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Where would you take a 20 month old on holiday if it was just you and the baby?!

27 replies

mylittlestar · 22/05/2007 11:41

Got a week off booked in June. Hoped to get a last minute flight, probably to Europe.

Looks like it's just me and ds going alone - so any ideas where I could take him that will be good for both of us??

Would you go for a family/beach type resort, maybe Spain? Or would that be awful alone?
Has anyone done this? Is it very isolating and demoralising?

Or is it perhaps a better idea to stay in this country and visit friends...?



Thanks!

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gabby27 · 22/05/2007 11:48

I think if you're unsure I'd stick to this country this time. If there are friends you can visit then make the most of the time off to not only take the baby away for a few days, but catch up with your friends too

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RachelG · 22/05/2007 12:50

I haven't been away with my 21 month old yet, but if I was I would probably stay in the UK at the moment. If I went abroad, I'd be nervous if DS got ill. Also if it got really hot, he might be miserable and grumpy. If it was a busy beach I'd be paranoid he'd disappear, so I wouldn't have a moments peace.

A friend of mine recently took her 3 year old to Cromer for a week. They rented a little cottage, and went on day trips to the beach, on the toy trains, crab fishing etc. He loved it.

I think visiting friends would be nice too. They'd know the nice places to visit.

Have fun whatever you decide!

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mylittlestar · 22/05/2007 12:59

Thanks!

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Kimmya · 22/05/2007 13:19

If it was me wanting to have this holiday, I think I would choose somewhere like a Haven Holiday park or even Butlins. There is so much laid on for the little ones. Kids clubs, outdoor play areas, early evening kids disco for that boogie!! Indoor play areas and swimming pool if the weather is not good. And while your little one is hanging out with her new friends there will be other parents for you to chat to. If you have a few friends to join you that would be even better. Have fun whatever you do.

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PetronellaPinkPants · 22/05/2007 13:20

this might be good

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PetronellaPinkPants · 22/05/2007 13:22

good article here too

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mylittlestar · 22/05/2007 13:32

Thanks so much. Great ideas

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Muminfife · 22/05/2007 13:46

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mylittlestar · 22/05/2007 13:53

love Paris! that could be really good so we both get to do the things we enjoy... day in disney for ds, day shopping for me...

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Muminfife · 22/05/2007 14:09

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neva · 22/05/2007 18:47

Hi, my children love Centerparcs. You can hire a bike with a trailer for the little one, the pools are fun, and there is nature all around.

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matilda57 · 28/05/2007 23:26

I've taken my kids loads of times on last minute hols to the sun (super cheap). We have been to Menorca many times, and we've always really enjoyed it. We;ve got apartments close to the sea or pool, and that's that till evening (can't be doing with roaming around when you're on your own with kids!) The spanish are child friendly, you can guarantee the weather, it's much cheaper than holidaying here (if money is an issue). Plus it's so easy to get to the airport, then you do absolutely nothing for a week LOL, letting yourself get ferried around. It's much less travelling than driving around GB. I always took a lot of books to read in the evening, or when lo's were asleep. I met a lot of other people - single parents with kids - and we generally hung out together.

That said, I have to be absolutely honest that when they were little I sobbed quietly behind my sunglasses for the first few days wherever we went. Sorry if that's a bit bleak, but I think it's hard being on your own sometimes. We broke through though, always had a great time, and came back relaxed and refreshed. Apart from when I took them camping (own tent) in France....(argh); though Eurocamp was always very good, even though the journey there was a bit gruesome (long and convoluted). I tend to think of the shortest possible way to get wherever we're going, with the least possible hassle LOL.

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snowwonder · 28/05/2007 23:32

i have been to haven, centrparks and majorca on my own with my 2 dd's we had a blast on all the hols, but it can be lonely especially when you are surrounded by 2 parent families...(most are miserable though!!)

we should start a website for lone parents to holiday together

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Aitch · 28/05/2007 23:36

you really should, snowwonder, that's a brilliant idea. seriously.

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mylittlestar · 29/05/2007 12:57

great idea snowwonder! (sorry for delayed response!)

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ChorusLine · 29/05/2007 19:25

snowwonder - fab idea. I really need something like that!!

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snowwonder · 30/05/2007 15:20

i am computer wizz i only have it for email, mumsnet and ebay(i am serious!!!!)

i would definetely yse it if there was such thing but wouldn t know where to start in setting it up, you never know though, might ask some people!!!

you never know it might already be set up,

anyway i am 30 and i have 2 girls age 9 and 3, looking to go away next may/june if anyone intrested, and i live in buckinghamshire..

and i wont be offended if i get no response !!!!

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mylittlestar · 30/05/2007 19:47

hi there

well I'm 29 and have ds who is nearly 2

and always happy to go on holiday!

some good links earlier on this page from PPP.

but this web site / holiday idea could be a good one! I'm taking ds to Disneyland Paris in 2 weeks, alone, so I shall let you know how that goes!! I'll be begging for you to go away with me next year after that I'm sure!!

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snowwonder · 30/05/2007 23:47

fanatstic you booked!!!!

hope you both have a fab time..

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TheDuchessOfNorksBride · 31/05/2007 00:03

Only just seen this. Yes, I absolutely would go on holiday. You'll have a great time.

And the website idea is excellent. DO IT!

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pickledpear · 31/05/2007 00:20

i think the idea is good put me down for it

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CheshireMummy · 31/05/2007 15:28

I am on my own with a DD who is 4.5, would love to go on hols with other singlies and kids.

We live in Cheshire, but I am a southerner!

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MrsSpoon · 31/05/2007 15:31

I have a MN special offer here which might be of interest.

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ChorusLine · 05/06/2007 20:21

MyLittleStar - please can I ask who you booked EuroDisney with as I really fancy going, my DS is 19 months.

Were you charged a large supplement for one adult and one child in a room?

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mylittlestar · 06/06/2007 08:38

hi ChorusLine

In the end I have booked it all individually. So flight with Easy Jet (£100 and ds only cost £15 as he's under 2)

Then I have booked the Holiday Inn hotel which is within the Disney complex (free courtesy bus each day in and out of the park).

Didn't have to pay a single person supplement as the room rates were just 'per room'. Each room has a double bed, bunk beds and a travel cot. Rates I managed to get were £60 a night room only. But they seem to range from £40 a night up to about £100 a night! Just depends on dates...

Then I will buy the Disney pass from the hotel reception once I get there. Think it costs about £80 for 3 day pass for me, ds is free as he's under 3.

Train station right by Disney entrance which is great because you can gettrains direct into Paris really easily... so we'll do a couple of days in Paris too.

Hope that helps!

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