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AIBU?

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Original poster

Shit holiday

238 replies

WorkingMum1391 · 02/04/2025 10:51

Just want a moan really.
Arrived yesterday to thunderstorms and down pour which looks like it will continue on the rest of the week.
With DH, 8 year old SS and 1 year old DD. I'm sitting in the room in darkness and silence while she has a nap while DH and SS are going between indoor pool and arcade.

Just boring and crap so far.

How do I make it better if the weather doesn't improve? Wine?

OP posts:
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ellyeth · 10/04/2025 13:55

I see the weather has improved, long may it continue.

Has the alleged "vibrant city" been identified yet? If it is New York, I didn't like it much either.

ellyeth · 10/04/2025 13:47

Sorry you are having a disappointing holiday. I expect we have all been there at one time or another and know how miserable it feels.
Having a one year old does make it more difficult to make suggestions but there are a few places you could perhaps visit:

Antalya Toy Museum
Selfie Park Antalya
Antalya City Tour with waterfall and cable car (the price quoted is £14 per adult but that seems cheap to me).

Maybe a trip on Antalya's tram system would be interesting and not too strenuous

AmIEnough · 07/04/2025 07:37

Take a taxi to the old town it’s a 30 minute taxi ride and cost about £50 each way which I know is pricey but it’s nice. Also go to the land of Legends shopping mall it’s beautiful there are lots of shops cafés restaurants and a theme and waterpark if the weather improves enough for that.

Muchtoomuchtodo · 04/04/2025 17:14

It’s looking better from the middle of next week

Hopscotch12 · 04/04/2025 16:54

Would be really grateful to hear about the current weather, we are coming to Belek on Wednesday and debating what clothes to bring…..plus a moody teen complaining about needing thermals!

reenon · 04/04/2025 15:32

WorkingMum1391 · 04/04/2025 11:29

We did see the weather warnings but the holiday had been booked for a year and already paid for. Plus, we live in Scotland so aren't afraid of poor weather but we did not think it would be as bad as what it was.
We're also in all inclusive resort so we expected just to sit by pool/bar most days. Personally I prefer a more cultured city break but SS wants the pool and finds day trips boring.
I suggested the aquarium but tickets plus the coach too and from the hotel for the 4 of us was working out at 200 euro which we aren't prepared to pay.
It's back to thunderstorms today but SS asked to go to the kids club because he wants to play the PlayStation so DH is napping in the room with the baby.
I'm at the bar with a wine.

It's my DH 40th next year and I wanted to plan a holiday around this time of year to celebrate but I might need to rethink where to go. Any suggestions will be welcome.

Show quote history

We're in Antalya too. Currently sitting around a pool trying not to shiver 😂

We were in Egypt this time last year. Really good weather but the pools aren't heated so was a bit chilly but soon warmed up after a dip. We've decided we are going to go back to Hurghada next April as don't want to risk it again. Shame as it was 25 degrees here last week!

Goingbonkers247 · 04/04/2025 14:51

It's difficult travelling with kids. we went 2 years ago to Bulgaria, beach resort, weather was hot , all inclusive. our kids were both 9 at the time and no matter what we did- eating, beach, pools, they winged...the sand, the heat, bored of beach, bored of pools, don't like the food....in the end I said well i'm doing this and that's that..they had their device for a short while but rest of the time outside. they ate when and what they wanted, we didnt even care if it was ice cream all day. lol
In the end it was ok. we now have a holiday with them at summer and small weekends away without them twice a year to get a break from the moaning...drink wine, read a book by the pool and let the little one sleep while you relax Next to you(of course). Hope you can enjoy the break a little. sending hugs x

DraigCymraeg · 04/04/2025 14:35

WorkingMum1391 · 04/04/2025 11:29

We did see the weather warnings but the holiday had been booked for a year and already paid for. Plus, we live in Scotland so aren't afraid of poor weather but we did not think it would be as bad as what it was.
We're also in all inclusive resort so we expected just to sit by pool/bar most days. Personally I prefer a more cultured city break but SS wants the pool and finds day trips boring.
I suggested the aquarium but tickets plus the coach too and from the hotel for the 4 of us was working out at 200 euro which we aren't prepared to pay.
It's back to thunderstorms today but SS asked to go to the kids club because he wants to play the PlayStation so DH is napping in the room with the baby.
I'm at the bar with a wine.

