Holidays abroad waste of money or essential getaway

[Khamelion]

As the subject says, are holidays abroad a big waste of money? To me they are, I cannot see the reason why people spend thousands on going away for 10 days or two weeks and come back with only a tan to show for the spend.

Now don't get me wrong, I see visiting friends and relatives as different, you're off somewhere with a purpose, but a holiday for holidays sake, for me it's a waste of money.

For the cost of a two week holiday, I could use the money on something that would last a lot longer, new golf clubs, club membership, something nice for the missus, home improvement the list goes on.

 

[Val]

As the subject says, are holidays abroad a big waste of money? To me they are, I cannot see the reason why people spend thousands on going away for 10 days or two weeks and come back with only a tan to show for the spend.

Now don't get me wrong, I see visiting friends and relatives as different, you're off somewhere with a purpose, but a holiday for holidays sake, for me it's a waste of money.

For the cost of a two week holiday, I could use the money on something that would last a lot longer, new golf clubs, club membership, something nice for the missus, home improvement the list goes on.

For us it's an essential getaway from everyday life at home. A chance to see a bit of the world, experience new cultures etc etc.

 

[Tongo]

Have been to the Italian lakes the last 2 years and absolutely loved it. Yes, they were fairly expensive holidays but we have some great memories and had a thoroughly enjoyable time.

To me that makes it worth it.

Lets not forget Oscar Wilde's 'price of everything, value of nothing' quote.

 

[Lord Tyrion]

Essential, essential. I don't work for the love of it, it is to pay for holidays and other enjoyable things.

I go to relax, get away from everyday life, see something new, broaden my mind, eat different foods. I have happy memories from nearly all the holidays I have been on and they keep me going through a cold and miserable winter. My screen saver is always a picture from my last holiday, they make me smile.

Maybe you need to have better holidays, ha ha.

 

[Khamelion]

I get the memories bit, had some great holidays when I was A LOT younger, before I met the missus and those memories were well worth the Club 18-30 price and also the holiday in the states where a mate paid for the holiday as a thank you after he'd won a good amount on the lottery has some very good memories.

 

[Coffey]

Love a good holiday. It is not all about the tan, it is about enjoying time together and exploring new places. Trying new food, seeing landscapes or attractions and just relaxing and not having to worry about work etc.

Yes its expensive but memories last a life time so create them when you can

 

[Bazz]

One of the main reasons I get up for work every morning. Need to have a holiday to look forward to.
Vegas and Tenerife booked for later this year.

 

[Bunkermagnet]

Never used to like holidays where you just flop, but nowadays I need my 2 weeks in the sun on a lounger. The rest is much needed and a chance to get the hum drum world out of the system.
"You're a long time dead" as my dad used to say...so why not have some r and r away from normality?

 

[Dasit]

Love getting away for a few days several times a year.

Really good for the mind and body.


Expensive holidays are not worth it. I have been to the Caribbean, Fancy Asian places, but more than happy with a week in the Canary Islands, I prefer the getting away experience than the actual what happens on holiday.

 

[Hobbit]

What amazes me about some people's holidays is that they'll leave a very comfortable home and go to a half decent hotel with very average food. As one of my staff says, if it isn't at least as comfortable as my 4 bed/3 bathroom house with decent Sky and some good restaurants/bars close at hand I'm staying at home.

When we go away, its to somewhere very comfortable and with lots of stuff to do.

As to the OP, if its not as good as home its a waste of money.

 

[Deleted member 16999]

Each to their own, due to my wifes disability we no longer go abroad, had had some great holidays overseas and have had some great holidays in the UK.
The biggest bonus for going abroad is on the whole you can just about guarantee good weather.

 

[Old Skier]

Not sure why people think that going abroad on holiday is always expensive. I go to Greek Islands every year and can get 2 weeks B&B and a flight in a nice hotel for around £500 for me and HID, we would be pushed to get the same in UK.

 

[Tashyboy]

Well ave not retired to stay at home, done cheap and expensive and loved most of them, would deffo not go back to Egypt and Turkey. Telling people to do one coz there in my face is not my idea of a relaxing holiday. But ave had some stonking holidays.
As with most, part of the journey is who is alongside you sharing those memories. Ave done five star and done caravans and trailer tents wi me kids. Brilliant. Holidays are essential to recharge the batteries. Leave this life full of memories and not dreams.

 

[Blue in Munich]

As the subject says, are holidays abroad a big waste of money? To me they are, I cannot see the reason why people spend thousands on going away for 10 days or two weeks and come back with only a tan to show for the spend.

Now don't get me wrong, I see visiting friends and relatives as different, you're off somewhere with a purpose, but a holiday for holidays sake, for me it's a waste of money.

For the cost of a two week holiday, I could use the money on something that would last a lot longer, new golf clubs, club membership, something nice for the missus, home improvement the list goes on.

