Is this Hijacking a Holiday?

[egallie]

Last year we stayed with some friends at their villa on a particular Greek island. They spend all of August there every year. We had a fabulous time.

We liked it so much we want to visit the same island in August. This time we’d rent our own house and bring some other friends.

Do you think the friends we stayed with originally will feel like we are imposing/stepping on their toes? We’d obviously love to spend time with them too, but don’t want them to feel like they’d need to entertain us!

I'm assuming you haven't rented the house next door. Is the island big enough that you won't be seeing them every 5 minutes?

I'd just drop your friends a note to say that you've happened to rent a villa on the same island and if they're free one night you'd love to have them round for dinner as they entertained you all so generously last year. I think that makes it clear that you're not going to be relying on them to entertain you this time (unless they want to!)

If your friend is the Russian oligarch Dmitry Rybolov then I'm afraid to tell you that he owns the whole island. 😥

I would give them the heads up you'll be there and offer to take them out or host them but explain you don't want them feeling put out or encroached upon etc.

Depends how big the Island is and how near them you are staying. If they will run into you the whole time, then yes, they might not be pleased.

Hang on, it’s 1st august today, do you mean next august and not this month? If it’s next august then give them the heads up now and it will be two years since you went to the island, if it’s this month how on earth did you manage to get a villa at such short notice!

This!

Id be very happy if friends came to stay in same place as us, if i had a villa abroad.

But I'd love to know your tips on finding a villa and flights at this stage.

I would be happy that my friends also loved our special place

I’d be really offended 🙄

It’s not weird unless you make it weird. Just send a note saying ‘loved staying with you so much on island last year that we couldn’t think of anywhere better and we’ve booked a villa for x dates. We would love to have you for dinner / take you for supper one night.’

So you want to go back, but not with them?

I think i might be offended. There are so many lovely Greek Islands, why not choose another?

I think i might be offended.

I wouldn't be offended at all. You don't own the place.

Go for it OP. Make sure it's big enough you can both do your own thing, while meeting up occasionally (if everyone wants).

People can go off and do their own thing too, Nothing is obligotery on holiday.

That's why I travel solo and love it

They're already there, they haven't invited op.

If you were good friends and food guests I'd insist you stayed with us again - mention it, send them a link to whatever you're planning to book and see if they say "nonsense, stay at ours!"

OP is planning to go with a different group of friends. Would you invite them to stay too?

If I knew them / thought it would make for a good time then yes, of course 😍

No-one owns an island, you can holiday where you like

ooh. It does slightly say “we loved the island but we prefer these other friends to you”.