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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To like the idea of going on holiday more than the reality of it

107 replies

ShouldIworryornothelp · 04/04/2015 12:38

I'm due to fly home from holiday today after a lovely time with my family. However the rest of the holiday experience has been horrendous due to other holiday makers thinking being away means you take a holiday from parenting the children and a holiday from any manners of your own

The behaviour of other people really has ruined my break away and, as this has been our first holiday in years as we haven't been able to afford one, it's really upset me.

Perhaps I shouldn't go away any more and just stay home? The idea of holidays is so much better than actually being on one!

OP posts:

EveDallas · 05/04/2015 08:56

I'm obviously a glass half full person - I love going on holidays and absolutely HATE coming home.

We only ever go AI, and in all our time have only had one bad one. I plan to the nth degree. Airport only B'ham or Gatwick. Flights no longer than 5 hours. Transfer no longer than 45 minutes (and even better if we can book a taxi rather than go on the coach). Resort no less than 4*, kids club or entertainment, kids disco in the evenings, waterpark preferable. Rooms should be spacious or aparthotel style with a lounge & bedroom.

I like having other kids around so that DD has plenty to do and friends to make.

I'd never go SC or to a villa. DD would be bored shitless, I'd have to be the 'other kid', DH would spend a stupid amount on booze, I'd be sick of trying to cook with unfamiliar foods in a tiny kitchen. Basically it would be like being at home with shit toys and a better view from the kitchen window!

benchmark · 05/04/2015 09:35

I live for holidays and love them. We never stay in big hotels or AI resorts which I would hate. We tend to stay in small guesthouses or b&bs which don't cost the earth in areas that are quiet and peaceful. I find them on booking.com or tripadvisor. We also usually stay in 3 or 4 places each holiday to see more of the country we are visiting and avoid typical package holiday destinations. I like the feeling of coming and going and the excitement of trying new places.

derxa · 05/04/2015 09:53

Don't go on holiday every year then it's more exciting to actually go. If I had the choice we would only ever go to Italy. DH and I are a pair of old codgers who like wandering round big cities and don't have to worry about DC any more.

Doyouthinktheysaurus · 05/04/2015 10:00

I love holidays but we actively avoid too many other people. I could never do a resort type holiday, that's my idea of hell.

We find a nice rural cottage and walk. We see other walkers but they generally aren't the rowdy type

Our entertainment consists of an afternoon tea shop stop. Bliss.......

I must admit holidays were harder when the dses were younger. Now they are 10 and 12 and happy to walk and do heritage type places.

lightgreenglass · 05/04/2015 10:05

I think I've turned into that person who hates going away unless to my parents. It's just too stressful with DS 18 months old in messing up his routine and I can't even think about when the next one arrives. I would rather stay at home pottering and have quality family time.

ssd · 05/04/2015 10:09

I love the holiday queues at the airport and the hanging around, it reminds me we're actually going abroad instead of the gazillions of English beach holidays with sand in your chips and seagulls pooing on you...

On the plane my dc's always fight and niggle and generally piss me of totally, I dont know why I pay 80 quid for us all to sit together, am a bit dumb there.....

and yes to doing the washing before we get home, wherever we go I love spending the last day inside in the laundrette, whilst everyone else is out at the pool, as I know we're bringing clean clothes home

mollyonthemove · 05/04/2015 10:14

Ooh yes also love being at the airport - even the queues and being searched (as I was last week.....)It's just so exciting!! (am mentally about nine....)

Sparklingbrook · 05/04/2015 10:17

The airport is awful. All those other people, the queues, the waiting. Ugh. My stress levels are sky high. That's before I even get on the plane and hold my breath until it lands.

MarshaBrady · 05/04/2015 10:20

I can't work out if I prefer luxury resort or villa. I think having your own pool at the villa helps. Got to get it right this year.

Sparklingbrook · 05/04/2015 10:22

Own pool wherever possible. Actually your own everything.

MarshaBrady · 05/04/2015 10:25

Ha yes true. The dc loved the beach last time, but the eldest still talks about the tray lift inn (buffet renamed) with a dreamy look.

