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As me and the kids sit here waiting to board our delayed flight back to the UK it’s given me time to think of things (people mainly) that I’ve noticed during our week break in a family resort;
- English people really don’t know how to conduct themselves, no wonder the ‘brits abroad’ have a bad reputation - Never seen such a large collection of broccoli-boys hair cuts - Most of the teen boys look like they’re about to drive the wrong way along a motorway - ‘Benidorm Grans’ can’t hold their drink and cackle at 110db - All inclusive food & drink is consumed as though their life depends on it. - it’s a family holiday, why are you swearing like a trooper in front of not only your kids but everyone else’s too - All the English kids wearing Barcelona, R Madrid, Bayern, Munich, Inter Miami shirts and all the non English kids wearing Man Ciy, Man Utd, Liverpool, Arsenal etc 😵💫 - There’s always at least one family who are obnoxious, entitled, loud, complaining, aggressive (kids too) and generally a right pain in the butt - Nothing wrong with wearing nice clothes but you really, really don’t need to wear a ball gown for dinner. It’s a Jet2/TUI holiday, not the Ritz - Nicest people I met were from Wales or the North East, Yorkshire people… time to clean up your act unless you revel in the Millwall-esque “No one likes us, we don’t care…” act. - The hotel has ‘cup bins’ every few yards for you to put your solid plastic cups in so they are easier to collect and be washed ready for quick re-use rotation but noooo, that’s far too difficult, much easier to just leave them by the poolside along with all your other crap. - Hotel staff are saints putting up with this all summer long
Might start looking at alternatives next year now the kids are growing up!
Anyone else got any observations/experiences from this summer?
[Post edited 25 Aug 22:01]
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Holiday observations on 12:45 - Aug 26 with 3049 views
another vote here for getting the ferry from Portsmouth to France and going to a Eurocamp. We've done quite a few holidays like that, in the Normandy area. Generally quite a few Brits there, but it's mostly Dutch families. Decent enough weather but you don't get the scorchio temperatures that are causing more southerly European destinations to be borderline intolerable or literally on fire during the summer.
0
Holiday observations on 13:49 - Aug 26 with 2877 views
Jet2/TUI holiday you say? All-inclusive, you say? I think we have identified the problem.
I went to Rhodes this year, booked my flights BA and my 5-star all-inclusive hotel myself. Did it all through BA (checked that it was not cheaper resort-wise anywhere else), and I did not have to incur these annoying challenges.
None of these issues you state were observed by me on this holiday. I think you should stay away from Jet2/TUI all-inclusives; that is asking for trouble, and it seems you got it.
Avoid.
zzzzzzzzzz
0
Holiday observations on 14:58 - Aug 26 with 2763 views
Now you see I'd have to totally agree with you here.
But the thing is if you push on further into other groups the Self Righteous Society would have your guts....... unless of course it's the old positive discrimination. I'll always say that Sikh's are the hardest working, most skilfull and loyal tradesmen I've ever worked with.... would argue that all day. However, to also say that the Arabs are the worst, rudest, obnoxious, lying Clients I've ever had gets certain people clutching their pearls and screaming "CANCEL!!!"
You note the Israeli's "are best avoided" - 100%. There's very little between them and their neighbours and the closest I ever came to having a punch up on a plane was with a group of them.
But essentially what we are saying is - it takes all sorts to make a world. I've met some fantastic Brits abroad when I've been on holidays and that's not just the young ladies from everywhere North of Birmingham when I was a regular visitor to the Balearics as a young 'un..............
Blimey Lblock, re people, very similar to my experience in construction.
Holiday observations on 12:45 - Aug 26 by PeterHucker
another vote here for getting the ferry from Portsmouth to France and going to a Eurocamp. We've done quite a few holidays like that, in the Normandy area. Generally quite a few Brits there, but it's mostly Dutch families. Decent enough weather but you don't get the scorchio temperatures that are causing more southerly European destinations to be borderline intolerable or literally on fire during the summer.
No need to stick to Normandie. South of La Loire the weather tends to get warmer so the Vendée and Charente-Maritime are good for beach holidays. Warning - its a long, long way from Calais.
"Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the Earth all one's lifetime." (Mark Twain)
Find me on twitter @derbyhoop and now on Bluesky
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Holiday observations on 15:22 - Aug 26 with 2680 views
Holiday observations on 15:13 - Aug 26 by derbyhoop
No need to stick to Normandie. South of La Loire the weather tends to get warmer so the Vendée and Charente-Maritime are good for beach holidays. Warning - its a long, long way from Calais.
