Hi ConstantGardener
I have been on lots of trips with ds. Going away is my lifesaver and is a necessity to get through the bad days and really helps to de-stress me. Didn't realise how important it was until we hadn't been away on a break for several years and then when we did go away it was amazing to be able to relax and not be rushing around doing it all without a break ever.
I see people are recommending single with kids. We went away last year to france with them. It was fine, ds enjoyed it very much. I wasn't so happy but this was because this holiday (as do many of their holidays) involved sharing our accomodation with other families and I didn't like that. It wasn't the sharing as such, it was having to clean up after someone elses children constantly in kitchen and bathroom areas while they barely lifted a finger (put bin out once I think). It became more that a bit annoying to say the least. Plus sharing chalet with smokers when I had asked to be put with non smokers.) Anyhow, it was fine overall and ds enjoyed it and made some good friends.
Most of the others were far more affluent than me too, which made it awkward re eating out etc. Had to turn down a lot of things as a result which maybe why I felt a bit of an outsider in the group too.
I looked at going on SWK's xmas party weekend, but given it was sharing a room (with up to 16 others) I decided it wasn't for me.
Pretty sure I'll get flamed for saying the above as some people here sing their praises highly, but that was my experience of them. The holiday itself was good, nice accomodation and facilities.
This year have booked to go away with mangokids again. Went to Wales with them 3 years ago and it was brilliant. This time am going to Woolacombe, Devon for teh beach holiday so glad to hear that frazzle recommends it :) We certainly enjoyed the Brecon Beacons and also went to their Xmas party that year too which was brilliant.
However one of the best group holidays we've been on was a pgl family holiday. It's not specifically aimed at lone parents but is family orientated (whatever your family is). There is lots of action, activities, things to do, other families both single and married couples, free time as well as organised activities. We went by coach so got to meet families on the way there, didn't have to worry about driving/ferry/excursions and ds quickly made friends. Only downside was that it wasn't as french as I hoped as most of the staff were english and the french chef was catering an english menu which was a bit like school dinners! But it was a brillaint holiday overall.
Did intend to go with them again last year but left it too late and they were all booked up. Can't go this year as am still recovering from an injury so wouldn't be able to do the zip wires, abseiling etc.
www.pgl.co.uk/PGLWeb/Families/centres/ChateaudeGrandeRomaine.htm
Have done a couple of other group holidays with a local group i belong too - Hemsby in Norfolk (challets) and a caravan park near Rye/Hastings. Both very enjoyable but probably wouldnt do those again unless with group - cheep and cheerful, kids loved it though.
Have been away on our own to Centre Parcs and also once with a friend and his dd. Might not be quite so easy with more than 1 child to keep your eye on in the pools etc but if they are older (teenagers) defintely an option.
Have been to california (disney/universal/knotts berry farm rollercoaster fest for ds). Did that on my own and booked it all independantly which kept the costs down and was way cheaper than the florida version. Was lovely and am hoping to be able to do that again in a couple of years time.
Have been to NZ to visit family. Did some day trips out and about though obviously easier to have a base/family to stay with. Did feel a bit tied to what they wanted to do though and had no car of my own, would hire one if did that again. But really great place to visit. Lovely country and flights not as bad as I thought as ds kept busy with his personal tv/cartoons/video games/sound asleep.
Know someone who went on a ski holiday with a different lone parent group (can't remember which now), and she and her ds had a wonderful time.
So I think the thing to do is think about what kind of holiday you like (lazy sun bathing, ski, beach, active, busy, quiet etc) and then look at how to achieve that either in a group or own your own if that's what you'd prefer.
Having done both kinds of holiday (group and on our own) I have to say they are both quite different and I enjoy both options. It's nice to have adult company and know the evenings aren't just sitting in your hotel room as kids are asleep so you're tied to that, but it's also nice to spend time just me and ds.
I thought ds prefered groups as he had company and as an only child loves to have lots of other children to play with. But he tells me he loves it when we go just us two as well as having lots of friends about for company. So we do a bit of each now.