Single parent holiday

laoisgem

Hi,

I'm just looking to see if anybody has any recommendations for holidays to take as a single parent with one child (8yr old daughter).

Obviously somewhere considered safe and child friendly. Ideally nowhere too "busy" or loud if that makes sense. Not pushed on being near a beach but a nice pool is a must. I'd prefer off season as I'm no good for extreme heat, anytime I've went on holidays I always went in May 😳

Anyway I'd love to get some personal recommendations or if anyone knows of a company that specialises in this area.

Thanks.

Dtp1979

It’d depend how long your going for. Some hotels have great kid facilities around Ireland but I couldn’t imagine staying longer than a few days. It that’s just me, or are you looking to go abroad for longer?

Depends where you want to go, Ireland or overseas?

There are a lot of campsites in France Italy or Spain? They are all great for families and kids

laoisgem

Sorry, should have said overseas 😊

I had planned to bring her to Portugal May 2020 but then obviously Covid happened (at the time I was going with 2 other adults but now I'll be going alone with herself). She's never been on a plane before and hasn't stopped talking about how disappointed she is since 😫 (god love her she had all her holidays clothes, swims suits etc packed in a suitcase an all at the time)

laoisgem

Just to add I've been to Galway, Wexford, Wicklow & Clare with herself and contemplating Belfast atm for the Christmas markets so I'm well used to bringing her away. I guess I'm just nervous bringing her abroad on my own iykwim 😳0

.red.

Have a look at The Old Village in Villamoura, Portugal.

All the houses/apartments are privately owned but there's studios, 1 beds and all the way upto 4 beds. Some have small terraces, others have lovely gardens, balconies or roof top terraces depending on what you pick. They all have a full kitchen that includes a washing machine and oven.

It's about a 10/15 min walk from the marina which is the main area but the complex itself has everything from bars, restaurants and a super market.

There's 3 pools with one being very child friendly.

A little road train passes every hour going down to the main shopping area or the beach.

You can book on booking.com but we used owners direct. There's also a few on site agencies.

https://www.oldvillagealgarve.com/

It's the only place I've ever been to that looks just as good when you get there as it does in the pictures.

Not in Kansas

What about somewhere like Cascais in Portugal? Half an hour from Lisbon. Also gives you the option of a day trip in the city during your holiday. Very easy to go between the two on public transport.

Princess Calla

I think at 8 she'll be fine. There's not much "minding" to an 8 yo in comparison to a 3-4 yo.

The only thing is if you go off season there won't be many other kids about. My mam would bring me off season and while it was fine, a lovely holiday, it was abit lonely to have no one to mess around with.

If you are going foreign have you looked at Salou in Spain? We went there and it was lovely, nice hotel with a pool and close to the beach too....now it's over 20 yrs ago but I still remember enjoying it. We got the train to Porto Ventura which is a big theme park. Barcelona is also a train ride away if you wanted to do that.