The Great 'Holiday Inspiration' Hunt

ElleWoods

I’ve been looking for a holiday for either this Sept/Oct or next year sometime for myself and my son, who is 2 next week, and I’m having a nightmare! Having phoned several travel agents, both high street ones and cheaper ones off Teletext and the like, I’ve been told that as a single parent I will have to pay the full adult price for my son! Free child places are only given to children on holiday with two full fare paying adults. Even properties with a so-called ‘single parent offer’ end up expensive as I’d get stung on the room supplements, as these properties tend to have prices based on 3 or 4 sharing, so I can’t win! That means that holidays which seem cheap at first glance, like last minute deals, end up expensive when paying the full adult price for us both. I’ve priced up booking flights and accommodation separately but that’s just as expensive, plus I’d have the hassle of sorting transfers etc.
I don’t want to ask a friend to come with us as I work full time and hardly see my son in the week, so I want to spend some quality time with just me and him. Does anyone have any suggestions of more reasonably priced holidays for single parents?
Thanks,
CC

dmg24

spirit wrote: »

These late deal bargains are all very well for couples but not for singles like me. 'd like to find a great deal on a holiday Sep/Oct time. I'd look at pretty much anywhere, prefer all inclusive. bargains are rare I feel - unless someone knows different?

I would definitely go DIY if you are travelling alone.

When I have priced up packages, I have often found the price to be double that of the advertised price for one (based on two sharing!), so implying that you are paying for an empty seat on the plane!

I'll be back in Marrakech in September. I find it a great place to meet people if you want to, but equally you can wonder off and do your own thing. There are a few all inclusive resorts, or you could combine it with a few days on the coast? x

spirit

thanks dmg24 - I don't know how you so the quote thingy on the post btw.

I went to Jordan with VJV in 2006 on my own as they had a few no single supplements. they don't have anything this year that takes my fancy though. I have looked at Just You and Solo's etc but they are just as expensive as 'normal' package holidays for 2.

I guess it's a little scary organising the whole trip independently as they make it easy with the packages - you just bowl up at the airport and from then on you are in the system.

How do you find hotels who will deal direct with you?

thank you

christina

RedHEAD

Been in the same situation as Cuba Cat - have you tried Gingerbread/One Parent Families? They have a travel club I think, or a company that deals with single parents. Also try your union if you're in one - Unison has a travel club for members and may be able to get special deals

Good luck!

Incapuppy

Re: single parents - I remember seeing a guy in an airport (sorry - I can't remember if we were returning from Sri Lanka or Luxor) with his daughter and he was wearing a 'small familes' t-shirt. Perhaps this may be of use:

http://www.smallfamilies.co.uk/

Tojo_Ralph

dmg24 wrote: »

Is this one of those 'how long is a piece of string' articles?

No ..... It's one of them.... "I have been asked if I will do a piece on cheap-but-great holiday destinations and need you lot to provide me with the basis for it"....

Anyway, because one persons cheap-but-great holiday is another persons holiday-from-hell, I am going to go with Egypt, because it caters for all tastes from the football shirted Beer and British food brigade, to those with far more refined tastes and on every level it is a Billy bargain. However, whilst the package deal will be the cheapest way of getting a holiday, it certainly won't IMHO be the best value for money. Hotels and resorts in Egypt are really suffering just now and you can cut good deals on room rates, often getting the local rate or a discounted residents rate rather than the naturally inflated foreigner rates. I am therefore in the avoid package deals camp and recommend booking flights and accomodation seperately, cutting a deal direct with the hotel/s.

linden_2

Do you have a separate bit for single travellers ?
Whenever I look at offers they only apply "per person sharing"

Friendship Travel (for single people) has last minute deals .


Does anyone know of an effective lobby group for single people ?

Is there a special place on MSE for single people to discuss and campaign - there are so many ways in which they are treated differently .

Linden

Cherylt

Hi there...if you are looking for self catering, I'd really recommend a DIY package. We book through this company http://www.ownersdirect.co.uk/ and the prices in Sept/Oct drop right down. You pay a fixed price for the accommodation - none of this 'free child places but prices are for 4 and a child doesnt count as a person so there's an under-occupancy charge' rubbish. Add in some budget flights and you can holiday really cheaply and very well.
:j

camper55

I run a VW camper hire business in Dorset, our campers sleep 4 or more with an awning, have great campsites nearby, we provide a bike rack and surf and wetsuit hire.

You cannot beat the South Coast in the summer!

Take a look at https://www.southcoastcampers.com

Cheers

Incapuppy

camper55 wrote: »

I run a VW camper hire business in Dorset, our campers sleep 4 or more with an awning, have great campsites nearby, we provide a bike rack and surf and wetsuit hire.

You cannot beat the South Coast in the summer!

Take a look at www.southcoastcampers.com

Cheers

As far as I am aware you are not allowed to promote your own business on here.