8 family holidays perfect for solo parents, from campsites to cruises

There are of plenty of options for single mums and dads looking for fun and affordable breaks with their children, writes Yvonne Reddin

For solo parents who want to escape the busy beach resorts, the Netherlands, Austria, and Germany offer peaceful accommodation by lakes and forests.

There is a growing number of Irish parents travelling alone with their children and looking for holidays that are manageable, affordable, and enjoyable for both parent and child/children. So where do you start?

Careful planning and research are key, depending on what type of holiday you want. Write down your goals — adventure, beach, hiking, culture, food, or theme parks. And begin there.

There are budget-friendly sites such as onthebeach.com, which has a dedicated section for solo parents. It makes it easier to narrow down exactly the type of package and resort you want. 

But if you want adventure, cultural, or all-inclusive holidays, read on...

1. Campsites in Europe

For many solo parents, Eurocamp holidays are an easy, affordable option. Self-catering lodges and mobile homes offer flexibility and multiple pools; playgrounds and kids’ activities keep children entertained from morning to night. With pricing per accommodation rather than per person, it’s budget-friendly too. Eurocamp sites include France, Italy, and Croatia — including Club Farret, Marina di Venezia, and Bi Village. Kids can safely roam around the site, make friends, and enjoy a little independence, while solo parents can often end up meeting other like-minded families or enjoy quality kid-free time.

Try it: 

A three-bed holiday home (sleeps six) at Marino di Venezia, Italy, is approximately €2,430 (excluding flights) and has a huge water park with seven water slides and direct access to a Blue Flag beach, while you can hop on the ferry at the nearby port to head to Venice for the day.

Bi Village in Croatia is close to the crystal-clear Adriatic Sea, where you can do a variety of water sports and visit ancient Pula, Roman amphitheatres, and atmospheric old towns. A three-bed holiday home (sleeps five) is approximately €1,500 (excluding flights). See eurocamp.ie.

2. Cruising

Royal Caribbean Cruise holidays cover absolutely everything and are suitable for all ages. If you want slides and lots of kids’ activities, check out the ships that cater best for families. There are all sorts of add-on packages to purchase, which will include beverages, wifi, and additional speciality dining. The shows are as good as Broadway.

Excursions can be expensive if buying for a family of three or more but you can research other operators and book before you go or stay on board the ship when everyone gets off for their daytrips — you may even have the ship all to yourself.

Try it: 

A seven-night Western Mediterranean cruise on Legend of the Seas in September starts from €1,323pp (€3,968 for a family of three). Flights not included.

3. Small group family adventures

If you don’t know where to even begin planning, let someone else do it for you. Companies such as Intrepid and Explore are adventure travel companies that specialise in small-group tours to destinations all over the world. Their itineraries include everything, from accommodation, activities, and cultural experiences to local transport.

If you don’t want to travel alone with your children, you don’t have to and you will all have company as you share the collective awe with the other families in your group.

Try it: 

A 12-day South Africa family safari with teenagers, priced for July for one adult and two teenagers is €4,387.50 (flights extra), including kayaking, Hluhluwe–iMfolozi Park Game drive, Kruger National Park, and more. See intrepidtravel.com.

A 14-night grand adventure across Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand, taking in exciting cities and dense jungle, markets along the Mekong, street food tastings, the temples of ancient Angkor, and the beaches of Cambodia’s islands. Group size 14-20. From €2,197 per person (flights extra). Suitable for age seven upwards, with triple rooms available. See exploreworldwide.eu.

4. Skiing

Verbier is a picture-perfect Swiss resort and a great winter or summer adventure holiday for solo parent families, with excellent ski schools, sledging, ice skating, and a safe atmosphere. Self-catering apartments make it a flexible and stress-free option or opt for the picturesque Hôtel de Verbier.

Adventurous families can also try Europe’s highest zipline on Mont Fort. In summer, Verbier offers hiking, wild camping, rock climbing, and mountain activities, plus family-friendly attractions including an indoor pool, arcade, and alpine cinema.

