What else do you do ?

Unread post by **allatc** » 11 Apr 2015, 15:04

I know this is a cruise forum but my question is

"is there life outside of cruising ?" What other kinds of holidays / breaks do you take ?

I will own up to having a caravan which we use extensively in the UK

Unread post by **Stephen** » 11 Apr 2015, 15:13

So your the ONE

Apart from the odd cruise we like to holiday cottage in Devon.

Unread post by **poole boy** » 11 Apr 2015, 15:24

we are catching the new Poole ferry conder liberation and taking the car over to Guernsey for a week its only one mile to the ferry terminal from our house makes Southampton seem like a long way
graham

Unread post by **GillD46** » 11 Apr 2015, 15:28

We like to take holidays at beautiful beaches outside of Europe. In recent years we have stayed at various Caribbean islands, Thailand, Cambodia, the Maldives to name a few, plus we visit son in Vietnam, so we hop to Singapore, a city we absolutely love.

We very much like cruising, but would never JUST cruise. Luckily we live very near to an exceptionally beautiful beach, many of them in fact, so we get a fix in between holidays.

Unread post by **Mervyn and Trish** » 11 Apr 2015, 16:57

We have a couple of visits to Madeira each year where we have timeshares (bought when we were earning money to enjoy now we're not) and we similarly invested in Holiday Property Bond which provides us with some good quality reasonably priced holidays in the UK and abroad. And the odd cottage, weekend or b&b chucked in as well. It's so hard to fit it all in to 2 weeks a year....

Unread post by **Quizzical Bob** » 11 Apr 2015, 19:01

poole boy wrote:
we are catching the new Poole ferry conder liberation and taking the car over to Guernsey for a week its only one mile to the ferry terminal from our house makes Southampton seem like a long way
graham

We've just come back that way after 5 nights on Guernsey and we had a lovely time. It was supposed to be the Liberation on Good Friday but they had to drag one of the older boats out of mothballs. We came back on Liberation this Wednesday but it was operating on reduced power by t should be ok for your crossings.
We also gave a caravan which we take down to the Costa Brava and the odd weekend here and we also do several road trips a year around Europe staying in hotels. Cruises have their place but there are other holidays.

Unread post by **Suekersh** » 12 Apr 2015, 06:43

We have the use of a family villa in Spain, plus family living in different areas of the UKto visit for weekends. We do 3 or 4 cruises a year so not much time for anything else at the moment, but this Xmas I am taking early retirement so more time to holiday.

Unread post by **Meg 50** » 12 Apr 2015, 07:30

we only cruise every 2 or 3 years - and probably less now as we've done most of the ports that interest us.
we also river cruise - a fair few of them left to do...
and we also explore via other modes of travel - off to Ireland in the car soon

Unread post by **oldbluefox** » 12 Apr 2015, 09:11

We generally have a couple of weeks in London, one early in the New Year and one in the summer. In between we take short City breaks, mainly to cities we have never visited before, and shopping trips up to Glasgow and Newcastle. There's still a lot of UK we know nothing about. In the winter I often look for offers in hotels we wouldn't normally stay at and have had some lovely stays in some of those country house hotels around Windermere. Travelzoo often have some really good offers.
However with the Lake District literally on our doorstep we have plenty of choice for high level and low level walks throughout the year.

Unread post by **Manoverboard** » 12 Apr 2015, 09:26

Cruising is only one aspect ... we alternate with Riverboat Cruises, Coaching Tours, plus Barge and / or Railway based holidays but seldom take a holiday in one place. We also tour the various parts of the UK by car, Cornwall is this years choice.

Unread post by **Frank Manning** » 12 Apr 2015, 09:39

We like to go to the Isle of Wight at least once a year. Sometimes we go to North Wales, and sometimes we go to Majorca Spain or France, but have to admit we have averaged two cruises a year for the past ten years. It is selfish of me, because Sue is not that bothered with cruising. But I am a ship anorak, and I like to go on them whenever I can.

We are running out of really good P&O itineraries now unless we do longer cruises, and Sue takes a lot of persuading (literally years!

To do that.

Unread post by **oldbluefox** » 12 Apr 2015, 12:11

We had a narrowboat holiday once and it was one of the most relaxing holidays ever. It seemed as though our world had slowed down and all the hustle and bustle had gone whilst we chugged along at 4mph. It was a great way to experience countryside at its best.
We have often thought about a coach holiday up to Scotland but have a fear of being corralled into a coach full of ancient bodies, a week's worth of 'Donald, where's yer troosers' and bingo!!! I'm afraid a tam o'shanter with orange hair is not my style!! We once did the West Highland Way and stayed in Tyndrum overnight. There was a touristy type outlet there and we were unfortunate to be in there when a coach party pulled in. We took our lives in our hands as we were buffeted by biddies with zimmer frames and walking sticks. They take no prisoners, that lot, so you can understand why I'm a bit reticent about a coach holiday. If we went up to Scotland we'd probably do a self drive.

