We've done a few group holidays. They weren't either cruises (my idea of hell) or coach trips (marginally worse), but 'small group' trips that generally relied on local transport and some out of the way destinations. Some have been quite active, walking holidays, but we've also done city tours - we did one in Spain around Andalusia and one in Greece around the main historic sites on the mainland. Lots of single people and a few couples, a tour leader, a fairly loose itinerary and always the option to do your own thing in a location and just meet up again when the tour moves on. We enjoyed them.
Gardening on the edge of Exmoor, in Devon
“It's still magic even if you know how it's done.”
Before I met OH I always went on coach holidays. Normally 5 days and always in the UK. You could be on your own, but not on your own...if you know what I mean. Company at meal times but I used to go my own way when we went on the excursions. We don't do them now as OH hates being driven.
You've all pretty much confirmed my thoughts on the subject . I wanted to see if I was being unreasonable discounting the idea and sort of hoped I wasn't. Confession: I watch some of those cruise adverts or infomercials as a form of horror movie. Svelt sophisticated women drinking champagne with expensively toupeed and dentured men in splendid isolation with nobody to disturb you but an attentive waiter. I think I'd prefer rain and grass and muddy boots.
Good decision @B3. Sometimes see those cruise ships that look like floating apartment blocks ready to capsize and shudder every time. Can't bear coaches and like to do our own driving anyway and stop as and when we like.
BIL and SIL have, for years, done week long hols with a group of good friends going to places in Scotland, Ireland and the near continent and it works as they all know each other and their foibles but doing it with complete strangers is another matter.
Try your U3A actvities with groups you can get to know and then maybe a UK trip with strangers but a theme you both like such as gardens or history or art or whatever.
Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
"The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
Did my first cruise (Mediterranean) in 2015 and loved it. I enjoyed arriving in Southampton, parking the car, and as soon as you step onto the ship your holiday has started as the restaurants & bars are open. Loved seeing different places each day, and the odd relaxing days at sea. Nice food and generally nice people. Sometimes we chose the restaurants where they sit you on a table of 8 or 12, other times we went to the self serve buffet and just sat on our own depending on whether we felt like chatting to others or not. If I could afford it then I'd go each year.
Agree with your train of thought…. Would never, ever, go on a cruise now - not only because of the fear of getting trapped on a boat with people you might not want to be trapped with - but also having witnessed the hell that is a destination when the “boats are in”. These places breathe a sigh of relief once the thousands of cruise visitors leave…..and whilst under no illusions that I’m still a tourist, I hope that those that are left behind when the boat sails see a more genuine view of a place
Having said that, friends are about to go to Italy on a Gardens Tour. They stay in their own villa and get picked up for “curated” tours of gardens and hilltop villages each day. Think I might be able to cope with that ….I’ll keep you posted 😀
Posts
“It's still magic even if you know how it's done.”
Those massive cruise ships look like floating prisons ( even the government seem to agree )
Confession: I watch some of those cruise adverts or infomercials as a form of horror movie. Svelt sophisticated women drinking champagne with expensively toupeed and dentured men in splendid isolation with nobody to disturb you but an attentive waiter.
I think I'd prefer rain and grass and muddy boots.
BIL and SIL have, for years, done week long hols with a group of good friends going to places in Scotland, Ireland and the near continent and it works as they all know each other and their foibles but doing it with complete strangers is another matter.
Try your U3A actvities with groups you can get to know and then maybe a UK trip with strangers but a theme you both like such as gardens or history or art or whatever.
I might be able to cope with that ….I’ll keep you posted 😀