To never go on holiday again?

[IfyouseeRitaMoreno]

Too much heat. Too much waiting around at airport and various add on transports. Too much money spent. Too much responsibility. Too much trying to entertain technology addicted DC.

Too much time spent learning foreign language only to be responded to in English.

Admittedly having injury hasn’t helped. But really AIBU just to stay the fuck home next year and save my money?

Yanbu how old are your dc

Sounds like a plan!

Awww you’ll be up for it again by next time!!! I love the heat.. but airports are definitely a bore! Hope you managed to enjoy some moments in between though I find if you keep going in the language that eventually people respond in kind - perseverance is the winner!!

Go on a cruise that departs from the UK. Will cut out most of that stress straight away.

This is why we holiday on a Scottish island. No airport, loads of stuff we all like to do, no language issue and a fortnight for an excellent price. Also we've all had so much sun I've actually burnt slightly....

What @divadee said! It's much easier on a cruise. You get to taste lots of different countries, no time for DC to get bored.

@Notsuch at that grumpy monosyllabic teenage stage. And mortified at my sterling efforts to speak the local language.

@sailing I’ve scheduled a stern calendar note to myself next spring (when I start getting itchy feet) to not go through the same nightmare again.

Or go somewhere where I can outsource DC whilst I relax and actually talk to nice people who want to talk to me. But am SP and it all seems a bit unlikely to happen.

@divadee keep talking... that seems interesting. Cruises might be a tad expensive but perhaps a short one to test the waters (!)

Any recommendations?

I agree about cruises! Never thought I’d feel that way and the average age tends to be considerably older than me and DH, but it’s low faff and generally lovely.

We had an idyllic holiday in Greece a few weeks back but the airport on the way home was the worst experience we've ever had in all our years of travelling. I kept muttering I am never coming back here, ever. However, it was such an amazing holiday we most likely will suffer it

Cruises are nice. We've done a few. Otherwise go on a ferry? Ireland, France, Spain? Channel islands?

Where did you go OP? Maybe go for Neilson beach club or similar where the dc can learn to windsurf or sail all day. Every day. By themselves. With other dc. Ahhhhhh

Sulflower Bet it was Kos. I loved my holiday there but the airport back was hell on earth. No tv screens. No announcements in English, tiny, hot and everyone confused and trying to ask other clueless holidaymakers what the hell is going on. I would go again but the airport is just awful

If you pick the ship carefully then a cruise will be great for your kids. We have done p&o, cunard and royal carribean. I would say depending on the ages of your kids that the royal carribean one would be the best but they are more expensive. P&O also very good for kids but I would probably avoid cunard. Cunard are very formal and might get draining with kids (we did that one alone).

My friends have done princess cruises with their children (age 10 and 8) and the girls love it.

You drive to the port, drop your luggage off, go to check in and then walk onto the ship. That's it! The next time you see your luggage it will be outside your cabin door a couple of hours later.

Best kept secret - The Scilly Isles, 28 miles off the coast of Cornwall. We flew from a small regional airport to Newquay -40 mins flying time. Then get the 19 seater Airbus to St. Marys - the largest of the islands - 30 mins flying time. Stay on St Marys, beautiful clean beaches and usually wonderful climate, or take a taxi boat to one of the other nearby islands. No cars, no fuss, gorgeous environment and a perfect place for families. Had to share this after your post but sshh......keep it to yourself so that it doesn’t get too busy!

Same can apply to the smaller channel islands. Alderney?

Yes a plane, but a small one.

To the cruise lovers- are they ok for single parents or will I feel like Bridget Jones at the Smugly Married dinner table? That’s my main fear.

@Parisnext. Ironically I’m in France and the French have been absolutely lovely and accommodating in the smaller towns but in the touristy areas their English is so good and there has been a tug o war over which language to speak which I usually lose!

And the food is chère! Very chère! Can only afford to eat once a day with some crisps for lunch!

Sounds like you need someone to have DC so you can go somewhere on your own and enjoy it!

If it's any solace, I know a lot of parents find holidays with teens a real drag.

123fuscia. Your secret is safe! I have read and eaten your post

Private villa ... you lounge by pool / walk into town ... kids have own rooms with wifi!

Teenagers are difficult on holiday - we have cut our holidays down to a week as it is so painful - then send them off on school trips / pgl etc and have a week off yourself.....we also take their friends - we have 4 teens - and 8 teens is easier!!

@witchofzog, it was Corfu, sounds similar. We barely made the flight despite being there in plenty of time, I have never in my life seen so many people packed into a small airport. I've read horror stories about Santorini, but that was a dream in comparison.

You NEED to cruise! There’s kids clubs for kids from 2–18. The older teen ones they can check in and out when they like, there are games consoles, pool tables, table tennis, games, competitions etc.
You just drive to Southampton, hop on the ship and you are on holiday.
Have a little jaunt around the med and when you wake up on the last day you are back in Southampton.
It’s incredible I tell you!
Especially with kids!

I'm so sorry it wasn't a great holiday.
I'm going on my first cruise on Saturday, so glad that there was good reviews.
My friend who is a sp has been a couple of times with her 14 year old, in fact they're off again the week after us, she found the constant photo opportunities a bit of a pain as didn't want loads of formal pictures of her and her son. Think that was with p&o

Is your DC sporty? Have a look at Eurocamp. Several friends of mine go with kids and love it, sociable, friendly, lots to do.