Are you going abroad this year ?

Not this year but we hope to have a cruise next year.
They are the most wonderful way to see the world and are practically hassle free.
It’s important to pick the right cruise line though as after watching a channel 5 series on Sunday evenings, filmed on board a Virgin ship, I quickly decided I would pay good money NOT to go with that particular cruise line! You would definitely have to score very highly on the extroversion scale to cope with that one.

We sometimes fly to join the ship, but we’re only about an hour’s drive from Southampton, so that’s very convenient.

So great to read about all your planned holidays. It’s what retirement is all about isn’t it?

At the moment we haven’t been away since pre covid and the reports we have heard from friends re coming back with covid and airport delays have put us off. This year we’ve decided to go for Airbnb in Devon. Fingers crossed the weather stays good but not quite as hot as today!

Since originally booking in 2019 my DD & I finally went off for our mum & daughter week to Majorca in late June after it being cancelled for June 2020 due to Covid,I was expecting long queues at security & checkin but it was painfree,I had my information on my phone and all went smoothly.
I have just booked for LVegas with my friend for next year and hope things go well for that trip.
We looked at holidays in UK and the cost was ridiculous just a couple of hundred £s more to go to USA.

We went to Majorca in April - to join a widowed friend who has a house there - to. BiL’s place in France in June (we drove) and are going in September to a sister in Cape Cod. That visit should have taken place last September but the Yanks wouldn’t let us in because of COVID.

Like a couple of pps, I loathe all the faff of airports and flying nowadays, though. I look back fondly to the days when it was just exciting! It’s now just something to be borne for the sake of getting there.

No way. Haven't been on a plane for years now and no plans to do so. Plenty of places to go in the UK. Travelling is a hassle we can do without. DH gets very anxious about missing connections, standing in queues, coping with luggage, hot weather, not that we need to go abroad for that.

Urmstongran has been helpful regarding paperwork, I’m just nervous as you can only complete it online 72 hours before you go. I like all my ducks in a row plenty of time before we go away!

We had a wonderful fortnight on the Ceredigion coast in May, nothing else planned but hopefully will get away in late September. Not abroad, I can’t be bothered with doing all the arrangements anymore, DH does nothing to help or contribute ?
I had a five day painting holiday recently which was wonderful so I might just carry on going solo!

Looks like too much hassle and uncertainty as well as too much expense now we have to pay more for almost everything including energy, not to mention Andrew's security and Boris's pension, car and security.

Already been on a cruise to Norwegian Fjords last month, just back from a five day U.K. break with DD and two GC it would have been cheaper to go abroad, but we couldn’t rely on youngest GC passport arriving in time. Fortunately the weather was glorious and we spent our days on the beach, but we really noticed the prices for drinks and meals out higher than at home and we live a couple of miles from the beach and a popular day trip destination.

Hopefully Cyprus in September and then DH wants to go to West Indies in November.

We are more and more worrying about climate change and are changing our behaviour as a result.

We are the lucky generation I think and there are really no areas of the world that we haven’t visited and would like to.

So at the moment we have decided to avoid flying and this will mean no long haul, but we will endeavour to travel by rail where possible going to mainland Europe and car in U.K. we have at the moment a hybrid, and our next car will be fully electric.

If it wasn't for DS1 living in USA I wouldn't fly at all. We are going to visit him and family in September but we haven't seen them since they came here in 2019 and the last time we went there was 2016. I still feel guilty about our carbon footprint.

Not for us, as you say Whitewave we need to think about our carbon footprint, evidence is in front of us with the current drought.
We may go to Europe next year, Brittany Ferries seem to be making a real effort to reduce their emissions.

Brittany Ferries seem to be making a real effort to reduce their emissions.
I don't think they had any choice because new laws were introduced for shipping? I think their new boats come into service in 2024.

