Quality Holidays For Single Parent Families                                                    Tel: 01763 226567

Single Parent Holiday - Testimonials

This page contains just a small selection of Testimonials we have received from our clients who have taken holidays with us in the past. All are genuine and filed in the Small Families offices.

TESTIMONIALS - Comments our past guests have made

Re-produced here is a sample of the many comments we have received.  (Original letters/emails are held at our offices).

Dear Kam and Colleagues - A big thank you for organising such great holidays for single adults with children, as the one we had last week in Tunisia. It’s the first time I’ve felt in years like I’ve truly had a relaxing holiday break and my 9 year old son loved it too; as not only were there loads of other children to play with but plenty of activities to amuse them too and of course our wonderful host, Kam who was available & great. 

All the parents helped look after each others children, so we all had rest and time for treatments in the Spa and also at mealtimes, especially with the children enjoying having their own mealtimes & dinning table which gave us adults a chance to eat and drink in peace as well and enjoy some much needed adult time. I have already highly recommended your company to friends and we look forward to our next holiday with Small Families, so hopefully it won’t be too far away and we’re already dreaming of our next destination in the brochure. - Sarah and Daniel (Tunisia Easter 08)

Dear Carole & Allen.- Forgive me for taking so long to write to you, no excuse, apart from I still can’t find the right words to write this letter, one of those situations there will never be the right time. Hence here goes.

I can only thank you from the bottom of my heart what a wonderful experience I and both my children had in Lapland Xmas 2007. I also want to thank my fellow passengers as; they helped create this wonderful experience. Anyhow I think the biggest complement came from my 8 year old who maintains “this is the best holiday she has had”, may I mention “she has had many in her young years”. Not unless you experience a holiday with “small families” can anybody understand there is no words, only unknown to you, which can be hard to express, as I have found. 

I think the best words I can say are “I appreciate the contribution from Small Families because of their dedication/vocation to their job rather than the financial rewards”, (if that makes sense). I know warmth when I see it, and that was definitely demonstrated to my family in Lapland. I thoroughly enjoyed the local hospitably from what I would regard as the real people of Lapland.  I loved seeing their big hats and knives on them, to me although I was in Europe it more felt like Alaska because of this wonderful location. To be able to go on holiday within the EU and not see i.e., MacDonald’s, KFC, is a liberated experience these days.

If somebody was to ask me what was so fascinating about this holiday, I would  have so say the location as you had an opportunity to mix amongst the locals.

I am looking forward to hearing about your Caribbean cruise this year, should it be a success I hope to join you in xmas 2009, that’s if I am not banned of course. Kind regards - The Mad Irish women and 2 beautiful kids - Deirdre, Tara & Karl (Lapland Christmas 08)

Allen & Carole - Sorry that it has taken me so long to get in touch, but it's been a manic week. Thank you both so much for a great week, both Robyn and I had some memorable moments.  Robyn loved the snowmobile trip, she tells everyone about her heated pod!

I would especially like to thank you both for your care and attention, your patience is impressive! Carole thank you for the quiet, 'no children' moments. I will no doubt be looking at more small families holidays. Cheers  Vivienne & Robyn xX (Lapland Skiing 08)

Dear Carole/Allen/Keith/Kam - Just wanted to say this was my first holiday with my 3˝ year twin girls since being on my own. I came across your website by Googling for single parent hols and it has been an inspiration. Firstly Kam's speedy help with organising the connecting flights from Edinburgh to Heathrow and then Keith's support departing Heathrow, when I realised I had let the check-in assistant rip up my travel documents. but more especially the absolute 100% help and support from your host Liz in Tunisia.  I have travelled abroad numerous times and she is the best holiday host I have ever met, nothing was too much trouble.

