Holidays are crap

[Basketofkittens]

Before anyone says anything - yes I’m lucky to be able to go on holidays...

But...DH and have decided that we have had enough! Currently on holiday and got stranded when the hop on hop off bus didn’t show up and had to pay quite a few Euros for a taxi back to the hotel. Standing in the sun in 35C for 90 minutes.

Had a couple of poor meals that feel like complete wastes of money. Got sunburn despite factor 50. Find other tourists pretty rude and entitled. Breakfast in the hotel isn’t great, staff all seem really fed up.

Then there is all the hassle of getting to and from the airports, security etc. The flight was awful, turbulence, dirty cabin, cabin crew clearly didn’t want to be there, nor did they care about safety.

We recently went to Paris and got caught up in the riots. Luxembourg was awful, nothing to do and changed hotels due to noise. Ibiza was okay but not much to do and we aren’t really beach / pool people.

Between us we’ve travelled to around 35 countries so we are pretty experienced.

The only holiday I enjoyed recently was a long haul holiday to visit family that my parents paid for - think business class and luxury hotels, no hassle at all. In fact the airport and flight were enjoyable!

But most holidays we just walk around getting hot and grumpy and everywhere is so busy and we spend loads of money eating.

We are seriously thinking of just not going abroad for a few years now.

[Nothingcomesforfree]

But what are you expecting from holidays?

I go for; sun, beautiful scenery, different food, wine, different routine.
So I would probably find, say Wales more disappointing than the south of France.
I loved a seriously hard work road trip ( car broke down, hotels were a bit shit) because it was still all of my criteria.
Whilst Amsterdam with a lovely hotel and spa had crap weather, built up city, and pretty normal food was one of our worse.

It’s about knowing what you want.

[milliefiori]

Sorry, but I think you're doing it wrong. You're going on the wrong sort of holiday.

I LOVE our holidays and spend ages and ages planning them. We nearly always stay in an airbnb or self-catering private cottage. We choose the location really carefully, so it is walking distance from places we want to visit, and near cheap, nice restaurants. We have one lazy day of lounging by the pool or lazing around reading and visiting market etc followed by a busy day of hiking or serious sight seeing. We try really cheap street food and cafes most of the time, then have a couple of expensive dinners in really good places.

You've been all over the world, but if you are stuck in hotels, they are all the same and you are dealing with other tourists. Go self-catering in a private place, not on a compound/holiday complex and you meet the locals, get a feel for the place and have a great time.

[ssd]

Dh and I had a few days visiting places in the UK this year, 2 days here and there and it's been great. Next year try that.

[SB1189]

If you aren’t beach/pool people and you go on a beach/pool holiday, don’t be surprised if you don’t enjoy yourselves...... go on a holiday which suits you. I feel like that’s a simple solution 😂

[Pipandmum]

Yep you just aren’t booking the right holidays! If first class treatment is what you enjoy then that’s what you need to save up for.
We always enjoy our holidays even if the weather’s a bit crap or the accommodation not as expected. We are together, we can enjoy each other’s company and we can laugh at our mishaps (if not exactly at the time of those mishaps)!

[ems137]

Don't go somewhere hot then? Or if that's really where you want to go, go when it's not summer.

[summersherewishiwasnt]

You are doing something wrong
It seems off that the only holiday you enjoyed was the one you didn’t pay for ... think business class, luxury hotels...... errr that’s your problem. You are expecting and wanting something you perhaps can’t afford.

[bookmum08]

You need to change the type of holiday you are going on. There is lots of different types out there. My mother in law went on a long weekend trip where it was a painting event and everyone did a painting with step by step instructions. Her painting is amazing and it hangs proudly on the living room wall. I would love to do a holiday like that.

[KellyHall]

Have a few years camping with the kids while you save up for another posh getaway.

But as it's been said - plan to be near stuff you can enjoy. Think caves to explore, castles to get lost in, trains to ride, lakes to kayak in. Easy, accessible, close by.

