 You have no reason in the Internet age to confine yourself to local shores when booking a holiday package. America and especially the UK have a wealth of single-parent operators that specialise in holiday packages and accommodations not just in those countries but around the world. Booking these holidays from Australia shouldn’t be a problem, and in many cases you can negotiate a package that doesn’t include the airfare component (which will obviously originate in the USA or UK). Note that the country listed in parentheses below indicates where the tour operator is based, not the destinations of the holidays on offer, which are worldwide.
Activities Abroad (UK)
Based in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, this company organises active adventure holidays to European destinations such as Finland, Turkey, France, Spain and Greece that are highly suitable for families and single parents. Kids are herded off on their own adventures some of the time, while parents can relax or do some kayaking, climbing or rafting.
Butterfield & Robinson (UK)
This is one of the ultimate family experience holiday companies, organising adventure trips all over the world, from places like Tuscany and Prague to more exotic destinations such as Costa Rica and the Galapagos Islands. Holidays are organised age appropriately, with 0+, 8+, 12+ and 15+ categories. (For example, the 0+ group stays in one hotel to save on packing, offers day-care and childcare in the evenings, and early meals for the kids.) There’s a focus on biking and walking, with support vehicles that allow for supervised kid time and baby-sitting. Generally everyone does the morning activities, while in the afternoons the children have their own excursions. The five-star trips don’t come cheap, but this is a holiday must for those with the means.
CC Africa (South Africa)
Excellent small group tours to Botswana, Kenya, Namibia, south Africa, Tanzania and Zimbabwe that are ideal for single parents with kids. Lodge accommodation suitable for families, kids meals are served separately, and children’s programmes including game drives suitable to those over the age of six, bug collecting, theatre and bark-rubbing expeditions. Rangers and trackers look after children during the day, leaving adults free to pursue their own activities. Kids are also given their own book full of wildlife quizzes, information, stories and tips on the environment. Children up to the age of five stay free of charge even if only sharing with one adult, but older children pay the full fare if accompanied by a single parent.
Go Single Travel (South Africa)
This small travel company based in Pretoria arranges tours for singles and for single parents, including accommodation and tours of Kruger National Park without single supplements. They also have partnerships with accommodations all across South Africa, and can organise individualised tours for up to six people.
Holiday Endeavour for Lone Parents (UK)
Otherwise known as HELP, this is a non-profit organisation run by single parents to provide low-cost accommodation with entertainment packages suitable to single parent families. They have arrangements with some of the UK’s biggest holiday park providers, such as Butlins and Pontins, as well as arrangements with three Spanish resorts.
Just Me and the Kids (UK)
This company has accessed holiday accommodation in the British coast and countryside specifically for the needs of single parents families. They include pickup services, kids’ facilities and toys, local tips for those on a budget, and child-friendly staff. The accommodation usually also includes such thoughtful details such as child-size cutlery.
 Mango (UK)
A small operation based in Devon since 2003, which organises group holidays for single parents in England and Wales, and occasionally to the Spanish island of Mallorca.
Mark Warner Ltd. (UK)
Over the last fifteen years this company has acquired quite a reputation for child-oriented activity-based holidays. Most destinations have the extensive childcare facilities particularly vital to a single parent family, including trained nannies, baby-sitters and children’s clubs. They head to various mountain (chalet) and beach resorts across Europe.
Mountain Time (UK)
Single parent family holidays that bring you to the beautiful Auvergne region of France. There are specific children’s activities between 8 am and 1 pm in which parent participation is optional.
Portland Holidays Direct (UK)
This is a general travel agency with a wide range of holidays, but they have reduced prices for the first and second children staying at some of their destinations, and they only need to be accompanied by one adult. (Click on their Free Child Box to do a search for which destinations currently offer this discount.) All their destinations have kid’s clubs with at least two hours of activities, five days a week. Travel is mostly to the Mediterranean, Egypt, Mexico, Florida and the Caribbean.
Quality Time Travel (USA)
A single parent family specialist with holidays around the USA and neighbouring countries, especially cruises in the Caribbean.
Single Parent Tours (USA)
This tour company only started in 2003 and organises mostly domestic tours specifically aimed at single parent families, which includes anyone who travels alone with a child, such as a grandparent. Brenda Elwell, author of The Single Parent Travel Handbook and America’s leading expert on single parent travel, hosts many of the trips. Some of these are to dude ranches in the countryside of upstate New York, others head to Jamaica. See www.singleparenttours.com for a comprehensive website and free newsletters.
Small Families (UK)
Another tour group for single parent families based in the UK and offering holidays around the UK and Mediterranean.
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