Holidays are crap

[Basketofkittens]

Before anyone says anything - yes I’m lucky to be able to go on holidays...

But...DH and have decided that we have had enough! Currently on holiday and got stranded when the hop on hop off bus didn’t show up and had to pay quite a few Euros for a taxi back to the hotel. Standing in the sun in 35C for 90 minutes.

Had a couple of poor meals that feel like complete wastes of money. Got sunburn despite factor 50. Find other tourists pretty rude and entitled. Breakfast in the hotel isn’t great, staff all seem really fed up.

Then there is all the hassle of getting to and from the airports, security etc. The flight was awful, turbulence, dirty cabin, cabin crew clearly didn’t want to be there, nor did they care about safety.

We recently went to Paris and got caught up in the riots. Luxembourg was awful, nothing to do and changed hotels due to noise. Ibiza was okay but not much to do and we aren’t really beach / pool people.

Between us we’ve travelled to around 35 countries so we are pretty experienced.

The only holiday I enjoyed recently was a long haul holiday to visit family that my parents paid for - think business class and luxury hotels, no hassle at all. In fact the airport and flight were enjoyable!

But most holidays we just walk around getting hot and grumpy and everywhere is so busy and we spend loads of money eating.

We are seriously thinking of just not going abroad for a few years now.

A holiday is what you make of it, personally even my worst holidays have been pretty amazing.

Don’t holiday in Europe in August!

So does everyone else really enjoy every holiday?

I can't think of a holiday I haven't enjoyed at all, no.
I can think of holidays where something has gone wrong, or the travel times weren't great or there was a delay or the weather wasn't great or whatever, but the overall whole experience has still been great, because (within budget) we've chosen holidays that are likely to suit what we want from a holiday.
Because we've been 5 of us having to go in school holiday time, we've chosen to go every other year and have a UK holiday in the alternate year, as I didn't want to be going on a holiday on the tightest of tightest budgets - it's about deciding what you want from the holiday and then planning from there.
Personally walking around visiting 'the sights' in height of a Mediterranean Summer sound like you are setting yourselves up to be 'hot and grumpy'. So why not go in October or Feb 1/2 terms or even Easter ? Leave the high temperatures to those who want to lie by the pool. Or visit the Scandanavian Countries, or somewhere in the Southern hemisphere if you want to go in August ?

YABU to surmise that "holidays are crap" because you are making choices that aren't really thought through.

You must be doing something wrong because I love holidays, even when I went somewhere hot and a bit naff with a toddler and not much spare cash I had such a relaxing time, I can’t wait for my next one.

Not wanting to drive seriously limits you. But never mind.

You do sound ... entitled and whiny. Surely you know what the weather will be like where you are going? Do your research before you book somewhere.

Delays and mishaps can happen anywhere. They’re part of life.

Think about what you all want to do next year and take that into consideration when booking. Self cater to save money. Stay in from 12-3 to not get sunburnt...

If you’ve really been to 35 countries, you should know what you like and don’t like!

Orient express

Different holidays suit different people, or doing the same things over and over again can get mundane and lose their appeal. It might be good for you to take a break from that type of holiday and try something different. If nothing else, it may make you realise the holidays you have actually aren't that bad.

I spend my working life driving around Europe. For me, just being off work at home for a week is a holiday. I certainly don't want to spend my hard earned downtime at airports, or on planes, or in all inclusive hotels sitting near a swimming pool. For other people, it's the highlight of their year and there's nothing wrong with that.

I'd imagine you're being called whiny and spoilt because you're complaining about something that not everyone on here has the capability to do. It's very difficult to feel sympathy for someone complaining that their steak is slightly overcooked when all you have is a slice of bread and butter.

This is the easiest thing in the world to fix! Don't go!

Then, after a few staycations, when you get a bit bored of that, think of something interesting to do. I don't really like holidays that much, I don't get a thrill out of being in strange places, so I don't go on them, but things I have enjoyed are- visiting friends, abroad or in the UK, going on an adventure/event holiday- why not go horse-riding, or learn to dive or I went on a retreat once for 10 days, that was totally amazing and really stayed with me.

It's kind of funny to keep doing something you don't really like, especially if you are paying so much for the privilege.

