Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think people are too obsessed with taking a holiday?

438 replies

Tepoi · 30/07/2023 15:40

I don’t get the attraction of saving for months to go somewhere for 10ish days. Fine if you have money but hearing how people are spending the equivalent of 1 - 2 months take home pay on a holiday strikes me as very odd. Maybe because I don’t have the money to spare.
if you do go on holiday, and it takes 4-6 weeks’ take home pay, can I ask why you go?

OP posts:
MerinoCashmere · 30/07/2023 19:46

I don’t understand holidays.
I don’t understand snacks.
I don’t understand why mums go to work.
I don’t understand why women wear make-up.

Please someone help me make sense of it all.

Moreorlessmentallystable · 30/07/2023 19:53

BlastedIce · 30/07/2023 19:18

But that will change once the house is done up? Your priority is the house, you surely understand that others have houses that don’t need renovation.

Show quote history

Perhaps. But the OP asked for opinions and I gave mine based on my current situation. I don't understand why you are so invested in debating my point of view? I never said this was the case for everyone. So yes of course I understand other houses don't need renovation. Also my point is not just about the money that it costs Vs the cost of renovation but also along the lines of "making a life you don't need a break from" , we already live near the sea, and have woods at our doorstep, can see wildlife from my kitchen windows and door, and a few acres for our kids to explore, so for me creating this lifestyle made a lot more sense than obsessing about going on holiday for a fortnight a year 😬

SocksAndTheCity · 30/07/2023 19:54

I travelled all over the world when I was younger and enjoyed most of it, but it has no appeal for me now beyond the odd weekend city break and the last one of those was five years ago. I don't like the sun or very hot weather, and having spent many years travelling all over the place for work I'm sick to death of airports and trains.

I live in Central London though, so I'm spoilt rotten for food, culture and so on. I'm also self employed and freelance, so shutting up shop completely even for a week is more hassle than it's worth when I get back (plus I don't earn anything if I don't work because I don't get paid leave).

What I would like is being able to take a week off and spend roughly what I'd expect to spend on a holiday on days out, activities and so on so I'd still be able to come back and sleep in my own bed every night 😊

Whatkindofuckeryisthis · 30/07/2023 19:55

UK weather is crap
Its nice to see the world, enjoy different food and culture
My son loves swimming in the sea and going to water parks, would rather do that in the sun than the rain here!
What else do you spend spare cash on?!

I want to make memories with my son not have money in savings… what’s the point?!

Ohhelpicantthinkofaname · 30/07/2023 20:06

I like be holidays. Beautiful beaches, lovely food, warm barmy evenings sitting around chatting with a drink after a meal. Know you can’t do this in the U.K., but our weather is not reliable and U.K. beaches, though nice, are not the mrs.

it’s also time as a family to enjoy each others company without the stresses of every day life. Dd1 is 18 and I doubt she will come in many more holidays, so each one is special.

people are different. We spend as much as we can afford on holidays, I’d happily spend a larger percentage of our earning if it wasn’t already needed for other things. One day…..

Ohhelpicantthinkofaname · 30/07/2023 20:07

*balmy not barmy 😂😂 though sometimes that would be a better description.

Ifyouarehappyandyouknowit123 · 30/07/2023 20:08

Seeing new cultures, trying different foods, exploring different sites, being on a warm beach, a break from routine. SO many reasons.
I don't understand why people wouldn't go away. I would hate to not get away at least once a year.

barbieseyebrows · 30/07/2023 20:11

@AbsoluteYawns yes - if my husband earned a lower amount of money then we'd cut back on other things to still spend £4.5k on a holiday

To be fair, when we were lower earners, we got two weeks to Turkey for £2k

I actually remember going to Cyprus for a week in July with the two kids for a pittance

Time with my children is more important to me than a badge on a car, or expensive treatments, or anything else really

Appreciate the point that we are probably in a different financial position to others, but even when we earned lower amounts - we always took them somewhere

PurpleFlower1983 · 30/07/2023 20:16

Because life is short and experiences count. We’re away now on a beautiful Greek island and it’s bliss.

temosmail · 30/07/2023 20:23

100%

zoopigi · 30/07/2023 20:24

LoobyDop · 30/07/2023 15:46

I allocate around 10% of my annual take home pay to holidays, and I go because being somewhere hot and beautiful, with nothing to do except look at beautiful things, mess around in the sea, and lounge around eating and drinking, makes me happier than anything else. In my opinion this makes it entirely worth the money. Especially as I’m not particularly short of money, but I am increasingly aware that life is short and you can’t take it with you. Hope that helps 🙄

