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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To be disappointed partner booked "holiday" ?

335 replies

closemydoormow · 14/01/2024 12:50

So me and partner have 2 holidays booked this year.
Greece in September and a ski holiday in December.
I'm more than happy with this
He has now told me he has booked us 3 nights in Gran Canaria in 4 weeks
I questioned the 3 nights thing and he said they were really cheap flights (under £20 ) so he thought why not
Aibu to be a bit annoyed
It's a long way to go for 3 nights
We land on the Sunday at 10.30 am
We fly back on the Wednesday at 11.30 am

Would you be annoyed going all that way for 3 nights ?

OP posts:
Mirabai · 14/01/2024 14:13

If you book a reputable airport transfer taxi service 3am will be fine.

highlo · 14/01/2024 14:12

CactusPeach · 14/01/2024 14:09

I don't see the point in those two hotel stays before and after flight, I've taken a taxi to the airport at 3am before and had a 2 hour taxi journey airport to home. Maybe it's adding in these extra things that's making it feel like a faff?

If they have the finances then why not?! Turn a 3 night break into a 5 night one. They already have a full week off so make the most of the extra nights, go out for a meal - especially on the way back if it's another city 2hrs away. It's part of the adventure.

As long as op doesn't feel she is being controlled (which she has said herself she doesn't), then anything else is just looking for negatives

ManateeFair · 14/01/2024 14:12

Not a ‘long flight’ in my book. I’d be bloody delighted.

CactusPeach · 14/01/2024 14:09

I don't see the point in those two hotel stays before and after flight, I've taken a taxi to the airport at 3am before and had a 2 hour taxi journey airport to home. Maybe it's adding in these extra things that's making it feel like a faff?

DillDanding · 14/01/2024 14:09

It’s only a short flight, it’s fine.

We often do 3 night breaks - and have done both New York and Boston which is a longer flight, and it still seems like a decent break.

Stringagal · 14/01/2024 14:08

Pointless staying at a hotel the night before if you’re only 25 mins drive away from the airport. And wouldnt you have to get a taxi to the hotel anyway? You’re just adding costs on unnecessarily.

BobnLen · 14/01/2024 14:08

So what if you had booked something without telling him, when you were already planning something, would he be pleased about it

phoenixrosehere · 14/01/2024 14:07

IMustDoMoreExercise · 14/01/2024 13:50

I wouldn't be happy either.

Flights are cheap but all the other costs add up and I hate getting up early. Ruins the whole holiday.

This exactly.

This is what we factor in every holiday we take on top of flights. Flights may be cheap, but the stuff in between can add up quickly as well as the time spent getting there. We’re an hour drive away from three airports, need to get there early to park and pay for the long stay car park, factor that journey from there to the airport, and then everything that involves getting to our gate. By taxi, it’s £80 from our home to the airport. There’s a bus for £25 from Oxford but we would have to get to Oxford which is a 30 min drive without traffic but still would need to leave the car somewhere.

DH and I have different views on what a holiday is to us (mine exploring, him lounging by a pool or swimming, he loves beach holidays, I’m not a fan but research options around to make it fun) so it’s always a discussion. A coastal city break is a happy medium.

DaNcInGtEqUiLaCaT · 14/01/2024 14:05

HundredMilesAnHour · 14/01/2024 13:59

Except the OP is coming back to a different airport so needs to taxi rather than drive.

Ah, in that case I'd just go at late afternoon the day before in the taxi and stay at the airport that night.
Coming back, I'd be looking at getting a train possibly.
That's why it's such a cheap deal, the airports are different. I'd just roll with it and think of it as an adventure.

mouseychick · 14/01/2024 14:04

YourSpleenIsDamp · 14/01/2024 14:01

Awww - are your diamond shoes a bit too tight as well?

Jealous

AnotherSuperHeroe · 14/01/2024 14:03

closemydoormow · 14/01/2024 12:50

So me and partner have 2 holidays booked this year.
Greece in September and a ski holiday in December.
I'm more than happy with this
He has now told me he has booked us 3 nights in Gran Canaria in 4 weeks
I questioned the 3 nights thing and he said they were really cheap flights (under £20 ) so he thought why not
Aibu to be a bit annoyed
It's a long way to go for 3 nights
We land on the Sunday at 10.30 am
We fly back on the Wednesday at 11.30 am

Would you be annoyed going all that way for 3 nights ?