And to see the 5 single dad's caring for their kids and really enjoying their single parent holiday, has given me faith again. All our group will be sharing photos and staying in touch. Mhairi, Katie-Rose & Mary-Beth (Tunisia Feb 08)

What a fantastic weekend!! So glad I came and met you all at Small Families - haven't stopped raving about you all and the Party was just brilliant. I may have just bored all my friends and family to death with talk of the fabulous cruise that I won, and would like to say THANK YOU very much. Georgia and I are so excited and cant wait until July. I will definitely book for next years Party pls.
Thanks again for your kindness
Cathy n Georgia (Small Families Party Weekend 08 - and Med:Cruise winner!)

Just a short note to say what a great holiday my two boys and myself had a great week in Tunisia recently.  One thing that made it so good was the excellent host we had, Liz.  She was always there if we needed her but she was not over the top. I wish I had found your company a couple of years ago as my two boys are now into teenagers.  Do you plan any specific holidays for teenagers next year?  Dave, Phillip & Robert (Tunisia Feb 08)

Just wanted to say a big thank you to Carole, Allen and Kam. Both Luke and Charlotte have said it was the best holiday ever!
They made lots of friends and we all enjoyed the skiing ( apart from me when I arrived at a red run!)
To everyone that went, I will compose a group email so that we can all contact each other (those that want to!)
Sue, Luke and Charlotte (Lapland Skiing 08)

A big ' thank you' to Carole, Allen and Kam. It was lovely to see you again! Thanks to everyone else for being such great company. Alex and I had a fabulous time. Back to reality today! But maybe there will be a reunion . . .with or without the hot tub!!
Louise & Alex x (Lapland Skiing 08)

Many thanks to Allen and Carole and to all our fellow travellers for the wonderful ski holiday in Levi. We can't wait till next year.
Love Fiona and Emma xxx (Lapland Skiing 08)

We have recently returned from our holiday to Majorca, our second with Small Families. I just had to tell you what an absolutely fantastic time we had.  Whilst I think that the beautiful location and hotel contributed to our good time, I think a huge thank you has to go to our wonderful host, Kam.

My children are older (twins of 15) and it is always a concern wondering if they'll be other teenagers for them to socialise with but they both had a fantastic time and were able to switch quickly from playing with the toddlers to chatting with the older people in the group. I wanted to write because people are always quick to complain if things go wrong but rarely take the trouble to give praise when due. Please pass on our thanks to Kam and I will certainly plug your company whenever I get the chance. Yours - Denise, Nicola and Daniel (Majorca summer 07) 

We have just returned from the a holiday with you to Majorca and wanted to say how wonderful it was, we could not have wished for a better holiday.  Your host, Kam was wonderful and certainly went beyond her remit and she played regularly with the kids in the pool and the sea. I can't wait to book my next holiday. Best wishes - Carrie, Lauren and Holly (Majorca summer 2007)

Hi Allen - Hope you and Carol are well and have enjoyed the summer.  Kalim and I had a lovely - actually tell a lie, a fabulous time in Morocco. It was our best holiday yet!  Many thanks to Paula who was an absolute star, great fun and a really genuine person. 

The holiday, as Allen will know started of well on the first night and just got better for the rest of the 10 nights - including our unplanned stay in Casablanca!  Mr Belgium Muscles has kept in touch and we are meeting up this weekend - (info for Allen!).  Seriously a great location, fab weather, brilliant people and the hostess with the mostest - Paula was superb - what more could we have asked for?  Hope to see you in Jan - Cambridge. Thank you and best wishes - Qamer and Kalim xx (Morocco summer 2007)

Hi Esther - Nice to hear from you - it was indeed a pleasant surprise!  We are also back to 'normal' here, and a bit sad about it - we'd do almost anything to be in Portugal now!! And I will have to say  - what a lovely/grr-eat host you were/are!  We all have a fantastic holiday (yes, even me with my anxiety!) so, thanks.