Unread post by **Mervyn and Trish** » 12 Apr 2015, 12:17

oldbluefox wrote:
We had a narrowboat holiday once and it was one of the most relaxing holidays ever.

We owned a small narrowboat for almost twenty years and couldn't agree more. We had some wonderful times on it. And Trish got to sleep with the Captain every night!

Unread post by **Manoverboard** » 12 Apr 2015, 15:43

oldbluefox wrote:
We have often thought about a coach holiday up to Scotland but have a fear of being corralled into a coach full of ancient bodies, a week's worth of 'Donald, where's yer troosers' and bingo!!! I'm afraid a tam o'shanter with orange hair is not my style!! We once did the West Highland Way and stayed in Tyndrum overnight. There was a touristy type outlet there and we were unfortunate to be in there when a coach party pulled in. We took our lives in our hands as we were buffeted by biddies with zimmer frames and walking sticks. They take no prisoners, that lot, so you can understand why I'm a bit reticent about a coach holiday. If we went up to Scotland we'd probably do a self drive.

If you book cheapo Hotels and/or Coaching Tours then you deffo get the Butlins experience

Upmarket coaching is far better but having said that Scotland is dead easy driving oneself, bar Glasgow perhaps.

Unread post by **suespud** » 12 Apr 2015, 19:36

Finally after years of babies..hubby working away...elderly parents..etc etc..we are now planning "proper" holidays and a cruise !!!
Last year we managed to take all the kids and grandkids on a 2 week break to Menorca.
Hubby and me had 10 days exploring the west coast of Scotland.
This year we are taking the eldest toerags to Butlins for 4 nights in May, then we have a week in Turkey in July, a week in Tenerife in september to celebrate our 40th wedding anniversary.
Then doing a week in southern Ireland early 2016..another big family in august 2016 to Menorca again. A week in Italy early october....Just hubby and me.

THEN.......A CRUISE IN FEB 2017 !!!!!!!
Excited..you bet I am...

After the 4 days in Butlins is done and dusted...

Unread post by **Delboy** » 12 Apr 2015, 22:08

Other than cruising our main holidays are coach holiday both in the UK and abroad, last year we did an all inclusive coach holiday to Lake Como.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/delboyalb ... 237758782/

We also have been on a number of coach holidays in the UK including Scotland. Not keen on upmarket coach operators preferring to mix with people of our own kind. Probably why we have always had a good crowd of fellow passengers. (Very partial to a game of bingo, and enjoy evening entertainment, much like cruising)

Have found a very good coach company from Scotland who also own 7 hotels in Scotland and pick up locally from our town centre.
We also do a number of self drive holidays in the UK, a favourite place being Cornwall where we are visiting again next month, a 400 mile drive for us. Staying at a Hotel also used by coach companies.
It's been many many years since we have been to Butlin's, when we did we always had a great time.

Unread post by **Onelife** » 12 Apr 2015, 22:31

If you book cheapo Hotels and/or Coaching Tours then you deffo get the Butlins experience :lol

Agree Mob .....although.....

As a child l enjoyed some of the best times I've ever had on holiday at Butlins, so much so that we have returned there a few times with our daughter who has also enjoyed some great times there. The only problem with Butlins is that it attracts some very common people with their equally common little brats.

As for other holidays......we spend as much time as we can in our tin can in Wales which we fund by selling painted horse shoes, hedge cutting and re-tarmacing the odd drive.

Unread post by **Raybosailor** » 13 Apr 2015, 08:51

We like to get the whole family together so we rent a farmhouse in France with a heated pool and lovely grounds nearby town has nice bars and restaurants which we usually take over with our large party.
Our grandkids absolutely adore Haven Caravan parks so we have to endure a week every year at one of their camps while their parents have a week of peace at home. We love being with them but the handover at the end of the week is always a joy.
We also have property in Mijas Costa, Spain at our disposal so we usually spend 3-4 weeks in March and most Christmases there.
We are currently in Cyprus for our sons wedding which was a fantastic day last Thursday where all the wedding guests were transported from the wedding to the reception in a vintage village bus via various beauty spots including Aphrodite's Rock for photo shoots.
We will be back in time to get prepared for our upcoming cruise on Azura 8th. May.

Unread post by **Manoverboard** » 13 Apr 2015, 09:30

Onelife wrote:
If you book cheapo Hotels and/or Coaching Tours then you deffo get the Butlins experience :lol

Agree Mob .....although.....

As a child l enjoyed some of the best times I've ever had on holiday at Butlins, so much so that we have returned there a few times with our daughter who has also enjoyed some great times there. The only problem with Butlins is that it attracts some very common people with their equally common little brats.

As for other holidays......we spend as much time as we can in our tin can in Wales which we fund by selling painted horse shoes, hedge cutting and re-tarmacing the odd drive.

Indeed so OL, my response was for Foxy who seemed to have a down on all the lower order types who know how to enjoy themselves

Unread post by **Onelife** » 13 Apr 2015, 10:14

Manoverboard wrote:
Onelife wrote:
If you book cheapo Hotels and/or Coaching Tours then you deffo get the Butlins experience :lol

Agree Mob .....although.....

