To want to give a good smack to those who start a thread saying something like 'Please find me a holiday for 5 people in Europe in July'

[moondog]

What's with that then?

Well, if they are anything like me - who started a thread pleading for help to find me a metal frame pool - they have searched the internet and come up with bog all, because they are shit at it, and are turning to people who are far better at finding stuff!

Seriously, I can NEVER find anything. Don't know what I do wrong. I rely on my sister to do internet searching for me, mostly!

oh, meant to add that I think it is also patience. I get frustrated after a while, whereas some people will happily search for hours without getting angry with the internet

That I can get, but wanting someone to go through about 30 000 likely options seems a bit off.
Plus i find the planning of a holiday is often the best bit of all.

YABU - its usually not the fact that people are being lazy but that they are looking for recommendations or ideas they perhaps had not even thought of. If you don't like the threads then simply ignore them. I personally agree that planning a holiday is exciting but I would be happy to ask for advice here too if needs be

agree with notalone & hecate

far better to get a recommendation than just plough through loads of searches

Vicariously planning holidays for others can be fun anyway.

YABU

Some people are hopeless at finding deals, and others are all over it like a rash and want to help.

I hate planning holidays

I start with anticipation, go through resignation to total despair

It is my least favourite thing alongside emptying the bin & cleaning the loo

I don't mind the recommendation ones, but the ones that are a bit are a list of requirements, such as:

• must have a pool
• must sleep 15
• must be in a non touristy village, but lots of facilities
• not more than 2 hours flight time from UK

and shouldn't cost more than £350.00

Oh god yes, the list of requirements - or the ones that say I can't be bothered looking

I'd decide on place first and then find somewhere to suit though.

I kind of agree, tbh.

There are still travel agents on some high streets, you know.

oh moondog you can slap me I think I've just started my third (no replies last time I looked if you're interested )

But I have good reasons

two of my best family holidays came from recommendations on here (in a round about way)

I have tried and tried and can't find anything

dh work are bing v unreasonable and refusing to allow him time off/changing the time constantly

I try and make reasonable requests for help

so where would you recommend in Wales?

YABU - for some people, a foreign holiday is a) a big deal and b) a big expense and it's nice to have 'personal recs' albeit from people you've never actually met!
Travel agents and brochures just want you to go anywhere, so long as you're spending money with them, so the spiel they give isn't entirely helpful: whereas 'real life MNers' will tell it warts and all, if needsbe.

Whaddya after Dilemma?
I'm in Wales!

Somewhere near a nice sandy beach pref. walking distance (nice weather would be good too if you can fix that I'm not unreasonable low mid 70's sunny days is fine by me )

nice self-catering

garden (dcs would love a trampoline)

decent cottage with reasonably up to date decor

child friendly

not too mass market

(can't camp dc1 is a wanderer)

pool would be really fab if a complex type place but must be fenced therefore no pond/river/lake/stream unless fenced youngest dc has no fear and no common sense

oh and ideally not too far from London!!

oh even a recommendation for a trusted company would be great I'm not expecting others to do my hard work and dh work sill hasn't agreed to him having time off

Well around me would be the best bet-North Wales, Lleyn peninsula/Caernarfon/Porthmadog.

Quality Cottages look good

Are the beaches nice/sandy?

Oh yes, lovely beaches around here.
I've spent most of last week lying/swimming/picnicking/cockling on them!

oh thanks I'm searching there now.

the other reason is my post dc holidays have nothing in common with pre dc holidays and dh won't do anything to search too

Visit Wales is a good site