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Holidays

Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

Original poster

I booked the wrong holiday

36 replies

Quntus · 16/04/2023 04:15

DH and I had an amazing holiday in Greece last year. He really wanted to go again. I said no, I wanted a different holiday.

Booked 10 nights in the Caribbean for later in the year and now just think I should have gone with Greece. I read more about the destination and just don’t think we’ll enjoy it as much. Read more about restaurant prices and it seems really expensive. I’m of an east asian background and I’ve read that people have faced issues. A friend just returned from St Lucia and said it was a hole.

Now flights to Greece are extortionate and the hotel we like is fully booked! Argh!

OP posts:
Maraudingmarauders · 16/04/2023 04:33

Greece will still be there next year.
Go to the Carribbean. You might love it, or if you don't you can write it off to the tried it but not for us pile. And next year you can go back to Greece.

Original poster
Quntus · 16/04/2023 05:11

Good point! I guess it's the 'unknown'. We know we like Greece and find it very affordable. But the Caribbean seems so expensive in comparison.

OP posts:
hermykneeka · 16/04/2023 06:25

Greece is a lot easier to get a good level of service. In the Caribbean you have to be paying serious money to get that.

Can you cancel?

Flowersun6 · 16/04/2023 06:47

What part of the Carribean have you booked OP? Have you gone self catering?

Original poster
Quntus · 16/04/2023 07:17

Going to St Lucia and Grenada. 5 nights in each. Yes self catering only.

OP posts:
MermaidMummy06 · 16/04/2023 07:29

I've been on many holidays where people say things like it's a hole, there's nothing to do, expensive, etc. We've never come home saying that, even from some questionable places. We're not into resorts, though - we like adventure so this might not apply!

We've always done some prior research on what to do, getting around, where to eat - all outside the tourist trap areas and on a budget. There's always somewhere to enjoy that not everyone else has been (and not heaving with tourists) and we self cater and find lovely, quiet spots to sit and eat a simple lunch while out and about. There's a lot of amazing in seeing new scenery and experiencing a different culture minus the 'familiar' tourist set up.

It's really on you how much you enjoy it. A friend went somewhere I love last month and didn't research at all. Came home saying it was boring, ugly and expensive. They'd done zero research and took the most bland route possible. If they'd asked or done an hour research and taken a different route it's incredibly beautiful and adventurous.

almostwarm · 16/04/2023 07:30

The Caribbean is an expensive destination if you are looking for luxury.
It is obviously a very different setting to Greece as well.
But there will be things to enjoy there that aren't available in Greece.
You aren't going to be able to properly compare until you have been to both.

OneMoreCookieMonster · 16/04/2023 07:49

Both of those islands are incredible and beautiful. The locals are absolutely amazing. I am mixed race and look like I may be Asian and have never had a problem in the Caribbean. I've gone many, many, many times to different islands both as a child and as an adult. My H is also white British and has never had a problem bar the occasional uneasy feeling of being privileged.

If you're self catering, that's even better! Grocery stores are expensive especially if looking for American or European food. There will be a lot available but brands and staples we are use to are expensive and can be hard to find. Take tea, coffee and biscuits or anything you can't do without with you to help.

Restaurants and cafes are reasonably priced and there are many available. If you go off the beaten track, ask and pay up front as it can get tricky or suddenly inflated. But, you also have high end American luxury available.

If given the option of Greece or any Caribbean island, I'd choose the Caribbean any day of the week. Its an amazing experience if you accept that it is what it is. Self catering will give you so much flexibility and choice. There's lots to see and do, the food is stunning (if basic and full of flavour at times or ludicrously expensive if you're hotel/luxury dining) there is a fuck tonne of choice and things that will be available to you. The scenery, coastal walks and beaches are some of my favourite. Picnics and snack bits out and about can be exciting as well.

I think sometimes ppl can become too ingrained and have too high expectations. It can be as expensive or as frugal as you want once you're there with careful planning and research. Good luck and hope you enjoy a new experience.

lala2023 · 16/04/2023 07:51

@OneMoreCookieMonster

You sound like a lovely travel companion!

This sounds like an adventure OP
Check out air b and b experiences for some things to do when you are there

WonderingWanda · 16/04/2023 08:07

Everywhere has got very expensive this year. This time last year I booked Mexico and the same holiday / hotel is now £3000 more expensive and our Greek holiday from a few years ago is now £2000 more expensive. Even cheap self catering in the med seems expensive.

MzHz · 16/04/2023 08:16

We were in Grenada last summer

cant speak for St Lucia but she’s bang on about Grenada in terms of people. Not a jot of racism. They’re the friendliest people on earth! We met some amazing people, Grenadian who had emigrated and was back on holiday with his wife and kids - she was south Asian

we got taken to Jouvert (carnival) the day before we came home, one of the best days of my life! Love the Grenadians so much, its very likely some where I’d want to return to on a more permanent basis

enjoy it all.

