Who are these people that go away for the summer, like the whole summer

[GingerPussInBoots]

You know the ones that will be like yes I’m spending in the summer in France, Italy or Spain or whatever

I think the point with Uni staff is that they don't usually have to be on the campus during holidays (as most students won't be) and are flexible so could work as required whilst abroad.

When we didn’t have money, we had, I suppose, social capital. I’m from a poor WC background, but went to a university with a lot of rich people. DH and I had access through friends to family houses in France, Italy, Switzerland and elsewhere, and would often housesit or be invited to stay with people. It only cost us the train/bus fare and the cost of food. And being able to speak the local language well and be reasonably gregarious individuals meant we got to know people once there, who would say ‘We’re away for all of August if you want the house’, in exchange for keeping on top of the garden, or keeping an eye on an elderly relative nearby etc. Sometimes these were pretty primitive set-ups, miles from anywhere, other times beautiful and luxurious.

Sahm and dh has his own business. I did it as child too some time with grandparents in Italy and my mum flew over for the last few weeks.
We have property there. Although probably spend more time in Spain.

teachers

well the ones I know

I went away all summer but mum didn't work

I used to go away with mine for about 75 % of the holidays , I worked very pt (1 night per week) so with a couple of weeks A/l and a shift at the start of the week before and end of the week after the A/l I could be off work for 4 weeks . It was a mix of home and abroad , mainly touring but staying in hotels and popping back home for a night or two here and there . We did theme park tours mainly as that suited both of mine .

Parents have a holliday home the vast majority of my parents friends have holiday homes either here or abroad.

When my dc were babies I took them for a month out there & DH flew down for part of it.

When my son was younger so toddler to mid teens we would spend at least 4 weeks with his very wealthy grandparents in Italy and as he got older he would go in the other school holidays as well with other family members

even though I was no longer with his dad son they would invite me and my son for the summer they even invited my husband when I got married 😂

they are absolutely lovely people and love hosting people it’s one of those places where there always seem to be at least 1 -2 guests visiting them

beautiful villa 2 mins from the sea felt like a mini hotel rather than a home think it had maybe 9 -10 bedrooms most of them with access to a terrace and ensuite huge swimming pool

a guest house that’s was as big as my own house in the uk 😂

My son still visits every year and I went around 18months ago to see them as part of a longer trip and I speak to them at least once a month

his gran who lived in England for many years is partial to marmalade lemon curd and Yorkshire teabags so as long as I take her plenty of this each time I visit have a open invitation for life

I haven't read the whole thread, but if there's anyone on here who does this, can I tag along, please?

Often people who have family abroad so can stay with them.

And/or wealthy

In the 9 years since dd started school, the only families I’ve know do this have one SAHP. The other parent then joins them for part of the summer. Often GPs will join for the other part.

I have friends who are teachers but none have done this for the whole summer as they’ve had to work part of it preparing for the following term.

No one I know with two WOHPs have done this as it would have left little time together as a family. The most generous annual leave I know of is six weeks in total. And whilst some take some unpaid leave on top, that doesn’t cover the whole summer. There are thirteen weeks off school to cover (more for private) plus ad hoc days for medical appointments, helping GPs etc.

Lots of uni jobs aren’t student facing (like mine) - I could never do this.

The people I know who go to the country all summer are in Leo Tolstoy novels

My friend camps (tent) with her family in an Italian campsite for five weeks. They get flights with Ryanair and the total cost is cheaper than two weeks in most hotels/ aparthotels in eg France/ Spain!! She’s a teacher and he’s an electrician

The ones I know have holiday homes or relatives in said country where they stay for free. So, essentially, only paying for the plane ticket.

Some industries shut down for much of summer eg legal industry's Long Vacation

The people I know who do this are either;

1. Wealthy enough to slow down and able to work remotely
2. Have parents in other countries and go to stay with them

My brother and family do this. He works as an electrician / sailing instructor / session musician, she has a term time only job in a school. When the kids finish school for the summer, they hop in the camper van and head off for the summer. The Airbnb the house which is in a great spot, which covers a good amount of the cost of going away.

They go all over the place. Spain, Portugal, north of Scotland, France, Germany.

Sounds like my idea of hell to be honest, 6 weeks in a camper van with 2 under 7 and a dog, but it works for them!

One assumed everyone did this.
For one thing it gives the servants a bit of a break and one thinks that is rather nice of us.

a friend has flexible working so as long as the job is done she can take six weeks off.
I know a French couple and she takes the kids to their summer home in Corsica and her husband flies down when he can.
A lot of offices close down for August in Spain and France (possibly elsewhere too but I am only familiar with those).

teachers? I know a few married couples where both are teachers and they often take off for the whole summer.

Most Spanish will take their household staff on holiday with them. In France mostly just the nanny.

Two months minimum, otherwise it's just 'school holidays' which is far from the 'whole summer'

Not necessarily.
I definitely am not wealthy, but both DH and I are teachers, so have the summer off.
This year I spent:
Direct flights to Miami with car rental for 5 weeks - £2400 (although I put around £250 worth of Avios towards this).
Accommodation £2500 (across three different locations)
Spending money - we choose locations with kitchens etc for example condos, so we can buy a lot of our food in Walmart and just live like we do at home.
It is a luxury to spend £5000 on a holiday abroad each year, but when you consider how long we’re away and how much relaxing we get to do, I think it’s excellent value.