What is this obsession with holiday?

Kitty going back to your original question, 'What's this obsession with holidays' a lot of us feel that sadly time is running out.

Oh that’s a shame Karen. What about going with a specialist company that offer “singles’”holidays?
You could learn a new hobby like painting, walking, cycling birdwatching, cooking or horse riding? Helps to break the ice whilst making new like-minded friends.

I would love to get away, somewhere peaceful and warm but I've no one to go with and I can't pluck up the courage to go alone

I've only had the opportunity to travel over the past few years and have loved every moment,I feel so lucky. I cant imagine a socially distanced holiday being relaxing in any way. Apparently some have booked holidays only to find the hotel shut. It's probably safer virus wise in some countries abroad. I feel sorry for those countries and areas of UK which have controlled the virus well and in order to survive have to open themselves up to risk. I'm quite envious of those with caravans and motor homes,seems a very good solution ?

We have reluctantly cancelled a package holiday to Norway in August. We were really looking forward to it, and it may possibly still be “running”, but wouldn’t have felt safe on the flight/airport etc because of COVID. Also, we don’t know what restrictions Norway would have once we were there. Hopefully next year! My DH says (often!) “nothing will be back to normal until there’s a vaccine”. It just wouldn’t have been a relaxing holiday, we feel.

Lucca

Callistemon I actually think the programme (montalbano) is a bit boring, and the “comedy” police sergeant is toe curling, but the beach and town beautiful to look at.

It's something I always meant to watch but never have.

My turn to choose tonight, I think. We watched a programme about the possibility of life on Pluto last night, at DH's request.
I say we but he snored all the way through it.

Staycation for me this year. I’m ‘haudin’ back’ for the time being. I was lucky enough to be in Oz in Feb/March with DD2, arriving home on lockdown day so it’s all been very strange since then. I’m sure there’ll be another peak of C19 and I’d rather stay safe for now & not put myself or my family at risk by travelling by air sea or train. There are many places I’d like to visit in the future but as Maw said up-thread it’s not the same on one’s own. Looking at all the amazing adverts in the w/e adverts just makes me so depressed as everything seems to be for couples and singles often have to pay double. I’d love to do some of the rail hols but not much fun alone. So, I’m driving to Devon on Thursday to see DD3 & family but staying in their separate flat. Haven't seen them since January. Looking forward to quality time on the beach and walks along the estuary with the GC.

For all of us searching alternative holidays to the norm it's a case of dipping our toes in the water (metaphorically!) and enjoying new experiences. Even though some might be toe curling, Lucca!

trisher

It's the bit when he goes for a swim off that beach that gets me Lucca I'd like to go there while I'm still capable of going into the sea. Now I've started looking at Sicily places to stay. Stop it!

Absolutely agree about the swim.

Callistemon I actually think the programme (montalbano) is a bit boring, and the “comedy” police sergeant is toe curling, but the beach and town beautiful to look at.

Apologies MawB for I recall now that it was you who suggested we take a Staycation. Anyway, many thanks as it is proving to be very relaxing.

We were disappointed when the André Rieu Maastricht concerts were cancelled and it most definitely was expressed in both of us. However, despite that our now staycation will never replace that, it is certainly turning out to be the next best thing by some considerable way.

MawB

Seriously though Lucca and I am not disagreeing with you per se but staycations have long been a necessity for many people and in this case, if Grandad is prepared to think outside the box and the funds are available, there are lots of ways of having a restful and enjoying few days off within striking distance of home.
If hotels are opening, a night in a luxury hotel following a Michelin-starred dinner is an option; a relaxing day along the Jurassic coast (again, featuring good food); fish and chips at Lyme Regis - I could go on. It’s a lovely part of the world and too often we rush abroad ignoring the charms of closer to home.

(Just personally, anything would be preferable for me than André Rieu his pastel meringue clad band - but that’s a question of musical taste)

I am glad you are enjoying your “staycation” Grandad, it didn’t seem to arouse any enthusiasm when I suggested it.

