What’s your favourite thing about going on holiday?

[Mandraki]

So, after having a baby last year and buying a house and me going part time and just general haemorraging of money in the last couple of years, safe to say we won’t be having an abroad holiday this year. I know this is a first world problem! But it is literally my favourite thing, I love the whole process. The planning, the research, the airport, flying. I’m like a big kid. I might even be a little too enthusiastic as last time we went away I even knew the name of the receptionist at the resort before we got there, I just like the build up. (Hides face in shame).

To keep me going until we can go away again, tell me your favourite things about going on holiday.

Aww I love it all too.
The research, choosing the location then the hotel.
Picking the best flight (it must be a local airport at a civilised time).
The packing list.
Getting out the suitcases.
The bit I hate is the day of departure, my stress levels rise and everyone annoys me. I can't relax until we get the suitcases at the other end.

One of my favourite things is walking along the beach in the evening when everyone has gone.

Getting back home

Packing lists! I love a list. I know what you mean about it being a stressful day, i always feel grubby and tired by the time we arrive but I love the excitements of airports and theyre good for people watching.

Haha yes coming home to your own bed is always the best!

I go on my own, so I love just pleasing myself and browsing, eating, sleeping, reading and sunbathing whenever I want without having to compromise with other humans.

I hate going away with people, even friends. I feel suffocated and panicky the whole time.

Only true introverts will understand xx

NotANaturalBlonde yes, yes, yes, yes, and yes. Did I mention yes? Making arrangements to go away with another family or friends just feels like an impending ordeal and I'm not happy till it's over and I'm back home again.

I hate all the arrangements - the choosing, the booking, the paranoid checking of passports, the insurance, the getting the suncream and the Euros.
Really hate the airport and the planning.
So I love it when I'm about 2 days in, sitting in the sun by a pool with a cold drink in had and a sigh a big deep sigh of relief and contentment. it's when I just start to relax into it.

Doing nothing!

My favourite thing is doing nothing. No cooking, cleaning etc. Having clean towels every day. Lounging about doing nothing.
My worst thing is all the running around getting waxed, shellacked, coloured and coiffed.
I don’t relax until I’m sitting on the plane with my seatbelt securely fastened as I have nightmares on the run up to it that I’m not going to fit.

I love the research, I Streetview almost the whole village/resort before I go, but then I feel like I've already been there! Why do I do that?
We stay in villas/apartments, I don't cook as such, but I'm happy to cobble together a lunch of cold meats, cheeses and olives, knowing we'll eat out later.
I love arriving at the accommodation and dashing around like a kid to see where 'home' is for the next week or two. I love going to the local supermarket and filling my fridge with lovely food and wine.
I'm a nester!

On a sunny holiday I love coming back to the room about 5pm, shower and change then a nice drink and pack of Lays crisps before going out to dinner.

I love exploring the villa /hotel and facilities on arrival (picking out the best spot for sundowners!) and, after a long hot day of travelling, the first footsteps on the beach- listening to the waves and feeling a light sea breeze 🤗

Being in close proximity to the sea or a swimming pool when it’s hot!
I’m struggling to cope in the weather in this country at the moment, but on holiday I am able to endure higher heats as I can just take a dip to cool down when I need to. Plus air conditioning in he hotel!

Also the research and the planning and the build up. I was researching my next holiday while I was still on my last one!

And the feeling of relaxation. Although this year was the first holiday with ds since he dropped daytime naps so it wasn’t as relaxing as previous holidays since we’ve had him. Next year he’ll probably be able to play a bit more independently, but then we’ll have a baby so the cycle starts again!

Oh and the beach. Dh hates it with a passion as he hates sand, but I was brought up on the beach but live far away now, so being on the beach brings back so many memories. And makes me homesick!

3cats I enjoy the same things that you do! I love the whole 'leisurely stroll to the little local shop for fresh breakfast items' thing. And being in a different house is sort of like playing at housekeeping - it's a novelty.

The best thing about holidays is how we all relate to each other differently as a family, away from the usual pressures and routines. We talk to each other differently, see each other with refreshed and concentrated eyes. I always feel like we've regrouped and bonded by the time we've come back, and I think it's so important to have that time.

My favourite things about holidays are quite different to everyone else’s.

I love discovering new places, people watching, the buzz of busy streets and alfresco dining - and the food! And I love watching my daughter discover these new sights. I love the architecture and churches, art and history of places (we usually visit places in Europe often Italy).

I love being able to jump in the sea and not freeze my butt off. I love the coffee, you just don’t get a decent coffee in the UK like you do in Italy. I love being out in the evening without a cardie. When cruising, I love waking up in a new destination everyday and feeling like an independent traveller, but still getting delicious food cooked for us, breakfast room service and fresh sheets/ towels/ turn down service.

Oh and I love aperitivo hour. How I wish we were civilised enough to have this in the U.K., but people would just take the mick with all the free food and it would turn into Toby Carvery

One of my favorite things about going on vacation is eating. DH and I are careful and try to eat healthfully most of the year, but when we are on holiday, all bets are off. I also enjoy trying local cuisine, especially in small off the beaten track restaurants.

Oh, and because I live in Florida, I like to holiday in colder and wetter places, Scotland being my favorite.

Not cooking.