As a child l enjoyed some of the best times I've ever had on holiday at Butlins, so much so that we have returned there a few times with our daughter who has also enjoyed some great times there. The only problem with Butlins is that it attracts some very common people with their equally common little brats.

As for other holidays......we spend as much time as we can in our tin can in Wales which we fund by selling painted horse shoes, hedge cutting and re-tarmacing the odd drive.

Indeed so OL, my response was for Foxy who seemed to have a down on all the lower order types who know how to enjoy themselves

Yep and l bet foxy will be singing a diffrent tune when he gets to your age

Unread post by **qbman1** » 13 Apr 2015, 12:37

allatc wrote:
I know this is a cruise forum but my question is

"is there life outside of cruising ?" What other kinds of holidays / breaks do you take ?

I will own up to having a caravan which we use extensively in the UK

I try to avoid driving anywhere in the UK in the summer months for fear of being stuck behind your bloody caravan !!

Unread post by **Quizzical Bob** » 13 Apr 2015, 12:44

qbman1 wrote:
allatc wrote:
I know this is a cruise forum but my question is

"is there life outside of cruising ?" What other kinds of holidays / breaks do you take ?

I will own up to having a caravan which we use extensively in the UK
I try to avoid driving anywhere in the UK in the summer months for fear of being stuck behind your bl**dy caravan !!

Our combination is 3.5 tonnes of car and caravan and 250HP. We are never stuck behind anybody unless it's a motorhome. I rather suspect it's these you are thing of, QBmate

Unread post by **CaroleF** » 13 Apr 2015, 13:46

All the holidays I had as a child were in caravans so I'm rather anti them but I know caravans are vastly different from the ones I remember - I remember those little gas lights that had to be lit each night! When our girls were growing up we used to rent houses in France, in the Dordogne, largish properties that had a pool and we often invited friends to join us which was very successful - the girls enjoyed having other adults other than Mum and Dad around.

We've had villa holidays in Majorca too and we love the north coast of that island. Now we have no children we usually have a couple of cruises a year - I would have more - and then we have a cottage in Dorset which John loves to go to. I enjoy it too but if you are constantly inviting friends to join you for a weekend it can be a lot of work what with cooking, changing beds etc.

This year we had a couple of nights away in a hotel in Chipping Campden - a birthday present for me - we've had two weeks to the Canaries on Oceana to get some sun. We have often been to the Caribbean in the winter - the longest was a back to back on Azura, sailing back to Southampton which was fantastic but not this year which is why we did the Canaries cruise.

We have a week on Adonia in July, going to Honfleur, St. Peter Port, Scilly Isles and Cork. Then in September we are due to go on a Great Rail Company holiday to Lake Como staying a night in Paris on the journey there and a night in Stuttgart on the way home. This is a new departure for us - almost like a cruise holiday without the sea if you get my meaning. However, since we booked our younger daughter announced she's having a baby - the first for her - and it's due on the day we come back from Italy so we are in somewhat of a quandary. She's insistent we go, says that she'll probably be late anyway and that she'd rather I was around afterwards. Her partner will be there as well as my elder daughter so at the moment we've left the booking in place. We don't have to pay the balance until July so we are holding fire before making a final decision. For various reasons we can't alter the date of the holiday, cancelling would be the only option.

Next year John and I have a big birthday coming up - too big for my liking! So we thought that as we're not great ones for parties we would book a holiday for the family in a lovely villa in the South of France - am looking for possible places at the moment - unfortunately has to be in the school holidays so the grandchildren can come.

So lots to think about. I'd love to do a World Cruise but John wouldn't so that's a no.

Carole

Unread post by **Lollie** » 15 Apr 2015, 19:21

Love the Algarve, we had a long weekend there in February, are off for a week next month and are back there in September. We cannot cruise every year but have booked for September 2016 today.
As a treat we were booked into the Shangri-La hotel at The Shard, joint 'big' birthdays treat from our children, we actually had a lovely time playing tourist as well but oh my goodness, London is so expensive, to take children there for a holiday must cost a frightening amount of money. It is however extremely interesting and there are plenty of 'free' things to do. I was however a little surprised to hear one of the street entertainers on the South Bank actually ask for £5 from each of the people watching! I figure if he got £5 from everyone, probably around 150 watching every half hour or so then I should change jobs!

Unread post by **gfwgfw** » 15 Apr 2015, 19:54

Hey Ho

Now that I am sans the much beloved I just cannot face a singles holiday

But I get so much quality time retracing, with my best friend Mr Google's help researching a lifetime of holidays with Betty

The earliest holiday we had together was spent at Billy Butlin's Clacton emporium during the summer of 1954, we did enjoy the experience and got married later the next year

Sadly our planned sixty years of wedded bliss celebration world cruise was not to be

Now I really am content, using my trusty bus/train/taxi passes, enjoying the beautiful rural Darzet scenario with a bite to eat at Mr Spoons eateries

Lubooo all

Graham x

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