How to tell friends you are going on holiday without them?

[cheniblanc]

Went on holiday with another couple. We rented a large house in a very small island off Italy. Had a fabulous time. There’s hardly any available properties for rent.

We enjoyed the joint holiday but felt that we’d like to go back but just as a couple. The house we previously booked has now been sold so not for rent. So we went ahead and booked a small house just for us two for our return trip.

We are having those friends over for dinner soon and I’m slightly scared about telling them if they ask if we want to go back. They’ve hinted they want to do it again with us but we never agreed or said yes.

How do I tell them (if they ask) without them feeling snubbed? Honestly we had a great time but for our next trip we just want a couple’s holiday!

Why do you need to tell them?

I would try and wrap it into an occasion like “I just wanted to let you know that we’ve decided to book Italy for our anniversary/birthday - we were trying to think of where we’d like to be and just agree we’d like to go back for a romantic weekend :)”

I wouldn’t worry. If you were going with someone else (and of course you could) they might be a bit miffed but going as a couple is fine.

You are completely overthinking this. You’re allowed a holiday without them

Okay thank you!

You are adults. Why are you scared? You don't need to mention you're going. If they ask if you'd like to just say not at the moment or you're just doing couple holidays from now on.

It's fine to go with someone else as well..

I wouldn't tell them until after you've been , if they ask about it say you haven't even decided if you're going anywhere yet, then tell them after you've been and say it was a last minute thing and you got a cancellation deal or something

Just tell them that this year you're going somewhere romantic just the two of you. Don't elaborate.

The word romantic should be enough to let them know what kind of holiday you are implying. Whether or not you have that kind of holiday is your business.

Yes I know, I said as much.

No need to be scared just say what you wrote here if they bring it up..

We really liked the place so are going back for a romantic weekend, maybe next year we can go together? Or let's choose somewhere else (if you want to do a group holiday)

I don’t think this would be a problem at all.
Just say what you’ve said on here.

If you’re nervous, then why not tell them asap and not when you see them face to face.
Then if there are any hard feelings (I really doubt there will be) but then it gives them time to digest it and there’s no awkwardness.

Don’t say it in a negative way.
Say how excited you are that you’re going again.

You don't have to tell them anything.

If you do want to mention it, then wait for them to drop hints about going away together and use that as your opportunity.

We had a great time as well, we should do it again sometime. This year's out as we've already got our holiday plans sorted, but maybe one to think about for 2026?

This. If you feel you must say something go along the lines of dh and I are have a little romantic trip to rekindle romance. Unless they are swingers they should get the hint.

For crying out loud just tell them the truth, how they react is up to them really.

Just say you loved the holiday in the area so much and are going back again to explore more. I wouldn't think twice about it if I was the other couple as I wouldn't want all my holidays with you either.

Is this a transference problem because you have something big going on in your life that you don't want to think about?

Anyone normal wouldn't care about this. I'd just say "Oh, we loved the trip last year so much we've decided to go back! We've booked this adorable little place for a romantic getaway...."