Holidays. Are they important to you ?

I’m coming back to this thread, even if it’s a bit older, because the topic really spoke to me. From my experience, holidays are no longer about “where do we go just to tick off something exotic,” but more about how we actually feel while we’re there.
In recent years, after dealing with delayed flights and stressful luggage situations, I changed my approach: I started looking for accommodation in the UK, in quiet areas where I can take the dogs with me and not depend on anything else. I turned to selfcatering.co.uk and discovered all kinds of places, from cabins in the woods to houses by the sea. For us, it was a good balance between a change of scenery and the comfort of still being relatively close to home.

Silly nanny 321. You are not being silly. As you can see by name, I ran a cattery for years in Spain with very happy repeat clients. Unfortunately, a few soft hearted people would rescue feral cats and bring them to us so they could go on a cruise or whatever. Feral cats are not tame in any shape or form and would attack their owners on their return. Luckily this only happened rarely and being experienced I somehow managed to feed their wild cats and clean their toilets but it wasn’t easy. I had a weekly newspaper column explaining how to look after cats. Cats are stronger than dogs and are capable of being very violent as I witnessed when I took my clients into my home to tend their facial wounds with germolene etc. after they returned from their luxury holiday to find a very cross wild cat.
I didn’t have my own cat as felt I was too busy taking care of other peoples as well as working a few hours as a journalist. One afternoon, I had a bit of free time to sit next to the pool I designed. Suddenly, a tabby moggy settled in on the other side of the pool. After a while I went over expecting trouble. He lay on his back offering his stomach to stroke. Strange cats just don’t do that. I tickled his tummy and he followed me inside the villa and became the family cat lying on my lap immediately. I would never approach a strange cat. I am back in the UK now and when off for a stroll cats follow me and I chat to them quietly and tell them your owner is worried and they do a U-turn. I’m not a cat woman or a cat whisperer or anything like that. They are just attracted to me because of my quiet voice.
People leaving your cats in catteries, please don’t stress. The owners as far as I know are cat lovers.

I agree - plenty of holiday accommodation where dogs aren't allowed, so there's something for everyone. Personally, I think if you're that worried about hygiene from dogs, you shouldn't think too much about some humans might get up to in the properties!

We have dogs and totally respect that some people don't wish to stay in a property that is dog friendly. But our experience booking is
that there plenty of places that aren't available to pet owners.And I don't know one of my dog owning friends who would take their dog to one they weren't allowed to.We also pay extra per dog for cleaning at our regular cottage stays.For us a trip to Northumberland or Anglesey without our dogs wouldn't be the same.

Sorry to say it but these days, too many places are 'dog friendly'. This puts me off renting holiday accommodation, as there are bound to be hairs and possibly parasites. You don't know whether the bowls in the kitchen have been used by the dog.
I used to rent a cottage so that I could have a week away from the family. Now I stick to just days out.

I think holidays are not so important until, for what ever reason, they can’t be taken. They then become much more desired, sadly.

Just remembered some friends who were keen cyclists. This was in the days of duty free. They used to go round the charity shops and get quite a few t shirts, shorts, and a couple of jumpers and a mac. These were all washed and packed on their bikes. Then they used to go by sea to Holland, where there was a lot of good flat cycling to enjoy. As they went round they wore the clothes and then disposed of them, so that when they were ready to come back, they had only small bag of underwear washing, and the space was taken up by their duty free. !! No duty free these days, When we were young and my mother then had 3 children to deal with we only went on things like camping or to relatives. Mum used to do all the washing, ironing etc and cooking herself but her exception was on arriving home, for that one time in the year, she would take the washing for a service wash to the launderette and we would have either fish and chips or chinese, so that she didnt start on the day we arrived home. I still stick to getting a takeaway on my way in as I arrive home, and then after I have had that and a sit down can face unpacking!!