We had a week near Lac Du Bourget. Foothills of the Alps. Stunning scenery and really not too busy. Two days drive to get there but french roads are an awful lot better than UK roads. Second week we were in Provence in a beautiful town called Dieulefit. Eurocamp style campsite with a few swimming pools. Would highly recommend. Love being able to throw whatever you want in the car and just hit the road. We've done driving holidays to France the last 3 years with 3 kids and will continue to do so for another few years yet.
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Holiday observations on 15:44 - Aug 26 with 2638 views
I don’t get the wearing of football shirts on holiday, they’re polyester and it’s hot! On my holiday with my daughter and grandkids at the start of my month I told her who we will see wearing them, I wasn’t wrong. Newcastle, Sunderland, Leeds, Sheffield Wednesday and Stoke were the most common, lots of kids wearing Messi inter Miami shirts and Ronaldo Saudi kits.
C'mon it's cool when you see another QPR shirt on holiday. Only happened a few times though...
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Holiday observations on 15:47 - Aug 26 with 2630 views
Holiday observations on 15:13 - Aug 26 by derbyhoop
No need to stick to Normandie. South of La Loire the weather tends to get warmer so the Vendée and Charente-Maritime are good for beach holidays. Warning - its a long, long way from Calais.
For 4 of the last 5 years, we've done a fortnight in France. First week is proper peace and quiet with friends in a house with a pool, in the middle of nowhere, and the second week, we have a couple of days in a city (where we try and get a game in), and then a few days on the coast. Overnight ferry from Portsmouth to Caen, and then back to Portsmouth via Cherbourg on a midday crossing. We've previously stayed in Normandy and Brittany, but this year ventured further south and stayed about an hour east of Bordeaux. We broke the journey up with an overnight in Tours on the way down, and Blois on the way up to Paris.
Other than British, Dutch, Belgian, and German cars on the roads, we very rarely notice anything other than locals and domestic tourists. Despite not speaking more than about ten words of French, I generally find the French to be very patient and helpful; even in Paris and the other big cities.
Fulham FC: It's the taking part that counts
1
Holiday observations on 14:59 - Aug 27 with 2233 views
Branching out a bit to travel writing in general. I’ve always been of the view that no one’s remotely interested in descriptions of azure skies, unspoilt beaches, friendly locals etc. Unmitigated disasters are all I’m interested in. Much more entertaining!
0
Holiday observations on 16:13 - Aug 27 with 2120 views
I recently just did a little European train jaunt. Flew to Berlin to see Deftones and Turnstile, then trained to Cologne, another to Amsterdam then the Eurostar home. Unfortunately coincided with the Dutch grand prix. Eurostar was massively delayed so spent 2 hours in the terminal and almost five on the train surrounded by F1 fans.
I know we've spoken about not generalising, but man, what a bunch of tragic, boring nauses. It was torture listening to their boring shite dressed head to toe in replica shirts for bloody driving teams. Absolute gimps
1
Holiday observations on 16:44 - Aug 27 with 2066 views
I recently just did a little European train jaunt. Flew to Berlin to see Deftones and Turnstile, then trained to Cologne, another to Amsterdam then the Eurostar home. Unfortunately coincided with the Dutch grand prix. Eurostar was massively delayed so spent 2 hours in the terminal and almost five on the train surrounded by F1 fans.
I know we've spoken about not generalising, but man, what a bunch of tragic, boring nauses. It was torture listening to their boring shite dressed head to toe in replica shirts for bloody driving teams. Absolute gimps
How was that show? I had tickets but couldn't make it.
0
Holiday observations on 16:46 - Aug 27 with 2058 views
I recently just did a little European train jaunt. Flew to Berlin to see Deftones and Turnstile, then trained to Cologne, another to Amsterdam then the Eurostar home. Unfortunately coincided with the Dutch grand prix. Eurostar was massively delayed so spent 2 hours in the terminal and almost five on the train surrounded by F1 fans.
I know we've spoken about not generalising, but man, what a bunch of tragic, boring nauses. It was torture listening to their boring shite dressed head to toe in replica shirts for bloody driving teams. Absolute gimps
A couple of years ago I did Eurostar to Amsterdam then on to Cologne, did a train trip to Bonn from their then same journey back.
