Ever heard of a momcation? It’s moms going on holiday, without their children and spouses. It might be a hard sell to many mothers who feel like they would be abandoning their family, but many psychologists stress that breaks like these are important. Being a mother IS a full-time job after all, often in addition to our regular jobs, and you can’t take care of others if you don’t take care of yourself first.
I have already told you guys about the Algarve being a great spot for cycling and family holidays. This time, we’re looking at the perfect spots for some good old TLC for mothers on a break.
The Perks of Momcations
If you still need some convincing, here are the benefits of having a holiday without your family:
Bonding time for your family
Even if many men these days spend more time being active caretakers as they have in the past, many children are still closer to their mothers. Being away from the rest of the family allows them to bond.
Bonding time for you and your friends
If you don’t want to go on a holiday by yourself, you can try to gather more mom or non-mom friends who need a break. Being on holiday with a group of women of the same age and mind is an entirely different experience than travelling with children, and it is an important tool to build on relationships outside your family.
Newfound appreciation
No matter who does the heavy lifting when it comes to chores when one partner is away, the other will get a much better view over the amount of work the other person puts in daily. Chances are, your better half will be relieved when you come back, and that’s a good starting point to splitting things up more evenly.
More effective relaxation
You are always in mom mode when you are on a holiday with your children. It is hard to wind down effectively when you are still taking care of others 24/7.
Reconnecting with yourself
Some mothers are often only seen as ‘mothers’ rather than individuals, by themselves, and others. Being a mother will always be a crucial part of your life, but it helps to re-discover some of your original interests and goals with a bit of distance to your family life.
Building trust
Going on a holiday alone can help to build trust on all ends. You learn that your partner can indeed handle things, your kids learn you will come back to them after taking some time for yourself. They need to learn that you are not around constantly, and it will help them mature a little.
Why the Algarve?
The Area
To be fair, I’m a little in love with the Algarve after our last holiday there, so I might be biased, but it is a great spot to wind down. It is safe, clean, and has a great infrastructure for tourists and expats. You can spend time in the many coastline resorts or rent a luxury villa. You can check out holiday lettings in the Algarve here: https://www.holidu.co.uk/holiday-lettings/portugal/algarve.
The Algarve is the southernmost part of Portugal. Even the winter has temperatures around 68 °F/20 °C with the sun shining 5 to 6 hours on average per day. Overall, that makes more than 3,000 hours of sunshine a year. So, if you just want to enjoy the coast and lie in the sun all day, Portugal’s beaches are definitely the perfect goal.
A Luxury Holiday
Another great benefit of travelling without your family: You have many more options than you would have if you had to pick child save options or pay for an entire family. This way, you can explore areas like the so-called Golden Triangle. It spans between Vilamoura, Almancil, and the gated communities Quinta do Lago and Vale do Lobos and contains the most luxurious destinations in the Algarve.
- The small village Almancil is your go-to for good dining. It has several restaurants with one or multiple Michelin Stars.
- The gated communities are full of high-class housing and host golf tournaments like the Portuguese Open.
- Vilamoura is known as the Monaco of Portugal. It is full of fancy cafés, boutiques, wealthy tourist, and their yachts docked in the local luxury marina.
Activities
Faro, the capital of the Algarve, is a student town with plenty of opportunities to eat, drink and enjoy your evenings. Try one of the many rooftop bars for a great view over the city and coast.
There are many cultural events to enjoy too:
- On the 1st of May, Portugal celebrates the Dia de Maio, where they hold balls all over the cities and celebrations on the streets. There are carefully crafted human-sized dolls made from clothes that are usually a satire of local personalities.
- On the 29th of August, once the sun goes down, men and women meet on the beaches to light bonfires, go for a night swim, and celebrate with food and songs
Conclusion
Moms deserve a break away from day-to-day chores and activities. On regular family holidays, they still must maintain their role as a mom. By travelling alone, you can relax more, enjoy your freedom, and come back to your family refreshed and glad to be back. With its warm climate and sunshine, the Algarve is an ideal location for a relaxed beach holiday. Additionally, it has plenty of opportunities to enjoy culture, luxury, and spa treatments.
