Cat sitter versus cattery for 3-4 weeks?

[trrk]

We plan to make a family visit to New Zealand and considering the distance and us not having seen family since pre-Covid we want to go for as long as possible. We’d need to be away at least 3 weeks but 4 would be better from the family perspective, but not for the cat.

Would you go with a cattery or cat sitter for this length of time? He’s quite a nervous cat but he’s OK at the cattery once he adjusts but hates the car trip (the only good one we have found so far is a 40 drive each way). Generally I feel he’s happier at home with the cat sitter coming twice a day (spends almost an hour each time) but we have only used the cat sitter for 5-6 days before. Has anyone used a cat sitter for longer times and the cat still been happy? I read they can feel abandoned after a week or so.

My cat simply wouldn't cope with a cattery. He'd be extremely stressed the whole time.
It's also a long time to leave with a cat sitter (but still better than a cattery). Have you considered a house sitter? We use Trusted Housesitters www.trustedhousesitters.com/?gclid=Cj0KCQiAyracBhDoARIsACGFcS6WZuNtyNdfU8pCxTms8JS8-y-DukvrUe-AtHDX0N4iLV9-I2eA_zEaApJSEALw_wcB
Once you sign up it's a free service. Every single person we've had has been lovely and my cat really enjoyed having them around.

I would say cat sitter! We use a cat sitter always for our two and they much prefer being at home.

We went away for 2 weeks recently and the cat sitter was also away, so they had to go in the cattery. My older girl hated it- apparently she hid the whole time and that breaks my heart!!! They much prefer their own space

Cat sitter. It's too stressful for most cats to be in a cattery for weeks on end. They will survive it but will be traumatised.