To think the idea of going abroad on holiday is sometimes better than the reality

[spicylasagne]

Each new year rolls round and I look forward to booking trips for the year ahead. Nothing too lavish. We work hard and prioritise holidays over other things and make sure we save so we can afford 7-10 days somewhere short-haul with near guaranteed sunshine.
Alongside this if the budget stretches we try to book a city break, again somewhere European and not too far away as we all know long flights can be a nightmare.

Last year we went to an AirBnb in the UK for a week and I loved every second, fully switched off and felt relaxed. We also went to the Canaries and on a city break. We spent more on holidays than we usually would after not having the chance over the lockdowns. I feel horribly ungrateful saying this, but after 48 hours of being abroad I was terribly homesick. Missed my own creature comforts, felt uneasy, struggled with food and this limited where we could all eat, adding an extra layer of stress (dairy and gluten free). Particularly reflecting on the AI hotel we stayed in in the Canaries. £2000+ to enjoy the first two days and then feel homesick seems an awful waste even if everyone else enjoys it.

Looking at holidays again this year and prices have inevitably rocketed. I crave new experiences and destinations but never enjoy it for very long once there. I was talking to my friend earlier and she said she felt the same and that’s why they stopped going abroad, and haven’t now been overseas in nearly ten years. AIBU to think the thought of abroad holidays can be better than the reality? We have certain relatives who turn their nose up at UK getaways and make out like you’ve not really been on holiday unless you go on a plane and claim going away in this country is just as extortionate - probably true!

Love going abroad. Much better than a holiday in the UK in my opinion.
Travel as much as you can, while you can,one day you won't be able too.

I enjoy France. It is clean, safe and not too far away. We use the ferry so everything gets stuffed into the car, plus roof box. I feel relaxed there.

You are booking the wrong places, perhaps try somewhere off the beaten track? Exciting and new and not the same tourist traps.

By speaking the local language, by doing activities like/with the locals, by avoiding 'tourist' hotspots I feel much less 'treated' like a tourist. That's my perception anyway.

Holidays in the uk are a poor substitute for a proper holiday abroad for me

I want to experience some different culture and different climate

never get homesick. why would I?! Its a holiday not emigrating.

This ! 👆

@Blueberrypeapod

thats a big sacrifice you’re making for your dog!

🙂 not at all. I’d miss her too much. I also feel I’ve done all the foreign travel I’m entitled to.

I think you are picking the wrong holidays rather than necessarily it being an "abroad" thing. It's not the cost or the AI element that makes for a good holiday.

I don't think you need to rethink the fact of going abroad if you like travelling and seeing new places It's the "how" If you did, for example, self catering in Malta, so English speaking and you wouldn't have the food worries, or even a gite in France where there are massive well stocked supermarkets, you might have a better time

I also don't like being asked again about Brexit.

Likewise. Met the former local Mayor in a French city, chatted about what I liked about it and what I had seen, and then was asked which country I came from.

I think it depends a lot on where you go and what kind of holiday you have.

I have always found package holidays and all inclusives to be really disappointing and nine times out of ten you are better off staying at home. It’s like being in a Premier Inn but with heat and a pool.

City breaks and off beaten track holidays abroad though I could do until the cows come home.

Love both! We usually go abroad- but in lock down went to Scotland ( cold and wet in August) and the following year to Eastbourne ( not wet but not not massively warm) both were epic holidays

loved my 32 degrees by the pool last year though

I have no idea how my post underlined

I’m completely over the effort of long-haul or even medium distance travel. It’s rarely worth the time and stress involved.

the point of a holiday is to relax and distress. Navigating airport chaos and baggage requirements doesn’t help me with that.

From someone who went many years without holidays and many other years only having holidays thanks to the wonderful generosity of others.

To me, a holiday is a break from your life. When we couldn’t go anywhere for more than the odd day trip with a lunchbox and flask, I desperately wanted to sleep in a bed that someone else had made, have my food brought to me, not have to empty the bins, mooch about somewhere nice wondering which restaurant to try for dinner.

A holiday, like a wedding, should be whatever you (and your family) want (and can afford). A week in a caravan an hour away? A tent in the highlands for a fortnight? Exploring churches in northern Italy or hitting Disney hard, it’s fine to do whatever YOU want.

Just own it and don’t feel pressured by anyone else. A holiday is a luxury!

YABU. I haven't been abroad for a few years and I really want to this year. I always really enjoy all holidays (except one on a small canal boat with PIL in October in Lancashire <shudders at the memory>) but the ones abroad have always been the best.

The only people I know who bang on tirelessly about brexit are brits!

I think planning a holiday is better and more exciting than actually being there! I guess it depends on expectations.

Surprised re this too.

op I love a holiday and it does live up to it. The airport and flying part can take a bit out of it, but still worth it.

The comment about Brexit made me smile. A bit. It’s lessened a bit but I’m asked constantly (in Spain, France, Germany, Ireland…) as I travel quite a lot - about it. Usually along the lines of “WTF is going on in the UK?” I’m of the same opinion and enjoy the opportunity to practice my French.

Sounds like 48 hour mini breaks would be the way to go? There are hundreds of great places on the continent.

I love going abroad and never get homesick , we booked a last minute break to Lanzarote just after New Year it was 25 degrees and so relaxing . My ds9 cried when we left he had had such a fab time . If the weather was guaranteed in this country I would holiday in the UK more but bring in a different town whilst it's raining and googling what to do is not my idea of a holiday . We go away for camping breaks and for the weekend in the UK but very rarely a full weeks holiday .

Maybe you need to go further OP? America, Cuba, Mexico, Canada. I've travelled a lot in Europe and found myself getting a bit bored with short haul.

By speaking the local language, by doing activities like/with the locals, by avoiding 'tourist' hotspots I feel much less 'treated' like a tourist. That's my perception anyway

Show quote history
Likewise. Met the former local Mayor in a French city, chatted about what I liked about it and what I had seen, and then was asked which country I came from
But if you are only going to go to countries where you can speak the language you are seriously limiting the countries you can go to as you can't speak many languages fluently.
Although I can speak some languages, some definitely stronger than others why would I limited my life expierences because I can't speak Japanese,Chinese or Portuguese for example. Even in Europe there are so many different languages. Not going because you dont want to appear as a tourist, even though you are really, looks like its shortening your horizons.