Do "most" people really have an annual foreign holiday?

[PreservativeFree]

Reading on here how many people feel their annual getaway is essential, I'm surprised.

In my imeadiate circle, I'd say less than half go abroad every year. My parents haven't been abroad in years, although they do travel a lot in UK and could certainly afford it if they wanted to.

My closest friends occasionally visit family in France but generally don't like to be away from home.

My sister goes camping in France about once every 3 years, when they can afford it.

We're at a fairly comfortable stage in life and have had foreign holidays but quite often choose the Lakes instead.

My boss, on a six figure salary, has a camper van and usually stays in UK.

My young adult children are more likely to do an activity holiday with friends in UK than a lads beach and booze holiday.

I also know quite a few people who won't fly for environmental reasons.

Obviously, I do know people who go abroad too, but in my circle I don't think "most" people go abroad every year, even those who comfortably could if they wanted to.

I've tried to find some stats, but failed. Does anyone know?

I do. I like to go away a couple of times a year and work hard to be able to afford it. I work in a job that can be difficult and stressful and I see it as my reward.

I usually go abroad 3 times a year.

Oh and Devon is costing more than Portugal would have.

Most people I know do. We go several times a year but lots are just 3-4 day trips to Europe. I don't know if it's cheaper than UK when you factor in flights and transport costs but it's definitely better value and the food/drinks/hotels are definitely way cheaper, probably half the price on average.

We spent £1.5K on 10 days on a Greek island in 2019 ( me and DH). That included flights, accommodation and all meals/drinks out, car hire etc.

I’ve just looked online at a one bed log cabin in Sussex for two nights .... they want £1650

For me I think it’s partly a life stage thing. Before kids, I went abroad a couple of times a year at least; afterwards, the idea of shlepping through airports with buggies and baby stuff wasn’t that attractive. Now my kids are school age I’m feeling more like abroad might be fun again - once all these red/amber/green lists have gone anyway!

If you think holidays abroad are nothing more than beach and booze then both you and your children need to broaden your horizons...

I honestly don’t think we know anyone that doesn’t go abroad at least once a year. And yes I consider it essential.

Pre Covid we’d usually do 1-2 European city breaks and then a big luxury summer holiday.

We usually go abroad every 3yrs or so. I'm very choosy and would rather spend ££££ on a villa in an interesting place rather than a cheap package deal.
I like the UK for breaks, I don't have to get on plane for a holiday. As a child though we always had our 2 weeks abroad every summer without fail.

Once you have friends and/or family abroad, you naturally travel to see them. I find the idea of an annual two weeks in a Spanish resort/French campsite/cruise alien, personally
Bear in mind though that as lovely (and cheap) it is to go and stay with family and friends that live abroad, they actually would really love to spend their holidays in the South of France or on a cruise instead of using their annual leave entertaining every tom dick and Harry who now wants to come and visit because they are now living somewhere hot. I've been there

Eyjafjallajokulldottir

I haven't been abroad since 2019 and I hate it. I feel really cooped up.

I had to check your date twice, that's only just over a year ago! If you'd said 2009 I might have understood but really?!

I say that as someone who loves travelling and spent years backpacking but that's just silly.

My dad has always said people who "need" their annual holiday would be better off making changes to their day to day lives, so no doubt my experience is coloured by that.

I can't imagine a life where you're desperate to get away TBH. Even now when DH is housebound, I'm generally happy with my lot. I don't feel desperate for an escape. Isn't there something wrong if you do? It seems alien to me to spend 50 weeks of the year longing to be somewhere else. Its different to be looking forward to going somewhere, but a lot of the angst about holidays this year seems to be about needing to get "away".

I holidayed abroad pre Covid as the UK is so expensive plus the weather. I don't mind a bit of rain but a week of guaranteed sun does wonders for my mental health. I find it exhausting keeping small children occupied in UK holiday lets. If the weather is good everywhere is gridlocked and if it's bad I'm constantly washing and drying clothes . It never feels like I've been on holiday. I love the UK but I can't afford the current holiday prices so won't have a holiday this year and possibly next.

I don't know anyone IRL who talks about holidays esp. foreign hols the way it gets talked about on MN.

DH has a cousin who is on my Facebook; she clearly loves her holidays. Looking forward to them is probably a big part of her life.

Where I live there are plenty ppl who are feel well chuffed if they get 1 week in a caravan near Yarmouth, which they can only afford at mate's rates (2 adults, 4 kids). That's the only hol they'll get all year.

