Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Holidays

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

Original poster

Holiday abroad

55 replies

Helpmefly · 10/08/2023 18:25

Sitting in the rain on uk holiday and just a little fed up. . Dd 14 has never been abroad. I do not fly. Where can we go next year? We normally go to the English or welsh seaside.

I do have a fear of flying but also a fear of being trapped. Help!

OP posts:
Original poster
Helpmefly · 10/08/2023 19:42

I suspect a cruise is out of budget....honestly looking at train prices they may be as well. For info I just paid 1500 for cottage in uk....tbh its a bit rubbish so not only is it raining I am now sitting in a lounge thats smells musty and looks worse

OP posts:
Original poster
Helpmefly · 10/08/2023 19:44

Also never even considered a cruise...dd will be 15 next summer I assumed they didn't have many young people on them

OP posts:
Radiatorvalves · 10/08/2023 19:45

It’s the Serre Poncon lake between Gap and Briancon. With a town called Embrun at its head. It’s a reservoir on the Durance river.

Radiatorvalves · 10/08/2023 19:46

Wow just seen the cost of your current holiday. You’ll get something for about 600€ for a week in that part of France.

Original poster
Helpmefly · 10/08/2023 19:54

Radiatorvalves · 10/08/2023 19:46

Wow just seen the cost of your current holiday. You’ll get something for about 600€ for a week in that part of France.

For this area at this time of year its about average. Lovely place but way overpriced!!! Partly why we are now looking further afield

OP posts:
cansu · 10/08/2023 19:55

Weather in France is not reliable unless you go to the south and quite far down.
Travelling by train would mean a long journey which is fine if you are OK with train travel but not if this worries you. It would also be relatively expensive to get train to Paris and then train to south. You would then need a car unless you were going to stay in a city or town with a station. I love France but it isn't great without a car. Yes you could get a train to Cannes, St Tropez, Nice or Perpignan but it is a long journey. You could try St Malo in Brittany as you can get ferry to St Malo. You will not have reliable weather though. I have spent a wet week in August near La Rochelle.

ladeluge · 10/08/2023 19:59

Have a look at the ferry from Plymouth/Portsmouth to Santander. Santander is great, with lovely beaches and a fine town for shopping, wandering and eating etc.

The train station has lines that take you all over the place, some known, some quirky unknown (to us) places. Not far from Bilbao either, and from there you could get to San Sebastian (magic place) also.

Worth a look.

IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 10/08/2023 20:04

Ferry to Holland, Belgium, Germany, France, Spain, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Orkney, Shetland...

Queen Mary to New York... if you have many £££ and several days to spare

Original poster
Helpmefly · 10/08/2023 20:23

ladeluge · 10/08/2023 19:59

Have a look at the ferry from Plymouth/Portsmouth to Santander. Santander is great, with lovely beaches and a fine town for shopping, wandering and eating etc.

The train station has lines that take you all over the place, some known, some quirky unknown (to us) places. Not far from Bilbao either, and from there you could get to San Sebastian (magic place) also.

Worth a look.

Omg that might be it

OP posts:
Loversonthesun · 10/08/2023 20:40

Could you look into fear of flying courses?

Ohhelpicantthinkofaname · 10/08/2023 20:48

Helpmefly · 10/08/2023 19:44

Also never even considered a cruise...dd will be 15 next summer I assumed they didn't have many young people on them

My friend is currently on a cruise with her 15 year old. They’re having a great time. I’d give it a try.

Original poster
Helpmefly · 10/08/2023 20:49

Yes..but my main problem is cleithophobia

OP posts:
Original poster
Helpmefly · 10/08/2023 20:49

Ohhelpicantthinkofaname · 10/08/2023 20:48

My friend is currently on a cruise with her 15 year old. They’re having a great time. I’d give it a try.

Show quote history

Can I ask where?

OP posts:
Window82 · 10/08/2023 20:51

Do it for your DD, maybe get some CBT or EMDR before you travel. Get a ferry or train to France and then onwards to the South. You can do this OP.

Original poster
Helpmefly · 10/08/2023 20:51

I dont like hairdressers, dentist, train planes.lifts. anywhere I am 'trapped'

OP posts:
Original poster
Helpmefly · 10/08/2023 20:52

Window82 · 10/08/2023 20:51

Do it for your DD, maybe get some CBT or EMDR before you travel. Get a ferry or train to France and then onwards to the South. You can do this OP.

Ahh thank you

OP posts:
Original poster
Helpmefly · 10/08/2023 20:53

I really appreciate everyone replying

OP posts:
StillWantingADog · 10/08/2023 20:56

If you think you could stomach a plane for 2 and a half hours, then Algarve, Portugal is lovely.

France is good for train or driving/ferry. The overnight ferry to Saint Malo is lovely and there are lots of nice places within 2-3 hours drive if that might suit.

ladeluge · 10/08/2023 20:59

Helpmefly · 10/08/2023 20:51

I dont like hairdressers, dentist, train planes.lifts. anywhere I am 'trapped'

I was like this too up to a couple of years ago. It was awful so I sympathise. There is no rational explanation for it, just how you feel in certain situations. I used to suffer really badly, but I got Beta Blockers for a cardiac issue and have been great ever since apart from the occasional blip.

You can get beta blockers without cardiac issues, they slow down the fight or flight mode and can be very useful. They are not addictive either. It might be worth a try to see if they work for you. If not, then it's CBT and whatever next!

I funnily enough have no issues on trains or planes since I can get up and walk around if I need to, which I often don't, but just the fact that I can helps enormously.

With a bit of work with your doctor you should be able to improve, and then the world is your oyster! Wishing you all the best.

LaughingBallz · 10/08/2023 20:59

I am exactly the same. Fear of being trapped or claustrophobia (not the same things, but closely related).
I spoke with my doctor, and they prescribed me proponal.

I don't use it in my everyday life, only whilst flying, which is when the doctor prescribes it.

Honestly, it changed my life, and I now enjoy flying. I also keep a couple back for when I may have to get into lifts, etc. It'd literally been a God send for me.

Have a chat with your GP

LaughingBallz · 10/08/2023 21:02

Spellcheck! I was prescribed Propranolol! It is a beta blocker, stops you from freaking out. Miracle drug, if you ask me!

ladeluge · 10/08/2023 21:04

OP, now that's two of us who have taken this miracle drug for the "trapped" feeling of terror! @LaughingBallz and me.

You HAVE to try it.

CeeceeBloomingdale · 10/08/2023 21:06

Lots of teens I know have done cruises. Tui do a lot of family ones but you have to fly to join those ones but many people are saying a cruise is cheaper than all inclusive now. You can cruise from the UK witylh other companies though.

Vivi0 · 10/08/2023 21:09

A no fly cruise from Southampton?

They have different itineraries. If you’re looking for sun, perhaps one of their Mediterranean cruises would suit you?

LaughingBallz · 10/08/2023 21:15

ladeluge · 10/08/2023 21:04

OP, now that's two of us who have taken this miracle drug for the "trapped" feeling of terror! @LaughingBallz and me.

You HAVE to try it.

I had to do it for work!
First work trip, I literally had a panic attack looking at the door, waiting for it to close. Got taken off the flight and didn't fly.
The next day, I had the drugs from my GP, and the flight was amazing!!
From then on I travel almost monthly, with the drugs, and I love it!! Just stare out the window the whole flight 👀

Swipe left for the next trending thread