Small things you love about holidays

[Canulation]

Mine are

• the whoomph of hot air getting off the plane (am a slightly nervous flier so am also bloody glad to be getting off it!)
• playing guess the nationality
• having warm feet in flip flops

I actually really like the airport! Once you're through security, I love getting food / coffee and browsing the shops.

The smell of the plants at night.

Do you guys have older kids? Loving reading the replies, as it reminds me of amazing holidays before DC.

Our last big holiday involved taking a 20-month old to Bali. Such a daft idea! Toddler bounced all over me on the flight (should have bought another seat!) and then it was non-stop childcare tag between DH and me in a beautiful resort that wasn’t at all child friendly. Was not fun, was not relaxing!

But to answer the original question, I love:

• new holiday clothes
• getting everything unpacked and organised in the room
• lying on a sun lounger with a pile of books
• no one disturbing me haha
• beach club lunching
• a midday nap
• a fabulous cooling shower and after sun and fresh hair and make up before dinner out

Cheese for breakfast with a swim straight afterwards!

Yes we have grown up dc! Only us two to please.

No, my DC are still young. Thankfully they’re quite easy going, although we have absolutely changed holiday styles to suit them.

Pastries for breakfast. I like to be rolled off the plane on the return leg 😛

Older DC definitely make a difference!

I'm guessing you lot don't camp with kids....None of these things look remotely like my holidays .

Personally, I love no internet, no phone, no emails.

The first moment when you flop on a sunbed and you’ve got the whole holiday in front of you.

Coming back after a long hot dusty day of sight seeing. Quick rinse in the shower, then slide into the pool. Heaven!

People watching at the airport.
Getting lost and finding somewhere fantastic.
Doing things I'd never do at home-zip lining, quad biking etc.
Being away from the humdrum of everyday life.
Suiting just the 2 of us.
(8 sleeps to go.)

No cooking
No cleaning
No overthinking
The bright mornings
The warm evenings

The sound of cicadas and swifts, the lovely warm evenings when you can sit out for ages and not get cold, the way you lose track of what day it is, not having to cook or clean (or only do so minimally - I don't mind buying milk, bread, and salad stuff). Everyone relaxing! The kids chilling out and not being on their computers and us all chatting and sharing new experiences.

Tipsy my DC are primary age, but they love holidays and they're quite chilled.

Just thought I actually enjoy the mini disco! I'm that parent who tries to join in!

The smell of the lobbies of hotels especially the cool tiled ones in very hot countries.
We stayed at the four seasons in Florence a while ago and the smell of the reception area was almost overwhelmingly beautiful.

Swimming outdoors.
Local musicians playing in the street.
The sound of cicadas.
Having a shower before getting ready to go out for dinner.
Going out in the evening and it’s still warm!
The smell of sun cream.
Eating delicious local seafood!

Al fresco sex under the stars. And tapas.

The smell of sun lotion and after sun

jowak yours reminded me of a Scott mills running thing one very hot summer where he was suggesting best ways for those who could or couldn’t afford to be away and without garden etc could feel a little as though they were - it involved as step one to put sun cream on for the smell. Step two was to allow a french stick to become slightly stale and then put one slice of cheese or ham (not both and certainly not butter or mayo) and enjoy (it always does taste great on a beach etc not so sure about sitting in my flat). There was more, much more.

Oh yes....i understand that one....we have dreadful, inconsiderate, noisy neighbours

I used to love a lot of these things but I haven't been abroad in years for health reasons. Quite a lot of them do apply to UK breaks too though!

Pasteurised milk.
When I went on holiday as a child it was all they had, and so pasteurised milk always makes me think of being away....

• the clear blueness of the sea (Med)
• feeding fish in the shallows with bits of a bread roll stolen from the breakfast buffet
• watching DH throwing the kids in the air in the sea/pool
• having a two hour slot of “quiet time” after lunch each day, in the hottest time, when we encourage the kids (age 4 and 6) to watch a film or programme on the iPad, or nap, whilst me and DH sit out on the balc in the shade (pale skin!) and read our books and listen to music.
• having nice dinners out: local seafood, local wine, local pastries. Nomnomnom.
• weeing in the sea (it’s not a holiday till you’ve done one!)
• the warmth of the sun on my shoulders and arms

@MrsRussell do you mean UHT? That reminds me of camping holidays. It's got a very distinctive taste! x

Definitely pasteurised @babyno5 I'm old enough to remember "stera" milk in the tall glass bottles, which was what we had at home :-D