I don’t like going on holiday

I like exploring different places/ countries but I don’t like going away for more than a week or two so I have a mental block on anywhere more than a day’s journey away. Australia is pretty isolated and big so you could actually spend years just going to different parts of the mainland.

Now that I have wished, a flying carpet for a few hours. Home when you want.

I am very interested in this topic and the honest answers on it. I moved from a town to a rural but not isolated location to be somewhat nearer to my daughter and family. Having made a big effort (for me) to join a NWR group locally, I have realised that most of the members are still lucky enough to have husbands still alive and the others are fortunate enough that money is no impediment to them travelling wherever they want. A few years back, I bit the bullet and went on a cruise by myself. I did not find it fun at all on my own and when I had taken myself off to the bow of the ship one day I was lucky enough to see a whale and some dolpins. That was what made the holiday worthwhile for me but my immediate thought was "I have nobody to share this moment with". Holidays are not really all about where you go, but rather who you are sharing experiences with.

I love travelling, but only out of school holiday times. We try to get the earliest flights so that the airport isn’t too busy, but also have annual airport lounge passes which makes them more bearable.
Last Autumn we did long haul to Asia and DH has more or less decided that he doesn’t want to do any more long haul trips.

The only reason I want to came home from a holiday is to get back into my own bed. If I didn't need my own bed to sleep properly I'd spend most of my life holidaying anywhere and everywhere.

Wyllow3

Now that I have wished, a flying carpet for a few hours. Home when you want.

We could throw in a standard lamp or two, and have a flying living room.

flappergirl

I've got a slightly different dilemma. I've always loved travelling but since my DH died I have nobody to go with. I tried a short holiday on my own but I felt so lost and lonely that I've no desire to repeat it. People keep asking me if I'm going/have been away and I feel I have to make excuses all the time. Fortunately I have the cat so he gets the blame!

I'm in the same boat, DH and I travelled a great deal and lived abroad for several years. I'm currently looking at going on my first solo holiday maybe next year and have been checking out those singles holiday companies. Not really a 'joiner in' type of person but don't think I could face going on my own.
Hairdresser visit yesterday and I was dreading the inevitable question re hols, when it came I just said I hadn't got anything booked at the moment.

I think I would just say something like 'If I feel like it. I've always done what I want to do when I want to do it and retirement won't change that'.

You'd be surprised at how many people I've met who were looking forward to their retirement so they could travel.

It's almost as if they have been constrained from travelling all their life until they are finally freed by retirement. It will be true of some - those who are caring for others they can't leave, or on a minimal income - but many people seem to see travel as a retirement 'thing'.

Wyllow3

Now that I have wished, a flying carpet for a few hours. Home when you want.

I've always wanted one of those belts that Tomorrow People had - press a button and be somewhere else in two seconds.

Nowadays of course so many would have them you'd probably find your atoms all mixed up with someone else's when you got back together again at your destination and find you had an extra leg or one blue eye and brown eye.

i do not like travelling but more than that i don't like heat, i was supposed to go to coventry back in june but kept putting it off as it is always warmer than glagsow during the summer, i have never been on a plane as i have never found anywhere that i really wanted to travel to. i love the winter and i go out most days, even in the snow, i am happy at home with the windows open and my curtains shut( the sun is at my front window from noon until it sets) a good book and a can of cold cola, it is easy for me to say i am not going on holiday as i am disabled and use a walker so people don't bother me about it.

I always wonder "get away from what" when people ask me am I getting away this summer. I am happy where I am so what do I need to get away fromM

Me too - I love my home and my hobbies and can't wait to get home if I have to go away. We travelled a lot when we were younger so I have been to many places but I never enjoyed the actual trip - I always preferred looking at the photos afterwards. I don't think I could cope with an airport now.

I've lived and worked abroad but since moving to Brighton I rarely go away.. there is always so much going on here and I love my little home..

You'd be hard pushed to find anywhere as interesting as Brighton, I think.

I love holidays, I’m planning my next one as soon as I get back from the last. I get bored of the same old routine, and when I’m at home I have to get out and about every week to see new things and go to new places. One of the bonuses as you age though is that you don’t have to justify yourself to anybody, you can do as you please. I’d just say I liked home better than anywhere else if I were in your shoes.

I only really want to go to places in this country. People seem to think I am odd. But this country has so much of interest, so many beautiful places, wonderful coastline, national parks, historic buildings and culture. Most people seem to dash off to other countries unaware of what's on their doorstep.

Nothing wrong with not wanting to travel. No need to feel defensive. I've loved travelling and DH and I binged on it in the years immediately after retirement. Be happy that you are so contented with being at home - it will stand you in good stead in the later years when travel might no longer be an option. If you really want to say something to people in defence of being a home-bird you could always say that you are saving the planet. Planet before planes.

LaCrepescule

I’m now retired and fed up with people asking me if I’m going to travel. Since young adulthood I’ve not much enjoyed going away; I’d rather be at home, reading, enjoying nature and meeting friends. I’m never ever bored.
I’ve yet to come up with a suitable answer though and something in me feels defensive, as if people think I’m lacking a sense of adventure (nothing could be further from the truth.) Anyone feel the same? What do you say to people?

I love travel, we love travel - so we travel.

We're also quite happy at home - comfortable, foods we love, near our children, grandchildren plus able to work and earn for more travel.

Perhaps you could say "I love to travel my garden - try it, you'll love it." Because gardens are lovely to work, read in, play with GC.

Most of our friends and relatives travel all over the world and I feel embarrassed when they ask about our travel plans and we have to make excuses for staying at home or only going as far as Devon. However, we love our beautiful home and garden and the place we visit in Devon and do not feel we are missing out.

I think it would have to be a very expensive holiday to afford the sort of comfortable travel we'd now like and I am not sure we would like the expenditure on an ephemeral experience. Coupled with horrendous news stories about transport delays, the indignities of travel termini, getting ill (I have a weak tummy for travelling) and, now, the open hostility of host nations, I'd rather stay at home and enjoy our own lovely land.

I am aware that this is very lame.

Is not lame at all. There is nothing intrinsically virtuous or amazing or better in any way about liking travel.

I have travelled for holidays but its something I dont want to do these days. I am not a sun worshipper sitting by a pool never have been. I much prefer city breaks but even that is an effort with my aching joints now.
If I say I'm not in the mood for travel I have a few times been told I am in a rut.
So my answer now is if I am in a rut it's a rut I want to be in! Unless of course if I spontaneously decide on a short city tour.

Siope

Is not lame at all. There is nothing intrinsically virtuous or amazing or better in any way about liking travel.

Absolutely agree.

No one should feel they have to defend the way they choose to live their life or apologise for not wanting the same things as others.

Lilyflower, that’s not lame and you shouldn’t feel you have to justify your choice of holiday.

LaCrepescule I could have written your post. It’s often a January topic when folks are planning where to go. People can be baffled and rather concerned if they hear that someone doesn’t like holidays. I’m pleased for keen travellers and happy to hear their tales but prefer do my own thing pottering around here. Plenty of day trips possible if I need a change. It’s been good reading other peoples thoughts and suggestions. Think I’ll try “I’m a home bird, each to their own”