When my twins turned eight, I started seriously thinking about going on holidays – just the three of us – as I am a solo mother. There aren’t many people lining up to travel with someone like me and young twins, so I opened the laptop and got researching family-friendly spots. We started with road trips around Ireland. I planned everything carefully – hotels with kids clubs, a pool (non-negotiable), things to do nearby and family rooms big enough so we weren’t all on top of each other.
Rest Retreat for Single Parents
One standout was a solo parent retreat in Connemara called The Old Knitting Factory – such a unique spot. It is located beside a lake and your front window looks out at the most incredible sunset that lights up the room. It is a little pocket of paradise just outside Galway city in Carraroe. The stillness there kind of wraps around you like a blanket. There’s something magical about just sitting by the lake, letting the hush of the water settle your thoughts. Honestly, it was the reset I didn’t know I needed. A camping chair, a view of the sunset and a big breath of Connemara air – pure Irish magic. The owner is New York Times best-selling author and writing teacher, Betsy Cornwell, who offers a free ‘rest residency’ for solo parents to come and just – rest. Betsy invites solo parents to share why they’d love a getaway and chooses one lucky applicant for a free stay. When you are both Mam and Dad every day, you need this kind of rest.
Ask about Solo Packages
A few things I’ve learned when travelling solo: booking direct with hotels can land you better family packages -always ask about solo parent deals. Some hotel packages are called Solo Family Breaks, Solo Parent Break, Flying Solo Package, etc., which will include family rooms, kids’ clubs, movie nights and more depending on the time of year.
In Laois, the Midlands Park Hotel has a Solo Parent Break with large rooms, a leisure centre and all the hotel perks you’d expect, but tailored for just one adult travelling with children. Manor West Hotel in Tralee also offers solo parent rates (from around €122 per night), family rooms, movie nights and access to the leisure centre, plus it’s close to all the best Kerry beaches. Some hotels, like the Gleneagle Hotel in Killarney, even offer a Flying Solo package. Family favourites like Kelly’s Resort Hotel in Wexford, Amber Springs and Fota Island Resort are all worth calling directly to inquire about their variety of packages that could suit solo parents.
Tip: Use filters like “family rooms” or “kids’ clubs” when booking online and don’t be afraid to email or call ahead – many hotels are more than happy to accommodate solo parents with tailored packages or helpful extras. Some family rooms are spacious enough to share with another solo parent, which makes it much more affordable. I’ve done this with a friend – our children loved it and so did we. With bunk beds and a double or twin beds, some rooms can sleep up to six. Splitting the cost means you can treat the kids to a hotel stay, enjoy perks like the pool and breakfast buffet and have a bit of company too. A win-win for everyone!
Self-catering options also help keep costs down, especially when feeding three or more people. The Dungarvan Hotel in Waterford offers optional holiday houses for larger families or those on multi-generational holidays. You can even bring your dog along to lots of hotels in Ireland. After lots of magical Irish road trips (and a few Geography lessons along the way), I finally built up the confidence to go abroad.
Search online for family deals abroad
Our first solo trip was to Lake Garda in 2023. I booked through LoveHolidays- flights and a week’s stay for under €1200 and sorted the transfers with GoOpti (€300 return for three of us). We stayed in a self-catering bungalow in The Garda Village, Sirmione, which had everything we needed. You can buy wifi packages, sheets for the beds, there is a grocery shop on site and the pool was quieter too. Going off-season meant cheaper prices and shorter queues at Gardaland, one of Europe’s biggest theme parks (I bought tickets online before I left Dublin). We took the local buses to Sirmione, Verona (where Juliet’s balcony is located) and Pescheira and even considered a Venice day trip.
A cruise ticks many boxes for solo parents
In 2024, we took our first Royal Caribbean cruise and we were hooked. It ticked all the holiday boxes: great food, amazing stops and so much to do that you forget you’re even on a ship. We sailed from Rome to Mykonos, Santorini, Kusadasi, and Naples (we got to visit Pompeii) for around €990pp, including meals, entertainment and most onboard experiences. Just watch for extras like WiFi and onboard shopping, which you can check on the screen in your cabin. You won’t spend much time in your cabin, though – there’s too much fun to be had. Some people might feel that it can be too big and you may/or may not bump into the same people every day, but you really forget you are on a ship and get lost in all the fun activities.
