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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

As a single mum to go on holiday

33 replies

Milkybarmummy · 08/06/2022 15:47

I'm a single mum of a 5 year old girl and I want to take her on her first holiday abroad this summer, obviously prices are quite high during the summer holidays but places like Morocco and Turkey are generally cheaper/ better value.... so AIBU to think these countries may not be quite as welcoming/ safe feeling towards a female traveling alone with a child?

OP posts:
ChiselandBits · 08/06/2022 15:52

If you're doing a JetTu, Tui type package holiday to a resort full of Brits, I wouldn't worry. If you're travelling solo and negotiating directly when you get there, that might be trickier.

Starlight86 · 08/06/2022 15:52

Turkey is fantastic for kids, im not so sure about morocco though.

Turkey has huge resorts that you wouldnt need to leave if you didnt want to and perfect for children

CustardGoodJamGoodMeatGood · 08/06/2022 15:53

Turkey is brill, they have huge holiday village type places so you wouldn't need to leave the hotel if you didn't want to

KarrotKake · 08/06/2022 15:55

I wouldn't do Morroco as a first trip unless staying totally in a resort.
But YANBU to take your child on holiday. You don't need a man for that.
Enjoy your holiday. Research it first.

AngelinaFangelina · 08/06/2022 15:55

I probably wouldn't pick Turkey or Morocco as a single women traveller, although both beautiful places I can't say I felt particularly safe in either. Like others have said, I'm sure you could pick a resort where you didn't have to leave in Turkey.
I've seen a lot of good value holidays going throughout Spain.

Easylittlethrowaway · 08/06/2022 15:57

A package all inclusive deal would be perfect as a single parent at that age. I’m taking my 6yo abroad alone - TUI actually do a solo parent discount too, anywhere from £100-200 depending on when and where.

TheHaka · 08/06/2022 16:02

I wouldn’t go to Turkey. They’re very disrespectful towards lone women. I was quite disturbed by the way they went after very young girls too.

NoodleNuts · 08/06/2022 16:19

I would feel perfectly safe going to Turkey as a lone female but the resort that I generally go to, is full of British holiday makers anyway.

I can't speak for Morocco as I have never been.

Ponoka7 · 08/06/2022 16:29

You do get street harrasment in Morocco. I've traveled a few times as a lone female traveler with adult DD's and female GC. I stayed AI in the TUI RUI. I booked my trips through the hotel and you are well looked after. I did the walk down the waterfalls and our male guide was very respectful. They look after tourists because their income relies on us. You don't just go out as you would in other countries. The souks are relatively safe, you can book a guide. If you ask men to leave you alone, they will. You'll still get cat called but they don't touch.

It depends on where in Turkey you go. It's true that any girl over the age of 12 is fair game. Again you wouldn't just go wandering and pick your boat trips carefully. Otherwise you'll see very sleazy behaviour. A holiday type village would be best. Just avoid Marmaras.

Crazykatie · 08/06/2022 16:35

I would find a friend in a similar position to go with and not Turkey or N Africa,
so much easier and less stressful with company.

greatblueheron · 08/06/2022 17:06

I wouldn't support either country's economies with my hard earned money due to their treatment of women. Not the message I want to send to my children.

Original poster
Milkybarmummy · 08/06/2022 17:09

Thank you all so much! I will definitely be looking at an all inclusive large resort type hotel anywhere we go, I think it's just the worry of feeling like an easy target in some countries. I went to Turkey as a child and I know they are mostly super friendly, but I was there as a family of 5. My daughter is blonde and I know that can draw attention!

OP posts:
orangeisthenewpuce · 08/06/2022 17:16

I went to Turkey with my children as a single parent. It was ok, we were self catering so ate out all the time. If I'd had the choice I'd definitely go to an all inclusive resort. Much easier and I'd have felt safer.

BiscoffSundae · 08/06/2022 17:19

It’s fine,
my sister took her son to Egypt just the two of them

Shardonneigghhh · 08/06/2022 17:44

I take my children on holiday as a single parent, we are going this week in fact. I have been to turkey several times and have found the people to be welcoming and respectful of me and of my position as a mother. I haven't felt unsafe at all, and i do get out and about regularly on holiday, although I haven't been outside of the tourist resorts.

maddy68 · 08/06/2022 18:01

I have been to morroco by myself. Choose an all inclusive and you will be very well looked after. It feels much less safe to wander around

Original poster
Milkybarmummy · 08/06/2022 19:31

Thank you to those that have done it themselves, that's very reassuring! X

OP posts:
Newmum110 · 08/06/2022 19:53

I was a single parent for a number of years and honestly they are the last 2 places I would book. I wouldn't return to Morocco on a free holiday. I know Portugal etc are more expensive but I didn't sleep a wink in either place as the staff even made me feel uneasy with comments about being all alone etc. Pay the extra money and enjoy the holiday, you need to feel safe where you are.

milkysmum · 08/06/2022 20:46

I went to Agadir, a beach resort in Morocco for my my first trip abroad with my two children after H and I split up a few years back.
We went in the October holidays and it cost us about £350 each all inclusive. We went back again the following August and the weather wasn't quite as nice on the coast then though due to the sea fog.

Sprig1 · 08/06/2022 20:49

I took my 5yo son to Egypt on my own. It was fab. If you are booking a package holiday you will be absolutely fine.

Oinkypig · 08/06/2022 20:57

It’s hard to know but I took my child at 7 to Morocco by myself, we stayed in a B and B in a mountain village to do a trek, desert camp and then in the medina in Marrakesh but I had been before. I found people less intrusive than when I was with friends previously and much less hassle from shop owners/stall holders, although it was fine previously as well. I felt perfectly safe but I had booked through a specialist holiday company that arranged the whole trip including transfers between airport and different accommodation so it was more expensive.

I would say in a resort you would be fine in Morocco but if you do go don’t be worried about going on excursions either. Although pick the time of year as well I went at the coldest time and was still fairly warm at times no way could I manage the summer!

A couple of pictures from the mountain accommodation!

As a single mum to go on holiday
As a single mum to go on holiday
Original poster
Milkybarmummy · 08/06/2022 22:38

Thanks @Oinkypig those pictures look amazing! Don't think my 5 year old would be too impressed with a mountain trek though 😂

OP posts:
Oinkypig · 08/06/2022 23:06

Oh no the child got to go on a mule! I was the one walking 😂 and never again! It was very steep, it wasn’t so much walking up it was knowing you had to walk down again. I’m sure you’ll have a fab time wherever you go.

MissMaple82 · 08/06/2022 23:12

Poor mule!

JaceLancs · 08/06/2022 23:33

I’ve been to Turkey numerous times as a lone parent - never had a problem!
my favourite resort is Dalyan - small, feels safe and child friendly