Like a lot of posters, I loved going on holiday, especially to warmer climes, sometimes 2 or even 3 times a year. I find it quite tedious now, the insurance, airport hassle etc. I had a really bad
experience last year with a certain airline and gave up trying to get some recompense as they made it so complicated.
However, I love the sun and live in Northern England where our temperatures are pretty dire. If I could be transported off in say January to March to a comfortable hotel in a warm winter climate, not too far away (any suggestions?) I would happily spend the rest of the year at home.

By way of explanation on my previous post in case others are thinking mu DH was the one who suffered the most, the area of his brain affected by the brain bleed caused hallucinations. He was blissfully unaware of the extent and seriousness of our predicament! Even though he had his fit to fly certificate we were extremely worried about how his behaviour would affect the flight which did turn out to be just as stressful.

I used to love my holidays. We would go abroad two or three times a year and we had a touring caravan we used constantly i between. 4 years ago my DH suffered a stroke whilst we were abroad. The experience was terrifying. Though we paid dearly for our travel insurance I discovered just how difficult it was to navigate through all of the loopholes they put me through at a terrifying and difficult time. I eventually decided just to pay everything first and claim it back after they told me they wouldn’t be making any decisions on payment until they had reviewed my husband’s past medical history. Eventually they deducted 6% off the total amount they paid back because I had forgotten my husband had suffered anaemia 5 years before! Sorry to go off on a tangent but even though my husband would like to travel abroad again unfortunately I absolutely refuse. It was such a horrendous experience it left me feeling completely devastated and so anxious. Thankfully with the help of my son coming over I was able to get my husband home safely but never again. DH unfortunately had a second stroke and we found our beloved caravan holidays were no longer doable. Strangely though I don’t miss them,! These days the thought of leaving my home and sleeping in a strange room fills me with dread. I’m so grateful we had the chance to build up so many great memories from our past travels but I definitely don’t miss them.

We have a touring caravan and since 2020 have holidayed using it, for obvious reasons to begin with.
Then in the summer of 2022 just as things were getting ‘back to normal’ re travelling abroad, my husband developed a sudden serious cardiac issue (understatement, won’t bore with the details) resulting in an aortic valve replacement last March.
After a slowish but successful recovery ( albeit on pills now forever which annoys him greatly, but that’s another story!) in September 2024 we went on a cruise from and returning to Tilbury visiting ports along the coasts of Portugal, France and Spain. We had a lovely time and so decided to book another.
However this time, it’s a fly cruise from Gatwick this Tuesday to the Caribbean for a 2 weeks.

I’m please he’s well enough to do this, his choice of destination, but I’m really procrastinating re the packing and just feel it would have been so much easier to wait til the weathers a bit warmer here, load up the caravan and go off somewhere local ( Suffolk) or further afield instead, for a week or two, to a lovely site with amenities and activities, with places to eat on site or nearby if we so choose! I suppose I sound ungrateful but I’m really not as excited about it all as I think I should be, but do appreciate the fact that we are fortunate to be able to go.

Oh well, on with the packing 🤨

I've never been very keen on holidays, even as a child I preferred to stay with my grandparents than go away. Being a travel sickness sufferer (when in back of a car or on water) didn't help.
We did have a few UK holidays when my boys were young but haven't had on for 20+ years. Always self catering, I have never stayed in a hotel.
Never been abroad, never wanted to go either. Have seen some lovely places in the UK though.

I had my first holiday last year since 2005. Went to Berwick upon Tweed Monday to Friday and stayed in premier Inn as they have accessible rooms for walking and wheelchair disabled. Lower beds and large shower rooms and safety equipment. Had the great pleasure of meeting and spending time with a member of GN. They took me out which I never expected had a wonderful time. When I came home booked to go too York in September again same length of time and in a premier Inn. Going to Llandudno in May I booked my room in October and got my train tickets 2weeks ago. Hoping to go to Harrogate in September. All via train with the help of travel assistance takes away the worry of getting on and off the train and getting a seat and changing trains .

