How do you choose a holiday destination when nothing appeals?

[qali]

How do you decide on a holiday destination if nothing is jumping out? I’ve probably looked at half the planet, and nothing is getting me excited

Why do you want to go?

I like a half and half holiday.
5 days doing something 5 days doing nothing.
eg Athens followed by an Island.

Don’t go anywhere! Stay at home and do different things than you’d normally do. You’re not bored enough!

Honestly, if nothing appeals to you, then save your money. No one has to have a holiday.

I look at MN honestly! So many people give great ideas.

If in doubt I often revert to looking at the UK. It’s a beautiful and varied country - and cheap to travel around (because we drive).

For a major holiday - Sometimes picking somewhere a bit random or off the beaten track works well and looking for a multi-centre trip can make it more exciting. We have had some utterly fabulous trips that I didn’t initially have a high expectation of - travelling through Poland; Denmark, and Ireland (the Galway arts festival was a blast but in fairness that was pre-kids so I think quite a lot of the time I may have been a bit drunk!). I will never forget Clare Island and the cliffs of Moher and the Aran Islands.

Next year dh wants to visit family in Portugal and I’ve persuaded him we can tack on ten days and visit the Azores. I cannot wait!

Ask people in real life or on here
Chat with friends
Go to a travel agent
work out a rough:
Budget per person
hot and cold?
people in the party? Number and type - kids, friends, extend family
purpose of trip, relax/ adventure/ culture/ mainstream/ Niche
definiteno -where won’t you go
and past preference - where did you love /hate

I’m sure Mumsnet could help and a TA

What was the last holiday you really enjoyed? What do you enjoy doing on a holiday, beach or city? Culture or partying?

I'm another one saying 'Don't Go'.

We've not been on holiday (abroad) for several years now because I just can't be arsed with airports, people and noise. There isn't anywhere that I'm keen enough to visit to put up with that.

We've done a couple of long weekends in different parts of the UK and pottered around museums, local sights etc.

That has been fine. I'm not spending huge amounts of money on something that I don't feel thrilled to do.

Gosh I have the opposite problem, I have a very long list!

What is your idea of a perfect holiday? Alone? Who with? Doing what? Weather? Beach/City/Mountains/Something else?

I wouldn’t bother if it was forcing it that much

Staycation?

But is everyone not fussed or just you?

Me as well. I will die before I get everywhere.

I spent ages looking at Greece for our summer holiday and couldn’t find anything that matched what we wanted (everything was either beautiful with a price tag to match or just looked a bit grubby) so we literally searched for where we could go on x date for £x. Reviews are mostly positive and we’ve got no expectations but that might be because we also plan a city break and UK getaway so there is no real pressure to make this one count.

We love a drive through Europe

I've got the opposite problem - too many places I want to go to while I'm still fit to travel.
I like escorted tours as they are stress-free - my days of d-i-y are over.
And a river cruise is ideal for a gentle, relaxed holiday with good food & drink included, & plenty of interesting places to see.

How can nothing appeal? Beyond me !
Ok - I’ll give you a couple of fantastic recommendations. Calvi in Corsica. Lake Bled in Slovenia. You won’t be disappointed!

I can't imagine nothing appealing, how could that be possible. I too have a massive list.

But you could stay at home and have trips out, activities, nice food etc. If you're not paying thousands for flights and accommodation you could justify some lovely meals, fancy spa etc.

This is intriguing- is it the people you’re going with mean that you basically can’t enjoy the break, can you not afford somewhere nice or do you really not like travel?
I was a bit like this for years but it was really that I couldn’t afford to go anywhere nicer than my standard of living at home.
And similarly I’ve stayed in Europe because I can’t afford to travel business class and I’m not putting myself through long haul economy but even in Europe I will die before I get to see everything I want to see - Europe is amazing!

Another one who cannot comprehend this!
What is it you actually want from a holiday? What are you actually searching for?
We tend towards planning our own trips over package holidays (although do appreciate a week on a sun lounger with a book from time to time too) as that way it's more bespoke and tailored towards what you actually want and means you can control the cost as well.
We've had some amazing road trips in various European countries with a mixture of city, beach, culture and relaxation - Italy, Croatia, France and Spain amongst others. Next year will be Germany.

Look at the other half of the planet 😎

If I’m struggling to choose, I just go back to Japan. 😂😂

I seek inspiration from books like lonely planets ultimate travel list, the world is your oyster and is chock full of amazing places.

Sorry to be morbid but think if tomorrow was your last day alive what do you wish you had seen or done. I've been to over 40 countries now and this is the first time I'm in no rush to book a holiday. I'm going to wait until the idea of going on holiday really really excites me. I've never been one for UK holidays but last week I went to Wales for work and had such a nice relaxing time. Going back to Pembrokeshire next month. Easy and simple and means it's still a break from the norm without too much planning or expensive either.

Oh and the other approach I take it. Imagine you just came from holiday. How do you want to feel. Then work backwards and think what can you do on holiday that will achieve that.

@Winederlust A package holiday is a legal definition where one company organises your flights and accommodation or most bits of it. Your contract is with them and gives consumer rights for the whole package. A package to Japan or the Antarctic is still a package if it confirms to the Abta rules and not a beach in sight!

Our packages with people like Audley, it means we do have some control over hotels because we book our own if theirs don’t meet our requirements or they book for us. We get activities booked in and at least have the peace of mind that a package gives holidaymakers substantially more consumer rights. So I would suggest packages are a good thing for many reasons.

@qali Have you thought about what your interests are? You must have some. Everywhere abroad can be tied into what you enjoy whether it’s cooking, scenery, sport, ancient worlds, wildlife, arts etc. If you cannot find a thing, are you a bit tired of life? All sounds a bit sad.

I would focus on what you feel like doing rather than a place you want to see.

Want to read by the pool in a bikini? Look for a resort where the weather is good.

Love cycling? Look for somewhere with bike hires and great cycle routes.

Love food? Look for somewhere with a great restaurant you want to try and a good food culture.

You get the gist.