to think that staying in the UK is NOT a holiday

[BurntToastSmell]

I'm sick of people patronising me. Next week I'm going to Peppa Pig World (and a car museum and assorted rubbishy British crappy places) for my daughters 2nd birthday and my 30th. Friends who have returned from hot countries have said things like, "Oh you must be really looking forward to it" and "Your jollies are soon!" (jollies = holidays).

FFS! Peppa Pig World is NOT a holiday!! What's worse is that my husband really believes that this is a fucking holiday. My idea of a holiday is:

Different culture.
Different country.
Nice weather is a bonus.

Whereas we'll be pushing a pram around in the rain for a week. I see it more as a 'trip' and no it's not semantics. And yes I'm PMSing.

I live in Scarborough and looking at some of the people obviously on holiday here at the weekend (day glo t shirts and legwarmers, cowboy hats etc etc) I wish they would all fuck off to Spain instead of turning my lovely holiday town into a stinking vomit pit.

I'm the first to admit we've been lucky enough to experience a range of different holidays. When the kids were babies I couldn't face getting on a plane, so we tended to find a cheap cottage somewhere in the UK with friends who had similarly-aged kids and muck in together.

Since then, as we've also had a bit more cash, we've been more adventurous and travelled around a fair bit. I have to say, though, that if you ask the dcs for their all-time favourite holiday moments, jumping off Alford Bridge into the freezing cold river in the Lake District, ds getting kicked by a New Forest pony and when it rained inside the grey slate mine, is up there with some of the more jet-set things we've done around the world.
I have to say, though, that it cost as much to stay 3 nights in a B&B in the Lake District one year as it did for six nights in a 5* hotel in Phuket! Now that hacks me off.

Vacation is an American word for holiday.

So it should be Stoliday, not Staycation! :o

I've had some great holidays in the UK, but to me no holiday where I have to do the catering counts as a holiday! and neither do daytrips.

"its not JUST the weather! This is RIP OFF BRITAIN! food/drink horrendously expensive, sit by lake garda, AMAZING SERVICE in a normal cafe/bistro place, huge glass of delicous wine, beautiful plate of tapas, amazing hams....sit as long as you want for pennies...no rules and regulations....better nightlife - always usually a nice bar open with good music..."

We went to Lake Garda last year and it was fabulous. However, cheap it was not. Eating out there was the same or more expensive than here. I still loved it though.

Just be savvy about where you eat!!! Don't eat in the tourist locations. Find the next street over where the locals are.

Same is true for "rip off Britain" and anywhere else in the world.

VolAuVent :o Stoliday sounds rather ... well... stolid :) But the word "Staycation" is probably a word in the same "best avoided" category as "Playdate" :)

I have never been abroad but have had many wonderful holidays right here in the good old uk thanks :)

kotinka now you're talking :o

Agree with pendeen.

I live in Cornwall and teach the children that they are so lucky to live where we do, people pay lots to come on holiday here.

I think that about living near and working in London. I drive in and drive along the Thames past Big Ben and the HoP. Even when I'm sitting in traffic I try to remind myself to take in the view and remember how many people pay fortunes to come here. I do love it really.

Now if you want a REAL holiday, get on a cruise. They tidy your bedroom for you aswell as making the beds and making the bathroom look beautiful. You get chocs on your pillow and towel animals. Then every single meal is cooked for you, you have time to get dressed up for dinner and your kids are far too busy to talk to you. Bloody marvellous.

Goodness me I didn't realise I was living such a deprived life

And how did people 100 yrs ago cope, the poor deluded saps.

I'm going to cornwall in 8 days.

Quit moaning, pack for all weathers, put a fucking smile on your face and get on with it.

If you go with this attitude you won't enjoy yourself.

Don't forget the vodka.

Actually, looking out of the window now and seeing torrential rain, I think that unfortunately England is a crap holiday destination. Ok, you've rolled a double six if the weather is good - but the chances of that are slim and the most likely scenario is £1k+ wasted on a holiday cottage with a crabby owner next door, lumpy beds and a dodgy cooker and a six-mile drive to a Spar selling past-the-sell-by-date Ginsters.

Oh and don't forget if you are in holiday in the UK, you have to also put up with Brits also on holiday here with faces like arse and a miserable attitude...

Oh.

I