holiday ideas for soon to be separated dad

riquelme

ok, im looking for some holiday ideas this summer for myself and my 2 nippers (nearly 5 and nearly 8) By the summer i will be single and want to do something a little different with them for about 10 days july/ august.

some initial ideas include

1. borrowing mums caravan and heading off to france (although ive never driven with caravan in tow before)

2. camping in europe - which would mean a cheap way to get across there with the car

3. any other ideas


for 1 and 2 does anyone have any recs regarding places to go/ campsites that are child friendly. My budget isnt too bad, however ive come to realise that you dont need to spend the earth for the kids to have a good time.

any pointers gratefully received

Voyager2002

I don't have any bright ideas, but I suggest you try again with a different subject, asking for a holiday that a 5-year old (and an 8-year old) would enjoy.

silverhairgranny

its going to be warm travelling with two children and on your own, flights are more reasonable then cars, tolls, petrol ect just before school hols early july.
Apartments offer more in my experience granny with 3 grandchildren. all you will need is a pool, supermarket, and a couple of cokes/beers. what are your thoughts. I dont want to intrude.

Sammy85_2

Ferries - we went by norfolk line summer 2008, it was £14 each way, car and passengers. Keep your eyes peeled for deals. Night crossings are much cheaper.

We travelled all around Europe in our car & tent, but i would recommend this campsite in Holland if you have children because it isnt too far to drive.

http://www.recreatieparkarnhem.nl/

It was very children friendly, with a pool and entertainment.

silverhairgranny

hi folks
this is a single dad
driving with no one else to take the distraction.
calling all single dads for their holiday ideas with their children

spender

Perhaps consider a cheap all inclusive holiday to the Med. Your children will have somebody to play with and so will you be able to socialise. I admire the fact very much you are a hands on dad but you deserve the break as well. Or what about a camp site that has the tents already there etc. You need to be able to mix because if you are relaxed the kids will be too! and they can enjoy themselves without worrying about you! What about First Choice Holiday Villages (not been myself so can not comment). Good on you wanting to do the best!

riquelme

thanks for the replies folks and thanks for sharing some concerns


im not really bothered about having 'me' time, i love being with the kids, playing with them and watching them have fun, its OUR holiday, time to be together if you know what i mean.

yeah was think about holland (looks fun) as a cheaper alternative to France although there are some affordable crossings to france as well.

We've been to spain as a family 3 times but not on package deals, that could be an option but havent really got £1500 ish to spend. Rather have an adventure cars, boats and camping.

anywhere else in holland or within short driving distance from a port in france?

charlea

my brother has often taken his two boys when they were younger on holidays abroad as a single parent - i think skytours and thomson were the ones that he used the kids loved it as there were good kids clubs and other kids for them to play with and for him he could relax - plus he went all inclusive he stuck to local airports and min of two hour flights so not stressfull and he took them to ibiza spain majorca menorca ect over the years ( they are now stroppy teenagers so going with dad is not cool)

personally i would go driving abroad with two small kids and a caravan in tow with no one to share the driving with but im a crap driver

Sammy85_2

riquelme wrote: »

thanks for the replies folks and thanks for sharing some concerns


im not really bothered about having 'me' time, i love being with the kids, playing with them and watching them have fun, its OUR holiday, time to be together if you know what i mean.

yeah was think about holland (looks fun) as a cheaper alternative to France although there are some affordable crossings to france as well.

We've been to spain as a family 3 times but not on package deals, that could be an option but havent really got £1500 ish to spend. Rather have an adventure cars, boats and camping.

anywhere else in holland or within short driving distance from a port in france?

Holland was very cheap. Camping was around £20/nt when we were there and the cost of buying bits and bobs from the shops wasnt too bad. (plus you can take most stuff you'll need in the car with you!)

If you got the ferry with Norfolk line from Dover to Dunkerque, the driving distance to Arnheim is 333km, which takes just over 3 hrs (according to google maps - i would say that is fairly accurate.) There were loads of service stations along the way.

If you took the night ferry, then the kids would probably sleep most of the drive so it would be fairly peaceful for you driving. We used to go on holiday to cornwall when we were kids and it was a good 6/7hrs drive from our house, we used to set off at 1am and slept all the way there just about.

I would rather take kids in a car than on a plane, at least you dont have to worry about disturbing others if the kids are restless.

mummytofour

Ok this is what I tend to do. Find a hotel apartment that is with thomson that has all the kids clubs. Then book it myself as a DIY. Thomson accomadation only is normally cheap but still booking with thomson means u can use the kids clubs.

It may not be your cup of tea but I always find keeping the kids entertained on holiday is a must and makes life easier. A single dad I know takes his kids AI every summer to ibitza staying in a family type of hotle etc.

This yr we are going with siblu to normandy. You could find a siblu park or similer that has entertainment and book a pitch.

Good luck.

riquelme

thanks everyone, at the moment i am seriously considering going to the dutch camp in arnheim and heres how.

harwich to hook of holland with stenaline (through quidco and using tesco clubcard vouchers), driving the other side and staying approx 9/ 10 days (or as long as i can have them!!)


cost for 9 days = approx £400 + food and fuel

quick question about holland in early august, whats the weather like? similar to over here? or slightly warmer