Sparklingbrook · 05/04/2015 10:30

Buffets make me nervous. Especially holiday ones.

MarshaBrady · 05/04/2015 10:32

It was pretty bad - but heaven to the dc!

MarshaBrady · 05/04/2015 10:34

My ideal is a villa, own pool, close to beach and restaurants so no car hire. Must try harder.

ssd · 05/04/2015 10:36

nah, the airport is great.

I started a thread here about my sad wish to go to an airport lounge, I'm like the kid with his nose pressed up to the sweet shop window when I see people in one, being all posh and adult and together, whilst we're squashed onto 2 seats and the ds's are knuckle punching each others arms....the amount of posts from people that had been in really swanky ones made me drool..

I love everything about an airport, the smell, the queues, the bags of crisps at £1.30 a packet that cost 30p in asda, it all adds to the thrill of going somewhere that isn't Bournemouth.

HappydaysArehere · 05/04/2015 10:38

I couldn't believe this thread. So many people who are not keen on holidays abroad. I thought it was just us. We spent years going abroad and eventually We decided we couldn't be bothered. I thought it was just us becoming boring. Other members of the family talk of nothing else and obviously think we are missing out. We went to Cornwall a couple of years ago and relished the easier preparation and we have booked a holiday in the Lake District this year. (I love to sketch and paint.) We tend to go on days out to places that interest us or visit theatres on matinee days when we can get reasonable tickets. When I was at work and really stressed out I just longed for a beach, a pool, a book and a brandy with a coffee mid morning. Now can't bear the hastle gettin insurance, changing currency, packing, sorting the house out, cabs to the airport etc etc. The family keep on about their holidays and really think we are odd. Good to know we are not on our own.

ssd · 05/04/2015 10:38

villa's are out once the kids hit the teenage years, they want to spend time in the hotel lobby getting free wifi and ignoring each other, for hours on end, while you try to get them on a museum tour or something else that they think is naff and they're right

MarshaBrady · 05/04/2015 10:44

I still like airports as long as I don't do that thing where we get stuck in a vortex of earliness and turn up too many hours ahead.

pinkrocker · 05/04/2015 10:46

Just to add if you suck antibacterial Strepsils as your in-flight take off and landing sweetie it seems to help.
I love holidays. And sun, blue skies and people speaking other languages. But detest flying.

Cornonthecob · 05/04/2015 11:09

Reality is once you have kids you no longer have holidays its called "childcare in a different location" unless of course they are grown up children!

wannabestressfree · 05/04/2015 23:10

Eve got any good AI recommendations? I would love to do it but hate being stuck in one room....

SpecificOcean · 06/04/2015 00:03

Our dog thinks YANBU OP!
He hates it when we go and thinks we should stay at home. As soon as the cases come out he knows
But we have had some brilliant holidays and we still love holidays especially cruises (-ones that go from Southampton are the best) and city breaks.
But every time I book a holiday abroad now it makes me panic a bit, I don't know why. But I start to think have I done the right thing?
I also hate having to pay extra money for insurance for my DS medical condition which does not affect him at all, but has to be declared.

echt · 06/04/2015 00:18

I love airports, too, all that messing about in duty free.
Living In Au means that most flights are long ones, so I get miffed if the film selection is poor, looking at you Japanese Airlines. Their food is dodgy too, a surprise when you consider how lovely Japanese food is.

I don't like planning holidays, but DH loves it. I just say yes dear. We're now at the other end of holidays with children, and back to endless tramping of city streets, which we both love.

chrome100 · 06/04/2015 03:37

I think you need to pick where you go. I loathe city breaks or big hotels, I want to get away from it all. DP and I just had four nights in a tent in weardale. An hours drive, beautiful scenery and no one about. And it cost £40 for both of us. No internet or phone. I really feel refreshed.

Glastokitty · 06/04/2015 03:57

I love everything about holidays, I even love airports! I even enjoyed flying to Oz! There is always something new to look at, and I'm always excited about going somewhere different. There is so much out there I want to see and do and I get pissed off when I realise I'll only ever see a tiny part of it. Although I've never done AI, it just doesn't appeal, sitting in the same restaurant every night looking at the same people.

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