AsifScoob

I hope nothing I said sounded like point scoring, or bragging? Apologies if it came over that way. Was trying to highlight a few of my own experiences for the benefit of all.

Is IS possible to get great holidays abroad, for less than you might think thats all. And if you are really lucky you can truly fantastic holidays for even less too. And of course you are right, if its not enjoyable it's pointless.

One of the most amazing holidays I did was many years ago now, VERY cheap, off season package to Malta, where us and a few friends winged absolutely everything we did, and with the most amazing luck, it all went our way. Even when we thought stuff went wrong (far too long a story to detail here)

I enjoy my breaks in the UK too, but find it to be very expensive for what I like to do these days. Plus, I like a bit of Sun.

Asif

Matteeboy

Asif -Sure you can have great holidays far away but the whole £5k for two weeks by a pool" thing just isn't me.
Short breaks and the odd longer one - We stayed in Italy in the mountains at a friends converted farmhouse in July. Stonking weather, no accomm costs, a mountain river to play in and just flight, three of our group are fluent in Italian which goes a long way to seeing the "real" country,food and car hire to pay for - very cheap but lovely. We'd never have got anywhere near that with a package deal.

Works for lots of people - do it differently, have more fun, save money!

davyboy

...But maybe he can affor a £5k holiday AND save money.

People are allowed to like different things, and rate different things as important.

logiclee

Very true, hotels determining what time you eat, fighting for sunbeds at the side of a pool, english pubs serving all day breakfasts, groups of youths drinking till they throw up.
My idea of hell but still tens of thousands book every year, including people I work with. I just dont get it.

Cheers
Lee

kend

Pre-baby: £20k ish per year, for a couple of proper holidays, and several long weekends.

Post baby: £500 for a cottage in the UK

davyboy

Does a baby really make 19.5k difference?

wrx-kris

The kids love camping in Anglesey, so can go away for a week for £150

I don't like going away from my home turf so Cornwall is the only other place possible - Might get my passport this year though...

davyboy

You go steady with that passport thing.

wrx-kris

I know! Just had a look at the form....

Matteeboy

My most memorable childhood holidays were in Cornwall (before we moved here).
My parents most enjoyable holidays were pretty simple breaks - the expensive ones just too often seemed disappointing. £7k ski holiday being the most ludicrous. My little sister spent most of the time crying!

Oh yes Davyboy - you have to try and "get" me again. Maybe me and lots of others here (who seem to be in agreement) can afford a Patek Phillipe watch, a new BMW, and exotic holidays abroad but we simply think money is better saved or spent elsewhere.

Telling Dave in HR about your flashy two weeks in the Maldives with gold taps and a private golf course are just a bit naff these days.

Come down to North Cornwall one day. It's where the truly well off take their holidays now.

davyboy

What is the problem with spending a lot of money on a holiday (or whatever they want) if that is what is important to them?

You spent a lot on a boat......fat lot of good that would be to me for expample, living in land locked Northamptonshire.

Cornwall! I don't holiday in the UK anymore........cheaper for me to camp in Switerzland.

Matteeboy

Davy - Are we arguing about nothing and just for the sake of it?
I think we are.

We just go on holiday, come back smiling and carry on with life. No idea what we spend but it's not much. It's what you do that's important. Not what it costs. And hundreds of the UK's most wealthy people seem to think that coming down here is time better spent than a two week package deal in some naff but flash hotel 15 hours flying time away.

davyboy

I'd agree with a lot of what you are saying........I just don't understand the snipes at people who dare to buy nice things, you seem to assume that they can't possibly save as well.....and some may have well committed the cardinal sin of getting credit!

My best memory from this years holiday was walking around an 1800 metre high lake in the Swiss alps. Cost me the price of 3 tickets up the vernicular.

Matteeboy

Davy - it's my lifelong bugbear of telling everyone how much everything you buy cost you.

"I've just spend £3k on this holiday so it had better be good"

"Dorian can only afford £2k for his holiday, poor bugger"

My best holiday moments (like yours) have cost very little - walking up a mountain, surfing amazing waves, eating a simple but perfect meal in a local restaurant with no English people for miles, having a laugh with locals, etc.

davyboy

I only tell people how much things cost if they were cheap.......like me.

Lydia72

The title of this thread is "How much do you spend on holiday?"
So I presume it's okay to answer as long as you don't spend £XXXX because otherwise you must be bragging or scoring points?
And if you do spend that much then you are obviously killing yourself working all year round to pay for it, in huge debt, or shallow in some way?

