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.

I'll suggest Merano in the South Tyrol - technically Italy but very Austrian in feel. A gorgeous place, fantastic public transport, loads to do within a short journey.

I know Merano, a very good friend comes from there. We went to her wedding in Bolzano, it was brilliant. Lovely place

Go camping in the UK

We don’t go anywhere likely to be over 30deg. 20-25 is more our kind of temperature as we do like to be active. We like Northern Europe and/or being up in the mountains.

I don't think YABU. I am a homebody, and luckily so is DH. When we have time off we really enjoy relaxing at home /going out locally.
You don't have to travel far to get beautiful scenery, a national trust place, somewhere nice to eat, or whatever you particularly like.
I love my home comforts (and my pets)

YANBU I prefer to stay in the UK. I am currently in Cornwall having a fab time.

I'm intending to never fly again if I can help it, hate airports, hate the hassle. Hate anywhere hot in particular.

My carbon footprint is immaculate!

We dont go to hot countries in the summer. Go when it’s cooler.
Sightseeing in Europe is much better in late September or October.
April is also a good time.
Plus it’s usually cheaper.

Sorry op, coming across as entitled.
Do a bit of proper research into your holiday, go with the mindset that you're going to have a blast , even if things go wrong, and you might even enjoy yourself.
I can honestly say I've enjoyed every holiday I've been on, with friends, parents or DH , even hopping around Crete with a moon boot after breaking my ankle just before we were due to fly.
Do you have unrealistic expectations perhaps, real life isn't usually an airbrushed Instagram experience no matter how much we would like it to be !

I suppose it’s very much about what are your main priorities. I’m fussy about food, love the comfort of my own bed, obsessed with hygiene and anxious about flying. It’s awful combination which makes holidays quite difficult. My DD has additional needs which I need to take into account too. And our ideas about holidays differ a bit. So my holidays are not always my dream holidays. But sometimes you can’t tick all the boxes at once so you need to choose a few main ones. You probably need to go abroad less often but spend more money on comfort. And treat yourself at home in between.

Personally I would hate to stay at home. Dh and I can only get a week away at a time .
I would like more , but am slightly not as mobile as I was so this changes things. Ok we can't afford 5* but we make the best of it and always enjoy our holidays. Well the flights can vary, depending on how lively they are.

You do sound entitled OP and very negative, what’s the point of going away to be miserable and dissatisfied?

Having to go outside term time doesn't mean you have to go in August. Do May or October instead. For stuff to do, somewhere with good transport between towns/cities on mainland Spain (like Malaga/Marbella) would be better than Ibiza!

I agree with you, holidays are for suckers! Unless you can afford to travel business class at the very least I would not bother, and I mean that, because the experience is awful, and that's an understatement!
Also, it's a young person's sport, when you mature you get to realize the importance of comfort and familiarity, I used to look up at planes and think lucky people, now I look up and think, poor bastards!

OP, YABU, Luxembourg is the most boring place on earth, I've been to most countries in Europe, it's seriously a total snoozeathon? And tiny? It's basically a motorway service station with decent Riesling. Am I allowed to say sh*hole on Mumsnet? It's a boring sh*hole.

Serious reply: do more research. There's loads of FB groups where people talk about holidays, destinations, gorgeous hotels, resorts,advise each other on restaurants, etc etc. Or just pay a travel agent to find you something. Holidays are awesome, but you have to know what you like/want (if u liked Berlin and Prague, try Vienna, Tallinn or Helsinki)

But seriously if you paid actual money to go to Luxembourg.... Just get someone else to help you 🤣🤣🤣 there's no shame in it! Ask a professional!!