Absolutely essential for the Mrs & I. And a tan is the last thing on the list; if we get one, so be it but if we don't we don't. We are usually off somewhere with a purpose, to see something that we want to see. Yes, for what we spend we could do something else with the money, but you can't take it with you and the memories last a lifetime. But I would agree that a holiday for holiday's sake can be a waste of money.

What amazes me about some people's holidays is that they'll leave a very comfortable home and go to a half decent hotel with very average food. As one of my staff says, if it isn't at least as comfortable as my 4 bed/3 bathroom house with decent Sky and some good restaurants/bars close at hand I'm staying at home.

When we go away, its to somewhere very comfortable and with lots of stuff to do.

As to the OP, if its not as good as home its a waste of money.

I'll disagree Brian; for the type of holidays we mainly do, as long as the room's clean & safe, the bed's comfortable & the shower works, that's good enough. We'll be eating out & spending as much time out of the room taking in the sights as possible because that's where the fun is, so the criteria are fairly basic.

If we were doing a "lazy" one I would agree with you, but they are rare these days.

 

[Hobbit]

I'll disagree Brian; for the type of holidays we mainly do, as long as the room's clean & safe, the bed's comfortable & the shower works, that's good enough. We'll be eating out & spending as much time out of the room taking in the sights as possible because that's where the fun is, so the criteria are fairly basic.

If we were doing a "lazy" one I would agree with you, but they are rare these days.

Each to their own. We've done a few very comfortable villas in recent years, with pubs and restaurants close at hand. We've found then relaxing beyond belief. Having your own pool, and sun loungers you don't have to fight a German for is immense.

Equally, if we're doing a citybreak it has to be in the centre, which invariably means compromising on the relaxation.

 

[Piece]

Having a relaxing escape fromthe banal day to day life is essential. You can mentally recharge and feel refreshed when you return.

 

[Golfmmad]

I don't get this, "It must be as nice as your home, otherwise a waste of money", train of thought. Sorry Hobbit, it seems I'm always disagreeing with you but its certainly not intentional.

How can anywhere be as nice and comfortable as your home. As long as the Hotel or apartment is clean, has a decent bed and a nice view and serves good food.......

Its enjoying the different cultures and taking in the atmosphere - coffee bars - trips out (can be expensive) and just relaxing as you always do when on holiday, anywhere.

Don't get me wrong, I really enjoy holidaying in this country as well,love it. But, it can be really expensive here. Last year we went on a 4 day golfing holiday with my mate and the wives. At Sprowston Manor in Norfolk - 4 nights dinner bed and breakfast, 3 rounds of golf costing over £900 per couple!

As has been said , you can get 10 nights in the sun for as little as £500!

 

[ADB]

As the subject says, are holidays abroad a big waste of money? To me they are, I cannot see the reason why people spend thousands on going away for 10 days or two weeks and come back with only a tan to show for the spend.

Now don't get me wrong, I see visiting friends and relatives as different, you're off somewhere with a purpose, but a holiday for holidays sake, for me it's a waste of money.

For the cost of a two week holiday, I could use the money on something that would last a lot longer, new golf clubs, club membership, something nice for the missus, home improvement the list goes on.

I live for holidays, especially as the children grow up. In a way, the money is insignificant as there are a million other more practical things I could spend it on, but seeing other parts of the world, having a bit of sun on your back and tasting different food is (to me) what life is about....otherwise its work, home, work, home (repeat for next 30 years)

 

[Hobbit]

I don't get this, "It must be as nice as your home, otherwise a waste of money", train of thought. Sorry Hobbit, it seems I'm always disagreeing with you but its certainly not intentional.

How can anywhere be as nice and comfortable as your home. As long as the Hotel or apartment is clean, has a decent bed and a nice view and serves good food.......

Its enjoying the different cultures and taking in the atmosphere - coffee bars - trips out (can be expensive) and just relaxing as you always do when on holiday, anywhere.

Don't get me wrong, I really enjoy holidaying in this country as well,love it. But, it can be really expensive here. Last year we went on a 4 day golfing holiday with my mate and the wives. At Sprowston Manor in Norfolk - 4 nights dinner bed and breakfast, 3 rounds of golf costing over £900 per couple!

As has been said , you can get 10 nights in the sun for as little as £500!

I don't mind you disagreeing with me. Your mindset is the same as mine was till I took on board the "it needs to be as nice as home." And you're right, it is about being comfortable. spending more doesn't always equate to comfort. However, since we started booking the 5* hotels with spas etc, wow!

And as for some of the top villas; again, its not hard to spend a little bit more and get something vastly superior.

I wouldn't go back to booking Thomas Cook/Thompson, overinflated, 3* (really a 2*) holiday.

 

[Val]

Bri, I'm in a similar chain of thought but I'd stop short of saying if the bed isn't as comfy as my own it's not worth it as nothing tends to be as comfy as your own bed.

Holidays cost what they cost, I wouldn't go anywhere on the cheap and by that I mean I wouldn't stay in a £40 a night hovel if a decent hotel is £100 a night just to save some money.