Taking a family vacation with just one child: The growing trend among parents.

When Sonja Prokopec's son was six years old, she took him on their first "solo" trip together.

Prokopec said she's planning their second trip to Rome this summer because it was so memorable.

She stated that she cherishes the one-on-one time they have while traveling alone. There are no distractions or disagreements among siblings during this time, and the time spent together is of high quality. Her son still fondly remembers their time in Rome and eagerly anticipates their upcoming trip to London in June.

Prokopec and her spouse have three offspring, including a 10-year-old son and two younger daughters. They journey together, but spending time away with only one child and one parent has advantages that family excursions typically lack, she stated.

Travelling with only one child enables me to prioritize that child's needs and be a more patient, playful, and present parent since I am not overwhelmed with managing multiple demands.

"My son enjoys the attention we receive and the opportunity to explore together as a duo," she stated.

Prokopec's husband, who always insisted on doing things together, including traveling, is now a proponent too, she said.

She told CNBC Travel that her husband took her son alone to Turkey and enjoyed it, even recognizing its value.

Prokopec hasn't gone on solo trips with her two youngest children due to Covid-19, but that might soon change.

“I will definitely do more,” she said.

A growing trend

Scott Dunn, a luxury travel company, identified "parent-child bonding holidays" as one of the top travel trends for 2023.

The number of mother-and-daughter trips is increasing, while father-and-child trips are also gaining popularity, says the company.

Mike Harlow, General Manager of Scott Dunn, stated that parent-child duos frequently select destinations and incorporate activities based on their shared interests.

Harlow's company assisted a father-son pair in booking a Cambodia trip that emphasized history and national parks.

Another mother-son duo journeyed to India to explore the Golden Triangle, while a mother-daughter pair ventured to South Korea for a K-drama and K-pop themed trip.

Elephants and ‘jungle bubbles’

To satisfy the cries of injustice from her younger siblings, I promised everyone a “solo” trip at their 10th birthday, too.

I posed a set of straightforward inquiries to my daughter to determine our travel destination: whether we should visit the beach or the mountains, prefer cold or warm weather, and choose between encountering animals or participating in adventure sports.

She opted for the Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort in Chiang Rai, Thailand, after considering my suggestions. We reserved several nights in the main hotel and one night in the "Jungle Bubble," a spherical tent with a king-sized bed and bathroom that provides a unique view of the hotel's 168-acre area where elephants can roam.

We strolled with the elephants through the fields and observed them bathing in a river near the Myanmar border. We provided food for the elephants and fed them, but we did not ride them, as this practice is prohibited by the hotel and opposed by animal rights advocates.

We spent our evenings swimming in the hotel's pool and having a "spa night" in our room, using facial masks from home and bath salts and lotions from the hotel. Then, at night, we sat outside and gazed at the stars.

I proposed that we take a cooking class in the morning, but my daughter was determined to try Muay Thai boxing instead. Despite my inclination to dissuade her (read: my own disinterest), I reserved a session. To my surprise, she thoroughly enjoyed it.

I treasured the opportunity to spend a lot of time with my daughter without being interrupted by others' demands. I shared tales from my own and my husband's past because there were no other voices to compete with.

As we rested in our room one day, I was reminded that we needed to place lunch orders for my daughter's upcoming school term.

"We can do that when we get home," she said, looking up from her book.

My husband had a great time at home with my other children, relishing their special moments as a trio without the complexities that come with a family of five.

Memories that last ‘forever’

Madeline Austin, a California native, grew up with five family members. She recalls her childhood trips with her mother and grandmother vividly.

"They planned trips centered on my interests, such as my fascination with geysers, which led to a weekend trip to Yellowstone National Park," she stated.

Taking trips with her mom felt "incredibly special" to Austin because her family didn't travel often.

"The undivided attention I received from her that weekend, especially as the forgotten middle child, was truly special and something I'll remember forever," she said.

She remembered holding hands with her mom and watching a geyser erupt. Additionally, she recollected leaving the park tired from walking, getting dinner together, and being able to order soda - a treat they didn't usually have at home.

Austin, 27, doesn't have children yet, but she plans to continue the tradition with her own kids someday.

Connecting with your child one-on-one during this unique time is a special experience that cannot be replicated at home.