I am glad I didn't have a holiday abroad this year...

[HullaBulla]

... but others don't understand why not! I used to take a couple of holidays abroad a year before Covid and since then, one a year. I don't have the travel bug at the moment and had no desire to go abroad this summer. I had a long weekend away, a couple of hours' drive away, really enjoyed it and this was enough for me. I really enjoyed the rest of my time off work, going on nice walks, meeting friends for lunch and lovely chilled days with good books.

Some friends can't believe I didn't have a 'proper' holiday and are wondering what's wrong with me!

Anyone else not have the travel bug at times?

Each to their own. If that’s what makes you happy, that’s great. I’d never criticize others’ holiday choices. Nor expect criticism myself.

That said, I do like foreign holidays and have had a few this year.

We don't go abroad. My kids have never been on a plane. We still have holidays, just in England.
Anyone suggesting that a holiday in your own country isn't a holiday are odd.

Me neither! Great weather and a local Beach, I’m happy as a clam!

I had a brilliant conversation with a 6 year old recently who didn’t know something could be a holiday if you didn’t get there on a plane.

If you’ve enjoyed your summer you’re winning I reckon.

We haven’t been abroad since Covid, we will again but we’ve had two children and haven’t fancied it, and the mortgage went nuts. The rest of the world is still there if/when you want to go.

Sounds like you enjoyed yourself op and that’s the main thing. Just say isn’t it good we all like different things, makes the world more interesting.

We did the same this year - a lovely cottage a couple of hours' drive away to an area we'd never been to. I do love travelling abroad but air travel is exacerbating the climate crisis and DH just won't fly any more. It is good to not have to hang about in airports and travel at stupid o'clock. Also, the places I like would've been unbearably hot this year.

I never have a " proper holiday" ie a week/ fortnight in the sun.
But I do go away every month either a European city or somewhere here. August we stay at home away from.everyone else.

We haven’t gone abroad this summer, we did at Easter and in the May half term and going again in October.
Weve had some nice uk city breaks but tbh I’ve missed have a fortnight off during the summer and we’ll plan differently next year!

What kind of people do you know that ‘can’t believe’ 🙄 you didn’t have a holiday abroad. On what planet are these people who seem so shallow. Not everyone goes abroad for a holiday.

No holiday here either. I probably could do with one but I begrudge spending the money on what invariably most of the time, turns out to be shit and/or stressful. I just can't be bothered. Places rarely look like they do in the brochure, and I'm not a fan of the stress at airports. Also I don't want to leave my cat really. And i'm tired and perimenopausal and just don't have the energy. I can't be bothered driving for miles and miles to go somewhere in the UK either. So lots of reasons why really. Prefer my own bed

I am also tired, perimenopausal and lacking in energy, so I understand where you're coming from. Also love my own bed!

I didn’t have a holiday abroad this summer - didn’t have a lot of spare cash as I had to do some works to the house this year.

I was quite happy with the long weekend we had in this country and some trips to stay with family.

It’s surprised me that some people have been slightly odd about it, in particular my manager at work. Oh, you haven’t been able to get away! Oh poor you, are you going in October, oh you’re not?

I don’t get why it’s a big deal!

I still remember my first holiday abroad to Spain when I was 13 back in the early 80s. It was mind blowing!

For me, it's the warmth, the sun, the blue skies that is just on another level than the UK imo.
The walk back to the apartment in the evening with the smell of the flowers, the sound of the cicadas and the light from the swimming pool guiding you back to your apartment. Oh my, there is nothing like it.

I don't think it's odd not to go abroad (well I think I do if you can afford to go) but feel sad for those who haven't experienced time in another country. A few days at home do not compare to spending some real time on holiday for me. But I do like to switch off completely at times.

I love holidays abroad and can't imagine never wanting to go.

i Think your friends’ attitude towards you is rather odd. Amongst my friends I know people who have several holidays abroad per year, and people who never travel at all, and I would have thought all choices (or non-choices) perfectly normal.

From my own POV I do holiday abroad a couple of times per year- but never during the summer months when it can be lovely in the UK and far too hot in southern Europe.

I have a friend who loves cycling, exploring new places in her region and going to parks. I now see what she means. I now explore new parks and enjoy the simple pleasure of sitting on a bench, chilling and not working.

I do like travelling wider afield, but this year was so hot.

I’m not fussed about holidays abroad. I have just spent the 6 weeks holiday happily mooching about at home- plenty to do.
We are having a break in Scotland later this year.
And I have had a few raised eyebrows about it- don’t know why!

Imaging coming on MN to brag that you have lots of money

I like foreign holidays but also very happy with a few days somewhere beautiful in the UK. Anyone who lacks the imagination to understand that not everyone can afford to or wants to go abroad seems very rigid and hard of thinking.

I am glad I didn't have a holiday abroad this year.

I don't think these words will ever come out of my mouth 😆😆 but its great you have enjoyed time at home and im sure you have saved a few pennies!

We sometimes go abroad with family but I suspect if they weren't instigating it then we wouldn't bother. I'm not good with heat which puts me right off a lot of places in summer.

Well sure, this year summer was unusually hot and sunny, for most of the summer. So a good year to stay in the UK.

Last year was a very different story.

I love to travel but I also love to stay at home. Neither options are wrong or better, just different and often affected by financial constraints.

We’ve had a number of years where we have revisited paces we’ve been to before, or to my DPs holiday house on the coast. Many people think this is strange and “not a holiday”. But for DH and I, we have relaxed, coked nice food together, enjoyed outings to places we like. So it’s a holiday.

we’ve had other “holidays” where we’ve been very far flung but it’s been a lot of work as we have brought DD to the world championships of her sport. Which require a lot of support by the families to make it happen. (And usually a lot of small p politics to be managed). And sometime cultural differences to be managed as well as the emotions and physical support of the athletes who are passionate about the event and their rankings.

so sometimes the quieter option really is a holiday!

I love going abroad, but we only go once a year due to money. I appreciate we are very lucky to be able to do that.
Currently in mainland Europe in a region where wine costs €3 a glass and coffee at a beachside cafe is €2.50. We also paid less for this holiday than a similar week that we priced up in the UK (we are half board). I just love experiencing a different culture too.

I love my holidays, probably too much so 🙈 we spend all disposable income on holidays! Go away multiple times a year BUT I wouldnt criticise someone who hasn't been away, each to their own! Sounds like you enjoyed your time off chilling so dont worry what other people think!!!