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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

I don't enjoy going on holiday

121 replies

sugarfreegum · 08/05/2023 19:39

There I have said it. It's not that I hate it, but I definitely don't get what the fuss is all about. And I flatter myself that I am open-minded, not unadventurous, etc. etc. I even like travelling for work, which I have done a lot. But when I go on holiday, it always seems like a lot of faff for a lot of money and not that much pay off. I would rather spend on little things that make daily life better, like good coffee, books, nice clothes to wear. Am I the only person in the world like this, because everyone else seems to be bonkers about holidays?

OP posts:
Floralys2 · 08/05/2023 21:20

I've got a week off in June and I'll be staying at home and just doing things around the house and in the garden

I have no interest in going away

All the packing, driving, expense. Going abroad is ten times worse, I don't like flying, hanging around in airports for hours, check-ins, waiting for luggage, transfers, queues. By the time I get back I need a holiday

avidteadrinker · 08/05/2023 21:21

I usually love a holiday but am away this week and hating it! Apartment smells badly of damp, mosquitoes eating me, water too cold to swim in and work stress on my mind … wish I’d stayed at home

MavisMcMinty · 08/05/2023 21:23

Bluebells1970 · 08/05/2023 21:18

DH and I have had an awful row this weekend about holidays. I don't enjoy them at all. I'm bored of booking/finding them; bored of arranging everything and soothing two unsettled dogs; and bored of trying to keep DH occupied with his "where are we going today". It's no break for me at all, I just take my daily life with me and put it into a hostile environment Hmm

Maybe he should go on holidays by himself, or with a friend? It’s what I’d suggest, although my OH is as tepid about holidays as I am. I WISH he’d go away on his own sometimes - I drive the 500-mile round trip to see my Dad and sister a few times a year for a long weekend and would appreciate him giving me the same space occasionally! His sister’s just moved to Glasgow so I’m going to suggest he goes to visit her while I stay home “to look after the animals”.

Fingerling · 08/05/2023 21:23

Everyone is different, if it's not your thing you can certainly save a lot of money! I love to go away - it can be stressful and hard work but I like to see new places and do different things elsewhere. I'm not interested in sunbathing though or just sitting in a villa just doing the same things you'd do at home.

saltinesandcoffeecups · 08/05/2023 21:28

Interesting thread…. There are some I really look forward to and some I am very meh about. Personally I am not a fan of city breaks. Right now I want easy trips. Easy to book, somewhat easy to get to, entertainment that’s easy to access, etc. Mostly I don’t want to have to think very hard. For this reason I’m loving AI’s and have tripped across a few small (less than 30 pax) boat trips.

I must be doing admin or planning wrong though because I can’t say I work very hard at it.

BritWifeInUSA · 08/05/2023 21:30

We love ours and have just had our second one of 5 for this year. But we do them exactly the way we want them. We don’t just books something for the sake of booking something. I spend an insane amount of time researching the perfect hotels, etc, which I actually enjoy. We only fly business class or better and only stay in places that we know will be comfortable but luxurious. I couldn’t enjoy a camping holiday or a mass-market resort. So I don’t even bother looking at those.

RedHeadsUnite · 08/05/2023 21:30

I think I've got the best of both worlds; I love going on holiday - and I love coming back home again 😉

galadrielelfqueen · 08/05/2023 21:36

Me too, can't be bothered anymore. I've done loads of travel, both hols and work and I'm not interested these days.

I'm a member of a posh spa with a golf club which feels like a treat after work three nights a week and one day at the weekend which is all I can manage.

I treat myself to nice things all year round. Not saying I'll never go on hols again but for now I'm ok without them.

Yvetty · 08/05/2023 21:39

We go to the same place every year for our summer holiday in UK. It’s like home from home for us now so when we get there it’s easy. We stay in lovely holiday homes, often in the same one year after year.

Might sound boring to some but we love it - DH and I travelled a lot before kids and occasionally we have shorter breaks elsewhere - we know exactly what to expect, best place to sit on beach etc. and we don’t have the hassle of airports and that malarkey.

As the kids are getting older we may change our plans. The oldest is a bit fed up of going to same place but I just remind her she’s lucky to having a holiday at all!

saltinesandcoffeecups · 08/05/2023 21:41

BritWifeInUSA · 08/05/2023 21:30

We love ours and have just had our second one of 5 for this year. But we do them exactly the way we want them. We don’t just books something for the sake of booking something. I spend an insane amount of time researching the perfect hotels, etc, which I actually enjoy. We only fly business class or better and only stay in places that we know will be comfortable but luxurious. I couldn’t enjoy a camping holiday or a mass-market resort. So I don’t even bother looking at those.

I think you’ve hit on a lot of the important bits.

  • Going somewhere you want to go - Not always possible depending on circumstances (kids, finances, obligations, etc)
  • Business Class does make the actual traveling so much better
  • Doing things that you want to do - I am not the biggest fan of museums, long hikes, or scenic viewing…
  • Going with who you want… again not always possible
MavisMcMinty · 08/05/2023 21:41

I suspect my childhood living abroad - moving to a different country every few years, always being the new girl at school, always having to say goodbye to friends - is the cause of my liking to stay in one place as an adult. Feel I’ve seen enough of the world already, maybe.

Anonymouseposter · 08/05/2023 21:43

Everyone enjoys different things, it's best to do what you actually enjoy and not do things because of what anyone else might think.
If you're part of a couple there might be a bit of compromise necessary.