Holiday observations on 11:57 - Aug 26 by easthertsr
Had a summer job at Heathrow years ago for a car hire company. Always fascinating to see how people from all over the world treated the staff. There was 100% agreement from everybody that South Africans were the worst customers, rude,aggressive, treated you like sh1t! Americans were the best tippers and the kindest, friendliest were Scandinavians. Be interesting to see how thing are now!
Don't want to be all Roy Keane here, but who the hell is tipping the car rental person, the games gone!
2
Holiday observations on 16:56 - Aug 27 with 2033 views
Holiday observations on 16:44 - Aug 27 by Landshark
How was that show? I had tickets but couldn't make it.
It was absolutely mega. Venue was amazing, both bands and Ecca Vandal killed it, and the crowd was an absolute joy. Summer and 7 Words at the end was absolutely feral. I was filmed for the big screen for Turnstile which was cool
Then the venue stayed open so you could have another beer instead of queuing for the S Bahn. Then we found a beer garden in the woods on the way back.
Gonna move to Berlin
0
Holiday observations on 17:08 - Aug 27 with 1986 views
For 4 of the last 5 years, we've done a fortnight in France. First week is proper peace and quiet with friends in a house with a pool, in the middle of nowhere, and the second week, we have a couple of days in a city (where we try and get a game in), and then a few days on the coast. Overnight ferry from Portsmouth to Caen, and then back to Portsmouth via Cherbourg on a midday crossing. We've previously stayed in Normandy and Brittany, but this year ventured further south and stayed about an hour east of Bordeaux. We broke the journey up with an overnight in Tours on the way down, and Blois on the way up to Paris.
Other than British, Dutch, Belgian, and German cars on the roads, we very rarely notice anything other than locals and domestic tourists. Despite not speaking more than about ten words of French, I generally find the French to be very patient and helpful; even in Paris and the other big cities.
The reputation the French had for being surly and unhelpful, by and large, has gone. The more you can speak French the easier it gets, but just Bonjour, merci and a few key phrases go a long way. Mind, they can identify Brits before they say anything. By now, my French is a bit more than functional, so I may be getting a different reception from the obvious tourists.
"Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the Earth all one's lifetime." (Mark Twain)
Find me on twitter @derbyhoop and now on Bluesky
1
Holiday observations on 21:45 - Aug 27 with 1818 views
Currently in Corfu and spent some time over in Albania in the last few weeks and ive never ever met so many gordies "all been very clued up and friendly lads" but you just cant go more than a 100 yards down the beach front without spotting a Newcastle shirt.
Newcastle,Celtic and Rangers are the most common here.
Though both SPL sides have been very quiet around the pool of late.
[Post edited 27 Aug 21:48]
Ohhhhhh bobby zamora
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Holiday observations on 06:19 - Aug 28 with 1621 views
Holiday observations on 17:08 - Aug 27 by derbyhoop
The reputation the French had for being surly and unhelpful, by and large, has gone. The more you can speak French the easier it gets, but just Bonjour, merci and a few key phrases go a long way. Mind, they can identify Brits before they say anything. By now, my French is a bit more than functional, so I may be getting a different reception from the obvious tourists.
Had a few days in Montematre last month and the people could not have been nicer.
Did I ever mention that I was in Minder?
0
Holiday observations on 06:29 - Aug 28 with 1617 views
I recently just did a little European train jaunt. Flew to Berlin to see Deftones and Turnstile, then trained to Cologne, another to Amsterdam then the Eurostar home. Unfortunately coincided with the Dutch grand prix. Eurostar was massively delayed so spent 2 hours in the terminal and almost five on the train surrounded by F1 fans.
I know we've spoken about not generalising, but man, what a bunch of tragic, boring nauses. It was torture listening to their boring shite dressed head to toe in replica shirts for bloody driving teams. Absolute gimps
There is, of course, something brilliantly ironic in that observation about F1 fans.
I remember being in my early 20s with my mates going to some ridiculous away game like Grimsby on a train, Tuesday night, a grillion miles up north. Sat around the table we were dressed no doubt in our replica kits; we went past a group of trainspotters (no doubt dressed with nods to their favourite locomotives) - oh, and how we laughed at these weirdos and fools.
We weren't laughing on the way back after a 2-0 defeat, whereas the trainspotters I am sure had a far better day when the SuperTurbo 4.9ER mega train went through.
Each to their own.
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Holiday observations on 07:35 - Aug 28 with 1519 views
There is, of course, something brilliantly ironic in that observation about F1 fans.
