Two and a half years after the death of Roni Dagan’s husband, she and her seven-year-old son, Gal, have found solace in the form of travel. They have embraced the act of traveling itself, which brings them joy. This journey began after a year of grieving. Prior to having Gal, Dagan lived in the United States and traveled to India and Ibiza. She explained that having adventures and exploring is freedom to her, and she can now do that with her son. The loss she experienced made her realize that she should pursue the things she loves.
Dagan, who runs her own marketing firm in Tel Aviv, has spent the last year and a half traveling with Gal as much as possible. They have camped in the deserts of Egypt, snorkeled in the Red Sea, gone on a safari in Tanzania, and visited Bulgaria last summer. Dagan describes Gal as being difficult to travel with when he was younger, but now he is super easy to be on the road with.
Recently, the mother-son duo spent six weeks on the Greek island of Syros with Boundless Life, a travel company that caters to “slow-traveling” families. Dagan said that the trip pushed them out of their comfort zones but fulfilled three critical criteria: she had time to work, Gal engaged in educational and social activities, and they both felt the experience of “living” somewhere else. Dagan stressed the importance of having a community and support when traveling as a single mom.
Dagan is part of a growing trend of single moms who are rediscovering themselves and reconnecting with their children through travel. Boundless Life, known for its accommodations, coworking spaces, and schooling options, is seeing an increase in bookings from single moms and single dads. The company has not specifically targeted this demographic but is attracting them nonetheless.
Boundless Life’s six-week summer package for a two-bedroom apartment and one child in school costs approximately €9,050 ($11,540). The package includes Wi-Fi, weekly cleaning, access to a coworking hub, and yoga classes. The price is cheaper in the winter and also decreases the longer you stay.
Elodie Ferchaud, Boundless Life’s head of demand generation, revealed that they have several single parents joining their trips, and the number is growing. Single parents often express a desire for a community to make the travel experience more enriching and fun for their children. They want their kids to have more than they already do and seek strength, resilience, and connection.
Alison Lewis, a single mom based in the US, turned to travel after the breakup of her marriage. She went to Hawaii with her two-year-old son and has since traveled throughout the United States, exploring various landscapes and attractions. Lewis credits travel with saving her and providing her son with new and engaging experiences.
However, Lewis admits that traveling alone with a young child was challenging, especially when they had lost everything. Lewis and her now seven-year-old son also participated in a six-week summer stay with Boundless Life in Sintra, Portugal. The experience allowed Lewis to work, bond with other moms, and enjoy weekly hikes. She expressed concerns about returning home and feeling like an outsider as a single parent.
Catherine Chinatree, a UK-based artist, embarked on a three-month trip with her son when she separated from her partner. They explored Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, Singapore, and Nepal, enjoying various activities and immersing themselves in different cultures. Chinatree valued the opportunity to focus on her son during that time. They later joined Boundless Life for a trip to Sintra, where they formed instant connections with the local community.
Revitalized by their travels and embracing their roles as single mom travelers, Dagan, Lewis, and Chinatree are already contemplating future destinations for 2024. Dagan is considering returning to Sintra or even exploring India, while Lewis is interested in Costa Rica to visit a friend. Chinatree is open to any destination as long as there is a supportive community for her and her son.
Dagan acknowledges that traveling with her son may have a limited time frame as teenagers often prefer to spend summers with friends. She wants to make the most of the current window of opportunity she has.
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