Mumsnet recently did a survey to discover the fears solo parents have when choosing a holiday and the difficulties they often face when they get there. The biggest grievances were paying a supplement for travelling alone (which meant villas and a lot of hotel rooms were prohibitively expensive), as well as not having any time to relax if the childrens facilities werent up to the promised standard. After all, your holiday wont feel like a holiday if you need to provide entertainment for your kids24/7!
There are an estimated two million single parents in the UK, who all need a holiday once in a while! A great way for them to get a holiday that wont involve an additional cost for travelling solo and will entertain the kids as much as they promise, is by choosing one of Intrepids innovative and dedicated solo parent holidays.
If youre a solo parent, looking to take the kids away on a break, Intrepid will deliver you to a far flung paradise, surround you with like-minded solo parents and their children, as well as take care of all the entertainment – all of this and without a single traveller supplement in sight!
Your personal tour manager will be on hand to guide you and your family around the country of your choice, help you see incredible sights and have unique experiences, without the stress of you having to organise anything. Aspen Travel has been a respected booking partner of Intrepid Tours for a while and the feedback we receive about this award winning company is outstanding. Lets have a look at the packages Intrepid have put together with solo parents in mind.
Vietnam for solo parents
Are you ready to embark on a trip that will take you to golden beaches, past rice fields and into some of the most important cultural monuments of this exotic Eastern idyll? Enjoy watching your kids slurping down their noodles, delighting in a water puppet show and cycling safely around the bustling Hanoi city.
Your trip will begin in Hanoi, where youll embark on a tour of discovery around the green parks, colonial French architecture and shady lakeside areas. Here youll visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and Temple of Literature, at which youll marvel at the cool, serene atmosphere.
The next day will be spent cruising along Halong bay in a private boat. Youll spend the night on board and get to see the excitement on your childrens faces when they look up and see the billions of stars shining above them. Youll stop off at islands along the way to explore the magnificent caves
In Hue, youll take a dragon boat along the Perfume River, as well as visit a famous Buddhist monastery, the Imperial Citadel, Forbidden Purple City and the tomb of Minh Mang, which is located in a picturesque forest. Hoi An is the next stop along the way, where all the kids with be thrilled to enjoy a picnic on the beach, a bike ride in the countryside and bamboo basket ride along a jungle waterway.
Eastern culture meets Western culture in Ho Chi Minh City and youll get the chance to do a bit of shopping and pick up some gifts for your friends back home. Then, a final cruise along the Mekong Delta will provide you with what may be the most memorable experience of all; the chance to spend the night in a local family home. Your children will have the opportunity to see Vietnamese children live, eat and play. All of this included in the full package, Vietnam Family Holiday for solo parents.
Thailand for solo parents
Youll split your time between the jungle and the beach here. Youll get to stroke elephants, enjoy restaurant cuisine and home cooking, as well as feast your eyes upon the impressively huge reclining Buddha at Wat Pho.
This adventurous family holiday will begin in Bangkok, where youll take a river boat ride through the canals of Chinatown, try some delicious street food and visit six different temples. Each night youll be put in a luxury hotel. Following your tour of Bangkok, youll head into the Erawan National Park in Kanchanaburi to catch a glimpse of Thai wildlife and kayak down the River Kwai.
Next up, youll take an overnight train to Ayutthaya, where youll visit some World Heritage ruins and temples, as well as visit the iconic Buddha head sculpture. Chiang Mai in Northern Thailand is where youll end up after that. Youll drive up a winding mountain road to get there, giving you a great view of the valley below. At the top of the mountain is where youll find one of Thailands most impressive temples; the Doi Suthep.
Its at the Elephant Nature Park in Mae Taeng, that your kids might have their most memorable moments. Watch the elephants in their natural habitat and have the chance to help scrub them down during their bathing session.
Your final destination before you fly back from Bangkok, will be Hua Hin, a former fishing village which is now a touristy beach town surrounded by mountains, which has superb trails for biking. On your way here, youll stop off in the mountainous area of Chiang Mai to visit the forest community initiative of the local Hua Tung people. Then it’s time to head home and get the kids ready for school where they will be able to brag about their illustrious Thailand holiday
Solo parent breaks in Costa Rica
Costa Rica is full of tropical sun and tourist friendly rainforest with built in canopy walks, cable cars and zip wires; all with a great view of the local wildlife.
You and kids will not only get to explore several national parks and look down at the cloud forest from the majestic heights of the top of the Arenal volcano, but also explore the coffee and sugar plantations of the outskirts of the capital San Jose.
Highlights of this tour include riding through the forest on horseback, swimming in thermal pools and looking for green turtles along the beach, as they lay their eggs in Tortuguero, between July and October. The kids will love rafting on the rapids, the elegant waterfalls and taking a skywalk to view the birds as they nest in the very tops of the highest jungle trees. See the full itinerarySolo parent breaks in Costa Rica
Travelling through India as a solo parent
Always wanted to visit India, but youre not sure where to go and what the kids will enjoy most in this busy, bustling country? Let Intrepid take your family to some of the highlights.
Explore the chaotic delights of Delhi in complete safety, give the kids a chance to see the sun rise over the Taj Mahal in Agra, visit the Pink Palace in Jaipur and go on safari in the Ranthambhore National Park. The elusive Bengal Tiger is the sight that everyone wants to see here. In addition to all of this, youll see the Amber Fort in Nawalgarh and the artistic heritage of the Shekhawati region. The details for this tour can found here
Trip to Morocco with the kids
Morocco might not seem like a first choice for a solo parent family holiday, but with Intrepid youll be partnered up with other solo families and be entertained by local musicians in the Berber Mountains, visit impressive old mosques, oases and ride a camel through the desert.
Some of the best seafood dishes you can enjoy in Morocco come from Essaouira. The catch of the day will be freshly cooked in front of you, before you take a stroll around the harbour front of this quaint fishing village.
As well as experiencing the Morocco you might be expecting; the bustling and aromatic spice markets of Marrakesh, the majesty of the imposing Atlas Mountains and the crumbling city walls of Medina, youll also be exposed to the intriguing side of modern Morocco that includes the dazzling beach front of the North Atlantic coast, village life in the Mizane Valley and relaxing by the swimming pool in Zaouit Ifergane. If the Morocco Holiday for solo parents sounds like something for you, book today for the best prices and dates.
Booking your solo parent holiday
Here at Aspen Travel we work with a number of well respected tour operators who offer luxury all inclusive packages designed with solo travellers and solo parents in mind. All of the tours mentioned in the post are by Intrepid, but Just You is another company for whom we are a booking partner and they deal exclusively in solo travel holidays.
Whether youre travelling with or without children, or a partner, please get in touch with our experienced team of travel advisors to get the best deal on your next holiday. Well happily advise you on the destinations to which we travel, all over the globe and try our hardest to get the prices for you on the dates you want to travel. Get in touch now.