Safe destinations are a must
This is by far the most time spent on your research. Because you’re on your own, you need to be thinking of safe places. The world is so much bigger now, with new countries out there to explore for families. I have tested places on my own first to see if it’s suitable for children and if it can work. Places like Dubai, the Maldives, Tunisia, Albania and Greece are all, in my opinion, family options. Some destinations like the Maldives will be more extravagant and expensive, but definitely suitable for children with an array of water activities and their Geography teachers will be well impressed. Albania is a new destination with an unspoiled coastline with very few tourists presently, but I would say it won’t be unspoiled for long.
Traveling solo with kids isn’t always picture-perfect – but it is real, rewarding and full of moments you will never forget. As a solo parent, you learn to pack light, think on your feet and find joy in the little wins (like actually finishing your tea hot). It can be chaotic, yes – but also incredibly empowering. And the best part? You’re not just showing your kids the world – you’re showing them strength, resilience, independence, new countries and adventure, one trip at a time. You quickly learn to adapt, find joy in the little moments and discover strength you didn’t even know you had.
Recommended solo parent family destinations & hotels abroad –
Bergen – Scandic Neptun Hotel
Location is everything when you have children, so this hotel is just steps from Bryggen and the Fløibanen funicular and is easy to explore iconic city sights. I flew direct from Dublin with Widerøe Airlines.
Liverpool – The Titanic Hotel
So many iconic landmarks to see and the general buzz of this city is electric and why not get match tickets to Anfield too. This hotel is on the docks and is themed like you are on the Titanic ship, with incredible infrastructure. We got direct flights from Dublin with Aer Lingus.
Dubai – JA Palm Tree Court, JA Lake View hotel, JA Ocean View Hotel
All JA hotels offer something unique in Dubai, whether you want a quieter beach break, a mountain break, or a busy city vibe, you will find one of their hotels that suits your family. I flew direct from Dublin to Dubai with Emirates.
The Maldives – JA Manafaru
A breathtaking location on the most northern atoll. I visited here while in Dubai, so you could easily make it a two-stop family holiday. A bucket list destination that won’t disappoint. I flew direct from Dubai to Male, around 3.5 hours and the seaplane is 80 minutes from the airport with stunning aerial views of the atolls.
Tenerife – The Hard Rock Hotel
This hotel is similar to being on a cruise ship; you have everything you need in one place. With three great-sized pools, superb dining options, private access to a small beach, and entertainment every night. Food is superb and the rooms are ‘rock star’ themed. They have a great family area for little ones and the older gamers.
Crete – Creta Maris Resort
This is an all-inclusive family paradise, with a huge on-site waterpark, five kids’ pools, baby rooms, playgrounds, mini disco, an open‑air cinema and ‘Green’ activities for kids, including olive-picking, grape drying, traditional shepherd life experience and cooking.
Tunisia – TUI Blue Manar in Hammamet
TUI Blue Manar is all about family-friendly with an aquapark, water slides, kids’ pools, a free kids’ club, a playground and a beach. Hammamet town center is just a 10-minute taxi ride and is a beautiful place to walk around, browsing the medina in the fort overlooking the sea.
Albania – Green Coast Hotel
Albania isn’t the easiest to reach from Dublin just yet, with no direct flights, so it suits older kids who enjoy the adventure of connecting flights – I flew via Luton to Tirana. From there, this hotel is about a 2.5-hour taxi ride to a peaceful stretch of the Albanian Riviera, where every room has an ocean view; the coastline is breathtaking.
Athens – Athens Capital Hotel/Suites
Athens Capital Hotel is a great base for families – the rooftop pool is a plus after a day exploring and the views across the skyline are spectacular. The location is ideal, right by Syntagma Square and the interconnecting rooms make it easy when travelling with kids. If you want to upgrade and experience a Parisian vibe, check out the new suites, exclusive to the Athens Capital Hotel.
Verbier, Switzerland – Camping de Bonatchiesse & Hôtel de Verbier
Verbia offers families the perfect mix of Alpine adventure and comfort. Camp under the stars at Camping de Bonatchiesse, a peaceful riverside spot ideal for nature-loving families, then enjoy a mountain vibe and chalet-style accommodation at Hôtel de Verbier, a stylish, family-friendly base in the heart of the resort town.
Published in RSVP magazine – October 2025 issue.