I'll email  those couple of pictures of you some time soon.- can't just find them on the computer right now? Hope you have a great Autumn and take care. Where are you taking us next time??!  Zosh and the boys - (Portugal summer 2007)

Just got back on Tuesday from 11 nights in Tunisia.  Quite brilliant!  Whatever you are paying Liz Zarrouk, it needs doubling - I've never met a perfect person before!  And the fact that she has made a life for herself in Tunisia really added to the holiday experience - it was almost like staying with a Tunisian family. I'm now thinking of next summer's holiday and would appreciate your views on the following:

1) The possibility you could add more 11 - 14 night holidays to the itinerary.  7 nights is just not enough!
2) The possibility of an exclusively teenage beach holiday (not activity holiday - too strenuous for me!) - for, say, 11 to 16 year olds.

Me and my sons had a great time and the wide age range of the children in our group worked very well, but I'm not sure it would have done if there had not been 2 other British teenage boys at the hotel for my eldest to play with.  Next year Matthew will be 12 and Stephen will be 16.  Matthew will happily play with anyone from aged 6 months upwards (he made friends with a German baby this year!) but Stephen is a bit more complicated.  I know he will probably not want to holiday with us for much longer but I would like to hang onto him for a bit longer! Many thanks.  Can't wait for next year! Regards - Diane, Matthew and Stephen (Tunisia summer 2007)

Dear Allen - I am writing to compliment your company on your choice of hostess for our recent trip to the Caribbean Village in Agadir. Fran was professional, polite, courteous and very helpful at all times. Indeed she became one of our group and I don’t think our holiday would have been as enjoyable without her good humour, character and diplomacy skills. 

The majority of the staff there were lovely and if there was the odd occasional problem it was cultural rather than intended. We were in an Arabic state and as such have to follow the cultures in that environment with any small problems (and these were minor indeed) being resolved immediately by Fran. Thank you  Karen and Enya (Morocco summer 2007)

Dear All,  Just to say that Luke and I had an absolutely brilliant in Majorca!!  We met some wonderful people, stayed in a lovely hotel, the beach/views/sea were beautiful, food and drink when you want, entertainment, what else could you ask for! Brilliant!

We thoroughly enjoyed our holiday and realised that one week just wasn't enough! It was also so nice meeting up with people that are in the same situation as you. It will be a holiday we will always have fond memories of and shall never forget. Thanks to you all. Love Tina & Luke (Majorca summer 2007)

Have just returned from the most wonderful week in Tunisia, with my daughter. I SO wish I had discovered your site a long time ago!
I would just like to say how truly wonderful Liz is, nothing was too much trouble, she really did make our holiday. She really is one in a million!  Thank you  Sarah & Emily (Tunisia Summer 2007)

Hi Carole, Thanks for enabling Pippa and I to have a such a wonderful holiday last week. Everyone says how well I look!! Pippa has been in contact with (young) Charlotte since we arrived home and I think they will chat on-line.

I hope it will be possible to have a copy of other people's e-mail addresses to we can keep in touch.  Good luck with all your other holidays this year, and I hope many people continue to benefit for wonderful stress free child friendly holidays with Small Families. Debbie and Pippa (Tunisia Easter 07)

Carole, thanks a million for the email addresses – HELLO ALL!!!  Great holiday, thank you Carole!  I haven’t checked your website yet but will for the photos.  Love to all – what a special group – loved meeting you all.
Charlotte, Sam and Charlie (Tunisia Easter 2007) 

Dear Keith  - Thanks for your mail, looked at the picture and they are all brilliant.  Would just like to say thanks for making mine and Eva's holiday the very best, I thought that the Santa day was magical and the support you showed us was superb.  It was lovely to meet both you and Allen and would certainly recommend you to friends. You may even see us in the summer for a slightly warmer holiday. Lisa and Eva (Lapland Santa Trip Dec 2006)

Dear Carole and Allen - just wanted to thank you for such a wonderful holiday in Lapland. As apprehensive as I was about going on a holiday with Small Families, both Lauren and myself enjoyed it so much we can't wait to book our next trip with you. Everyone in the group was friendly and it made our Christmas away from home a truly magical one.

