Holidays

[EcclesCake]

I'm looking for a holiday and suspect I'll return to a trusted old faithful hotel. I used to sneer at people who returned to the same place time after time and now I find it's like putting on a comfy cardi of reassurance that you know what you are going to get and enjoy yourself.

It has got me wondering though, how do you choose your holiday resorts and hotels?

Are you wanting a new experience every time or do you like the comfort blanket of familiarity?

[ummmm]

I go somewhere different every time although this year we went to Malta and I really want to go back. I wouldn't necessarily go back to the same hotel though.

[ukbod2015]

i`m a bit of a planner but I do like to go back to faves. I do research on Expedia / Trip Advisor and then shop around for best prices - sometimes using Tesco vouchers - but sometimes for special events just skimming the top of the Tripadvisor list - once you`ve weeded out the fake reviews.

[retrocop]

ummmm
magnetic isn't.Already planning a return trip this year but like you a different hotel.
I am very familiar,I consider,with Malta but then I am not when I continue to discover new things. They are only small Islands as well.

[gingejbee]

Like different places, but if a holiday is particularly enjoyable, we will return. Been to the same hotel in Switzerland and the same places in Siberia (I see Joanna Lumley is visiting Lake Baikal, Irkutsk etc in her current series....brilliant experience).

[Gromit]

I have been going to the same resort and hotel for 16 years. Its home from home.

[EcclesCake]

I think my holidays tend to fall into two camps, 'new experience' and 'chilling' when I just want chill by the pool then I head to my safe bet hotel.

[Prudie]

I have just got home an hour ago from 2 weeks in Menorca. Same July holiday we've had for last 10 years same villa for the last 3. That's because I spend all day every day at the beach and I know every one on the island and how to get to it and a host of restaurants I like. Rather than comfort of familiarity it's that I've found exactly what I want. We do usually have another beach holiday elsewhere as well though.

[ummmm]

Loved it Retro. Didn't even get round half the island. Just a simple trip of going to Valetta thinking it's just a capital and it's just WOW. Food was fab, people were great, weather was perfect. Can't believe I waited so long considering my BIL is Maltese....

[ummmm]

Our problem is that we go 'home' to Ireland each year. There's always a birthday/wedding/funeral/Christening etc to attend. You can get flights for £50 but you need plenty of cash whilst there.

[mikey4444]

When I was younger, I was very adventurous. I backpacked all over Europe in my teens and twenties, staying in Youth Hostels and using Interrail cards, and they were the best years, without doubt.

In my 30's and 40's, I travelled extensively in America, doing Route 66, etc, driving myself.

In my early 50's, I went on cultural holidays, mostly to Italy.

But for the last 10-15 years, its been my caravan in Cornwall. I like the relaxation and peace of the 'van, and I never go in high season. I spent the whole of December in it last year and it was fabulous !

I did go back to the same hotel, in Sorrento, in 2009 and 2010, and I might again before I die, but Cornwall has everything for me now.

[Bazile]

ukbod2015

//..but sometimes for special events just skimming the top of the Tripadvisor list - once you`ve weeded out the fake reviews.//

I always use publications such as trip advisor
However how do you know which are fake reviews ?

[gness]

Hi, Eccles......one of my holidays is to go home to Ireland.....a really comfy cardi I'd not live without....

For other holidays it has to be a nice apartment.....doesn't matter where as long as it's near a bird reserve......
We traveled lots when MrG was alive but I'm not fussed about new experiences and I'm too fidgety to lie by a pool......but give me birds to watch ....a few fellow birders.....and I'm happy....x

[ukbod2015]

fake reviews on Tripadvisor -
Published long after the supposed trip
Excessive complaints over minor issues
Poster only has 1 or 2 reviews
factually incorrect and often insulting or racist

[-Talbot-]

I like to get out of the comfort zone. Get in the car set off and see where you land, can't beat it imo.

[LyndaB]

I nearly always go back to the same place. I've been to corfu 25 times (to two different resorts), Tenerife about 36 times (nearly always to the same apartment) and I've been to Portugal twice this year. I don't care how boring it sounds, it's not as boring as not going anywhere.

[EcclesCake]

Interesting replies, thank you.

But how do you choose where to go to, what influences your decision?

[Bazile]

I was thinking about it from the other angle -

i.e. 'Good' reviews from 'interested' i.e . resort/ hotel owners .

[gness]

Lynda.....but it's not boring to do what you do.......there is somewhere I go often.....same apartment......far from being boring it gives me just what I want from a holiday...and that's the point of a holiday....☺

Eccles....for me it's what birds will be there at the time I want to go.....and now I'm footloose and fancy free I'm able to choose a time to fit in with the birds I want to see...x

[ukbod2015]

I read the between lines and tongue in cheek on any reviews but I couldnt honestly say I`ve seen that trend

[askyourgran]

We have a habit of going back to places we've enjoyed (and had good weather). For years we went to the south coast,Bournemouth and Weymouth, we have some lovely friends there now. Majorca is another place we like to return to it's a place we are familiar with and we have got to know some of the people there.. I intend to go to Ireland one of these days, and possibly try another place abroad, Cyprus maybe before we get too far gone.