For some reason I couldn't quote just the bit I wanted to, which was the first sentence-and I wanted to say this was my weekend! We can't afford a real, get on a plane go away for a week holiday this year, but we live in cyprus, so our weekend is exactly like this-laze around, eat when we want, have a drink, dip in the sea, rinse and repeat. I love my life :)

xyz111 · 30/07/2023 20:41

I went to Rome this year and it was amazing. To see things that over 2000 years old was incredible. The world is such a big place, so many places to experience. But if you don't like holidays, then that's absolutely fine too 😀

Original poster
Tepoi · 30/07/2023 20:55

Thank you. Lots of food for thought. I personally couldn’t deal with the stress of booking and being away from home so I don’t see the attraction.
but everyone is different and eachntontheir own. No more replied required.

OP posts:
Ireolu · 30/07/2023 22:13

We came back from Turkey today after a weeks holiday. Paid 3600 for the 3 of us. Less than a month's salary for us. 5* all inclusive. First package holiday for us. We have come back refreshed so the break has served its purpose. Would we do a package trip again? probably not. Flight was very uncomfortable, timings inconvenient and food at the hotel although plentiful not to our taste. DC loved it though and is already planning our next trip.

crazeekat · 30/07/2023 22:30

because life is too short. i want to die knowing i have experienced the world / countries of interest as much as i could, don't care what it costs. i'll save what i need to, and my two kids will have experienced some culture. and btw i love my own country too and travel all over as much as we can. but the world is always calling. it's maybe not for everyone but we are not in this world for long. make the most of it, and for some loads of people travel/holidays is what keeps us going, gives me something to look forward to and learn and experiance.

Endlesssummer2022 · 30/07/2023 22:32

Augustus40 · 30/07/2023 15:50

I prefer to work 3 days a week so feel I do not need a break. As I get a lot of rest time.

But holidays aren’t just for rest. I don’t know anyone who goes on holiday just to lie down.

notamilf · 30/07/2023 22:38

@barbieseyebrows I really love how you worded that and I couldn't have said it better x

BaublesinSummer · 30/07/2023 22:40

Can I squeeze one in OP before you clock off!

If you find somewhere you love then stick with it. We've been to the same seaside village near Barcelona for five years now and look forward to it so much.

The whole experience also feels more like six weeks than two to me - the two weeks prior when you're organising and the two weeks after with a post-holiday glow. It's well worth it IMO.

In 2021, because of the extortionate Covid testing costs, we went on a package deal to Kos for £6000 and really didn't enjoy it. I always remember pressing the Pay button when we booked and shudder at the thought.

MerinoCashmere · 30/07/2023 23:01

Tepoi · 30/07/2023 20:55

Thank you. Lots of food for thought. I personally couldn’t deal with the stress of booking and being away from home so I don’t see the attraction.
but everyone is different and eachntontheir own. No more replied required.

Until this thread, did you not understand why people like to go on holiday?

OnAWobblyFence · 30/07/2023 23:22

Because I love holidays and we can easily afford them.

widowtwankywashroom · 31/07/2023 06:19

Tepoi · 30/07/2023 20:55

Thank you. Lots of food for thought. I personally couldn’t deal with the stress of booking and being away from home so I don’t see the attraction.
but everyone is different and eachntontheir own. No more replied required.

I think that is really sad. To not see, hear and feel life away from home
Even a weekend away renews me
Makes me feel alive
Sat on a balcony with a brew watching the river flow was just lovely this weekend

TheaBrandt · 31/07/2023 07:06

Totally can’t relate to the non holiday crowd. I actually crave a change to experience somewhere different to my day to day. Lakes / mountains / beach/ exploring foreign cities. I cannot imagine not doing that. Life would be so dull.

That said the non travel group are way greener I do get guilt about flying and try and use the train.

Tapasgoofy · 31/07/2023 07:38

Tepoi · 30/07/2023 20:55

Thank you. Lots of food for thought. I personally couldn’t deal with the stress of booking and being away from home so I don’t see the attraction.
but everyone is different and eachntontheir own. No more replied required.

Booking a holiday isn’t stressful most of the time and neither is being away from home.

Remmy123 · 31/07/2023 07:39

2 weeks relaxing in the sun / seeing some culture / not having to cook / completely switching off / having a sigh / watching my kids have fun in the sea / boat rides .. colomy home feeling fully recharged and fun memories made with your family.

that's why (for me)

but I respect why people don't

leismah · 31/07/2023 07:52

I think that is really sad. To not see, hear and feel life away from home

I find it makes me appreciate my home more, I love that first night back in my own bed!