I remember being in my early 20s with my mates going to some ridiculous away game like Grimsby on a train, Tuesday night, a grillion miles up north. Sat around the table we were dressed no doubt in our replica kits; we went past a group of trainspotters (no doubt dressed with nods to their favourite locomotives) - oh, and how we laughed at these weirdos and fools.
We weren't laughing on the way back after a 2-0 defeat, whereas the trainspotters I am sure had a far better day when the SuperTurbo 4.9ER mega train went through.
Each to their own.
I'd argue myself there's quite a clear distinction between football clubs, which for all their modern horrors are still overwhelmingly built through a connection to place, community, family and friends, and wearing a replica shirt of a car manufacturer covered in petrocorp sponsorship for a sport no one gave a solitary fig about for decades until Netflix managed to edit it into a compelling documentary
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Holiday observations on 13:02 - Aug 29 with 1077 views
I'd argue myself there's quite a clear distinction between football clubs, which for all their modern horrors are still overwhelmingly built through a connection to place, community, family and friends, and wearing a replica shirt of a car manufacturer covered in petrocorp sponsorship for a sport no one gave a solitary fig about for decades until Netflix managed to edit it into a compelling documentary
I looked up the silverstone F1 attendance for 2009, 10 years before the documentary, and it was over 100,000/day. I have no interest in F1, haven't seen the documentary, but can't people just like things because, err, they like it? Does everything have to have the right back story?
I recently just did a little European train jaunt. Flew to Berlin to see Deftones and Turnstile, then trained to Cologne, another to Amsterdam then the Eurostar home. Unfortunately coincided with the Dutch grand prix. Eurostar was massively delayed so spent 2 hours in the terminal and almost five on the train surrounded by F1 fans.
I know we've spoken about not generalising, but man, what a bunch of tragic, boring nauses. It was torture listening to their boring shite dressed head to toe in replica shirts for bloody driving teams. Absolute gimps
We did a holiday in Switzerland in May this year and managed not to come back bankrupt by finding a very reasonable priced AirBnB with a stunning view. We did all our travel there and back by train which other than the Eurostar on the way back at Paris went very smoothly. We booked quite far in advance too so it wasn't too costly and it was far less stressful than flying. Even at St Pancras there was barely a queue and we got through check in and baggage control in under 10 minutes. As I have got older I have found I really don't need to get somewhere as quickly as possible all the time. Enjoyed some tasty train snacks, read my book and enjoyed some beautiful views out of the window.
We stayed in a smallish town just far enough away from the stunning mountains near busy Interlaken but close enough that we could get there and do some mountain trails without too much bother. One of my favourite holidays in recent years. The amount of (very) affluent Asian and American tourists was interesting to see, they generally just dawdled around the mountain villages and craned their necks up at the stunning scenery without going anywhere remotely far having come so far to see it all. Each to their own I guess. We found that after following a trail for 5-10 minutes you could have all the amazing views all to yourself. You do have to plan things carefully though because it is REALLY expensive. The town we stayed at had a Lidl which was pretty handy for avoiding spending a small fortune every night on a 2 course meal.
1
Holiday observations on 13:34 - Aug 29 with 1001 views
Holiday observations on 13:13 - Aug 29 by LimehouseR
We did a holiday in Switzerland in May this year and managed not to come back bankrupt by finding a very reasonable priced AirBnB with a stunning view. We did all our travel there and back by train which other than the Eurostar on the way back at Paris went very smoothly. We booked quite far in advance too so it wasn't too costly and it was far less stressful than flying. Even at St Pancras there was barely a queue and we got through check in and baggage control in under 10 minutes. As I have got older I have found I really don't need to get somewhere as quickly as possible all the time. Enjoyed some tasty train snacks, read my book and enjoyed some beautiful views out of the window.
We stayed in a smallish town just far enough away from the stunning mountains near busy Interlaken but close enough that we could get there and do some mountain trails without too much bother. One of my favourite holidays in recent years. The amount of (very) affluent Asian and American tourists was interesting to see, they generally just dawdled around the mountain villages and craned their necks up at the stunning scenery without going anywhere remotely far having come so far to see it all. Each to their own I guess. We found that after following a trail for 5-10 minutes you could have all the amazing views all to yourself. You do have to plan things carefully though because it is REALLY expensive. The town we stayed at had a Lidl which was pretty handy for avoiding spending a small fortune every night on a 2 course meal.
Which town Limehouse? Lived in Interlaken for 8 or 9 months way back when.
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