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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Should I just chill out? WWYD

51 replies

palmtree80 · 20/02/2019 11:35

DH and I have planned to go away with 2 other families on holiday to a Greek island in July. We've all been on holiday together before and had a great time.

We had a chat about our expectations for holiday and agreed on a self catering villa with pool, 10 mins walk or less to a town with shops/bars etc, close to beach. We would also like to do some exploring of the island but are all happy to get taxis or hire car for that.

The two other families live next door to each other and are constantly socialising with their kids etc whereas me and DH live further away and see them a bit less, but we are still close. We have a WhatsApp group together. Since our last "planning meeting" one of the group has shared a villa she has found and wants us to book. It looks absolutely stunning and I don't blame her for choosing it, but a few things have concerned me. I have issues with it as:
The company I have never heard of and there are no reviews anywhere online, or on tripadvisor so I can't find any more than what the company says about it.
The location says "10 minutes drive" to the nearest village- I think that's going to be a longish walk in the heat to get groceries / water etc and isn't what we agreed on anyway (close to town / restaurants etc). Am I right in thinking a 10 minute drive is a fairly longish walk- in the Greek summer heat?

Because we are at a distance the villa has been presented as a 'fait a complit' via WhatsApp and the text from our friend said "this is the villa preferred by me, friend2, friend3 and friend4" - essentially saying that me and DH are the only ones left to agree.

I have raised the above concerns. Was I justified in doing this, or should I just chill out and let them book this villa, which does look stunning.

OP posts:
PCohle · 20/02/2019 12:15

I think you need to offer an alternative rather than just saying "no, it's too far away".

Trying to organise a group holiday is a huge pain in the arse and other people being unrelentingly negative when they can't be arsed actually doing the research themselves is incredibly frustrating.

PalmTree101 · 20/02/2019 12:17

Although do be aware of villa rental scams - big business.

Do google image search on the photos and see if they have been lifted from another (genuine) listing and given a fake/different address

MereDintofPandiculation · 20/02/2019 12:18

It would be a bit too far out for me unless you are on a bus route. Greek island buses tend to be once every 2 hours rather than once every 10 mins. I wouldn't want to rely on buses if I needed to go out for daily provisions.

NunoGoncalves · 20/02/2019 12:18

I wouldn't feel comfortable going on holiday with people if I wasn't comfortable enough to just be honest about something as basic as this. Why not just say "a 10-minute drive is probably about an hour's walk to the nearest village.. Is that a good idea?"

CrazyOldBagLady · 20/02/2019 12:19

Be wary if you can't find any reviews online. I know someone who paid thousands online to book a villa for two weeks and lost it all, it was all a scam.

DontCallMeCharlotte · 20/02/2019 12:20

Greek island buses tend to be once every 2 hours rather than once every 10 mins.

Not necessarily. We regularly stay on two Greek Islands and both of them have a half-hourly bus service. Always

DontCallMeCharlotte · 20/02/2019 12:21

Huh?

That "always" was meant to say "always assuming they're on a bus route".

Original poster
palmtree80 · 20/02/2019 12:26

Thanks everyone. As I said in my post I have relayed my concerns honestly to the group. I guess there's just a part of me that worries they will view me as the negative one / party pooper. But I know I oughtnt worry about that.

I have suggested a compromise- a previous villa suggested by another one of the group which was popular.

OP posts:
thecatsthecats · 20/02/2019 12:28

The others probably have fanciful ideas of sharing turns for shopping trips.

I'm a big fan of walking etc, but it can vary so hugely. It takes me 10 minutes to get my car off the drive and get safely parked at the vets (awkward exit and need to park safely for my furbabies). It's a 5 minute walk.

My office, which is further along the same road, also takes 10m to drive to, because once you're going you're going and it's straight into the car park no issues, even though the door to door walk is 20m!

SpanielEars070 · 20/02/2019 12:28

I'd be very wary of villa scams if you can't find it anywhere online.

Just say you have concerns, and find some other options.

ineedaholidaynow · 20/02/2019 12:37

I too would have thought that if it mentions the town is 10 minute drive away, it is necessary to have a car. If something was in reasonable walking distance it would have said that.

Some villa websites do specify whether a car is necessary/advisable/not needed. I would always like to book something that has at least some bars/restaurants in walking distance so that you can have a drink with your meal. Also you don't want to have to carry heavy bags of shopping in the heat. DH made this mistake once, when he hadn't realised the tourist map in the apartment was not to scale, and the supermarket that appeared to be only a 5 minute walk away, was much further than that! He got a taxi next time (which was recommended in the details when we booked the apartment)

So YANBU to mention your concerns

4point2fleet · 20/02/2019 12:39

Post a screenshot from Google Earth with the walk from villa to closest shop marked out and an 'is everyone ok with this walk?' text.

OVienna · 20/02/2019 12:47

Ten minute drive in the heat? Sharing rental cars? Noooo....

caughtinanet · 20/02/2019 12:54

I would also express my reservations and if the others are determined to go ahead regardless I'd drop out as politely as possible, a villa with no easy access to amenities would be a deal breaker for me

julensaor · 20/02/2019 13:21

Exactly what @4point2fleet said. They may need to see the actual distance, then you are backing up your reservations and not just being the party pooper. 10 minute drive is likely at least 4 miles I would assume. Anything within comfortable walking distance would be described as a five minute drive I am guessing.

KatharinaRosalie · 20/02/2019 13:29

From my experience - if things are walking distance then they are very clearly described as walking distance. If driving distance is specified, things are not walking distance.

WeAllKnowDave · 20/02/2019 13:39

What does google maps say? Post the link and we’ll work it out for you.

Charley50 · 20/02/2019 13:41

Let us help look for alternatives? What island is it? (No worries if that's too outing)

GregoryPeckingDuck · 20/02/2019 13:41

Check the company on trust pilot.

Charley50 · 20/02/2019 13:46

Also if it's a lovely villa, could you cost in taxi fares (if you're not hiring a car) and see if it's worth it for cheaper cost, mover villa etc.

Emeraldshamrock · 20/02/2019 13:49

I think the apartment would be a better choice. I've stayed in a villa with close family all the DC get on but it was still hellish.

Original poster
palmtree80 · 20/02/2019 13:58

Thanks all. The children are 7 and 11 so I think they might struggle with a hot walk too.

One friend has just responded on WhatsApp saying they think the original villa (closer to amenities) is a better compromise.

OP posts:
steppemum · 20/02/2019 16:26

we let a villa which is 5-10 minutes walk from a village. It is walkable, we sometimes do it in the evening. Even so, you need to have a car to stay there as the village doesn't have a full set of amenities.

It is 10 minutes drive from the next village and that is a LONG way.
There is no way I would stay in it without a car

Charley50 · 20/02/2019 17:59

I just had another look at your op. You said you are thinking of hiring cars anyway. If you're going for a week it's cheaper usually to hire a car from the airport and back, rather than hiring on random days anyway, isn't it?
Anyway, looks like your friend has found a solution.

BigSandyBalls2015 · 20/02/2019 19:14

IME it’s quite difficult to find large villas near to beach/bars/restaurants, they tend to be inland a bit.

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