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Original poster

Long haul waste of time?

55 replies

Holidaylover68 · 08/09/2023 22:55

I’m just back from an amazing holiday in Caribbean with DH. It was a beautiful resort, went on some fabulous trips etc. He said he had a lovely time but said we could have been anywhere, like Spain, Greece etc. as it was on a resort. Doesn’t see the point in long haul generally when you can have the same experience just a couple of hours away. Nice beaches, different culture, lovely weather etc.
He’s very black & white, he doesn’t get nuances or grey areas which is probably part of the problem!
Drives me mad as I love to travel and we can afford it now we’re older and have more disposable income.
Anyone else have the same problems? How do you argue with someone so set in their ways?! (Perhaps this question is for a different post?!) Any words of wisdom most welcome!

OP posts:
Philomenacunk1 · 08/09/2023 23:01

It depends. I think if you’re flying long haul to a place where you don’t really leave the resort, then your DH has a point. If however you want to see different countries, experience their culture and generally explore the world then that’s a different story.

Winederlust · 08/09/2023 23:03

Yeah, technically they're all different to the UK but Greek or Spanish culture eg is not the same as Jamaican, Mexican or Thai culture. They're not even the same as each other.
Have done a few long hauls both East and west. Have enjoyed some more than others but they've all had their own unique charm. As have my trips to Europe. They've all been different, regardless of whether they're 1 or 20 hrs away.

Coyoacan · 08/09/2023 23:03

Could you explain the difference between a resort in the Caribbean and a resort in Greece or Spain?

eurochick · 08/09/2023 23:04

The answer is you need to leave the resort! Don't go AI. Eat at local restaurants. Explore the area. Meet locals. Travel rather than just fly and flop.

ShellySarah · 08/09/2023 23:04

I don't see the point of resort holidays. You're not really experiencing the country or its culture.

I'm not sure what the issue is seeing as he went. He remarked whilst there that it could have been anywhere but he went with you so he isn't refusing to go.

I wouldn't fly long haul to a generic resort at all.

KeepTheTempo · 08/09/2023 23:12

I'd agree with him that it's pretty pointless to go if you don't leave the resort.

If it's an expensive place you've blown a lot more on flights and could have had an incredibly luxurious experience closer to home for the same money. If it's a cheaper developing place, then you've likely not done them any favours given the very limited trickle down of tourism dollars to locals from resorts vs damage done by tourism due to the massive environmental impact of long haul and distorting impact on local economies. The jet lag is an added disincentive.

If you do want to truly travel and see a place, the above can still be true, but at least there's a lot more of a reason for you to do it and gain benefit in return.

TheHennaHairedHarridan · 08/09/2023 23:26

I'm with your husband that it wouldn't be worth going to the Caribbean and not leaving the resort, certainly not in August when you would get hot weather in Europe.

If I went to the Caribbean I would want to travel around and see the sights, if I wanted to stay on a resort I would stay in Europe.

Iloveavocadoes · 08/09/2023 23:57

Did you see anything exclusive to that culture during the trips? If all you saw is other beaches, I agree with your husband, I don't see the point of flying long haul just to be in a resort and see a few beaches.

I love travelling but I like experiencing other cultures, walking round different cities, sitting in cafes looking at local life....

Boothsss · 09/09/2023 00:09

’Resort’ is the operative word here.
If you wish to justify your travel in order to experience different cultures you don’t go to a resort!

minipie · 09/09/2023 00:12

At this time of year, and if you don’t leave the resort, I agree with him.

