

Also coming on to say Jupiter albufeira.Fantastic place. V easy to manage as a single parent. We also enjoyed magic natura which would be fab for your daughter at 7. Has a water park and a zoo attached

I wouldn't say you have to go AI. I normally go half board with my daughter and make sure that there is somewhere on site that sells food for lunch, a pool bar or the like.

I don't drink a lot and this ends up considerably cheaper.

My daughter will never go to a kids club but will happily spend the week playing in the pool, playing games with me and doing crafts or magazines etc that I take with us.

Oh you've just reminded me - there are several on site a la carte restaurants which can be used as part of your AI, so if you didn't want to leave the resort you don't have to! We did go for a wander daily to the town centre and there are plenty of restaurants there too of course.

Honestly, I think as a lone parent you both just get there and want to relax away from the busy day to day life you're usually in, and this was the perfect place for us. The staff were truly amazing and the kids club was really impressive (have you seen any pictures?). I like that you can keep the main pools in view at all times, whereas I went to club mac (years ago) and feel i wouldnt have been able to relax with the many placed DC could run off to, it was so busy too!

We’ve just got back from a package with tui. Fly to split then a ferry to Brac island. Tui suneo supetar was basic but good value. Lovely area and lots of bits and bobs for kids to do - nice harbour too. The hotel isn’t massive which means it’s quite sociable so good if you are on your own

Sounds great. Mallorca or Menorca. Check out Sea Club Alcudia - had two great hols there with my son. We self catered so not sure about the food. You can walk to beach, pools are great, restaurants nearby. Have a brilliant time

Ok, so I've taken the plunge and booked it! A week in Majorca... splashed out on AI. Now panicking 🤣

Got travel insurance sorted, going to have to figure out how to get to the airport and back as flight back is very unsociable...

Also it's been so long since I've been away I don't know how to manage things like money! I hear getting a Monzo card gives you free cash withdrawals if you transfer money from your bank account, would this be worth getting? Or does anyone have any recommendations on how to manage stuff like that...

Eeeeeekkkkkk, totally doubting myself now, really hope I've done the right thing...

You won't need much money going all inclusive. Travel insurance go on one of the compare websites and put your details in. Majorca is lovely I've been several times. The water park is good fun. If you enjoy water parks.

You've done the right thing, you'll both have a fab time.

Have you checked that your passports are valid/in date?

Yep, both passports valid and in date! Although mine is an EU one, that shouldn't be a problem should it??

Is your daughters a British passport? You will have to go into the EU queue and she will go into the British queue.

No, they can both go in the “all passports” queue if one has a British passport and the other an EU passport.

Ok new fear unlocked! We will obviously have to go in the same queue as she is seven!!!! Right?