Where Can We Go On Holiday??

[Gobbledegeek]

We have never been abroad on holiday and now that the kids are teenagers, I think we probably need to give them that experience. DH is a good traveller - he travelled extensively in his older teens and 20s but then... he met me!

I don't like it: I'm an anxious traveller and I feel as though holidays don't really live up to the hype. They're just an expensive week or so away from home in either the boring countryside or an exhausting city.

I read about the history and culture of different places and I'm quite outward thinking in that respect. I've also not revealed my opinions about travelling to the kids as I don't want to discourage them and their interests in the various places they read about.

We couldn't afford a 'big' holiday every year but the kids seem at the right age this year for somewhere other than Scotland or the Lake District!

There's no way I'd get on a plane or Eurostar now (I have taken Eurostar before but can't imagine doing it now) so the only way to get to Europe will be ferry.

Where on earth can we go that would give the kids a holiday that they'd love and not give me permanent anxiety??!

Cruise out of Southampton?

Gite in Normandy ?

There's so much to see, in terms of history, but also nice beaches and likely to be pleasant weather except for the one year we went .

Thank you for the suggestions. We looked at cruises a while ago and nearly booked one but DH seemed a bit unimpressed. I guess that, as he's quite adventurous, the thought of a holiday where everything is done for you wasn't going to be his thing.

I'd overlooked Normandy probably because it's the first place you get to off the ferry. DD loves history though so the medieval element would be good for her and the beaches good for sports mad DS. We could probably find a way of getting the train into Paris too.

It's quite a daunting process to try to find something that everyone will like when I put all the obstacles in the way 🤪

Duinrell in Holland.

Use it as a base to explore Amsterdam and the surrounding towns and cities. Theres a lovely sandy beach nearby. Plus there’s a pool complex and small theme park nearby. Great once for teenagers.

I can understand not getting on a plane if you have a fear of flying but why not Eurostar?

Anyway. You could get the ferry to Santander and then drive around northern Spain or Portugal. You could drive to Barcelona and then get another ferry to Mallorca.

West coast of France - would you consider a mobile home rather than hotel?

the one cruise (imo) which might be worth reconsidering is the Norwegian fjords because a boat is the best way to see them so you’re not just on a boat in the middle of the sea for long periods for no good reason. It’s the only cruise we’ve done - the shore breaks had various options some quite active.

If you want something different and don’t mind if you don’t get heat, I’d look at Normandy, Brittany (Domaine des Ormes is a good site if you don’t mind driving as it’s not walkable to a town, but it is a very short drive from the ferry at St Malo) or the Netherlands - Duinrell is a great suggestion with teens and there’s lots to do in the surrounding area. It’s also less than an hour from Hook of Holland if you want to minimise driving and don’t mind a longer ferry.

If you want reliable heat, you would either have to accept a longer drive or look at cruises.

I hear you in terms of holidays not living up to the hype - I think that can definitely be the case for self catering when it can feel like same shit, different scenery - but is there something specific you’re anxious about in terms of going abroad?

Just let DH take them... Then you won't ruin it and make it difficult for everyone else with your weirdness.

I take DD on holiday alone at least once a year cuz DH hates beaches, so we go away for a week without him. And occasionally day trips/weekends.

Why should we miss out 🤷‍♀️

Second vote for ferry to Santander.
Close to Bilbao, we visited Segovia on our way back from seville last year.
I'm doing the trip again in 8 weeks.
It's the most convenient and cost effective way to get my dog out.

Would you be driving? As in putting car in ferry? If so you’re only limited by how far you’re prepared to drive. The whole of France (and a few other countries) is reachable in a day. Or to make it easier you could have a stop over night en route your destination. What would you like to do on holiday… people can then make suggestions.

i like good warm (but not stifling heat) weather.
Some culture, pretty villages
Activities (swimming in lakes or sea, walking, cycling)

And for us the French alps tick every box.

I mean in the first instance wouldn't it be sensible to do some work to address your anxiety to open up yours and your kids world? But other than that as others have said France is open to you, from the ferry we've done lots of Brittany which is beautiful, Paris and the Loire is quite driveable too. Friends will get ferry across and travel down to the Dordogne and just factor in overnight stops along the way. When I was a teen as a family we did the ferry to San Sebastian and did northern Spain which was fun. The Dutch center parcs are supposed to be ace and so much cheaper than ours.

I also recommend Duinrell, you will have a great time.

Agree with others… if you don’t like holidays why not let your husband and kids go on holiday and you have a relaxing week at home?

or choose somewhere set your expectations low and you might be pleasantly surprised 🙂

I agree with PP. Why doesn’t DH go away with DC without you? It seems like the best solution.

I hear you all suggesting DH take them on his own which we've talked about and I'm completely happy with. I definitely want them to make their own minds up about travel. I expect they'll all go to Australia together when they hit older teenage/young adulthood - I've said I'll meet up with them weeks later when I arrive on a container ship 😆.

There are some great suggestions here. I knew Mumsnet would come up with loads! I'm liking the sound of the place in Holland.

I know it will sound totally illogical to seasoned travellers but planes and Eurostar - if something went wrong, I have no time or control to sort it out. Other modes of transport, I feel I have a bit more control (driving) or at least a bit of time (boat). I know the counter arguments to this - all my friends remind me!!!

The good thing is I've driven on the continent quite a lot. We drove to Italy for our honeymoon and all around France. So it's just finding the best location for us all to enjoy ourselves.

Day off today so I'm determined to book somewhere 😁

... still doesn't make any sense.

What time/control would you have on a passenger ferry?

My MIL was like this OP. She eventually took her ‘kids’ on a family holiday when my DH was 21. The family enjoyed it and she envisioned many more holidays but the ‘kids’ were really too old for that kind of holiday and then they were living their own lives. If it’s some thing you think you may want to do then seek support for your mental health to do it before the kids are too old to want to do it. If you don’t want to do it then that’s fine but the years go past quickly.

Another vote for Duinrell or similar in the Netherlands. We did the overnight ferry from Harwich to Hook of Holland and it’s only 45 minutes or so, very relaxing start to the holiday. Duinrell is probably ideal with teens as you have a theme park, water park (careful here as you pay booking through EuroCamp, but some free sessions direct - you’d need to work out what you want in terms of accommodation and book accordingly.) Wassenaar is only 10 minute walk, with restaurants, shops etc. you can get to Amsterdam, Leiden, Gouda, and Rotterdam very easily for day trips.

There are other EuroCamp style places though, so if you like idea of Netherlands, have a look at what else you might want to do and then see what is around.

Why would they all suddenly go to Australia together in their late teens and 20s when all you’ve done is moan that the Lake District is shit for the occasional week throughout their lives? Weird that you think they will.

And how on earth will you control a ferry or be safer in a car than on a plane? Fucking Normandy 😅🤣 seriously OP. Stay at home. Your behaviour is going to ruin it anyway.

Why can’t your DH compromise on a cruise when you’re compromising by going abroad? Cursing is lovely!

Thank you - you've summed it up exactly and I really appreciate your post.

Looks like we're going for Duinrell/similar and adding in a couple of days in Amsterdam (can't wait!). Thanks so much to you all for your suggestions 😀