You do sound a bit of a whiner. I might have had more sympathy if you were one of those women whose 'family' holidays consist of doing all the housework and childcare in some damp caravan somewhere - the DC and the H have a 'wonderful' time, but for the woman it's just the same shitwork in another location.

This in spades.

If you hate airports except posh ones, arrive and book yourself into a lounge, Free food and drink and away from the rabble.
If you don’t rate hotels do an apartment or villa.
If you burn don’t go in summer.

I get holidays are expensive ( which from your comments about parents paying, may be a factor) so budget properly and just put it in a holiday fund, That way you aren’t resentful every time you hand over the credit card.

Put sunscreen on at least 40 mins before you go outside. Set an alarm on your phone to reapply as necessary. Cover up/avoid for the hottest part of the day. Sunburn is completely avoidable

You went to Luxembourg on holiday? Why??

I go there for work regularly. It’s dull, expensive and essentially a fiscal haven for business, so just full of expats.

Hope you find the holiday you’re looking for soon!

There's a lot to be said for sightseeing-type holidays out of season - prices are generally lower and crowds far less. I went to Rome last November and it was lovely - still warm enough to have a coffee outside in the middle of the day and not crowded at all. I've also been to Venice in early December - all atmospheric mists and Christmas decorations - and to Marseilles and Avignon in April/May - when it was warm but not too hot.

It sounds like you’re one of those people who values comfort and certainty over new experiences and variety. So basically you’re not prepared to put up with a bit of discomfort or risk of things going wrong for the sake of seeing somewhere new.

If that’s true, that’s fine (bit boring IMO but fine). Stay home. Holidays aren’t obligatory.

You are never going to be able to book a holiday where there is no risk of something going a bit wrong or being a bit disappointing so if those things will ruin your holiday, don’t take the risk.

Currently in holiday in Devon and having a wonderful time. Great weather, not too hot, mixture of things to do from mooching about little fishing villages, pub lunches, cream teas to coastal path walks and boat trips. Feel invigorated and distressed. Hot holidays abroad are always too hot for me unless out of season and too expensive!

De stressed not distressed!

I've had one holiday abroad in 9 years. Just be thankful that you are able to explore the world and maybe try doing things differently next time.

Why can’t you drive abroad? That makes life very difficult.

I don’t personally like hotels. For the same price as a 5* hotel you could get a beautiful s/c villa and a cook.

Some of our favourite holidays have been Aus, Singapore and Berlin so maybe we have the same tastes.
We tend to plan extended city breaks as our main holiday with some overnight trips to more countryside type places. For next year we're planning Copenhagen and Malmo. I find other people (families with kids esp) don't tend to do these trips for their main summer holidays but we really enjoy them.

I sympathise OP and am no longer inclined to go abroad for the foreseeable future after several massively delayed homeward flights on our last few holidays, meaning we hadn't slept for over 24 hours when we finally arrived home and therefore spoiling otherwise relaxing holidays.

Also hate the stress of airports and the unhygenic habits of other hotel guests, especially at buffets.

A driving holiday to Scotland was one of the best breaks we've ever had. Will do it again soon and will also consider self catering/near local restaurants for when we go abroad again. Possibly another driving or biking adventure.

Seriously? You can’t be faffed to organise a holiday you might actually enjoy? Everyone on this thread seems to be giving your holiday more consideration than you. It’s really simple: do something different, that you enjoy, and can afford.

I agree. Let’s all save our own money, energy and the planet and stay at home or travel within the uk?

Doesn't like getting hot and bothered. Too much hassle dealing with airport security, luggage etc

Favourite places are Singapore and Australia.

Does not compute

Try a cruise, it's easy and check in is like a hotel check in. Although does take about half an hour from arriving at port to getting to your cabin. Food is good, loads to do. New stop each day. Even at sea you cant be bored.

You sound like a misery arse and an absolute bore. Save your money and stay at home. HTH

Well, I agree holidays can be crap. I was reading the thread yesterday about a poster having a truly dreadful time at an all-inclusive place. But it was a very divided thread lots of people agreeing, many others said they've had fabulous AI breaks.
I've had my share of 'meh' holidays but nothing dreadful and I've learned from my mistakes. Chalk this one up to experience.
You can do 5* in this country too , BTW.