Does anyone else lose the plot trying to book a holiday?

[TimeforaHol]

First world privilege problem I know. Been trying to book a holiday for me, DH & DS (3) for end of August into September . 2-weeks ideally Balearics / med.

I'm finding it a nightmare and have wasted 3 valuable hours googling today! (Self employed 😫).

I'm feeling drained from all the search engines and have found nothing suitable!!!

Does anyone else get a bit control freakish when trying to search for holidays? I find I have a fear of booking something that will turn out to be disappointing (considering the costs involved) so end up scrolling through reviews and checking things on the map to find out everything I can about a place before ruling it out because one aspect doesn't look quite suitable.

I'm shattered and have got precisely nowhere! I'm also frustrated I left it so late to book!

Any tips for more efficient holiday finding?

I hate looking for and booking holidays. I get anxious and worried I am going to miss out on the perfect place so tend to book hurriedly and then I get stressed that I made a mistake. It does not help that DH has a number of quite exacting requirements. This year i have told him to crack on and book himself. Problem is he has not for the place we need to go to (visiting family who live in a popular holiday destination and one is very ill) and the way things are going we will not get anything at all.

I am biting my tongue. But I am NOT going to step in and do it for him because he usually moans at what I end up choosing so he needs to sort it out himself.

Oh gosh! That sounds annoying! Yes it falls to me as the one with (allegedly) more time for these things.

Jet2 , Iberostar Cala Barca, Majorca. Lovely hotel, great for young kids, big enough complex so you can get stuck in with activities or go to a quiet pool if you want a bit of chilled out time…been twice and booked it again for august

No I love holiday planning to be honest! 3 hours of googling would be nothing to me once I get started!

I hate it. My teen is keen to go abroad as she’s had a tough year but she has two autistic siblings. My DH doesn’t want to go and I’m not sure whether to get a villa or attempt a resort (youngest is profoundly autistic).

Just get a travel agent ? Although I love doing things like this

Use a travel agent. Contact Travel bag, Travel Counsel or Hays Travel with the dates and requirements you'd like.

Then just read the reviews on Tripadvisor before booking.

Yes I take all of the fun out of it by overdoing it. I have to find The Perfect Hotel and the slightest thing can put me off.

Use an agent, travel counselor not just travel etc they do all that for you and it costs less as they have access to some great deals

Yes. I planned a holiday out last weekend after tonnes of planning. Checking flights, hotel availability and reviews, ferries, cars, weather, different areas... Finally cracked it and got what looks like a great and otherwise unavailable holiday home provisionally booked, and was just waiting for confirmation from work that days off are approved before booking flights.

Dp has just remembered a business trip that week. That he only arranged two days before I planned this trip. What a waste of time. Back to the drawing board...

I get it - but you’re going with a 3 year old, it’s never going to be an amazing, relaxing trip. I generally book on the basis of most convenient flight and transfer, proximity to a decent beach and the place having a pool and some kind of little playground. We’ve been on 4 trips of that kind in the last 2 years and they’re all much of a muchness, none have been bad.

If DS is 3, and you are not bound by school holidays, suggest you go later in September.

Agree it can be difficult, sometimes if you are going to an event or for one specific thing, it can be a lot easier.

2 adults and a 3 year old you say? Talayot Hotel, Cala En Forcat, Menorca problem solved.

OP check when school holidays end and aim for after that, you will find a LOT more availability! What kind of thing do you like?

No.

The perfectionist one is about a holiday the more fun one will have!

If you have a mindset that no matter what the hotel/pool/view/flight/weather/food is like you will have a good time and enjoy what you have, then you'll have a great holiday.

Which ever holiday you choose OP there will be some good bits and some less good and even some bad bits.

You can't control it and you can't find perfection. So all you can do is resolve to make the most of whatever the holiday turns out like.

If nothing else it will be a change and a rest.

• the more perfectionist

@LlynTegid they may be teachers and restricted to school hols?…if not, I agree, don’t go in school hols, far cheaper

Oh and I recommend I-escape with Kids especially if you are not a fan of big AI package hotels.

• the less fun one will have. FGS!!

3 hours is nothing for family holiday planning! There’s a reason why people with young kids go to the same place every year; if you find something that works you just rebook it.

Make a list of your non negotiables and nice to haves. Google reviews, and good luck.

Planning holidays is the best bit. I usually get up a table or spreadsheet to compare with pros and cons and love getting down on Google earth to find out just what the front road is like etc. Sometimes I think its better than the actual holiday (not quite).
Sorry that's not helpful 😂I'd do it for you if I could.

We go to the same place every year either in March or September. Completely stress free and we know we're going to love it.

Ah so glad it's not just me!!

Unfortunately DH works in a sector where it would be difficult to take a fortnight off in September, so we are straddling the last week of Aug / first week of September

Where please?!