Anyone never been on a proper holiday?

[19Bears]

I've been to a few cities for a quick weekend getaway, but have never had a 'normal' week or two weeks in the sun in Spain or similar in my life. It was something we just didn't do when I was a kid, that was for the posh families, and I guess I've carried it on that way in that I feel as if it's for other people and not me. Everyone at work is away somewhere or other in the next few weeks, I heard some families at school talking about being off next week to go to Turkey, it's so normal for everyone and I feel like it's something really unusual! I'm sitting here looking at a few holidays online and just end up closing it down as I don't know how to go about it. I realise this sounds ridiculous, just book it and go ffs you will all say!! Just interested to know if there's anyone else like me.

No, never. We didn't go on holidays as a child, then it was something I couldn't afford as a student, and then just something we didn't do. I'm 50 and have never been on a 'normal' holiday now

@19Bears have you thought about starting a bit smaller? A UK holiday may be more within your comfort zone to start off with.

I've been on UK holidays @gobbynorthernbird , although saying that, no more than a few days! I just feel like I want to join in with everyone going for a nice lie down, I'm so jealous of them 🤗

What do you mean by a proper holiday? A week or 2 at a poolside resort? I'd never take that sort of holiday.
2 weeks away, close to countryside and maybe a decent beach, with places of interest nearby - that's a holiday. Chuck in tea shops, and a bookshop and I'd be on cloud 9.

Bless you. A package holiday would be best to start with. Tui or similar. Treat yourself!

What age are your kids?
What are your interests?
Budget and nearest airport?
Any particular country you've always wanted to see?

We will find something for you.

You said you'd been away for shorter city breaks, OP. That's different to a fortnight in Cornwall or wherever.

I've never done that sort of holiday as I don't like beach holidays and a week at an all-inclusive beach resort is my idea of hell. Have done a few week/10 days away though, normally within the UK.

what do you do with your annual leave? Do you stay home and do jobs? Or flop and have downtime? Or visit places locally / UK?
And do you feel rested and happy when you go back to work?
Just get an idea of what constitutes R&R for you, and then think about how to take that to somewhere a bit more exotic.
Is there a monument / building anywhere in the world that captures your imagination that you'd like to see?
A period of history you're interested in, maybe explore the location?
Or an activity you think you'd enjoy? Learn to dive / ski somewhere and build a holiday around that?

I'm guessing you mean a week or two abroad in the sunshine?

Sounds like it is something to you'd like to do but I can understand how daunting it would be to book something if you have no experience of going abroad like that.

Firstly, have a think about what appeals to you to do - lying by pool or beach, visiting historic sites, experiencing nature. Have you got kids? And what kind of food do you like? Hotel or villa?

Then I'd go to a travel agent and get them to help you choose.

Book it and go!

I'd use a travel agent OP as it all sounds like it's overwhelming you and you're not sure where to start. They can talk you through the options, help you choose a destination, ask you key questions to help you narrow down what sort of accommodation and extras you want to book, etc.

Use a local Travel Counsellor- they will hold your hand through it all and give you options to suit what you need, help with online check in, transfers, answer all your questions - even whilst you're there.

And often get slightly better deals too than the big operators. And you have some security of having someone to speak to - a live human on the phone!

This thread has just made me book next year's holiday to Croatia. Eurocamp have some reasonable off peak deals at the minute.

Wow, thanks everyone for your replies, this is all very useful!

@RiftGibbon Yes I think of a proper holiday as being a week relaxing on a beach, but I've always assumed I'd hate that too! But then I see facebook friends at whitewashed villas with the sunset behind them and I think Ooooo, that looks lovely....

@Schools2023 Budget - cheap as possible, Newcastle airport, 2.5hr max flight. Kids are 14 and 10 and they would hate anywhere busy or noisy (preferrably no other humans within a mile of us if it was up to them...) and they'd rather see historic buildings than splash around in a pool, same as me. I've been looking at Croatia, Slovenia, anywhere a bit 'unusual' although I realise there are some lovely old authentic areas of Spain that are not Benidorm party resorts.