Callistemon

So many places on my bucket list!

I may have to watch Bettany and Montalbano instead. How have I missed Montalbano?

Callistemon, if your "bucket list" includes any beaches please make sure that you also take your spade also. ??

Me and the other half have taken your great advise of last week and have been taking a home-based holiday with day trips added. It has been wonderful and relaxing with no pressure to be anywhere at any set time. ?

So many thanks from both of us.

So many places on my bucket list!

I may have to watch Bettany and Montalbano instead. How have I missed Montalbano?

I can totally understand anyone who is working full-time needing a holiday. When we were both flat out in demanding jobs, with both of us spending time working away from home, our holiday was what kept us going.
In normal times we still enjoy the odd week away, but we stay in France where we live. This year we will try and get up to the beach for the day a few times, but nothing more than that. We would love to get to the UK at some point to see DD and family, but it would be a run up to the tunnel and straight to their house in the car to keep it as safe as possible. Not planning that yet. We won't be able to see our son and family in Spain, but we saw them last year.
Not a year for elaborate plans I think.

After much dithering and shall we , shan’t we, we set of with our touring caravan for Cornwall yesterday. No traffic problems and so far a warm welcome from locals.
We have our own shower, loo and cooking facilities so just like home.
At the moment we are sitting with a picnic over looking a beach. Feeling better, just for the change of scene.

trisher we’ve been to Sicily and want to go back. Also Sardinia is booked at the moment for September 2021. I love that area.

Off on Saturday for a week in a cottage. Being very careful though.

It's the bit when he goes for a swim off that beach that gets me Lucca I'd like to go there while I'm still capable of going into the sea. Now I've started looking at Sicily places to stay. Stop it!

trisher

Don't think so Calliestemon but they will keep showing that B* Bettany Hughes swanning around the Greek islands doing the Greek myths or something. Then there's Montalbano which I think is some sort of revenge of the Gods because Sicily and Sardinia were two of the places I wanted to visit in Italy.

I watched montalbano one evening. I loved his balcony overlooking the beach with his table laid with glass of wine and olives., had a real “beam me up Scottie “ moment.
We had Christmas in Taormina one year, fabulous, warm, great food and haven to get away from the Christmas mania here.

I really would love to go travelling but right now the situation doesn't look promising, so probably not this year.

We should have gone to Wales today, to the Gower peninsular. I have had to content myself with watching a programme about Pembrokeshire on TV. At least we did not have to come to a decision, as Wales is not open yet. I am glad we did not have to decide whether to go or not, as I reckon we would have had to stay at home as DH is shielding.
Even if he wasn’t, I don’t think I would want to go away yet. Eating out or just having a coffee in a nice cafe is all part of the holiday and we would not feel safe just yet. Will we ever?

My daughter has taken her children to Norfolk, just for one night In their chalet, but they were there by 9 am this morning and spent the day on a deserted beach!

I haven't had time to have a proper read but I daresay I will agree with most of you. We have never done package holidays or a day trip to NY kind of thing; Doesn't appeal.

We have family all over the place and nowadays we look forward to seeing them either there or here.

I have a FB friend who actually said today she wishes she was on a plane right now. Nooo!

This year is different though we hope to go to a seaside Landmark place later in the year. S/C and isolated with no wifi or TV. Sea, seals and if we bring it with us, good wine and food. www.landmarktrust.org.uk/

We are older now and have done enough travelling to satisfy ourselves. We had to cancel a train trip to France.

We host young people from around the world so we don't need to leave the house to taste authentic Hungarian, French, Chinese or Spanish cooking. We are missing them but hope to host again sometime soon..
www.helpx.net/index.asp

Callistemon Missed last night's one. I loved Crete.

Ellianne

Did you bring him to the UK to live oopsy or did you live abroad?

We lived over there for about 6 years. Marvellous life! Came back here when our daughter was 4. We bought a house and both had jobs but it never really worked out.

He was so possessive and a tad unstable!

Fun while it lasted though!

Ps Odysseus was real!