All my holidays will be in Britain as missed my chance to go abroad due to finances and my health means I can no longer go on a plane . And the thought of a cruise or coach holiday fills me with horror.

I won't go to anywhere I went to with my husband as those memories are precious. So look forward to 2 holidays a year as long as I am able .

I’ve had some lovely holidays, since my partner and I got together some 30 years ago, especially enjoyable when I was working full time. The holidays I choose these days are to visit my sister in Spain, spend time with my other sister in the New Forest or Devon, or take short city breaks, either with my partner, daughter or sisters. Flying and airports I find so exhausting these days, especially having to contend with delays and cancellations. I’m only away for a week at the most, as I miss my home, children/grandchildren, dog, gardening, friends, volunteering.

It's really not for me any more. We had some fun holidays with the children and late OH and I used to enjoy coastal walking holidays.
I have several friends who are away more than they are home, largely on cruises, but that idea leaves me cold.
I live in an extraordinarily beautiful place and I am typing this on my phone whilst sitting in bed drinking tea and soaking up the view of the hills and the lambs.
I was to have holidayed with my DD and family next month at the English seaside but have just cancelled ... too many heart problems that would diminish the enjoyment, and a pacemaker due in the next few weeks. I did not want to be a burden on their enjoyment.
I will stay here and enjoy the beautiful countryside .... and the travel programmes on TV .... thats the way to travel!

I love to travel and have family and friends who live abroad, so am at an airport fairly regularly.
I was planning to visit a part of the USA that was of interest to me this year, but now feel that I have to wait until 2029...

Love0c Yes that sounds like a plan. I’d be happy with a few days away. As Washerwomen has just said I look forward to coming home more than I do going so think short breaks are the way to go.

We arrived home yesterday and I slept like a log in my own bed.And reunited with our dogs who enjoyed their sunny but chilly walk this morning.
I honestly think the best bit of holidays for me is coming home !UK holidays are far more relaxing I've decided.No angst about packing as we're in the car.No worries about airport delays and baggage limits.Not saying we will never go abroad again as DH is more keen .Maybe its because I'm retired but lots of small treats and days out hold far more appeal now.

I’m no longer interested in holidays. Just too much hassle. I’m lucky to have a nice home in a beautiful part of the country that people pay to visit. I love my home and being retired is just one long holiday without the stress of packing, cancelling post etc and, worst of all, travelling. Maid service would be nice though!

I have happy memories of holidays all over the UK but not so many abroad as DH was not keen. The best ones were with choirs as we saw so much and didn’t have to organise it ourselves.
Since DH died I have been on some coach holidays, with local puck ups, so very convenient. People are very friendly and we get taken to places I wouldn't otherwise go to. I am not sure that I want to go abroad again, but am reluctant to say I never will.

It's trying to decide what to take then the packing and unpacking when we get home that I hate. I also don't like the change of routine when we're on holiday. I'm just a home bird these days!

Katyj - We look after our grandchild every week and hate to miss doing that. Hence we do 5 nights from our local airport. We love doing that. Had 4 holidays in the last few months. We feel we have had a proper holiday even though it is short.

Holidays are not important to me at all. I prefer to stay at home and relax mainly because I did a lot of travelling in my working life. It was very enjoyable and I learned some languages [now sadly forgotten] and met some very interesting people but travelling now is not for me and I prefer to wave my feet in the sea in my own home area.

My mum passed away last year, so this year is the first time we’ll be able to go away without worrying, or being called by her carers.
But at the moment I’m not bothered. I’m hoping when the weather improves I’ll feel different. We’re not bothered about going abroad, and like you most of our friends are up and away, often to far flung places.
We too look after our GC twice a week, so would have to have a few days inbetween apart from when they’re away, and we could go for a week.
One friend has just got back from 3 months in Spain. Her family have fallen out with them, she didn’t give much notice and they have struggled finding childcare. I couldn’t have done that.

madeline45 your post was a real inspiration!