Is it wrong to never holiday abroad?

[chickenflicking]

We always take our DC on holiday every year to somewhere in the UK. However, they are becoming more aware that their friends go abroad on planes, and they want to do that too. I'm starting to feel guilty, as I know that when I was a child, we never went abroad and I always felt that I was missing out.

I don't particularly like going abroad (the heat, but also because I'm quite a boring homebody) but I am willing to take them. We have savings, but when I look into it, I find holidays for upwards of £3000 and I find it hard to justify how long it took to save with one week in the sun!

I think I should do it to give the DC the experience and memories, so I need a different mindset about justifying the cost! A lot of people spend this every year on a holiday, after all, don't they? Please give me your opinions - I sort of need to be persuaded that it's worth it!

We have taken dc to Paris, Amsterdam, & Bruges . Eurocamp type places in France & Holland & Ypres for the world war 1 battlefields. None of these places were hot or expensive.

They have also been to Wales, Scotland & Cornwall; London, Cardiff & Glasgow & Center Parcs so a good variety imo.

Mine and DH passports have expired, plus cost of passports for two children, and airport parking insurance etc. it soon adds up.

Mine have never been abroad. I'd like to give them the experience when secondary age. Best keep saving.

Abroad doesn't have to equal heat. You could go to the Netherlands or Denmark. I'm currently in the alps and it's about 20 degrees due to the altitude. You don't need to fry on a beach or sweat your tits off sight seeing in a crowded city.

UK is a great country to holiday in. I think once children hit their teens it’s nice to take them abroad to experience different countries and cultures and open their minds. I view it as part of my children’s education too to take them places/show them the world.

We also holiday a lot in the alps which are not hot, but it’s a lot cheaper to go abroad outside the summer holiday. I wouldn’t bother to go abroad to sit by a pool. You can sit by a pool in the Uk if you don’t like the heat. Do a city break instead or a road trip!

We prefer going away for October half term. Book it by April and you can often get cheaper flights then air bnb an apartment or villa.
The weather is usually better and we prefer that for sightseeing.
Sitting on the beach can be done in the uk when the weather is good. I know it’s not the same but I’d rather spend my money sightseeing.
If you want a longer break, book in the summer for the following Easter.

I travelled more than most as a child inc long haul as my dad was a big traveller. We probably went abroad every other year, though never never to resorts/ the obvious places like France or Spain. We also holidayed in Norfolk and Cornwall a lot. Your post has made me realise I didn't enjoy the fancier holidays more.

I also travelled a lot with friends and now-DH from 18-32 before we had kids which I greatly enjoyed. We take them away in the UK mainly but also to Europe (Norway, Germany, Belgium), this is often to see friends . Do what you like, they have years ahead to explore more if they like.

Abroad doesn't need to mean plane.

How about looking at Eurocamp type holidays in France. You can look at northern France so not driving too far.

Then you get the compromise of the same style of holiday you do in the U.K., similar weather but still hot and it's cheaper for families of 4 than a hotel.

Travel insurance may be included with your banking.

I have never taken my kids abroad. Older 2 have been abroad with school and I prefer them to do that as they have experiences that I could never give them and they are with friends with I know they enjoy it even more. Younger DC will get the same chances too.

Weve looked at AI holidays and for 5 of us for a week is ridiculous. But we tend to do short breaks as we have animals so we look after them.

Not only is it not wrong but it’s admirable and will become more common as people realise the environmental cost of flights for leisure isn’t worth it
Flying is not the only way of going abroad. Many thousands if us manage to get to other countries by using other modes of transport.

And I didn't go abroad myself with parents ever ( we never had money and I only remember having 3 holidays as a child all in West Country). At 22 I went to Paris for a weekend. At 23 Amsterdam for a day! Then at 27 I went to Greece for a week. In between I holidayed when I could afford it in England. I love visiting other countries to experience culture and history and lifestyle but you do need money to do so!

I think it is a shame that, if the parents can afford it, they don't take their children abroad. I don't mean two weeks by the pool holiday but a chance to experience other cultures, get in some great sightseeing etc.

Flying is not the only way of going abroad. Many thousands if us manage to get to other countries by using other modes of transport.
100% true but how many go abroad without flying .... not many given most of the response are ‘just look up a cheap flight etc.’

We never went on holidays when I was young parents could not afford it. As soon as I had my own money from work I went many places, it won’t hurt if they don’t go abroad or on a plane, they can do all that when they pay for it themselves.

YABU in thinking abroad = warm sunny beach holidays.

UK holidays are great. But travel really broadens the mind and the chance to see the sights of the world is an amazing opportunity.

I've been on a lot of holidays and none of them cost 3k. Granted never been further than Europe but still...I'm going to Venice in October for £40 return pp, and booked an air bnb for £60 A night.. We'll be having breakfast at home and a couple of meals will be cooked by myself..basic stuff.

Thank you so much for all these replies - I've read them all, and there's some great suggestions. You're absolutely right - until I read my OP back, I didn't really realise how narrow my thinking was. All the DC friends seem to be doing AI holiday village type holidays, and that's what I was thinking we 'ought' to do. It's also not that we can't afford it as such, more that I couldn't really justify the cost for that sort of holiday.

This thread has given me a whole new perspective. I'd love to take them to Paris or somewhere! Thank you all again.

All the DC friends seem to be doing AI holiday village type holidays, and that's what I was thinking we 'ought' to do. It's also not that we can't afford it as such, more that I couldn't really justify the cost for that sort of holiday.

We've never done one of those types of holidays and we've been going abroad regularly for pretty much my entire 50 years.

I agree with those who say that it’s a shame if you can afford it.
My three dcs have travelled to many countries . They are level headed ,easy going and open minded. I definitely believe that it has a lot to do with the fact that we travel a lot and therefore they have experienced many cultures
Tbh, I have found that UK holidays are generally more expensive than quite a few foreign destinations

I HATE flying. It gives me anxiety. BUT my DC get to go to Europe with school so I don't feel they are missing out.