I don't know how to go on holiday

It’s not unreasonable to develop a fear when you don’t do something for a while . You lose the habit and the confidence . I know a lot of people who became more nervous of travel after Covid - however most got over it as their desire for a holiday was greater.
Why don’t you start with a city break ? Rome , Barcelona ? Plenty to see and do and book a hotel with a pool to relax . Short flight and you could just go for a few days until you get confidence back .Am sure you will enjoy .

YANBU at all.
I lost my confidence completely during menopause (hadn't realised it was related).
But the answer is to go in to a travel agent. That is exactly what they do, all day long, and can guide you.

Be helpful if you can narrow down in the first place budget, how active or not, how long for, what type of accommodation, etc., but if you haven't, then they will help you with that.

Same. We all want to do different things. Factor in getting the dog looked after. It’s a mess.

Good grief
YABU 100%
You have money to book a holiday. Lucky position to be in.
Have you not got any interests /hobbies/desires to go anywhere
Sorry to be blunt but what a snorefest of a post

You could start small with a UK based mini break. Maybe a caravan somewhere so you are away from home but also have the home away from home experience and your own space.

I think you need to narrow it down based on all your interests and requirements- there’s no point booking an AI abroad if you don’t even like it hot.
When our dc were late teens we did city breaks (NYC), cruise, Florida theme parks, villa with friends the same age.
What do you all enjoy doing in your spare time? If you like to keep busy look at activity holidays (sailing, cycling, hiking etc)

Contact a travel counsellor. Tell them all the things you like, all the things you hate, and places you would or wouldn’t like to visit, and let them do it for you.

Try an adult only break in the UK, where it is all inclusive, so no catering, also they have activities, if you feel like joining in, or not, it will be a good starter before jetting off abroad. We have been to lots of Warner breaks, and there is also a well loved one called Potters. Nice and relaxed , no kids. Good quality home comforts breaks in the UK before heading off abroad.

Air bnb uk. Job done.

I go in this order:

• Where you want to go and when (e.g. Rome in September or New Zealand in May) based on what kind of things you like doing. Do you like walking or museums or do you want to chill at a spa hotel or go shopping or do white water rafting?
• Once you've got a place and a rough time, look at flights
• Once you've found flights you're happy with, get on booking.com or similar and find some hotels in budget, get that booked
• Then book any transfers you need to book - i.e. I tend to go to places where it's 'grab a cab or bus from the airport' but if you're going to be further out, check if your hotel/accommodation offers transfers
• Book any activities you definitely want to do while you're there or at least look up when they're open, costs, how you'll travel there from your accommodation and start making a rough agenda (I don't plan mine too heavily cos I like to be able to change my mind but you might prefer to have every day packed with a plan!)
• Then look at 'other cool stuff nearby' that you might like to do while you're there - somewhere pretty for a walk, places you'd like to eat, landmarks etc and stick them on a list so you can slot them around your planned activities if you fancy them at any point

I also hate planning holidays. My go to now is to book a hotel near the raffles in Singapore and just wander around the different areas. Very safe, everyone speaks English, shops and cafes everywhere and I don’t have to bother scheduling anything. If I run out of ideas I get coffee at the raffles and feel posh.

Hey, I am an experienced traveller myself and independent travel agent. I have older children who are 21,17, 7. I totally get what you mean. It’s daunting thinking about all the elements especially when you like your home life. I personally opt for a bit of luxury, relaxed atmosphere, sunshine, sea views and good food.

I think we need to unpick what you would really like to achieve from a holiday? Sun, Snow, Culture, New experiences, busy, relaxed etc.
xx

You've said what you don't like but if you say what your interests are people might be able to suggest something more specific. Eg we love wildlife and history so always plan a trip around one or both of those.

I didn’t vote because I felt that both the YABU & YANBU were too rigid.

Essentially I don’t think this is anything to be ashamed of, travelling doesn’t come easy to everyone. I’d recommend booking something with a tour operator for this trip? Someone who organises everything for you. And it doesn’t have to be to an all-inclusive. Maybe something like Intrepid or Flash Pack?

Try to stop worrying, book something and just enjoy!

Get thee to an independent travel agent, tell them what you want from a holiday, what your budget is then let them sort everything out for you. Sure, it’ll be slightly more expensive than booking it all yourself, but it’s way less hassle.

What do you actually like to do?

The choices are endless, you could book a city break with one day exploring, one day relaxing in the hotel. People have mentioned cruises.. Some people go on silent retreats, on painting holidays. You can do anything and everything - until you look at your budget 😂

What would your ideal holiday be? Start with that and go from there.

I love planning holidays!
If you want to PM me your budget, dates and any other requirements/restrictions then I’ll happily send you a few options (I get bored in the evenings waiting for my baby to go to sleep)

Don’t book an all inclusive if you’re not sunbathing swimming pool lovers.

that's not what all inclusive means. You can book all inclusive that have nothing to do with swimming pools in the sun, it's just the catering aspect.

The only barrier to booking a Holiday that I come across is whether or not I can afford one.
I would consider myself extremely fortunate if my main worry was that I couldn't make up my mind about what kind of Holiday I wanted.
Lots of people don't even get much choice and are just grateful for whatever they can afford.
Just have a think, chat to your family, and book something.

Go into a travel agents and just say here’s our dates we want this, we don’t want this. This is our budget….done. They can find something for you. Xx

What about a cruise round the Norwegian fjords or walking holiday in the lakes. A city break where you can explore a new city, visit museums, go to some nice restaurants and explore.
The main thing is for you to have a break & come back happy that you’ve enjoyed your time. Doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks :-)

One of my FB friends is an independent travel agent & finds some great deals.

ChatGPT.
Start with reviewing what you’d all like to do, interest etc…
How much flying/train/boat you’re happy with
Then ask it to give you ideas.

This is how I felt especially as a single mother so one year I booked a cruise. We aren’t beach/swimming pool people either so I chose one that had some interesting stop overs. My kids liked some aspects and not others but generally I’d say it was a good choice for our particular circumstances. I’d loved the fact food was pretty much at our disposal, I really missed that aspect when we got home.

Would it be easier if you just used a travel agent? Some people like doing everything themselves - researching options and booking every element directly, whereas some may want something really special, like a 'once in a lifetime' type trip that they're happy to splurge on but don't know where to start / would value a specialist's expertise. There's also a happy medium. Decide what type of people you actually are and what you enjoy. You don't like the beach/pool, which is fine - are you active / adventurous / book lovers / photographers / animal lovers etc? If you can narrow it down a bit, google travel agents that specialise in those holidays and ring them to get some ideas. They'll be able to suggest countries / cities / itineraries, providing as much or as little help as you wish.