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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To think going to Spain for 1 week isn't worth the hassle?

76 replies

LikeIcan · 21/08/2015 18:16

Arrived on Saturday, didn't feel relaxed until Tuesday, had to start packing again on Friday.
Never again.
10 days minimum or I'm staying at home.

OP posts:

LaurieMarlow · 21/08/2015 18:52

I agree you're ruining a potentially lovely experience for silly reasons.

Takes you 3 days to relax? Can I suggest lunchtime drinking as the answer to your problems

2 days to pack? Get a grip woman

helenahandbag · 21/08/2015 18:56

I sometimes go to foreign countries for two or three nights, never mind a week! We did five days in NYC, I'd hate to see how you cope with the 8hr flight and jet lag if it takes you three days to relax in Spain!

ColdSancerre · 21/08/2015 19:01

I don't think you're BU if that's the way you feel.

Do you really relax in the in between bit, where you aren't acclimatising/thinking about packing?

We've done a few holidays that have been travelling around Europe quite a bit and I don't find it relaxing as you never get to know a place or settle in. Plus you're always unpacking or packing.

That said I'd like all holidays to be 4 weeks minimum and preferably I'd have 12 per year.

Ifiwasabadger · 21/08/2015 19:02

YABU. I flew 16 hours to LA then continued to Vegas. We were there for a week.

unlucky83 · 21/08/2015 19:10

YANBU - went on holiday abroad for the first time in years this year for a week (no holiday at all last year).
I found it incredibly stressful - from sorting passports and EHC11 cards to cabin bag size (I had to buy 4 suitable cases) and what you can pack, how much hold luggage to book, the liquids rule, getting to the airport, checking in etc etc. Then worrying about whether the hotel would be ok etc..it took me the first few days to unwind and catch up - then you felt like you should do more than lazy about - do some sightseeing etc. I wouldn't do it again - especially as the flights cost so much that longer at the hotel wouldn't have made the whole thing that much more expensive...
I would also say if we went often it would be easier - we would have all the stuff we needed and would know the rules etc.
The best holiday I have had in recent years (since DCs) was a week in an hired caravan about 75 miles from where we live...it was easy to get to, cheap (less pressure to have a good time ) and if we hated it we could always come home....if the weather in the UK was reliable I don't think I would bother flying again....

PatriciaHolm · 21/08/2015 19:10

I've done Australia for a week ;-)

Europe is a doddle!

HackerFucker22 · 21/08/2015 19:14

YABU i'm afraid.

We had a 6am flight (to Greece so 4 hours) but had a significant delay.... plus we had a long transfer and a 2 hour time difference yet we were still in the pool by 5pm that included unpacking

This was with a toddler and I was pregnant.

Had a beautiful week actually and felt relaxed from the second we got to our hotel.

HackerFucker22 · 21/08/2015 19:15

I also did Vegas for a week years ago (non direct flights in both directions)

SevenSeconds · 21/08/2015 19:17

YABU. A week's holiday is fine! We're going to Italy tomorrow for a week and I can't wait.

TeenAndTween · 21/08/2015 19:20

YANBU, I also take time to get used to a new place.

The answer is to go back to the same place next year and, because you know your way around, you will relax into it much faster.

wigglesrock · 21/08/2015 19:27

YABU , I like a week, I can also do less. Although the holiday starts for me the minute I'm on the road to the airport. I love airports, checking in, waiting on baggage, waiting on flights, flying, none of it annoys me. So I'm relaxed from long before I set foot to wherever I'm going.

PrimalLass · 21/08/2015 19:49

We went to Cyprus. Left home at 5.30 am, drove 1 hour to airport, 2 hours in airport, 5 hours on plane, 1 hour drive at other end.

In the sea within 20 minutes. Relaxed.

MaxieMouse · 21/08/2015 19:55

Yabu. Before children I used to do weekends in Europe quite often and found them really relaxing. Even now with 2 young children I think 5 nights in Spain is plenty.

MrsItsNoworNotatAll · 21/08/2015 20:01

Yanbu.

Guitargirl · 21/08/2015 20:07

Patricia - how was your week-long Australian trip? I am contemplating going for a week later in the year but can't decide whether it's madness or not.

DragonMamma · 21/08/2015 20:17

Yanbu OP

It takes me a couple of days to really relax and then it feels too short.

A few years ago, we did a week, then 9 nights...11 nights and this year (tomorrow, in fact!) We are doing 14 nights. Last year we weren't ready to come home and so we've reverted to the 2 weeks we did previously.

The amount of planning and packing doesn't seem to differ from a week or 2 weeks ime

DinosaursRoar · 21/08/2015 20:32

If you do find it hard to relax, then a holiday, even if the first few days are hard for you, is definately worth it, focus on the days you did find relaxing. If you'd taken a week off at home, you probably would have filled it with "jobs" that needed doing, and when putting your feet up feel guilty you should be doing X or visiting Y or making the most of your time...

Being away forces you to relax, and you did eventually.

With your packing issues, try taking a lot less so it's quicker to repack when going home. And don't touch it until the day you leave unless you're leaving before 9am!

DinosaursRoar · 21/08/2015 20:34

Knitting - I sort of agree it's more stressful packing for DCs, but really that stress is in advance, once you've got there, you just use what you've got and then throw everything back in the bag to come home...

fabuLou · 21/08/2015 20:38

Second thread today moaning about your holiday. Ffs think about all the people who can't afford a holiday. Get a grip. First world problem.

cashewnutty · 21/08/2015 20:42

My DH did Australia and NZ in 5 days for work. Spain for a week is nothing.

sweetkitty · 21/08/2015 20:43

We took the DCs to Spain for the first time this year, we have four 11-5, we all had a fabulous time.

A week is enough for me I'm a home bod

manicinsomniac · 21/08/2015 21:01

Wow, I definitely couldn't do Australia for a week. I'd need a month to get over the trauma of a 23 hour flight!!

I suppose it also depends on why you are going on the holiday? Personally, I don't go abroad to wind down, I go to wind up. I like to see as much as possible and do as much possible. We've just got back from 14 days youth hostelling and camping around a lot of North East USA including NYC, Washington, Boston and Niagara Falls. Didn't stay in the same place for more than 4 nights (and mostly only 1 night) so packing, repacking, setting up and striking tents and checking in and out of hostels were activities we got very, very used to.

The idea of arriving at a place and settling in by the pool/on the beach for the week leaves me completely cold as, if I want to relax, I'm happy to do it at home.

Maybe if you could see your holiday as an exciting adventure rather than a bit of peace it might improve things for you.

AbsentMindedNumpty · 21/08/2015 21:07

OP I think you're being unreasonable. We went to Florida for a week one October. We arrived at Orlando 5pm on the Saturday and found out that Disney was open until 1am so we got our hire car, nipped to the house we'd booked, quickly unpacked, and went to DisneyWorld until late. Every day was full on and we had a great time. I would do it again.

Spain is only a couple of hours away and if you can get early flights you can be there and on the beach by lunchtime. Packing for home only needs to take ten minutes, just shove everything in the case and off you go. I'd go to Spain for the weekend .

Twowrongsdontmakearight · 21/08/2015 21:22

YANBU. For me a week abroad just with DH is fine. With DC I'd stick to the Uk. Only abroad if for at least 10 days otherwise it's hardly worth the effort!

PatriciaHolm · 21/08/2015 22:47

Guitar girl - it was fine! I've done it twice now. Leave Friday morning, arrive sat evening, leave the next Saturday evening. I arrive and immediately go for a walk/dinner to get into timezone, then spend the Sunday walking around getting loads of fresh air and sun. So Monday I'm all good!

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