Where to take an 8 year old and a 1 year old on holiday as a single parent?

[sharkstale]

As the title says really. If I were to travel as a single woman with an 8 year old and a 1 year old, where would you recommend? I'm no stranger to travelling, however, with a child, I've only ever travelled with my eldest (Spain and Italy) and not until she was 5, so I've never done it with a baby/toddler.

Nowhere too 'out there' as I'd like it to feel homely/comfortable enough with the baby, but somewhere 'different' enough that there's some culture and beautiful sights.

Venice or Montenegro keep springing to mind, but looking for other ideas.

Why Venice? Not a place for children surely…and very very expensive….Croatias lovely

Denmark Is very child friendly with great culture and scenery.

Not long came back from Venice with a 18 month old. If you do it solo consider a carrier for baby because lifting a pram over bridges gets tiring fast.

Also there are a lot of open sided canals, getting on and off of bobbing boats etc, so consider how safe/steady your 8 year old is around water if you have your hands full with baby.

It was gorgeous and misty and quieter than expected in Dec/January. Even still there were a lot of tight alleys that became crowded and backed up in the touristy bits, so I would avoid going at peak season. I can imagine managing two children whist being jostled etc would be a bit much.

Lastly, consider how you'd get your luggage to your hotel. No taxi's or cars in venice. Water taxis are expensive and can only take you so far. Plan your accommodation well as you only have two hands.

I agree with this - my first thought was Copenhagen. Easy to get about, plenty to see and do, and very child friendly in general.

Could I recommend a quieter Spanish city, like Valencia?

Cheap, direct flights from a lot of UK airports. Cheap metro straight into the city.

We went 2 weeks after coming back from Venice (mid-Jan), and it was very chilled holiday. Lovely temperatures where we can eat outside comfortably in a jacket.

Old town has a few nice sights, but nothing too busy.

Lovely square in front of the Cathedral for evening horchata or churro and chocolate and where toddler could toddle. Beach is 20-30 minutes on the bus for a paddle and a nice long walk.

Not adventurous, but really reasonably priced, a very easy and enjoyable holiday and all the vermouth you can drink!

Menorca

I just love Venice and feel comfortable there, but I suppose maybe not the best place to take young children hence why I'm looking for other ideas

Very true re the pram, and he's getting so heavy so I'd probably get very tired carrying him around all day and wouldn't really enjoy it.. maybe I can scratch Venice off the list for now!

I've always heard good things about Denmark! I'll look into it, thank you!

I used to live near Valencia as a teenager, I wouldn't really go back there unless I wanted to visit old friends, which actually could be an option to think about..

Lake District is beautiful. Much lower carbon footprint than travelling abroad, plus temperatures likely to be much more tolerable than abroad.

I love Venice and I’m taking my 9 year old this year on my own (I appreciate I do t have a baby too though!) and to Amsterdam. There’s no harm in showing them something different and I took her on a awful chavvy lovely beach holiday last year we go camping twice per year which i pretend l love for her!

Cinque Terre.
Sisily.
Sopot.
Corfu, Naxos.
Transylvania.

I'd love to go to the Lake District! I've looked into it so many times since my dd was born, it's just so expensive to stay in the UK when you could go abroad for the same/cheaper cost.

I've always wanted to take my dd camping, but for some (probably irrational) reason, it makes me feel a bit scared/vulnerable the thought of being just us in a tent. Like prime targets should anyone be lurking about 😅

Anywhere in Italy could definitely be an option. I will look into those, thank you

Sorry I should’ve said this but we go camping with my friends so there’s a big group
of us including lots of kids! I know what you mean😁 she’s said before “me, you & Bobby(our dog) can go on our own” and inside I’m thinking absolutely no, I’d be petrified! But as I don’t want her to be neurotic I calmly just make an excuse!

I want to take her to Barcelona too, it’s nice and lots to see and do. It is very expensive though (but so is Venice!).

I hope you find a lovely place to take them and that you have a great time!

I have my eye on eurocamp lakae garda and gardaland. Centre Parcs (uk or Europe) would also be great.

There are holidays specifically for single mums. A few years ago, a friend went on a yoga holiday in Ibiza (she did yoga in the morning then chilled in the afternoon). Not sure whether that would suit you.

https://holymama.info

Barcelona would be a good option.

Have you considered a caravan or glamping pod in the Lake District as then you would have somewhere that could be locked and feel safer. I don't think I would like camping with 2 children.

Malaga
cheap flights from U.K. city vibes so can explore but lots of hotels with outdoor pools so nice for a chill day and kids can splash around. Child friendly restaurants and bars. Flat so easy for push chair. Day trips to zoo, sea life or water parks easy and not too expensive. Near beaches if you like that. Not too far from home and lots of English speakers if you find that more reassuring. Very short ride from airport. Pretty marina but also historical things to look around. 🥰

Ibiza Port Des Torrent - Tui blu or Holiday Village

ibiza Es Cana

Menorca — Son Bou. TBH all the Balearics are perfect.

We also did Holiday Village Kos which was great.

Eurocsmp or Siblu are perfect for kids.

I'd go for Montenegro over Venice! Here are some other spots you can check out :)

Algarve, Portugal
Majorca, Spain
Lake Garda, Italy
Croatia (Dalmatian Coast, e.g., Split or islands like Brac)

At one and eight, they’re more interested in going to somewhere with a beach, then visiting cultural
sights, which the one year old won’t remember.

I’d go for work camp, or center parks (a lot cheaper than uk ones) abroad as well, or a haven/park resorts holiday in Cornwall or Isle of Wight.