It's my DH 40th next year and I wanted to plan a holiday around this time of year to celebrate but I might need to rethink where to go. Any suggestions will be welcome.

Show quote history

The Canary Islands are pleasant at late March / early April.
The flight is no longer than that to Turkey.
Just as Turkey there are very commercial areas but also quieter resorts. I would suggest the southern part of Tenerife for example as the north of the island can be cloudy because of Mount Teide.
Enjoy doing some research!

DraigCymraeg · 04/04/2025 14:30

DodgyDoor · 03/04/2025 17:23

I am pretty sure it must be New York. The poster wrote recently about going away to America and surely that is the most famous vibrant city there.

We once went on an Easter break to Istanbul. I assumed the weather would be pleasant. There was a biting wind from the Bosphorus and I have never regretted not taking a proper coat somewhere in my life so much!

I lived in Turkey for three years - on a boat.
We would never sail through the Bosphorous until the 1st June!

FrenchandSaunders · 04/04/2025 12:26

I'd do the canaries for your DH's 40th next year, pretty reliable temperature wise. I was in Tenerife for new year last year and it was 20+ and we could swim etc.

Crikeyalmighty · 04/04/2025 11:43

@WorkingMum1391 it’s our wedding anniversary end of March so we usually go away but in all honesty tend to do city breaks at this time of year- but often a hotel with an indoor pool - I would pick somewhere like Benidorm if I were you with an indoor pool - ( and yep I’m a person who actually does like culture and sight seeing) thing is if the weather is good there’s lots of really good family stuff to do, water parks, safari park, acquarium and a fantastic beach and if it’s not great weather then you still have mall shopping, indoor pool, train trip up the coast ( which is cheap) - my grandparents lived just outside for years and we went many years on the trot and always had a great time .

if you all liked sight seeing then I would say somewhere like Seville or Malaga or even Rome. it’s a punt anywhere this time of year if expecting a ‘sun’ holiday - unless you can afford Dubai or Oman etc or can pay for long haul-

Original poster
WorkingMum1391 · 04/04/2025 11:29

Blades2 · 04/04/2025 10:59

Did you not see the weather warnings leading up to your holiday? I’ve got zero holiday plans and did…

We did see the weather warnings but the holiday had been booked for a year and already paid for. Plus, we live in Scotland so aren't afraid of poor weather but we did not think it would be as bad as what it was.
We're also in all inclusive resort so we expected just to sit by pool/bar most days. Personally I prefer a more cultured city break but SS wants the pool and finds day trips boring.
I suggested the aquarium but tickets plus the coach too and from the hotel for the 4 of us was working out at 200 euro which we aren't prepared to pay.
It's back to thunderstorms today but SS asked to go to the kids club because he wants to play the PlayStation so DH is napping in the room with the baby.
I'm at the bar with a wine.

It's my DH 40th next year and I wanted to plan a holiday around this time of year to celebrate but I might need to rethink where to go. Any suggestions will be welcome.

OP posts:
Blades2 · 04/04/2025 10:59

Did you not see the weather warnings leading up to your holiday? I’ve got zero holiday plans and did…

DraigCymraeg · 04/04/2025 10:54

WorkingMum1391 · 04/04/2025 10:09

What do you mean?

Show quote history

I understand the bad weather is a downer - I lived in Turkey for three years so I know what it can be like.
But I'm getting a sense of the glass half empty, not half full.
Husband has offered to sit with baby - refused.
Surely a one year old doesn't 'nap' ALL the time.
There are things to doin Antalya other than sit on the beach or an outside pool.
Is the OP so downcast she is determined not to enjoy herself?

Shambles123 · 04/04/2025 10:28

WorkingMum1391 · 04/04/2025 10:11

Unfortunately she has not napped in a pram, buggy or car seat or anywhere else since she was about 4 months old. If she would sleep on the go, believe me I would take her everywhere.

