Just me an 8yo DD - weekend away

[Annabananna1]

I need a couple of days 1:1 with my 8 yo. She's a great kid and I've been so preoccupied with her younger siblings, work, relationship problems..

I'd love to take her away (abroad, ideally as she's never been) and sort of try to connect.

She likes history, swimming, music.

Is there anywhere that springs to mind as a good mini-break with a kid? Not Disneyland, too expensive for me.

Sorry no AIBU.

Or maybe there is. H thinks it's a stupid idea and I should save the £££ for me and him to go away. But I feel like I need this with my daughter. And it's my money (some v small inheritance). My choice, right? He went to Italy to watch a football match recently and I covered childcare.

My DD and I do a yearly trip away just the two of us, usually for a couple of nights. We have stayed in the uk so far but will go abroad at some stage.

As she's hasn't been abroad before I would probably save that as an experience for the whole family, I wouldn't feel right not letting her Dad experience the first flight type excitement.

So I would do Bath, Edinburgh, Cotswolds or somewhere near the coast.

Hi OP, I have DS7 and money is a little tight but this year, we did a weekend away together in Bournemouth. We had a hotel with a pool for one night. I had Tesco Clubcard vouchers for a meal at Pizza Express and we went to the indoor mini golf place. We also had a day by the beach and went on the big wheel. We had such a lovely time together, I'm going to book something similar for 2023.

I do like the idea of Pompei though! I've actually been there myself about 20 years ago but DS would love it and they are studying the Roman Empire next summer term.

How about the sleeper train London to Edinburgh I think? Exciting night on a train for the two of you in your own cabin, then waking up in Scotland. I did it as a child (back when the train took a car as well) and have never forgotten it!

I go away a lot with my 9 year old and have been to loads of places for the weekend. To us the journey is part of it as well but we’ve always loved an airport and flying and trains but I appreciate some people find that odd! I’m a Belfast native so am massively biased but it is fantastic I’d highly recommend it and there is some history round the troubles aimed at children but again that might not be your thing. Glasgow is also amazing. Dublin is brilliant but +++€.

I’ve booked a weekend in Rome in December and it was under £550 for 3 nights and flights. The hotel looks lovely and it includes breakfast, I think it was relatively cheap as Rome isn’t a Christmas market type destination? Looked at Prague and it was also +++£.

I’m sure you’ll have an amazing time, don’t let DH put you off going somewhere!!

Malaga - great food, lots of history, fun interactive music museum and beaches, can’t beat it. Flights are cheap and a nice Airbnb is reasonable.

Edinburgh is great for a couple of nights .
There's the castle,the zoo,camera obscura,Mary Kings close,Edinburgh dungeon,Dynamic earth,Holyrood Palace and numerous paths around Arthur's seat with great views of the city from the top.A hop on hop off tour bus with commentary is a good way to see the sights

What about somewhere like Dublin? Or Edinburgh? You could fly, so she'd still get that experience. But you're still on "home turf ish" so to speak. Both cities are lovely, family friendly, with lots to do.

I was also going to suggest Vienna. We took our two for a weekend when they were 8 and 6 and they loved it. We went to the Albertina and they both got so much out of it. We stayed in the Prater district so we were walking distance to the Prater amusement park.

Alternatively, London for a couple of nights would also be a great shout, providing you don't already live there.

Rome or Barcelona definitely worth considering. I had a quick look on last minute.com and found a B&B in Rome with flights in December from Stansted for £375.