Holidays. clueless and need advice.

[TheLifeOfRiley]

I am really tempted to book a holiday abroad for me and DS next year - nothing fancy just a beach and pool type holiday, so tempted I even picked up brochures!

Looking at the holiday brochures I am confused - will I have to pay a supplement as there is only one adult in the booking? Is this a lot?

Do any holiday companies offer services/prices tailored to single parents that don't cost thousands of pounds?

It's a daunting enough thought taking DS abroad on my own without this holiday brochure confusion!

It's crap, you have to pay 2 adult prices, one for you and one for your child. If there were 2 adults going then your child would go free (it will cost the same, you can just take someone else). You don't pay the adult suppliment as you are paying for 2 adults, not 1 adult 1 child.

There are some single parent allowances, they are difficult to find though and are only a small percentage off the cost of the holiday.

Your best bet is to rent a cottage with some friends and split the cost or find a holiday where you pay for the room, not per person.

Yep that's what I thought, the brochures are full of FREE CHILD PLACES then I noticed in the small print only if you have two paying adults. I have noticed the same with days out / attractions vouchers as well it is so unfair!

Humph.

I don't really want to go on holiday with a group, DS is autistic and he likes to retreat now and again he wouldn't like the pressure of other kiddies there 24/7. Plus I sometimes think I am as antisocial as he is! I never used to be.

what about booking flights and accom separately - holiday rentals or owners direct?

It's a nightmare, ds and I have never been on a holiday. There's some specialist firms, not many though and they are expensive. They tend to stick a load of single parents and their families together so there's no real time for them to be alone.

I need something to do, where do you want to go and what's the budget? I'll have a hunt for you, might take a couple of days though.

I didn't want to book flights and accom seperately in case of anything like ash clouds or some other bad luck meaning flights are cancelled as I have been told wouldn't get accomadation refunded if this happened and they were booked seperately, whereas booked together it would all get refunded.?

I looked at a couple of single parent holiday sites and thought they where expensive really.

Are you sure belle? I wouldn't even know where to start! DS would be 6 (sadly I would be much older). Flying from Humberside or an airport close by eg Leeds/Bradford. All inclusive, pool, close to beach. In summer hols next year. Budget - well, I'm on a budget so as cheap as is realistic.

It's alright, I understand. I'll have a look for you and send you some links. Might take a couple of days though.

Wow that's really kind of you. thank you! DS is so full on at the minute that even flicking through a brochure is too much to ask apparently

It's OK, I have a pal with an autistic child, it's not easy. I'll try my best for you both.

I went on holiday on my own with my little daughter of 3 with Neilson.

It was absolutely brilliant, I did not pay a single supplement and got a free kids place as it was low season. Food was lovely, kids club was fantastic and all activities are included in the price

I did see children who were autistic who had a sole nanny in the kids club so that would mean you could have a break too!

Thanks for the recommendation DG, I will look Neilson up.

How did you know the children were autistic?? I wouldn't leave DS in kids club as he wouldn't be happy there and it's a holiday for both of us not just me! I am currently being convinced from several angles to apply for respite though so might eventually get some down time that way.

Having just spent ten days getting rained on in Cornwall, I want to go abroad next summer.

Been on Neilson a couple of times and they're great, but if you are restricted to school holidays they are super expensive. I'm thinking of maybe getting a cheap package to Turkey or somewhere around the Med next summer and just taking it as it comes.

I like Eurocamp etc. (esp. as they have kids' clubs) but for a single parent and one child they are way too expensive. I think finding someone equally antisocial to go with might be the solution .

To be honest with the Euro the way it is everywhere is very expensive in Europe once you get there,so the cheap flights and hotel packages you can get aren't all that cost effective.

I hate other people :) so usually go for all in packages.I think £400/£450pp is fair for a holiday abroad all in.It sounds dear but thats with food and maybe drink. How about start saving now and do a last minute all inclusive? I managed to get a cruise with Ocean Village for that last year. TravelZoo has some really good last minute deals £329 all inclusive to Kos was the best I saw.
Really hope you find what you are looking for...travel was the thing I worried about missing most when I had DS on my own.
Didn't know Neilson did single parents, will be checking them out.