ABD for Single mom with kids? Solo?

[flipflop]

Hi

I have two questions:

1) How do you think ABD would be for a single mom with three 8 (almost 9) year olds?

2) Any one do an ABD solo? How was it?

Thanks!

[abdgeek]

I travel solo all the time, so I didn't think twice about doing ABD solo. So far, I've done the Med cruise add-on and Greek ABD solo.

I have never felt out of place with ABD. You meet a lot of nice people; both couples and parents with kids. The adults seem to hang out together and the kids hang out together. ABD does a good job of matching people together so that when they break the groups up for kayaking, etc. they make sure you are with someone that you can have a good time with.

I wouldn't worry about traveling solo with kids. On the Greek trip, we had a mother traveling with her young daughter. The daughter hung out with the other kids, and the mother hung out with the adults. I think both of them really enjoyed themselves.

[Bobo912]

I am a single mom and I travel with my son. We did our first ABD when he was 8 (Costa Rica). Traveling with a group tour, especially those that are designed specifically for families, is the perfect, stressfree way to enjoy a wonderful vacation. If this option weren't available, I'm pretty sure we wouldn't travel to countries where I don't speak the language. We've done 3 ABD's (#4 in March ) and 2 Tauck Bridges trips. Sometimes my son hangs out with me and sometimes he hangs out with the kids. When he "abandons" me, I've always enjoyed the company of the other adults on the trip. I highly recommend ABD for a single parent.

[flipflop]

Thanks to both of you for your thoughtful answers. Very helpful!!!

[emesmom]

My daughter( now 11), and I have done 3 ABD trips and 1 Tauck Bridges trip. We both love the tours. I would never have gone to all these places alone with her, nor would it have been so much fun. No one ever makes you feel out of place as a single adult, and my daughter loves having other kids to share the experience with. I always tell people, "half of the enjoyment of these trips is getting to meet so many new people and sharing the adventure with them".
We are headed to Costa Rica in March...our first time out of the country together, but doing it with ABD, makes me feel less nervous

[couture1]

Hi,
I am a single Mom of three. I love to travel and and have been a few trips including Club Med, cruises (including Greece and Turkey) with three kids.
This summer we went on an ABD Signature Italy trip. It was lovely, and offered the right blend of intrest and adventure for the children and myself.
I was worried about being part of a 'tour' but the advantages were impressive. The planning was taken care of, we didn/t wait in a single line. We had oppertunities for free time and explored as a family away from the group.
The children could mingle with new friends during the rides and I was able to relax and enjoy the trip instead of frantically thinking ahead about the next hotel, meal, potty break, or snacks.
Go ahead, based on my experience you won't regret it.
We are thinking of booking Ireland this summer.
One tip though. We did run into some trouble with room configurations. I refused to have my kids seperate from me and at one location I needed to upgrade to a suite to have us all in adjoining rooms (the kids were 9,8, and 6). I'd discuss with your agent and be sure that your rooms will be adjoining.
Have fun!

[aleiana]

I haven't been on an ABD yet, though I've had my eye on Knights and Lights for a while now. I'm a single mom and I have a 9 year-old daughter, so worried about safety and language barriers traveling overseas, etc. We did the Disney Cruise to the Mediterranean when she was 6 and it was great. Just wondering what you thought of Tauck Bridges vs ABD? Thanks!

[SingingMom]

Originally Posted by aleiana

I haven't been on an ABD yet, though I've had my eye on Knights and Lights for a while now. I'm a single mom and I have a 9 year-old daughter, so worried about safety and language barriers traveling overseas, etc. We did the Disney Cruise to the Mediterranean when she was 6 and it was great. Just wondering what you thought of Tauck Bridges vs ABD? Thanks!

We just did knights and lights this past May. It was fabulous! We picked ABD over Tauck because it was our Dd19 trip and she preferred this itinerary. I think you and your daughter will LOVE it! The guides really make the trip magical!

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

[Bobo912]

Originally Posted by aleiana

I haven't been on an ABD yet, though I've had my eye on Knights and Lights for a while now. I'm a single mom and I have a 9 year-old daughter, so worried about safety and language barriers traveling overseas, etc. We did the Disney Cruise to the Mediterranean when she was 6 and it was great. Just wondering what you thought of Tauck Bridges vs ABD? Thanks!

ABD and TB are very similar. I haven't been on either company's London/Paris trip, but I have done other trips with both ABD and TB. If you have a high maintenance family, ABD is probably the better choice, since there are two guides vs only one with TB. Otherwise I would say look at the daily itineraries and choose the one you like best.