[HairyFloppins]

We are just back from holiday where we did a USA road trip for the second year running. Admittedly I didn't enjoy the flight, but I hate flying. We took things at our own pace. No holiday reps, no reserving sunbeds, eating and drinking when we wanted. If we didn't like somewhere we moved on.

You just need to find the holiday you enjoy!

[Flupibass]

Well, what do you actuaally like to do?

[Titsywoo]

I assume you don't have DC with you? For me holidays are just about escaping the routine of my normal life. I could be anywhere with my family/friends and I'm pretty happy! What are you expecting from your holidays?

[jenthehen]

I felt the same several years ago. We now mainly stay in the UK. We’ve had wonderful relaxing holidays in Cornwall and the beautiful West Highlands of Scotland. We make the journey part of the holiday. On the way to Scotland we book a lovely hotel with dinner, bed and breakfast. We always take suitable clothing for any weather and eat out at lovely restaurants. It’s lovely simple pleasures. We stay in self catering cottages but really only ever cook breakfast. Our beach holidays are peppered with occasional day trips but if the weather is good we just chill. It’s the way forward!

[Basketofkittens]

It’s not about affording it. We stay at 4/5 star hotels. Charter airlines and low cost airlines don’t have business class. Flying from a regional airport there is no Singapore Airlines business class.

Previously we have been to Sardinia (5 star hotel and private beach, lovely) Berlin and Prague and enjoyed that. But the past couple of years with a similar class of holiday we just haven’t enjoyed as much and they haven’t gone smoothly.

Neither of us want to drive abroad so somewhere more remote wouldn’t work.

[Basketofkittens]

We decided we will stay at home next year! 😴

[Hearthside]

I feel your pain regarding the sunburn.We are on holiday in Italy at the moment and i have sunburn even though i regularly re applied factor 50 .

[chomalungma]

Holidays are great - you just need to decide what you want from one.

[Babdoc]

Op, your post sounds a bit whiny. You don’t seem to be doing much advance planning or research to find the sort of holiday you would like, and you’re then moaning when you don’t enjoy it.
If you don’t like heat and sunburn, don’t take holidays in midsummer! Or go to cool northern countries - Scandinavia? Scotland?
If you have a hobby, theme your holiday around that. For example a painting holiday, or a walking or. biking tour. A language course or cookery course in lovely surroundings abroad. Try a villa instead of hotel. Plan ahead to see what sightseeing might appeal to you. Would you maybe enjoy a no fly cruise, to avoid airport hassle?
Sit down and discuss your ideal holiday with each other, or maybe with a travel agent, and maybe next year you could actually have a nice time!

[Span1elsRock]

Since having our dogs, we've mainly holidayed in the UK and it's been such a relief tbh. We find a good cottage, book a supermarket shop, and generally are far more relaxed about the whole thing without having to spend hours in airports/transfers etc. The last time we flew, I swore I wouldn't be in a hurry to repeat it all. We're off to Norfolk next week and I can't wait!

[chomalungma]

But most holidays we just walk around getting hot and grumpy and everywhere is so busy and we spend loads of money eating

Go somewhere quiet and that's not hot.
And self cater.

[multivac]

We just had our first 'hot' holiday in three years, as a family. We loved every second of it. Not sure when or if we'll get another. Perspective needed, perhaps?

[Ellmau]

Research potential areas first so you know there are interesting things to do.

[multivac]

It include a 10-hour flight delay for the return journey, by the way. During which we were taken to a four-star hotel, fed an awesome buffet, and then given free drinks and food on the flight home, for which we will be fully refunded. Oh, the agony!

[DtPeabodysLoosePants]

I can't seem to drum up any sympathy OP.
Like others have said, plan your destination, location and activities better. You sound spoilt.

[Basketofkittens]

So does everyone else really enjoy every holiday?

www.thesun.ie/archives/news/219844/oliver-callan-holidays-are-crap-and-pointless-its-time-we-admit-it/