We both enjoy travelling but for financial reasons, no. We've had a few long weekends with family in the UK and when the schools are back we'll have a week in the North East before it gets really cold. We started cutting back on our expenditure two years ago, as did our family, and holidays abroad are something we can live without for a time. Our DS1 stayed in a UK cottage after lock down with his family and had such a good time he's decided not to go abroad again until the children are older.

It’s our children who have had the opportunity to travel the world with gap years and breaks. We have rarely been out of Europe travelling (mostly by train) over the years.

It’s only latterly that we have been a bit more adventurous and had a couple of long haul holidays and have to say these destinations have been really enjoyable because of the difference in culture.

There are still so many places I havnt and want to see. Our carbon footprint is small, so hope it’s not too late for us.

Yes, I’ve come to sunny Manchester ??

JenniferEccles

Not this year but we hope to have a cruise next year.
They are the most wonderful way to see the world and are practically hassle free.
It’s important to pick the right cruise line though as after watching a channel 5 series on Sunday evenings, filmed on board a Virgin ship, I quickly decided I would pay good money NOT to go with that particular cruise line! You would definitely have to score very highly on the extroversion scale to cope with that one.

We sometimes fly to join the ship, but we’re only about an hour’s drive from Southampton, so that’s very convenient.

So great to read about all your planned holidays. It’s what retirement is all about isn’t it?

Gosh yes! That programme about virgin cruises would put anyone off. Luckily me and you know how peaceful and enjoyable a cruise can be, as long as it's not with virgin! We have dipped our toes in once more and are cruising in October, really looking forward to it ?

We’re just back from Cyprus, had a lovely time. Never been before so can’t compare prices.
Meal for two harbour side inc wine 80€.

My now 16 year old dog does not travel well these days. Last time we went abroad, in 2017, we took her through the Channel Tunnel and were very impressed. I had previously dreaded having to travel that distance underground. Plenty of lovely areas in the UK. We love anywhere coastal, being stuck in the Midlands with breathing problems. I certainly want to give flying a miss in the future.

Go! I lost the love of my life seven years ago. You never know what’s round the corner. I go abroad a lot with One Traveller. Holiday company for over 55s. Don’t worry about flights and airports

We are going to Canada next year but only because our youngest son and family are there and an old school friend otherwise no why would you with delays at airports and this summers exceptional weather. We go to Scotland next week to see eldest son and family with a drop in at Newcastle to see family and Dronfield to see youngest daughter . After years as an army wife I am quite happy to stay home in Hampshire we have a hottub and a huge garden and only 15 mins in the car to the beach

We are going to Spain next Sunday after it has been delayed five times due to covid and then my father passing away earlier this year. Can’t wait to go. At home, I can never quite escape the need to do jobs - both work and for the house - whereas over there we keep things tidy and wash up etc but main meals are out or easy salads etc and can relax properly, finally read the books I have been planning to read, have a swim and the biggest decisions are pool or beach today and what restaurant do we fancy for dinner?

We have had a few breaks in the UK during the lockdown but I never manage to relax in the same way and it’s all about visiting places - what are we doing tomorrow rather than just “being”.

Thankfully we go to an apartment complex we know well so we don’t even have to worry about finding everything from scratch! Wondering what changes though have happened in the last 3 years! Another 8 years until retirement for me, and a dream would be to buy an apartment over there eventually so we can enjoy longer periods and family can use it too.

Wary about the airports - have purchased parking, fast track etc and did the horrid online check in and covid pass’ yesterday so good to go!!

I've a good few friends and family who've braved the holiday trip and not one has encountered the awfulness of airports as shown on the tv. I'm still staying in the UK.

Croatia early october- can't wait. Never been yet.

Got back last week from a three week motorbike holiday (I was the pillion!)through France and Southern Spain. Absolutely no problems or delays going from Portsmouth and then coming back on the Euro. Mind you, being a bike means you don’t get stuck in traffic. It was sweltering though wearing bike gear in 44 degrees.