Lone parent from Scotland (young widow) Re: Summer Holidays.

[BiscuitCrumbs]

Hi MN'ers,

Just wondering if there's any other young widowed mum's from Scotland? I'm 37 y/o and very sadly lost my DH in Dec 2010 - I have a DD who's nearly 3 y/o. We went to *Disneyland, Paris last July - it was without a doubt a complete nightmare for me, I struggled with just about everything and the staff were of little or no help at all! It really put me off going on holiday, but I don't want to be holed up during the summer months.

I'm really desperate not to let the same thing happen this year and was wondering where other Single / Lone parents go with their LO on holiday? I've been browsing on-line for the past few days and have been hitting zilch, I did look at Haven holidays, but their holiday club for the LO's starts at 4 y/o...does anyone know if there is such a thing for LO under 4? Is there any companies that cater for single parents (in Scotland) as last year I forked out £2000 for 1 weeks bed and breakfast at thee most shittiest hotel imaginable in *DLP - it was enough to give me a near nervous breakdown! I had to pay a full price flight for DD who had just turned 2, just because I wasn't travelling with another adult! Ripped-off.com!!

Sorry now ranting

Are there any holiday clubs in Scotland for single parent's as the only one's I can see are for England and Wales. Any information or advice would be kindly appreciated.

Thanks xx

<a class="break-all" href="//www.opfs.org.uk/resources/publications/holidays" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.opfs.org.uk/resources/publications/holidays this should link to a pdf you can open .Maybe worth emailing the organisation ,but its always good to get a word of mouth recommendation I guess .Im West of Scot and went away the odd weekend to different friends last summer ,we live in a nice part of the world so daytrips are good too and kids are 5 and 6 now so a bit more independent,hope you get something sorted x

Firsthand may be able to help with this information.

Ive been recommended the Single Parent Travel Club - I know some folk who have gone with it and been happy. www.sptc.org.uk. They do say they cover all UK including Scotland

Thanks folks, that's fantastic info - will definetely be having a look! If any of you are planing a trip to Disneyland, Paris - word of caution don't book the Hotel Santa Fe...it's a hell hole!

Appreciate very much everyone's help,

Thanks xx

Disneyland is set up with a 2 parent and child/children format, all the hotels on site have prices based on this, so anything advertised as 'kids go free' depends entirely on having 2 adults! Best ways round it are to either use off site hotels where you may be able to have 1 adult and 1 child in a room and be charged as a single room (that should work somewhere like Novotel, think there is one at Marne la Vallee) or go with another single parent and share.

I tend to avoid package holidays for summer holidays and book my own flights with a budget airline and find my own accommodation.

My friedn is a young widow and found that WAY (widowed and young) really helped her. They organise trips and holidays and she's recently been down to the Lke District to centre parks.
I'm West of Scotland too and like patience says there are loads of fab places around here for trips etc. I've ben on my own since 2008 and hvae found going abroad helps as they children are more entertained as they can play on the beach, go swimming etc as sunshine is guaranteed! I like foreign camping holidays (in mobile homes) as they are very sociable but you have your own space. The best 2 I've been to are www.portofelice.it and www.canvasholidays.co.uk/Campsite-Overview.aspx?id=LR03L as you don't need a car and we had very relaxing holidays!! The main benefit of camping holidays sis that in the evening when your LO has gone to bed you can sit outside and have a glass of wine with other people rather thank just sitting on the balcony/in hotel room on your own.

Last year I took my two to the caravan park at Nairn (run by Parkdean). Not very glamorous but we had a really good time. The fabulous beach was right next to the caravan park and there was a small swimming pool and a playpark. There was entertainment in the evenings (including children's disco/games) and they advertise a club for under 4s. The weather up in the north east tends to be quite good too.

The caravan was a big hit with my kids and as you pay by caravan and not by person it worked out cheaper for me than a hotel. Also, you can chose between cooking or eating out or getting takeaway depending on how you feel so I found it to be nice and flexible.

Hi Biscuitcrumbs, where abouts in Scotland are you? I am a LP in Lanarkshire aea (40, very nearly 3 year old DD) and have also wondered about LP holidays and just cringe at the prices charged for some holidays. I also went to DLP last year, but was lucky enough to have tagged along with a friend and his 2 children - we stayed out at the Davy Crocket Ranch and it was a great holiday... I take my hat off to you for going alone - I think I would have been insane on my own by the end of the week as it was a full on holiday .

I had a quick look at the link for Portofelice... looks great - I think I will investigate this one more for the future. I think the parc scene is great (done Centre Parcs too) - but to be honest, by the end of it I have usually felt like I need a holiday to recover. I was thinking of exploring Scotland a bit more this year too so will be looking for some nice locations up in the highlands - something close to the coast with or without toddler entertainment... will be back to basics

There are some lovely campsites up here on the east coast, ranging from v. Basic and cheap (crackaig, nr loth) £10 a night per tent to kinda posh (embo) Dornoch has 2, and I think there is one just outside Brora as well. I have taken my three to a couple of them with the tent for short camping trips, not sure what their prices are for caravans, but a couple of them have static caravans you can rent too. Dryer than the west coast, less midges (honest!) fantastic beaches. - honestly don't work for east coast tourist organisation, just live here :-)

Wow - thanks guys for all your tremendous flurry of info - I'm a bit spoilt for choice now (yay) - after the little one zonked out I have been doing some more looking and I have to say, I'm liking Centre Parcs - I have no idea why this failed miserably to occur to me...I'm such a donut! I'm so chuffed that you all answered my initial query! Mumfun - have just joined the Single Parent Travel Club (for future reference) - bless you for this! RedHairedGirlie: I'm from North Ayrshire - so if you're looking for anyone to tag along on a jaunt, I'm your lass :)

Froggies: will very much keep in mind of the East Coast, thanks xx and anywhere that has less of that dratted midge the better :)

Thanks again folks - you all rock xxxx

Wow, some great info on this thread :)

I've been trying to get my head round going on holiday as an LP but was considering roping another adult in as it just wasn't working out cost wise.

Biscuit I'm not that far from you hope you have a fab holiday where ever you decide to go :)

Hi Biscuitcrumbs, I have a lovely group of friends who went camping with last year.. all the wee ones a simliar age - so if you fancy tagging along on one of our camping trips (planning end of May - location TBD), then the more the merrier...

Centre parcs was good fun, a lttle on the expensive side but worth it for the facilities. Only been to Whinfell forest one. Great pool and toddler activities you can book in advance and just lovely surroundings :-)