Holidays abroad waste of money or essential getaway

HID and I don't enjoy the process of travelling abroad and so would rather stay in the UK. Enough places we've never been to keep us interested but I do see the appeal of widening horizons providing it's not a case of going thousands of miles to simply sit on a sun lounger. I don't see the point (and value for money) in that
 
First long haul we ever went on was to the Dominican Republic. We were talking to an elderly couple, he worked for BA for years and when he retired got free flights every year. His philosophy was long haul whilst he can, traveling home to a cold country took it out of him and his Missis. Travelling to his holiday destination was just as tiring but they spent two days on a sun lounger " recovering". When they can no longer go long haul, it's the med. Then after that. This country.
That kind of logic works for me.
 
Not sure I agree that it has to be better than home, it's horses for courses. For years while the boys were younger we've rented mobile homes on holiday parks around the Med. Now those most definitely aren't better than home, but for us, we were somewhere warm, able to relax, and swim in the Med every day. For the boys, they had sports facilities and loads of other kids around.

Nowadays we're looking for more luxury, but having guaranteed 30 degree heat, plus either a WARM sea in walking distance or a pool massively outweighs having my own bed or my own kitchen.

And as to spending the money on something that would last longer, nah, definitely not. We tried that one year, thought we would save the money, maybe get some stuff done round the house, we got 2 days in to our 2 weeks off work and were down to the travel agent to book a last minute deal! R&R is important!
 
Khamelion said:
As Hobbit wrote, if it's not as good as or better than home then it would be a waste of money.
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Personally I think that completely misses the point of a holiday. I go on holiday to experience different parts of the world and the local culture - not if it has a comfy bed or proper tea bags...
 
Whether we go on holiday to expierience new cultures, see sights or lay on a sun bed, the old adage of a "change is as good as a rest" applies. What does it matter how or what you spend you money/time off on, as long as you feel the benefit why should it matter to anyone else?
 
Its not about being better than home, its about being different from home. Getting away from the humdrum nature of every day life etc. We deliberately didnt take anything internet related (save for our phones and they are archaic) away last year and it was nice to escape from being badgered all the time, to enjoy more simpler things. Plenty of time to rest, spend loads of time in the warmth and sunshine, good exercise, decent food etc etc.

What a miserable experience sat in one's lounge with Sky Sports and the same old, same old nature of one's ordinary life.

Price of everything, value of nothing.
 
Khamelion said:
As Hobbit wrote, if it's not as good as or better than home then it would be a waste of money.
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Snelly said:
Hmmmm. Travel broadens the mind. Perhaps you should do more of it rather than less?
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Totally agree. Work and having a Villa abroad sees me out of the UK about 4 or 5 months of the year. And we always look for where the locals eat and drink. What's wrong with wanting to be comfortable when I'm doing it?
 
Abroad waste, UK essential.

Too much to see on our own shores.

I see no appeal in being stuck in a high rise with plastic "local" food for two weeks.
 
I understand what Khamelion is saying, we spent the last 6/7 years visiting family in England, so my 2 week summer break was always at home in Newcastle visiting, and whilst that was good to see people etc I have not felt like I have had a proper holiday in all that time. Whilst at home, I spend so much time catching up with friends and family I dont get to enjoy my break, the kids do, but then they also have a few weeks away with the wife and granny throughout the summer as well.
This year we are for Fuerteventura, having not been there, I cant wait, my Mam and sister and families are also going, so we can spend good family time catching up, but I can also relax, I can think of 100 things I could do with the money its costing, but hopefully its worth it.
 
For me any holiday is essential.

Going to Chester this weekend with just the Mrs - love the kids but we need that time together, just booked our summer camping trip for all us - that's memories and exploring Devon where we haven't been before so again memories that last a lifetime being made. Last year we went to Zante. Lovely place and total family time, memories again that will last a lifetime.
 
Hobbit said:
Totally agree. Work and having a Villa abroad sees me out of the UK about 4 or 5 months of the year. And we always look for where the locals eat and drink. What's wrong with wanting to be comfortable when I'm doing it?
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Nothing. That is up to you. But that is entirely different to saying spending money on overseas travel is a waste of money.

That said, whilst I would always prefer to stay in a very nice hotel rather than something less comfortable, I still would not agree that staying somewhere overseas has to outstrip the comforts of home. I have had some amazing times in some wonderful places and the lack of a big comfy bed did not detract from the experience.

Sleeping with my family in an Alpine cabin with no utilities or mattresses for a couple of nights, miles away from habitation and safety was pretty awesome. The fresh air, the views, shooting stars, marmots, hikes and the self-sufficiency being a wonderful experience for all.

Ditto sleeping in a big hammock with Mrs S on a remote Caribbean beach inside a mozzie net was pretty cool.

Neither as comfy as home, both fantastic experiences and things we'd love to do again.


Each to their own of course, depends what you enjoy and what you want to get out of a trip away.

In any event, a person who thinks new experiences in previously unseen places are a waste of time, effort and money is the poorer for it. We are only here once - there is so much to see and do and a significant amount of what is on offer exceeds the joys of staying at home.
 
Old Skier said:
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.
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Pushed???????? Not a cat in hell's chance!
 
We went to Nashville last year. Well, Brenham, oldest country fair in Texas, Little Rock, Texarkarna, Memphis and Nashville. My head it still running the images, sights and sounds and hopefully will forever. Cost a bomb, but we used some money my wife was left to her by her mum. She didn't know what to do with it so I suggested she use it to get memories which would then remind her of her mum.
PS Thanks MIL
 
Marshy77 said:
Yes definitely going to the wrong places. It's so easy to avoid the high rise, huge hotels and also so easy to avoid all day breakfasts or whatever plastic food is.
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Yes indeed!

We're off to Portugal early March for 5 nights. Nice hotel in Silves we've been going to for years. We know where the locals eat and it's opposite the hotel, well almost. £280 for two B+B, including car hire. You tell me where in Britain you can get this.
 
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