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Holidays

Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

Solo mum holidays abroad

10 replies

Incognitofits · 26/08/2023 22:55

I have 9 yo twins and I’ve never taken them abroad. There’s just me and them - they don’t see their dad. I also have my elderly mother who’s moderately disabled who I care for who’d be coming away with us. I traveled a lot before I had them - all round Europe, Africa and south east Asia - but since I had them I’ve had total fear about travelling with them (& my mum). I’m not sure why. Anyway, I really want to take them abroad next summer. My googling has led me to Paphos in Cyprus as an ideal easy family holiday. I’d like to be able to get transfers or taxis easily from the airport to our destination. Once there, I’d like it to be family friendly (for the elderly and the young) and just easy I guess. Walking distance to shops, restaurants, beach etc. My whole life is one challenge after another so I’m happy to pay a small fortune to go abroad but I want to enjoy it and relax. So my question is, would Paphos offer me the things I want or do you have better suggestions? Thank you!

OP posts:
Motheranddaughtertotwo · 26/08/2023 23:00

Paphos is perfect for what you want. Look at hotels close to Kato Paphos or Tomb of the Kings Road, everything is on your doorstep and the hotels are lovely so you can be as active or relaxed as you choose.

SugarPlumpFairy3 · 26/08/2023 23:04

I can’t comment on Paphos but just wanted to say that I took my kids abroad last year on my own for the first time-also 9yo twins (and my older dd). We had the best time, hope you do too 🥰.

We went to Majorca with Jet2, who I’d definitely recommend booking with.

WarOnTheSlugs · 26/08/2023 23:08

I have mobility issues and am a lone parent to two autistic children, so we have to pick our holidays carefully!

My advice is:

If you go by plane book a taxi from your house to airport departures, and from your destination airport to the hotel. They will lift all baggage for you and you won't have to negotiate car parks etc. Same for the return.

Book special assistance for airports if going by plane (although how helpful they are is... variable. To put it politely!!)

For a hotel ensure they are aware of your needs in advance. Do they have kids clubs and can your children do this? Otherwise you will have no respite. Some hotels have a nanny service. You would do well to find a hotel with direct pool access from your room so you and your mum could rest on the terrace while kids swim? Or perhaps if that costs too much be better off booking a villa/ ground floor apartment with direct pool access, so that you do not have to go out if you don't want to.

I have found it far easier to get ferries than flights e.g. to St Malo or Santander. Drive on, take just an overnight bag to the cabin (worth booking decent ones) then drive to the destination. Much less hassle than airports.

That said, we have done various flights within Europe, and my children are quite a bit younger than yours. I have found the airport process exhausting but that is partly due to my own health plus their autism and them getting overwhelmed and yours are older so will be much easier to manage in that environment, so I really do not think it should be too hard for you. You just need to ensure the accommodation is accessible and practical for your mum and her being able to enjoy time with you all: so there are places to go where you can all go together once there.

Paphos itself is reasonably easy to navigate, although very touristy. There are parts of Cyprus that are nicer. You can drive there very easily so renting a car is a good idea, if that's where you decide to go.

Temporaryname158 · 26/08/2023 23:14

I think your choice of location is good. I personally prefer the harbour area of Ayia Napa /Protaras as the beaches are nicer but I think Paphos could easily meet all your needs.

I am a single parent and love holidays with my kids. No being dragged into housework or life jobs you have to do. Just time to focus on them.

without being rude Paphos is full of older people so most hotels are geared to your mothers needs but do read in detail about the hotel.

like a previous poster, I recommend Jet2. There will be free child places available, transfers and baggage are always included so the price you see is what you pay. I have found their hotels to be good quality and as described.

Most of all enjoy! You will love it

cherryassam · 26/08/2023 23:15

I second booking with Jet2 - I think they’re the best package holiday company and generally do a good job of looking after their customers.

Paphos is a lovely place and I think would fit what you want well. The airport is well located for the city which means transfer times are generally short.

I would recommend looking in the Kato Paphos area if you want to be close to everything, as @Motheranddaughtertotwo says. It’s a really lovely area and has a great mix of beach, nice hotels, sightseeing, lots of lovely restaurants.

There are three great hotels basically next door to each other:

Alexander the Great Beach Hotel is well located, right on the beach front. Annabelle is a properly luxurious hotel which is also excellently located. Gorgeous pools and good value for the level of service you get. Almyra is very modern, one of my colleagues really rates their kids club.

Olympic Lagoon Resort is a little bit further out of the centre of the city but has great kids facilities. They’ve got a pool with slides etc. and probably the best facilities for older kids / teens.

cherryassam · 26/08/2023 23:19

If you wanted to look somewhere completely different, I would recommend Menorca - short flight from the UK and short transfers when you’re there. It’s an incredibly family friendly island for both kids and elderly people.

Incognitofits · 28/08/2023 07:24

Ahhh thank you so much for all your advice - I really appreciate it!

OP posts:
jeaux90 · 28/08/2023 10:52

Lone parent here and dependent on budget the best holidays I had with DD (now 14) when she was under 11 was Scott Dunn. Really nice properties with the best kids clubs so I got time to myself too.

Tiffers763 · 04/02/2024 17:03

Last year I took my 8yo dd on a cruise to Alaska. It was amazing. She absolutely loved Going to kids club on Sea days which gave me a couple of hours downtime. BTW she wanted to go to kids club, I didn’t just book a cruise so I could dump her in there for all day. I’ve taken cruises in the past as a family holiday and they work for all ages because they’re literally is something for every age. This was my first time doing it as solo parent and it was so good I have booked another one for this summer at her suggestion. Good luck with whatever you choose have fun

WSJ · 04/02/2024 17:10

Cyprus is red hot in August.

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