Holiday ideas for single mum & toddler

[SuzySox]

I want to book a holiday for myself and DD sometime in spring next year, can go term time so that it's cheaper, I want somewhere fairly nice, realtively quiet but with some pleasent bars in the evening.

DD has never been abroad before and obviously I've never been abroad as a mum before so I don't know where to start. Anyone have any suggestion/recommendations?

I would like to go somewhere reasonably warm and with a beach.

Experiences/suggestions gratefully received.

Also has anyone been on holiday alone with their child? how did you find the travelling? were you lonely in the evenings? was it more like a week's hard slog than a holiday? I mean finding things to keep them entertained, endless suncream applications etc

TIA

How old is DD?

She'll be 2 and a half at Christmas and would be looking to go around between March and May ish although really could go anytime. So approaching 3 really by the time we travel.

have a look at this

Am single mum too and travel as much as I can afford to but generally take my mum with me. Went to Italy which was fab as they are so child friendly and everybody seems to love kids. I can't suggest specific places but would say choose child friendly country and the worst part of the travel is the flight for me (struggling with bags, buggies, kids etc) so not too far away. She may be old enough for some kids clubs in the daytime.
I always went to bed quite early though (v sad of me I know). I think there is a website about travelling with kids that could have some better tips? try googling travelwithkids

If you do a Google search for single parent holidays it comes up with lots of suggestions.

Suzy - Was a single parent for 5 years and did 3 trips on my own with my little girl. Sort of miss doing it now. Did it all independently - booked hotels, cottage, flights, hire cars etc online - no real problems at all. But I didn't d beach holidays between March and May so can't recommend were to go. But good luck, you'll feel very pleased with yourself at how brave you've been

Evenings - well, I just assumed that they'd be quiet so made sure I was stocked up with booze and books. If in a city went out for a meal and then we'd have a walk round. It can feel lonely - had horrible experience of not bringing the directions or contact phone numbers for one cottage I was staying in. Very stressful time. But being on your won will make you be more resourceful, you have to be.

I enjoyed myself, just don't expect it to be the same as if you were going with other adults.

SuzySox - have you thought about trying a Mark Warner holiday? They run all inclusive holidays to sunny parts of Europe and their resorts are totally child friendly. There is daytime child care available so your dd can spend time being entertained by a qualified nanny and spend time with lots of other little ones of the same age. Or of course she can stay with you and play on the beach / pool. In the evening the nannys run a baby listening service which means that you can eat in the resort restaurant and if dd cries someone will come and get you. There are tonnes of activities for children and grown-ups and you'll meet loads of other parents with kids of the same age. We went in September and had the best holiday so I can thoroughly recommend it. They're not the cheapest holidays around, but we feel they give great value for money and we're planning to go back in May next year.

Wow, there's some really good ideas there, definitely going to look into it. You've all got me rather geared up for it now

Tinker, you sound a similar sort of person to me.

The only reason I want a beach holiday is that dd has experienced quite a lot (as I also try and 'do' as much as can afford) but she has never been to a beach or seen the sea.

I'm feeling very gung-ho now.

Hi - I was exactly in the same boat as you this summer.. I was wanting to go away with my daughter on my own somewhere sunny but thought I was mad doing it!
In the end we booked a last minute two week half board to majorca to an all built complex with everything there inside like shops, bars, kids club, night time entertainment (for children as well) so if i didnt feel brave going out on my own with her in a foreign country then I could always get milk etc on the site!
It worked really well, the complex was lovely and amy really enjoyed herself - the only thing I would do next time is probably only go for a week.. A fortnight was a long time on your own and certainly after 10 days i was ready to come home.I was amazed though how many other single mums (not dads!) there was there- you soon get talking sat around the pool whilst the kids play.
The worst bit was the flight.. arriving at a foreign airport not knowing where you are going.. a very hyper child excited on holiday and struggling with bags.. but if you are lucky you might look so frazzled that a friendly english guy might help you get your bags off the belt!

any more questions please ask away!

AmyLou that sounds like a good first time compromise. I don't normally go for the all in complex but it might just be that little bit of security that I need.

Where did you find it?

The complex was called bouganvilla (i think thats the right spelling) and it was in Sa Coma on the east coast of majorca.. The accommodation was lovely and very well maintained with gardens etc.. and the food was nice too which you are never too sure about when you go half board. I would go there again. I think it was with Airtours but its been there a long time and all the travel agents in the shop knew of it so I would think it would be easy to find.
When I booked it, I had to pay full price for amy as it was last minute, but it was only £50 more to go for a fortnight rather than a week so thats why we went for that long.
The travel agents are really helpful if you say you are going on your own with a toddler.. they know which are child friendly areas and more often that not in the travel agent one of the staff will be a lone parent herself and know which are the better deals to go for.
Hope that helps!
amylou

SuzySox you could also join Gingerbread, who do special breaks (but only in England I think) geared towards single parents so that you get to socialise with other adults as well. That might not help for this particular holiday, but something to consider for the future.

C - I'm a member of Gingerbread but we get around quite a bit in the UK so particularly looking for something abroad

AmyLou - thanks I've actually been to Sa Coma before - did you find the journey from airport to resort a little long with your dd?

didnt find transfer bit too bad really.. amy sat behind another child who kept her amused on the way there, then coming back our flight was at 6am so she slept on the coach on the way back.
Amy was 4 when we went so she listened to music or story tapes on her personal stereo for a little while.. but may be your daughter might be a little young for that.

hey all - posted recently on same subject but for new year period

was thinkinh about evening practiclities like having two rooms so can read in eves while they asleep etc

wondered if anoyone with experince had any practical suggestions for spending time with babies while away alone with them
or useful books etc

Hi subs. When I've stayed in hotels with my daughter we've always shared a room (and soemtimes a bed) Haven't found reading/watching telly when she's asleep a problem tbh.

fair point - my dd is only 15 months and not that hot a sleeper, but when she older, no worries