Try it: 

A six-day ski pass for Verbier is priced at €442 per adult, €376 per young adult, and €221 per child (under 14) See verbier4vallees.ch/en. Kids’ ski school lessons can be booked at europeansnowsport.com.

Hôtel de Verbier winter rates are approximately €480 per night for a double and €750 for a family room, sleeping up to five (room only). Summer rates from €300 per night for a double and €530 for a family room, sleeping up to five (room only).

Train tickets in Switzerland start from €46 one-way via Travel Switzerland. Aer Lingus has direct flights from Dublin to Geneva.

5. Tenerife thrills

A perfect balance of fun for the children and a little breathing space for parents

The Hard Rock Hotel Tenerife is a great option for solo parents, with everything in one place, very like being on a cruise ship. Kids are kept entertained with games rooms, pools, and activities, while parents can enjoy downtime at the adults-only pool or rooftop bar. There is also a huge lagoon-style pool where the atmosphere is lively, with bubble parties, music, and live shows. If you like to dip in the sea, there is direct access to a private beach.

The hotel is in a quieter part of Tenerife. The resort has a calm but fun vibe and is only a short taxi or Uber ride to Playa de las Américas and Los Cristianos, if you fancy a change of scenery. For solo parents, it offers that perfect balance of fun for the children and a little breathing space for parents.

Try it: 

Half-board packages €306.85 per night based on a family of four in a deluxe silver suite, or €572.66 per night for an all-inclusive package in the same suite. Direct flights from Cork, Shannon, and Dublin to Tenerife.

6. Outdoor forest resorts

For solo parents looking to escape busy resorts and preferring quieter, nature-focused holidays, Landal GreenParks is a great option. With over 200 nature parks in the Netherlands, Austria, and Germany, the resorts are suitable for children of all ages from seven up.

You have a choice of accommodation beside lakes and forests and they also have indoor pools and cycling rather than the loud entertainment at busier European resorts. You can rent bikes, swim in an indoor pool, try bowling, archery, etc. For parents, at Palestra Beauty & Wellness, you can enjoy a global wellness journey in one day, from Lappish sauna kotas and a Moroccan berber tent to an Icelandic scrub room and a relaxing Tibetan singing bowl massage. Solo parenting heaven.

Try it: 

Seven-nights in a three-bed bungalow (sleeps six) in Stroombroek Holiday Park in the Netherlands, approximately €850, excluding flights. See landal.com.

7. Florida’s theme parks

Every parent wants to bring their children to experience Disneyland and the Orlando theme parks but it can be hugely expensive, especially if you have a larger family and are a solo parent. Kissimmee is south of Orlando in central Florida and offers families a quieter and more affordable stay than the bustle of International Drive. You can opt out of the heavy traffic queues and busy tourist strip and opt in for a more spacious villa community, self-catering options, gated resorts, and quieter neighbourhoods.

It is closer to the Walt Disney Resort, Universal, and Seaworld. There is also a huge range of activities in Kissimmee that kids will love instead of being stuck in traffic. There are shuttle buses to the theme parks or you can hire a car. Find out more at experiencekissimmee.com

Try it: 

B&B for a family of four with a king bed and sofa bed at Kompose Hotel for seven nights is approximately €831 with parking. Flights and park passes are extra. Dublin has direct flights to Orlando, while Kissimmee is 25 minutes from the airport. See komposehotels.com

8. Quieter Benidorm

There are quieter beaches in Benidorm

Don’t believe all you see on TV about Benidorm. There are quieter beaches and it is water park and theme park heaven for children here. After a short direct flight to Alicante from Cork, Shannon, Dublin, or Kerry, you are in the sunshine and the livley bustle of Benidorm.

You can also stay close to Benidorm’s largest theme park, Terra Mitica, at Four Points by Sheraton Costa Blanca Resort. There is a choice of two water parks — Aqualandia and Aqua Natura — while a wander around the old town is always fun. You have to try the local dish ‘Broken eggs and ham’ — the kids will love it.

Try it: 

Family packages with the Sheraton Costa Blanca Resort as a base are approximately €206 per night (€1,446 for seven nights in July). See marriott.com.