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!

I absolutely love holidays...genuinely my favourite thing in the whole world to do!
That includes city breaks, cultural trips, long haul, cheap and cheerful med beaches, theme parks. Anything! Just being away from home, experiencing new things, new food, the weather, exploring, adventures etc
We've already booked 3 European trips in for this year. Children are 5 and (very nearly) 2. Both love to travel, flexible and love seeing new things. At age 2 DD will have done 6 trips abroad (DS5 will have done 9 but we had to cancel a few over Covid) and looking forward to taking them to America next year.

You can go on holiday wherever you like. There are loads of great places in the UK. Northumberland coast. Durham dales. Perthshire.
Do you get homesick because you're bored? Is the main problem the food?
Would a villa or apartment abroad suit better than a hotel?
I like hotels for 2 or 3 days at the most and then I feel like I want to be on the move again. Most of the time I trek long-distances with a tent so that's a completely different type of holiday. I wouldn't feel comfortable in a hotel for 2 weeks somewhere like the Canaries.
Maybe you need to try a different type of holiday abroad - one where you are moving around and seeing different places.
Also if you want the sunshine, Austria is lovely and if you pick the right place you can have a beach holiday of sorts next to one of the many lakes. I also loved Slovenia - lovely weather, a tiny bit of coastline, but inland so many great places to see.

What sort of things do you enjoy doing and what are your interests? Maybe people can suggest some holiday destinations.

Oh God yeah, 100%. Traveling is an overrated experience. Brits tend to idealize a lot of places, especially when it's grey and miserable, but they forget the suffocating heat, the insects and snakes, the crime and corruption.

I know some people love travel, and good luck to them. Personally, I don't like airports, find hotel rooms weirdly claustrophobic and depressing, and usually dislike the whole experience. I've never been to the States, and would certainly like to go. I'd also love to visit Nepal or Tibet. Other than that, I'll stick to the Lake District and the Highlands.

Then I think you are doing holidays wrong. Try a different kind of holiday?

@TulipTuesday what time of year are you going? ...here are some suggestions for you!

Copenhagen - very very friendly and everyone speaks English!
Danish beaches are also beautiful!

Travel south of France by train (Marseilles all the way to Nice) stopping off. Trains are way better than UK ones.

Barcelona - beautiful

If you prefer smaller cities and like beaches too try Palma in Mallorca, which is as beautiful as Barcelona but tiny and you can walk everywhere.

Amalfi Coast

At Christmas time do a quick trip to Bruges! Again everyone speaks English and it's simply stunning!! You can walk everywhere as it's tiny.

None of these places are anything like UK so you'd be experiencing something new in a good way.

Please don't let your first trip abroad be all inclusive to Canaries. Nothing wrong with it for those who travel a bit and fancy an easy beach break and I've done it myself, but please enjoy the wonderful things Europe has to offer!

@spicylasagne Yes, I feel the same way. A lot of what you write really resonates with me.

Although I also feel that way, to an extent, on UK holidays. I just always like to get home. Although I do currently have young kids, so holidays are hard work, maybe I will be able to fully relax once the kids are a bit older.

In general though, yes I find that the idea of the holidays is always better than the reality.

I have lots of great, great holiday memories, but I don't always fully enjoy them at the time.

The planning and anticipation, and then the memories are better than the actual reality.

I live for my holidays, I never understand people who say they are ready to go home, waiting for the flight home is like setting that Monday morning alarm x 1000.