@XiCi

Once you have friends and/or family abroad, you naturally travel to see them. I find the idea of an annual two weeks in a Spanish resort/French campsite/cruise alien, personally Bear in mind though that as lovely (and cheap) it is to go and stay with family and friends that live abroad, they actually would really love to spend their holidays in the South of France or on a cruise instead of using their annual leave entertaining every tom dick and Harry who now wants to come and visit because they are now living somewhere hot. I've been there

We usually go somewhere else together, as we do when friends come here, but it does also mean you have access to houses and flats friends make available when they’re not at home themselves. We’re, i hope, going to stay at friends’ Paris apartment in August while they’re away in the US seeing family they haven’t seen since before Covid.

I do miss travelling. I used to take the DC for one foreign holiday and one UK holiday per year. But I’m not a fan of sweating on a beach - we have had some great trips to Eastern Europe, visiting bears in the Carpathian mountains in Romania, an underground cathedral carved in salt in a Polish mine, city breaks in Prague and Krakow, a Baltic cruise to St Petersburg, etc. All of which were much cheaper than the UK equivalent price for a chauffeur/personal tour guide and good standard of hotel.

I don't feel desperate for an escape. Isn't there something wrong if you do? It seems alien to me to spend 50 weeks of the year longing to be somewhere else
It's not difficult to understand though that life can be quite stressful. That most people work really fucking hard most of the year to pay mortgages and bills and on top of that have children they are running round after and parents that need more care as the years go by. Day to day life for most people is pretty full on. Doesn't mean there's anything wrong at all in feeling that need to take a few weeks out and recharge the batteries, wherever ir whatever that entails. And it doesn't mean you're not happy with your day to day life. It's just about achieving a balance.

No I haven’t been to another country for about 5 years. I would love to go away every year. I’m not most people though.

We normally go abroad twice a year

I couldn't plant enough trees in my garden to offset the carbon for a flight abroad every year. I suspect I'm the only one who enjoyed the quiet blue skies, free from airplane trails in the first lockdown.

I'm not anti travel but I think trains might be the best way...

@PotteringAlong

If you think holidays abroad are nothing more than beach and booze then both you and your children need to broaden your horizons...

No I don't. My DC have never been on a beach holiday in the Med (ginger!) , I was referring to the stereotype of young lads away with their mates. When we do go abroad it will be an active holiday. E.g. Snowshoeing and ice climbing in Finland was a memorable one.

OP you’re being a bit silly . So you think that people who adore holiday and travel hate their lives???
Ridiculous!
We travel a lot and really look forward to it . But we have very , very happy lives .
The two things are not mutually exclusive!!!

An annual holiday somewhere is very important to me, but when the children were young and we had little money, then this meant the UK.
I even borrowed a tent, and took 3 DC camping on my own, one year.
We only went abroad when DC were late teenagers and we had more money.
The problem with the UK is the weather, which is so variable and changeable. You can easily have a week of wind and rain and grey skies, so one always has to factor this into your plans.
Our first holiday abroad was in the sun. And suddenly the culture is so different. One can spend hours outside with no worries about the rain or cold.
Now, I really appreciate that time in the sun. It feels much more like a holiday.
As an adult, I am ok with a break in the UK. I'm less likely to want to spend time on the beach, but I also have to factor in somewhere where there are things to do (Yes, I can go walking, but not much fun in the rain), so want places to visit, etc

These are pre vivid prices for a family of four 2 weeks camping pitch with electric hook up :

South coast UK: £900.- For the pitch Petrol to get there approx. £50.- travel time 6-8 hours. Add food and travel cost in the area including parking charges and entry fees. (& don't mention the weather!)

Somewhere lovely in France / Germany: £800.- For same pitch- often larger. Had a tourist pass for free public transport (very good network and all in walking distance plus reduced or free entry to museums swimming pools and other attractions.)
Ferry cost £180.- Petrol to get there approx £80.- Travel time 8-10 hours.
Add food which is often cheaper and the fact that it's not overcrowded and you are on to a winner!

In the end, financially both holidays cost similar amounts. But I found the 2nd one was by far the better holiday for us!

Yes most people I know travel abroad frequently, but I know that’s unusual.

For me an annual get away is absolutely essential whether it’s locally or further afield.

Typically we’d usually do two/three overseas holidays and then weekend breaks to see family (who live overseas).

Historically I’ve enjoyed travelling further afield because it’s been a much better experience with children: more to do, more welcoming and frankly better value.

We’ve booked locally this year (and overseas but unlikely it will happen). Staying in a naice hotel in a naice area. The cost is the same as our annual ski and summer holiday combined.