Friend said our holidays are boring

[SusanandMidge]

My friend and her husband love travelling and go on about 4 holidays a year. This year they've been to Egypt, India and Japan and are planning a trip to Croatia next month,
We prefer to holiday in the UK. Just throw everything into the car, no airport security, worrying about losing passports, delayed flights etc. We genuinely enjoy driving around places like the Lake District, Devon, Wales etc., stopping off at nice villages, chilling out in the garden of rented cottages with a glass of wine and a book, pottering up to the local pub for dinner and all that.

Last night, after a couple of drinks, my friend asked me why we go on such 'boring' holidays. I just said I wouldn't really enjoy the holidays she goes on but each to their own. She started persisting, saying 'don't you want to see the world' and so on. I pointed out that when we were younger we went to the States, Australia and lots of European countries. Then she said yeah but that was years ago, and we should 'treat ourselves' to a few nice holidays.

We're about to head down to Cornwall for a week, but her comments have kind of ruined it. I really don't want to go on long haul holidays and was content with our UK holidays but now just feel like everyone thinks we're boring and unadventurous. AIBU.

Ah, those lovely holidays dealing with airport security, standing in long queues, sitting in cramped seating for long periods of time. Worrying about lost luggage and missed connections. Coming home exhausted from your travels.

There is value in going to a destination, but what I need most from a holiday is relaxation and to unwind mentally.

You’re being unreasonable… only to worry what she thinks. Good friends or not, you do you and she does her.
We have very good friends who are creatures of habit and return to same hotel every single summer - it’s not for us, but they enjoy it, so none of our business.
Your friend was out of order tbh — she could have enquired why you didn’t travel further afield then accepted your explanation that you were happy you’d done it years ago. End of.

I have a feeling your friend doesn’t realize she sounded so abrasive and judgmental. That would have annoyed me too and had me questioning my choices. Sounds like you’ve bounced back though. Don’t give it another thought.

What a charmer she is!
I like doing both, my heart does love the Lakes and Cornwall.

Go have a great time in Cornwall, wave at the “nearly there trees”, and absorb all the beauty Cornwall has. Jealous.. !

I like UK trips but need my Spain and Greece trips too. I've travelled a lot but could get by without exotic long haul trips tbh.

I’d ask your friend why they take such unethical holidays. Jet travel, global warming, exploitation in developing nations, tourism driving deforestation and displacement of natural wildlife, etc etc. don’t let her comments bother you - enjoy your holidays. Take a rain jacket 😁

I sympathise massively, OP.

I have always had the same problem from one or 2 friends - not all. But they will not let the matter drop! One always starts by saying 'Now, I know you don't like travel', or 'Now, I know you're afraid of flying.' Er no...neither are true. We just mostly prefer a relaxing break in the UK, no more than 3 hours from home. We travel abroad about once every 2/3 years - just for a short but quality break. By quality, I mean we really want to visit the place, we read up and plan how we'll use our time and come back culturally enriched and inspired.

1. I have NO CLUE why anyone gives a damn where other people plan to holiday. I genuinely think such people need help - it's a bizarre thing to get concerned about. I really can only put it down to bullying/needling/one-upmanship. What other explanation can there be, really?

2. I secretly judge (and actually despise - so take that, holiday snobs!) people who travel mindlessly all over the world and take zero interest in the cultural, historical, geographical or ecological aspects of their destination. And I've met many who not only couldn't point out on a globe or map where they've been , but are pig-ignorant about their own country. Don't know where major UK cities or towns are, or where the Scottish border is, or where the Pennines etc are. But then - I'd hate to meet people like that on MY holidays!!

What is the most overrated destination you have ever been? www.mumsnet.com/Talk/_chat/4887860-what-is-the-most-overrated-destination-you-have-ever-been

Hop across to this thread OP - staggering how much energy people
Put into going to places only to write them off as underwhelming!

Don't tell anyone but I enjoy Center Parcs.....

I love travelling in UK and more exotic locations and I would hate a group holiday with planned activities and the tour groups as much as a your friend seems to disapprove of yours! Enjoy your holiday, drinking nice wine in peace with your DH.

Just tell them you are consciously reducing your carbon footprint. Most people don’t have a come back. I always think people who have electric cars and go on about global warming are just so unaware of the real damage caused by frequent flights.
I don’t judge foreign travel but there is so much hypocrisy. We travel extensively before DS was born but stopped because the thought of flying with a child just didn’t appeal. We took him abroad when he was a teenager but now he travels independently.
After major health problems DH and I have decided to explore this country.