As someone who has been with her partner for 10 years and had to beg for him to arrange one night of babysitting, I would be over the moon if he came back with a holiday booked

feelingalittlehorse · 14/01/2024 14:03

I literally would love to live a life where a surprise trip to a nice, warm, sunny place is the source of so much navel gazing and hand wringing 🤣🤣

You go to Leeds OP, and I’ll go to Gran Canaria in your place. Problem solved 😊😊

tennesseewhiskey1 · 14/01/2024 14:03

Christ- don’t go then.

highlo · 14/01/2024 14:02

YourSpleenIsDamp · 14/01/2024 14:01

Awww - are your diamond shoes a bit too tight as well?

😂😂😂😂

YourSpleenIsDamp · 14/01/2024 14:01

Awww - are your diamond shoes a bit too tight as well?

freshstartfor2024 · 14/01/2024 14:01

four hour flight for a few days- four hour train journey for a UK weekend away - what's the difference?

highlo · 14/01/2024 14:00

closemydoormow · 14/01/2024 13:55

My partner isn't controlling or abusive or anything like that
He is kind and just loves to be spontaneous with trips
If this was for longer duration I would probably be happy
I love GC and we only got back in November from Maspalomas

So this answers a lot of the objections apps have posted:

OPs DP knows:

  1. She can get the time off work (already booked)
  2. Any practicalities (pets, dc etc if relevant) are sorted
  3. She likes the Canary Islands - was there recently and loved it.

OP has also confirmed her DP is lovely, kind and non-controlling. Her only issue is the length of the holiday.

Struggling to see what reservations people have left other than feeling they have been "controlled" - even though OP has said she doesn't feel it's controlling

Justia · 14/01/2024 14:00

Nope. I’d be delighted!

It’s Spain, not Australia. Short flight and a few days in the sun for next to nothing. Lovely.

mouseychick · 14/01/2024 14:00

MaggieNextDoor · 14/01/2024 13:59

Asking him kind of ruins the surprise part though Grin

Just say do you want a surprise holiday?

mouseychick · 14/01/2024 14:00

highlo · 14/01/2024 13:55

*Yes.

If theyed said "I'll book us a surprise" and I said "I'm down for that" that would be fine. Turning up at my office and saying "I've booked dinner at a steak place" isn't*

@mouseychick oh what fun you must be!!

So if a couple both like booking surprise meals/hotel stays etc for each other are both parties controlling?

What if your DP bought you a surprise for Christmas - is that them controlling you by telling you what you should like?

All this "oh I bet you're fun" it's tedious.

MaggieNextDoor · 14/01/2024 13:59

mouseychick · 14/01/2024 13:52

It's fine just ask him first!

Asking him kind of ruins the surprise part though Grin

HundredMilesAnHour · 14/01/2024 13:59

DaNcInGtEqUiLaCaT · 14/01/2024 13:57

You can drive to the airport the night before and get a stay and park deal.
I love leisurely getting up in an airport hotel, absolutely no motorway stress and a nice breakfast!!!

Coming back you know you don't have a long drive when you land.

My husband does this sort of thing as he knows I stress. I just turn up with a bag and everything is organised. I do t see this as him being controlling or taking over, I see it as thoughtful. You can go to Leeds on a train for shopping etc. another time. Why not go there in the summer?

You are lucky, enjoy your break!!!

Except the OP is coming back to a different airport so needs to taxi rather than drive.

mouseychick · 14/01/2024 13:58

Theatrefan12 · 14/01/2024 13:52

Oh for goodness sake no it’s not

And if that’s the level of paranoia you have in your life then I am sorry for you but it’s not normal in a healthy relationship

Healthy relationships involve spontaneity and doing surprises for each other. This is the second thread in as many days where OP is unhappy about where their partner has booked for their holiday which is a gift and wanting it changed.

Oh for goodness sake yes it is

DaNcInGtEqUiLaCaT · 14/01/2024 13:57

You can drive to the airport the night before and get a stay and park deal.
I love leisurely getting up in an airport hotel, absolutely no motorway stress and a nice breakfast!!!

Coming back you know you don't have a long drive when you land.

My husband does this sort of thing as he knows I stress. I just turn up with a bag and everything is organised. I do t see this as him being controlling or taking over, I see it as thoughtful. You can go to Leeds on a train for shopping etc. another time. Why not go there in the summer?

You are lucky, enjoy your break!!!

FloofCloud · 14/01/2024 13:57

I'll go 😋