I book holidays to suit myself, I never tell anyone (except if they ask) how much they cost, in fact I rarely mention where I am going and what I am doing at all. If someone has a problem with where I go and how much I spend I would just presume they have a HUGE chip on their shoulder, their problem not mine.

Matteeboy

Well Lydia, as you can probably work out, I think it should be "what do you do on holiday?" instead.

Sorry to mortally offend. This chip keeps falling off too.

Scoobychick

iTrader: (1)

I find it really interesting reading how much different people spend and I say good on those who can afford to spend 18k a year on their hols, I wish I was in a similar position

I don't see it as bragging, in fact I feel genuinely pleased for those people that can afford to do it

Lydia72

No offence taken here I just like to travel, that's all. I like going to new places, meeting new people, having fun experiences....too many people plan to do all that when they retire and then don't get the chance, I'm making sure I do.
I would tell you what I do on holiday but you would probably find it quite boring


"The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page" - St Augustine

logiclee

I agree but what winds me up is when people say they are doing that but only go on package trips to Hotels packed with other brits, with other brits around the pool, English pubs and English entertainment.

In reality they are going to an English holiday resort with foriegn staff and better weather. The most many get to so called culture is a day trip out to a festival or plantation.

I love travelling, even in the UK but hate the whole touristy package holiday idea.

Not saying thats what you do!!!

Cheers
Lee

kend

A lot of the places we used to go to aren't really suitable for the small person- it's more a case of a couple of weeks on a beach in the seychelles might be great as a couple, but no good for the baby. Titch seems quite content being carried up big hills in the Lake Disctrict, and probably happier than she would be on a long haul flight. Besides which we're a bit crap, and haven't got her passport sorted yet.

Lydia72

I understand what you are saying but why would it wind you up? FWIW I know a lot of people who do take that sort of holiday and they think I am odd for wanting to go somewhere cold
I tend to potter through life not worrying what other people have or what they do, it works for me

logiclee

Because some of my relations and friends do it so I get subjected to how good it was, how hot it was and how much you could eat and drink on the all inclusive and why I should book next year.

It's my idea of hell but they just dont get why.

Cheers
Lee

Scoobychick

iTrader: (1)

Mine too

Lydia72

Mine three LOL but I know my hols are their idea of hell!

Scoobychick

iTrader: (1)

Ditto! Some people just don't understand the pleasure that can be had from standing out all day in a forest knee deep in snow in -20°C waiting for some noisy cars to go past

Matteeboy

Me too - 6 months travelling Oz and NZ with surfboards for our honeymoon. No idea what it cost, but it was fun!

Lydia72

The fools!
Actually this sounds like good fun, Ice Driving In Sweden
Go 9-11 Feb and watch the Swedish C.R.

AsifScoob

Totally agree with what you say and FWIW, don't do £5k holidays by the pool. Be nice to have the spare cash and option of doing so though!

I cherish the different experiences. Although of late have got into a habit of flying to NY and driving to Spain. NY as so cheap for me to go, Spain as I have a place down there.

Both of these things will change slightly, for a variety of reasons: We do like a change and don't want to get into a routine; Baby is on the way (as per your baby thread); almost got car jacked in Spain (as per my car jacking thread); Other opportunites for holidays will arise, like our friends getting married in Sri Lanka for instance; all my friends are having kids too, so that will affect choice of holiday destinations.

When we were in Bali we swore we would go back one day soon. When we returned home though we realised that although it was wonderful, there are many other places to go and see too. We will go back there, but only after we have visited a lot of other places I reckon.

Definitely dont brag about how much we spend, more like how much we save and what we got for it - experience wise.

In my office we all get cheap flights, so the bragging is definitely on who payed the least!

I think all have made the same point, as long as you enjoy what you are doing then go for it!

Asif

hades

My last three holidays have cost about £500/person/week all in. Couldn't be more different either, skiing in France, sunbathing in Spain (both with friends), sightseeing in Vienna with the other half. All good, but the best two holidays I've ever had haven't been expensive - one month expedition to Iceland when I was 18 (about £900/head for 4 weeks), and the week in Vienna this year. Next year, me + girlfriend will probably spend over £2k each on 3-4 weeks in NZ - because that's what it costs to do what we want to do. It's not really a matter of "how much does a holiday cost", it's more "how much does it cost to do what you want to do and how yoou want to do it on a holiday".

Being attached to a teacher, I do know the "joy" associated with school holiday cost increases!