Thank you so much and continue the good work. Debbie and Lauren (Lapland Christmas 2006)

Dear Allen - Thank you for the holiday in Portugal.  I really liked it here and I hope we come again.  What is the next holiday going to be (write your answer here __________).  I've met some friends here.  Thank you for the cake and card, I really like them both.  I like the room.  I hope I see Allen you and Carol your wife next holiday.  Lots of love from DJ and Daddy xxxxxxxx   Rob and David (Portugal October half term 06)

Dear Allen - Yes what a truly fun week we enjoyed with you.  We, of course, are shattered. Eating, drinking and generally enjoying ourselves in the extreme has really taken it out of us.  We downloaded our photos and intend copying them to disc and sending to all who shared our happy time. Their dad came to hear all about it last night and was very impressed with our tails and quite emotional about the DVD made of us swimming with dolphins and it was obvious how much we enjoyed holidaying with you. Roll on next year when we can do it all over again. - Lots of love (& apologies for the behaviour of my children in their persistence to soak you!) Claire, Emily and Harry (Portugal - October half-term 06)

My children and I really enjoyed our holiday to Portugal this October, THANK YOU Allen. - Mark, Sophie and Amy (Portugal - October half-term 06) 

Dear Allen - What can I say, the best holiday we've ever had without a doubt - worth staying single for!! We are looking forward to the winter Party Weekend and await details.  You and Debbie looked after us so well I will certainly be recommending Small Families to Friends And Colleagues.  Sarah And Luke (Portugal summer 06)

Dear Allen - Thank you for everything that you did for me when I took ill in Croatia. It was so nice to have someone who truly cared and was prepared to go out of their way. After my 'blip' I had a fantastic holiday and am looking forward to the next one. Tracy and Joshua (Croatia summer 06)

Dear Carole - A very big thank you for the wonderful holiday we had with you in Majorca. It was our first holiday 'going it alone' and it was fantastic, better than we dared hope and you looked after us so well.  I've been singing the praises of Small Families to everyone we know. Thank you so much.  Maria, Jake & Charlie (Majorca summer 06) 

What a brilliant holiday!  A wonderful group, the Moroccan people were amazing, staff fantastic, a pristinely clean resort. We all discussed the perfect parent and how c--p we were before realising how great we all were cos our kids were having such a great time and Moo was brilliant, the children worshipped her.  Thank you for a wonderful holiday!  Rachel & Bethany (Morocco Summer 06)

Just a note to say a very big thank you for organising such a wonderful holiday in Lapland.  The week was even better than I’d hoped it would be and so pleased I decided to have a white Christmas this time!  I certainly hope to travel with you again in the near future – that’s if my knight in shining armour doesn’t come & sweep me off my feet (in my dreams, eh?!!) All the best for 2006 - Nicole  (Letchworth)

Thank you Carole & Allen for looking after us in Lapland, we made lots of new friends, including you and hope to go on holiday with you again sometime (maybe somewhere a bit warmer next time!) - Love from  Emily xxxx

Thank you for the wonderful holiday in Tunisia, the whole experience was better than I expected - the kind of holiday I'd always dreamed of. Keith was an ideal host, really helpful & friendly and the photos have really cheered me up on a grey November day-back to work and the car wouldn’t start! I am visualising myself back in Hammamet already!! - Catrin (Penarth)

Just like to say how much I, James & Charlotte enjoyed our week with Small Families. I was a bit nervous as this was the first holiday with my kids on my own, I needn't have worried, you and Carole were so welcoming and considerate to all our needs. - Beverley (Sandbach)

Thanks once again for a superb holiday, the boys continue to talk about it and said it was the best hols they've ever had and also for giving me the opportunity to meet other single parents, have a great Christmas. - Debs (Bristol)    

Thank you for taking me on holiday, it was great & it wouldn't have been the same without you -Emily (aged 8)

Thank you thank you for such a fantastic holiday! Now caught up with washing, ironing, flaunted the tan and got the boys to bed before midnight!! - Jacqui