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DD1 was like that! Other 2 dc napped on the go. It is baby dependent and so annoying when people tell you you're doing it wrong somehow!

Original poster
WorkingMum1391 · 04/04/2025 10:11

Helen483 · 03/04/2025 23:54

Obviously in previous years this wasn't an issue as I would be quite happy to drink cocktails, sunbathe and read my book but now I'm stuck in baby prison 😂

Well that's down to you. I took my daughter on holiday from 6 weeks old and I never ever sat in "baby prison". She simply went everywhere we went in her pushchair - if she was tired she slept in the pushchair. Obviously we took toys/books/crayons etc with us and played with her as necessary - it was lovely.

Unfortunately she has not napped in a pram, buggy or car seat or anywhere else since she was about 4 months old. If she would sleep on the go, believe me I would take her everywhere.

OP posts:
Original poster
WorkingMum1391 · 04/04/2025 10:09

DraigCymraeg · 04/04/2025 08:47

Exactly - it's Turkey in 2025, not the dark ages.
Is there something else going on here that OP is not telling?

Show quote history

What do you mean?

OP posts:
DraigCymraeg · 04/04/2025 08:47

babasaclover · 03/04/2025 10:55

The car company will let you have car seat for small fee

Edited
Show quote history

Exactly - it's Turkey in 2025, not the dark ages.
Is there something else going on here that OP is not telling?

MinnieCoops · 04/04/2025 08:38

Glad it’s getting better. It’s blue sky here in the uk but bloody freezing.

MarkWithaC · 04/04/2025 08:37

WorkingMum1391 · 03/04/2025 09:28

Hi all, the weather has picked up today so we have had a morning in the pool. The baby was almost napping on her pool float so she must have been very relaxed!
SS has made some friends with a couple of slightly older boys who seem to have taken him under their wings this morning.
Only down side so far as I spent half the night in the bathroom. DH suspects ice in the drinks as he had a similar issue in Cambodia when he was there in his early 20s. It's a 5 star hotel so I don't think the food is the issue.
Apart from that, feeling much more positive today!
We looked into land of legends but heard that they will shut most of the attractions if the weather is really poor so we will maybe look into that on a day that it's slightly chillier and not raining.
I would love to go to Antalya old town for the day so trying to convince DH and SS that it will be good fun.
There is a beautiful spa in the hotel so DH is happy to take the kids while I get a facial or something.

Glad things are (mostly) looking up!
Why not go to the old town on your own and leave the others to it if they're not keen.

Helen483 · 03/04/2025 23:54

Obviously in previous years this wasn't an issue as I would be quite happy to drink cocktails, sunbathe and read my book but now I'm stuck in baby prison 😂

Well that's down to you. I took my daughter on holiday from 6 weeks old and I never ever sat in "baby prison". She simply went everywhere we went in her pushchair - if she was tired she slept in the pushchair. Obviously we took toys/books/crayons etc with us and played with her as necessary - it was lovely.

MsDitsy · 03/04/2025 22:12

WorkingMum1391 · 02/04/2025 10:59

It's also the first holiday for the 1 year old so I had some high hopes and perhaps some very unrealistic expectations 😬

DH keeps texting to ask if I want to swap but SS much prefers to play with his dad than me which is understandable.

Bless you, I hope it improves for you. Your post for some reason reminded me of a very old song called 'Hello Muddah, Hello Fadah d thanks for the memory.

Iwannakeepondancing · 03/04/2025 20:15

BadlyDrawnRoy · 03/04/2025 16:16

Perhaps a bit of research next time, hey? 😂

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What me? Or maybe they should have researched where they were going?!

Cheesybiscuits01 · 03/04/2025 19:29

Hi OP, I'm in Antalya too. Think we arrived on the same day-got soaked leaving the airport too. The weather has been much better today and we've been at the pool most of the day. I hope you are having a better time. Would you mind sharing what hotel you are at? The kids club sounds amazing. The one we are at the kids club is a bit babyish for my 8 year old. I'm thinking of booking up again once I'm home.