I’d save long haul for winter sun or for more of an exploration type trip.

frisseaze · 09/09/2023 00:12

I've travelled the world several times but have absolutely no desire to do any more long haul flights.
Everywhere I want to travel is on my doorstep. Europe and the UK. I hate flying anyhow and now we don't have to.

unsync · 09/09/2023 00:25

Don't go to a resort, use a specialist travel agent - one who has been to the places and hotels. Get a tailor made itinerary.

mrsfollowill · 09/09/2023 00:38

Difficult call really - we went to Rhodes at the end of May this year- they had just opened up for the tourist season and it was amazing- so much to see and do- we stayed in a house in the middle of Rhodes 'old town'- went to local restaurants for all our meals and the attractions were literally on our doorstep.
If you stay AI you don't do this stuff! In all honesty though i just want to go to the Maldives and flop into the sea! IDK - DH and DS are into 'doing stuff on holiday' I'm not 😁

TheM55 · 09/09/2023 01:47

I'm glad you have had a great time, and although you have not gone into detail about the trips, hopefully they will have given you something of the culture there without being too herded or sanitised. But, I think your husband has a point this time.

sashh · 09/09/2023 02:08

I'm with your husband, if yo are just going to sit on the beach or around a pool what is the point of going at all?

I've done a few long haul but none as a package or to a resort.

TheWayofBeing · 09/09/2023 02:11

Well if you've go for a beach holiday it's samy. Thailand, Vietnam, China, Serbia, New Orleans... it's what you make it.

God Mexico was amazing. We booked one night and then went wherever we fancied. Beach parties, dancing in the ocean, a religious festival, cocaine on the sand of an island l. Holidays are what YOU make them.

Dartmoorcheffy · 09/09/2023 02:13

I totally agree with him. I think long haul is only worth it if you are going to explore, if you are happy staying in an AI resort then spend less on flights and upgrade the accommodation.

ZeldaWillTellYourFortune · 09/09/2023 02:14

Philomenacunk1 · 08/09/2023 23:01

It depends. I think if you’re flying long haul to a place where you don’t really leave the resort, then your DH has a point. If however you want to see different countries, experience their culture and generally explore the world then that’s a different story.

I agree with this.

ZeldaWillTellYourFortune · 09/09/2023 02:15

KeepTheTempo · 08/09/2023 23:12

I'd agree with him that it's pretty pointless to go if you don't leave the resort.

If it's an expensive place you've blown a lot more on flights and could have had an incredibly luxurious experience closer to home for the same money. If it's a cheaper developing place, then you've likely not done them any favours given the very limited trickle down of tourism dollars to locals from resorts vs damage done by tourism due to the massive environmental impact of long haul and distorting impact on local economies. The jet lag is an added disincentive.

If you do want to truly travel and see a place, the above can still be true, but at least there's a lot more of a reason for you to do it and gain benefit in return.

Well-said.

BasiliskStare · 09/09/2023 02:31

I once went to Maui (Hawaii ) a resort - very nice - hotel. But for the distance not worth the candle . However we then tacked on Honolulu which was so much better . Lovely hotels along the beach - being able to visit pearl harbour - . But done that now - I would not go to Maui of itself rather than a European resort type place.

IfOnlyOurEyesSawSouls · 09/09/2023 02:37

I agree with your DH .

Long haul resorts are a waste . Why fly so far when we have lovely ones in Europe.

I wish more people were like your DH tbh. Long haul travel to resorts really isnt climate friendly.

EliflurtleTripanInfinite · 09/09/2023 02:51

I agree with your DH, if you're doing AI and not leaving the resort long haul is a waste of time and money not to mention the environmental impact.

Totalwasteofpaper · 09/09/2023 03:43

Philomenacunk1 · 08/09/2023 23:01

It depends. I think if you’re flying long haul to a place where you don’t really leave the resort, then your DH has a point. If however you want to see different countries, experience their culture and generally explore the world then that’s a different story.

Agree with this.

I found the maldives blah and a wsste of time. I could have been on any beach in europe.
I only go to European resorts now.

Brightredtulips · 09/09/2023 06:09

I agree with your husband.

jugggugg · 09/09/2023 06:14

I found the maldives blah and a wsste of time. I could have been on any beach in europe.

I found the Maldives geography & culture pretty different to Europe. What European beaches are similar @Totalwasteofpaper?

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