AlltheFs · 08/05/2023 21:43

I think holiday fans just think that we pick the wrong sort of hol, but that’s not the case for me. I have done so much travel, on my own, with DH and now we have DD. I have done activity holidays, city breaks, road trips, rural
retreats, short and long haul, hotels, villas, apartments, all budgets (apart from super luxury billionaire style), self catering, AI, full board, part board, B&B, camping, caravanning.

I’m not saying I hated them all but I am completely ambivalent. I just prefer being at home. It’s the act of being away that I don’t really enjoy.

My best holidays have been road trips, I do like being on the move as feels like you are headed home and I dislike being with other people so hotels, resorts etc are my worst. A self catering villa with plenty of private space is ok. I’ve done some UK based trail riding which was good. But ultimately, if I could never go on holiday ever again I’d be fine.

The bit I am looking forward to this hol
is seeing how DD experiences it-first flight, new language etc. But it doesn’t do anything for me particularly. We are going to where DH used to live though (for his 50th) so he is buzzing and I will make absolute effort that he has a great time. I’m happy that they are happy.

Yvetty · 08/05/2023 21:46

I meant to add - I take my own pillow with me (memory foam) so sleep well too!!

HunterHearstHelmsley · 08/05/2023 21:46

I'm not a holiday person. I totally get that some people are holiday people. There seems to be a weird judgment of people who don't enjoy holidays! I like being at home, relaxing, taking some day trips etc. Going away on holiday just isn't for me.

FawnFrenchieMum · 08/05/2023 21:46

Bumdealoftheweek · 08/05/2023 19:51

I definitely don't feel the same as you but it depends where we go. A UK holiday is not a holiday for me as you can't guarantee the weather, it's super expensive and whilst there are some lovely places it's not something hugely different on a day to day basis. We would also stay self-catering so it's the same jobs just a different location.

I LOVE going on holiday abroad. It's a total break from the norm - no washing, cleaning, work or running the kids around for activities. We get to just be together, do fun activities and relax. I love trying new foods and generally just having long lazy days with no demands on my time. We eat out the majority of the time too.

I was going to type exactly this!

Haveallthesongsbeenwritten · 08/05/2023 21:47

Bumdealoftheweek · 08/05/2023 19:51

I definitely don't feel the same as you but it depends where we go. A UK holiday is not a holiday for me as you can't guarantee the weather, it's super expensive and whilst there are some lovely places it's not something hugely different on a day to day basis. We would also stay self-catering so it's the same jobs just a different location.

I LOVE going on holiday abroad. It's a total break from the norm - no washing, cleaning, work or running the kids around for activities. We get to just be together, do fun activities and relax. I love trying new foods and generally just having long lazy days with no demands on my time. We eat out the majority of the time too.

Agree. Love going abroad!

FictionalCharacter · 08/05/2023 21:47

Don’t go then! I absolutely love holidays. Didn’t have them as a child because my parents couldn’t afford it. Enjoy being at home if that’s what you like, and leave the holiday flights, hotels and cottages for those of us who love them.

HunterHearstHelmsley · 08/05/2023 21:48

@AlltheFs

I’m not saying I hated them all but I am completely ambivalent. I just prefer being at home. It’s the act of being away that I don’t really enjoy

Totally agree. I don't mind the odd one night break but I want to be home generally.

I've been away, I've travelled, I've done an all inclusive. It just doesn't suit me.

PuppyMonkey · 08/05/2023 21:51

I sort of get you OP. I’ve had some great holidays but I’ve also had some proper stinkers - that horrible realisation on day 1 or 2 of a crap venue, crap cottage, crap hotel or whatever, and you start mentally counting down how long you’ve got till the end of the week and you can go back to your lovely home.Grin

ConstanceReid · 08/05/2023 21:54

I can totally get that some people hate holidays. When we are about to go away, I go through a really weird last minute ‘I don’t want to go’ thing.

Having said that, we absolutely live for holidays and weekends away. They are the highlight of our year and we spaff crazy money on them.

GirlOfTudor · 08/05/2023 21:57

I can agree to an extent! I do enjoy seeing other countries, trying different food, enjoying a scorching hot beach, etc, but it's a LOT of prep, money and stress. Especially with kids. It's worse, of the accomodation/destination is disappointing.

Good for you for spending on what makes your life better daily!

AliceMcK · 08/05/2023 21:57

Agree, it’s a lot of money and stress for a few days or weeks away. All the crowds, getting to and from airports, packing, unpacking…I also don’t understand why people want to go away during summer, surely it’s better to enjoy the summer at home for free then go away in winter for some extra sun. I’d much rather do days out during summer. Not that we really have any choice at the moment with the costs of holidays.

I have done a lot of overseas travelling, backpacking when younger, I’d happily travel for a wow holiday but can’t be bothered going from England just to spend a week in a resort with a bunch of other English people because that’s what people do in summer.

alittlequinnie · 08/05/2023 22:00

I'm not a fan either.

I think it's because I really love my home, I really love my husband and I really love my job and I don't feel like I need to "get away"?

Telling people they are "not your thing" is akin to saying "I just strangled a kitten" though isn't it?!

WoolyAndYug · 08/05/2023 22:08

Totally agree even as a child I never wanted to go away in holiday. I've always travelled for work and enjoyed it but there's something about being away from home and the pressure to enjoy it because it's so expensive that's so stressful. I'm not interested in sunbathing and prefer a cooler climate plus I love where I live and don't feel the need to get away.