Campervan not a proper holiday?

[Littlegreenjug]

We have a small campervan which we use for mini breaks - couple nights in Lake District etc, when we can. We have a dog so she comes too.
it’s nice, but I really want a ‘proper’ holiday! You know, nice warm sun, swimming pool, cocktails in a beach bar….
OH not keen on flying though so I am having a hard job trying to persuade him. He thinks the campervan is fine. Well, firstly it’s usually raining here even in summer. When we go in the van I have to put all the clothes, food etc in and make sure it’s clean. On return I empty and clean it all again - same s**t different location!! OH does the gas, engine checks etc etc so he does help a bit.
aibu wanting a proper holiday?

Not at all unreasonable! I suppose you both just have different holiday ideals and need to find something in the middle. Could you tempt him with a Eurocamp stay? They have some really nice parks in Italy, could tour your way there then relax. It could tempt him to another abroad one next time.

I think YABU saying that going away in the campervan isn’t a proper holiday. I would love it! But it’s absolutely not unreasonable for you to say that you’d like to have a different sort of break, one that didn’t involve so much work on your part. You like what you like, and craving a sun holiday is perfectly reasonable.

I love our van but see your point as well. Could you drive the van to France or Spain for the warmth aspect and find a nice campsite with pool etc?

Drive to Europe and he does all the work. Problem solved!

You don’t have to fly to go on a different sort of holiday. Drive, or book a nice hotel in the UK. Neither of you are BU

A campervan can be a proper holiday, but I get why you'd like a change. You could meet him halfway and take the campervan over to somewhere warm in Europe. Or just ditch the van completely and take the train. You don't need to fly to get to a sunny beach bar.

Campervan is my favourite type of holiday

This is why we've never got one. It's hard enough to persuade my DH that renting a house or apartment is a proper holiday never mind camping.

We'd go once then end up back somewhere with a bed that someone else changes, fresh towels on tap and breakfast made by someone else.

It’s not my idea of a holiday, it’s my idea of hell, but each to their own. Sounds like you and your husband need to sit down and have a chat about what kind of holiday you want!

Campervan is a great holiday but it's fair to do something else as well.

It definitely wouldn't be my idea of a holiday, but I know loads of people enjoy it.

Advice regarding flying, I'm going through similar with regards to fear. I have several short flights booked this year, have taken the easy jet fearless flyer course and am currently reading SOAR. Do you think any of these might help your OH?

Just to add, part of the point for going on holiday for me is definitely not cleaning or cooking. So I can relate to your wishes OP.

Why don't you drive over to Europe in the summer? I'm very well travelled but absolutely love campervaning in Holland, France, Denmark etc in the summertime. The freedom (we are self sufficient & can stop wherever we want) is absolutely wonderful. Found places that we would never have come across otherwise.

OH says he isn’t scared to fly, just that he can’t be doing with all the queues etc and waiting about. He has flown in the past. I do get that, I get a bit bored too but I put up with it if I know it’s sunny at other end!

WTF? His contribution is checking the oil and tyres and putting some fuel in, whilst you are the person responsible for packing and cleaning? I would watch a couple of YouTube videos if you’re not sure how to do his 3 simple tasks, and suggest you get the engine & tyres checked, and he does the packing and cleaning. The only reason he like the caper holidays is because he doesn’t have to do the hard work. Ditto for any suggestions of self-catering if he is not willing to cook at least half the meals, and do his own packing.

To me camping is a proper holiday - but we tend to go over the channel instead of in this country. There are some wonderful campsites, with pools, beach bars, restaurants....

I totally get your need for warmth and sunshine....I need that too, which is what I think makes camping so great: if the sun isn't shining, you just pack up and move on to wherever it is.

I really enjoy flying, well the actual flying part at least, but I don't miss the rigmarole of packing to a weight/size limit, transfers, and getting through the airport. Each time I have to fly for work it reminds me and I'm so glad we don't need to travel that way for holidays.

Tell him to stop behaving like a toddler
He can download videos to his phone.

or, he’s not telling you the truth

Could you go with a friend or relative?

Not much difference to spending hours driving 🤷‍♀️

Just have a nice meal and a drink - it's part of the holiday.

Eurostar and down to Mid/South of France - lots of heat and wine!

I developed a fear of flying when the kids where young - funny enough I went to Spain, alone, last year and loved it!

I love my campervan and often choose it over another sort of break, however, I totally get what you mean. If we’re doing a couple of weeks in Europe we usually do a combination of camping and self catering or hotels. The tunnel is really easy, there’s basically anything you could ever wish for in campsites from completely basic to spas and swimming pools and you can plan to do a bit of camping then move on and do a city break, gîte, hotel or whatever, just because you have the van doesn’t mean you have to sleep in it.

We have a camper and although I enjoy it, it can feel a bit like hard work either end of a trip. I think longer trips or road trips can help make it a bit more holiday and better chance of catching a few good days weather. We have stopped going away other than in the camper as we have an elderly dog we can’t leave with anyone, but would love a fly away holiday, but for the last couple of years we have limited ourselves to UK. We do try and book places which have pubs or restaurants to save the cooking. We even had a camping pitch with a private hot tub last year! Other options are Europe road trips. We have done France, Spain, Switzerland, Ireland in our van. With some planning you can get some amazing camping with Pools, beaches and restaurants which feels much more holiday. Good luck in finding something which hubby fancies doing!

No campervan but we do tent weekends away which is arguably harder work as you have to build the 'house' you're sleeping in and put it away again after.

We do a max of 3 nights usually.

We also do all inclusive IKOS and an adventure holiday each year

Why not get the ferry to Santander / Bilbao. In north of Spain, great weather & turn left for France & right for Spain or Portugal. Great campsites too

I think you just want a different holiday rather than a proper holiday. Which is understandable because it sounds like you always do campervan holidays.

If your partner is worried about flying can you looking at Eurostar or Eurotunnel to France?