Dibbydoos · 16/04/2023 09:12

So I probably would have gone all inclusive in the Carribean tbh, but I've visited a lot of islands.

The Caribbean is all about the beaches and local foods, both of which are amazing.

One word of warning. The caribean houses many very poor people, so stay in places with lots of people and don't go to some out of town place unless it's a large organised trip and you'll be fine.

I'm a bit of a worry wart tbh sp I normally take door alarms/door locks with me on holiday, they're cheap from amazon and work.

Enjoy.

Babycakes321 · 16/04/2023 09:18

Grenada is the most wonderful, friendly and relaxed country ever. Completely diverse with all nationalities from around the world. St Lucia is the same! Enjoy the chill vibe and grab a rum punch 🍹 or two!

ShannonMcFarland · 16/04/2023 09:21

Sorry but...are you for real? Thousands of people in this country are going without food to make sure their children can eat - you see the posts in this forum not infrequently - and you're moaning about having booked a luxurious holiday in the Caribbean instead of a luxurious holiday in Greece? I think this post would've been better kept in your head.

FishChipsMushyPeas · 16/04/2023 09:23

Is it not a forum for all? Surely the Op is entitled to ask the question? I say that as someone who has been unable to go on holiday since 2007.

FishChipsMushyPeas · 16/04/2023 09:24

Plus this is the holiday forum.

Whataretheodds · 16/04/2023 09:27

ShannonMcFarland · 16/04/2023 09:21

Sorry but...are you for real? Thousands of people in this country are going without food to make sure their children can eat - you see the posts in this forum not infrequently - and you're moaning about having booked a luxurious holiday in the Caribbean instead of a luxurious holiday in Greece? I think this post would've been better kept in your head.

Come on, she's in the holiday section. Are you going to go and complain about every post on this board, and boarding schools, and pstyle & beauty, and the pet boards?

SnarkyBag · 16/04/2023 09:27

ShannonMcFarland · 16/04/2023 09:21

Sorry but...are you for real? Thousands of people in this country are going without food to make sure their children can eat - you see the posts in this forum not infrequently - and you're moaning about having booked a luxurious holiday in the Caribbean instead of a luxurious holiday in Greece? I think this post would've been better kept in your head.

Oh shush.

BenCoopersSupportWren · 16/04/2023 09:27

ShannonMcFarland · 16/04/2023 09:21

Sorry but...are you for real? Thousands of people in this country are going without food to make sure their children can eat - you see the posts in this forum not infrequently - and you're moaning about having booked a luxurious holiday in the Caribbean instead of a luxurious holiday in Greece? I think this post would've been better kept in your head.

Pro tip: when posts pop up in Active, it helps to check which forum they were originally posted in before wading in to scold someone.

(And I say that as someone whose most luxurious holiday in the past 10 years was a week in Jersey.)

EasterBreak · 16/04/2023 09:51

I've had people tell me they dislike the carribean too. I've never been but think it looks fabulous. I'm sure it will be a fun experience.

Flowersun6 · 16/04/2023 17:31

ShannonMcFarland · 16/04/2023 09:21

Sorry but...are you for real? Thousands of people in this country are going without food to make sure their children can eat - you see the posts in this forum not infrequently - and you're moaning about having booked a luxurious holiday in the Caribbean instead of a luxurious holiday in Greece? I think this post would've been better kept in your head.

This isn't fair at all. I'm a single parent and me and DS we be going on his 8th holiday together. You don't know how I, OP or other people for that matter budget for our holidays.

Don't be a kill joy! Nobody is forcing you to click the holidays section. Why are you even reading the holidays section? What's the point upsetting yourself? 🙄

StillWantingADog · 16/04/2023 17:33

its a long time ago but I thought St Lucia was one of the most beautiful places i’ve ever been.
it was dirt poor though so be prepared for that

PurBal · 16/04/2023 17:36

I love St Lucia but loathed Bali. DH not a fan of the Caribbean or SE Asia, would much prefer Europe. Everyone is different.

Flowersun6 · 16/04/2023 17:36

Quntus · 16/04/2023 07:17

Going to St Lucia and Grenada. 5 nights in each. Yes self catering only.

Sounds lovely that you are going to 2 places. I agree with the other poster... you have to research holidays and the Carribean is beautiful you have to embrace it. Its extremely poor but it is 3rd world. There's luxury like any where and when you get on a boat you really see the beauty of the people and Island.

AgnesGray · 16/04/2023 17:39

I love Greece but I also loved St Lucia. It is not a hole at all. I was happy to walk about there on my own and found everyone super friendly. There are a few tourists who can be loud etc, but you get that in parts of Greece too tbh. Almost unavoidable these days

Go and enjoy it and book Greece another time

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