Young mum travelling alone - HELP

[Jenny1704]

Hi everyone,

My partner and I have split up after a 5 year relationship and we have a (almost) 2 year old son. I am so unbelievably sad about it all and I’ve decided I need to get myself out of this pit and want to take my son abroad. I think a week in the sun and having some quality time together is what we are needing!! Im 22 and have never been abroad myself let alone taking a two year old with me so I am very very nervous/scared. Does anyone have any good reccomendations of destinations (not too far away)/hotels that are child friendly where we’ll be able to relax and feel safe? Any feedback would be so appreciated or if anyone has done this on their own please give me your tips!

Thank you

Hello, I have been alone with dd to both Menorca and Alvor in Portugal. Both lovely and I felt totally safe. Lovely people in both resorts, both staff and fellow tourists. Neither are either too upmarket or too cheap-booze-on-the-continent so a nice mix of families, single parents, grannies and grandads with grandchildren.
Both were great.

If you have never been abroad remember to factor in the cost of passports to your budget.

I would look for a family friendly resort somewhere with a short transfer time from the airport. You don’t want long travel times lugging cases and a toddler. Look for somewhere with plenty to do on the resort so you don’t have to go out if you don’t want to.

We've stayed at "royal son bou family club" which is a hotel in menorca. It's very friendly and easy with lots of toddler activities and toddler walking distance from the beach. Also the food is good.

But with just you and your little one it should be great, you can completely work with them, no hurrying them because your partner wants to leave or making them wait for him.

I bet you'll have a great time

I can not recommend holiday villages enough, they are so great for single parents loads of choices through first choice although if you want somewhere warm you will need to wait until May

If your Ex has PR and you do not have a contact order make sure you have his written permission to travel with your DC. Being asked for it is not common ( though I have been), but it would be awful for your holiday to be spoiled by not having it.

Hi OP, we liked Tui Family Life Bahia Feliz Gran Canaria. Nice quiet area, 20 min transfer from the airport, only thing is baby club (under 3's) isn't free, but if you wanted to use and happy to pay it's very good with staff trained to UK standards.
Baby pool is lovely, no beach though. Lots of food options on all inclusive, 2 play areas plus a baby hut with some toys aimed at littlies. Not been yet but i am also looking at the Dreamplace hotels in the Canaries, the family ones have special rooms with an area aimed at kids which includes toys, called Merlin rooms

Look for a hotel that can provide a cot, and take a umbrella buggy (cheap one) as they often can go on the plane. Pay for luggage as you'll have your hands full (Ryan air did charge half price for kids luggage so my dd had 3 cases, we had none!) look for somewhere with a paddling pool and some places have preschool aged activities. I would suggest a mainstream resort is easiest as you can pre arrange transfers etc. Alternatively the Eurostar goes to Marseille assuming you want the beach, or also Avignon for inland Provence. Remember fog hand luggage have a backpack!