@Rhythmisadancer I use every single day of annual leave for necessary things like child illness emergency days, hospital appointments, school holidays, and usually end up doing housework or something that just needs doing. Aaaaargh!!

@TwigTheWonderKid I've been looking at villas today. If I was going on my own I wouldn't mind a hotel, but I know the kids would be happier if it was just the three of us in our own little house. I think I'd like that too.

@BearGryllsDad Yes! Croatia looks amazing!

Funny situation at home at the moment as I am planning to leave DH, and so would want to take the kids away just the three of us, or sneak off on my own. I actually went to Latvia recently as I was desperate to get away, and I loved it all the churches and architecture and exploring the area, but I was knackered at the end of it having walked miles and miles! Which is why I'm looking at somewhere to lie down. A few days in a blinkin Travelodge with a Toby Carvery attached would do me at the moment!! 😅

Don't get too worried thinking you haven't done it before and didn't do it as a child. I don't think most people did, assuming you are 30-45 or so, that type of holiday was really rare to hear about as a kid. Camping or caravan park was the only holiday most people went on.

@19Bears after your last post YABU with “I never been on a proper holiday”. You’ve had city breaks, Holiday in Latvia etc. which most people would call a proper holiday, particularly those who have really never had a holiday.

What you should have said is I’ve never had a sit on a beach holiday. It’s no different to planning the holidays you have already had, choose where to go, decide where to stay and how to get there, book and pack accordingly.

You can get an airbnb, that will be the cheapest. The host will usually be able to advise you best way to get from the airport.

We booked through these, although a bit more pricey, some of these are lovely

www.myistria.com/en/villas/in-istria?gclid=Cj0KCQjwmouZBhDSARIsALYcouoT4Nv7H5dPKyaNh7zIFlVuA_58KKtHrPTMOiqXsFR98LOrMqpdUfsaAsa7EALw_wcB&page=2

@BearGryllsDad Yes! Croatia looks amazing!

Funny situation at home at the moment as I am planning to leave DH, and so would want to take the kids away just the three of us, or sneak off on my own. I actually went to Latvia recently as I was desperate to get away, and I loved it all the churches and architecture and exploring the area, but I was knackered at the end of it having walked miles and miles! Which is why I'm looking at somewhere to lie down. A few days in a blinkin Travelodge with a Toby Carvery attached would do me at the moment!! 😅

Eurocamp do a single parent discount 😉. I take my children on holiday solo sometimes. It's hard work but doable.

@Schools2023 Oh wow, they look lovely!!!

@Princessglittery Absolutely yes to this. I appreciate how lucky I am to have been able to travel to some lovely cities over the past few years, and that so many people have never had the chance.

Thanks for the pointer @BearGryllsDad and I assure you, days out with just the two boys are infinitely easier than when DH deigns to come along... 😉

We never went anywhere when I was a child and a teenager not because of money but because my parents were really not interested in doing anything fun, adventurous or social to the point of being almost recluse.

Everyone I went to school with was rather wealthy and went on about their skiing holidays or where they were going for the summer while I never, ever went anywhere or did anything.

I only started travelling as an adult and only recently did I go on proper long holidays by myself. It took me a while to get the mindset that going on holiday was really fun and interesting and a normal thing to do rather than something that other people did or some crazy indulgence.

I realised how much I had been missing and really want to travel regularly now :)

I am not a sun and beach type of person so I usually prefer places where I can visit museums, galleries and do sporting activities.

Good luck with planning yourself a lovely trip!! maybe if it is a bit daunting look at whether you could travel with friends who are more experienced in going abroad.

Thanks for the pointer @BearGryllsDad and I assure you, days out with just the two boys are infinitely easier than when DH deigns to come along...

Yes. Same here!

I think we need to go together @Redqueenheart !!! Sounds right up my street :)
And like you, yes, I always look at people going on holiday as if they must be millionaires, or they've got all the time in the world or something!

@19Bears Did you book a holiday op?