Single parent holidays

Going it alone: 15 ways to a successful single parent holiday

What do you look for in a single parent holiday? Most of us would say a place where the children will be happy, entertained and safe and where you can relax and have fun with them. Maybe somewhere where you don’t feel out of place on your own and meet other like minded adults?

Daytime is fine, especially if it’s a beach holiday, but the evenings can be a problem, depending on the age of your children. Teenagers can be good company but also like to do their own thing. But that can sometimes leave you on your own, twiddling your cocktail umbrella, worrying whether they are safe.
Single parent holiday used to be hell, companies penalised lone travellers with extra room charges (still do in some cases) and you were definitely a rarity. Now lots of big-names in the travel industry have turned their attention to this neglected section of the market and the choice is good. But you still have to choose carefully. Recommendations from friend or interest groups to are usually a safe bet, but otherwise it’s down to good old-fashioned research. Here are 15 companies that are well worth a look. Happy holidays!

Acorn Adventure
Low-cost adventure holidays in UK and Europe with daily activities. Parents, single or otherwise, get plenty of opportunities to socialise during the activities and in the evening. Ideal for sporty families.

Single Parent Travel Club
This club and puts you in touch with other lone parent families who want a break. The fee of £7.50 gets you connected other families for trips ranging from UK mini breaks to African safaris.

Single Parents on Holiday
Offers holidays in Austria and Croatia, specifically for lone parents and their children. The hotels are child friendly, with kid’s clubs and crèches. They offer pony trekking, torch-lit walks, farm visits, Nordic walking, hiking, mountain biking and golf. You all eat together on a half board basis.

Thomson
This established name specialises in family holiday and resorts such as Sunsatori in Greece,which offer children’s activities including sleepovers and learning new skills. Look out for special offers and special rates. Late booking can cut the cost by half.

Key Camp
Camping based company offering holidays for families in Europe and enough activities to keep most kids happy. This is the sort of holiday best done in a group, so you can club together with cooking and childcare.

Mango
Mango is run by two single parents who believe in ‘quality time with the children and so we avoid hotels with kids clubs. They arrange group holidays led by a co-ordinator, in the UK or Europe, including skiing, climbing and seaside trips.

HELP
This charity specialises in helping any single parent in need of a good deal, support and company. Mainly wives whose husbands are away, and want low budget holidays. They offer cut-price deals with companies like Pontins.

The Adventure Company
The Adventure Company specialise in trips for families with some departures reserved for single parents. You eat together so there’s never the isolation familiar to single parents.

Small Families
Small Families cater solely for single families with holidays in the UK and Europe, with tried and tested destinations, mostly in small, family-run hotels.

Crystal
Chalets encourage après ski friendliness and some Crystal chalets have discounts for single parents. Usually good value and good quality resorts, food and service.

Single Parents on Holiday
Andrea Robinson grew tired of taking her children on holiday and finding herself without any adult conversation in the evenings. Now she arranges holidays exclusively for loan parents. Most are half board, with kids clubs and activities, in medium sized hotels.

Sunsail.
This friendly company offer good priced club holidays in relaxed settings, with optional activities and tuition in dinghy sailing, tennis etc. Guests mostly eat together, making these holidays sociable events for every age group and type of family.

Mark Warner.
An established organisation with a range of family holidays, from beach to skiing, offering good water sport and tennis facilities, excellent childcare and kids clubs for all ages, with free evening crèche service.

Eurocamp
This company offers holidays in tents – but state of the art and mobile homes on child friendly sites in Europe, with discounts to some lone parents…and help with unpacking.

Responsible Travel
This agency selects travel companies for low environmental impact and has dedicated single parent holidays.

Family Traveller Tip: Be cautious about going on group holidays with friends, it can wreck friendships - especially where kids are involved! Try to make new friends out there, then you can leave them behind if you fall out with them!