Can’t be bothered to go away?

[telap]

I get very little annual leave each year (20 days). I have ten days I need to use or lose in August,

DP wants to make the most and go on an adventure to somewhere like Brazil or Thailand.

But I just can’t be bothered? I just want to escape from it all and rent a cottage near a beach we like. I’d consider a few days in Europe. But I just have no energy to go on a big holiday far away, even if we flew business class and stayed in 5* hotels.

Is this normal?

You’re asking a thread dedicated to holidays whether this is normal?

I think it’s normal enough. I feel this way sometimes.

Theres the pressure of picking somewhere, will it be good, was somewhere better, is it a waste and you should just stay home… all adds up in my head to, “well, maybe I just shouldn’t bother”

I can understand it. Queuing at check in, bag drop, security, to get on the plane. Then more queues at border control. Yep sometimes it just seems too much waiting around and hassle.

I think the travel aspect now is a lot more fraught than it used to be.

I'm not sure I could be bothered to go long haul for 10 days. You'd spend 2 days travelling and another 1 to 2 potentially getting over jet lag.

How about 3 or 4 nights on a city break in Europe and then the rest relaxing at home.

I love a holiday, but I also love a week at home just pottering about and catching up on all the things I don't get a chance to do when I'm at work.

I'd agree to go if affordable for you and if he did every inch of the planning and organizing

But no point in doing jet lag when Europe has the best weather

I can never be bothered with all the faff of going on a holiday overseas, so I can see your point completely.

A long way for just 10 days. I’d plump for the cottage or a city break abroad. Valencia is lovely, lots to do and see. We stayed in an Airbnb, which gave us a great base to explore. Another beautiful scenic destination is Frigiliana, a gorgeous traditional white washed Spanish village North of Nerja, you would need a car for this one though, well worth it, absolutely stunning.

Wouldn’t do either Thailand or Brazil in August. Not the best time. Save those for winter sun. If I had to travel in August from the UK (this has to be the worst time month to travel?!), I would do one of the quieter Greek islands.

Can’t relate at all to not wanting to do big trips (I wish I had more annual leave to do all the big trips on my travel list), but I do like a variety of trips. Sometimes a short staycation is what I need, and sometimes it’s 3 weeks in South East Asia to escape winter.

Unless you're very wealthy so can just go on 'adventures' to places like Brazil or Thailand whenever you like, you'd need to put in quite a lot of thought to make it worth it otherwise it's likely to be a waste of money and possibly unpleasant or even dangerous. You'd likely also need to book more than a few weeks in advance. Is DP going to put the work in to ensure that an adventure holiday is well planned, enjoyable, safe etc? Is it even possible at short notice/this time of year - weather etc?

But I do see what you mean and agree that a holiday doesn't necessarily need to be 'big' to be a holiday or worth it to you. Definitely take the time off work but perhaps spend some of it at home and have a shorter break. You could do a city break somewhere in northern Europe if you don't want it too hot. Or go with your ideas of a cottage or a few days in the med where you can swim, sightsee etc.

While at home you could sit in the garden, go on walks, read, visit local places of interest, have easy, treaty food instead of cooking and not have to pack to go away and also be able to sleep in your own bed every night. Behave like you're on holiday so you still get a break from the day to day grind.

I’ve done both for ten days but Thailand is a 7 hour time difference so a bit brutal. Brazil is 3 hours in Rio so only an hour more than Greece.

Not sure on the weather but you could easily just stay in Rio, although I would encourage you to visit Iguazu or go to the beach at Buzios. Not every trip has to be an epic adventure moving locations every other day.

As I’ve got older I’ve felt much less inclined to travel long haul for holidays. Have been lucky enough to have seen a lot of the world so now I’d rather go somewhere closer to home with less hanging around airports and less jet lag. DH disagrees and feels that every holiday should be an adventure or a ‘bucket list’ trip.

In your shoes I’d been looking for a lovely resort or villa where I could potter around local towns in the morning (ideally with a food market or two) and then spend time by the pool or beach in the afternoon with my book. I’m happy in the evenings to eat, have a few drinks and find somewhere just to sit and watch the world go by.

Not everyone’s cup of tea but we’ve also done some great cruises where we’ve seen different places every day, visited sights that we wouldn’t have seen otherwise and still been back on the ship for 3pm for a snooze and a sunbathe. This works better for DH as he enjoys planning the excursions.