This is not an existential pondering, but merely a quick question. How do you decide where you are going on holidays?
Do you have an ideal location? Do you always go to the same place because you know you'll like it?
I have just discovered, I've become someone who goes to where we can get cheap airfares. I have now twice booked cheap fares into Singapore, then looked at where to go once we're there (last time Malaysia, this time possibly Vietnam). I did also spend a few days looking at flights into Lombok and Krabi purely because I could get cheap AirAsia flights to KL, and they were the most appealing options for the 6 night window we had. However, we went with the even cheaper flights into Adelaide...
We are a family of five, so the flights kill our budget. I have become a huge fan of budget airlines, as it's given us a few more options.
I realise it's quite a crazy mode of operation. So I thought I'd ask, how do you decide where you are going on holidays?
Also, the First of the Month Fiction link up is open until Monday, if anyone wants to write a teeny, tiny story.
Linking up With Some Grace for FYBF
Hmmm. I think my comment was just eaten, so hopefully you don't get two from me. We haven't been on a holiday since we've had kids, but we desperately need one. Our next destination is NZ simply because my husband's family lives there.
ReplyDeleteNZ is amazing Renee. My hubby has family over there too. We took the kids on a rode trip last year. You'll love it. Let me know if you need any tips on places to go. :)
DeleteI think family is probably a higher decision maker for most than even cost. Our family is here so it's not a factor for us.
DeleteWe go for cheap also. Before our son was 2 it didn't matter as we didn't need to pay for flights for him but now with a 4 and 3 year old and another on the way, I think camping will be the way to go for us :)
ReplyDeleteAnywhere with free accom is a bonus. We drove to Byron last year because we had an opportunity to house swap....
DeleteThe other thing that becomes an issue for us, is the 3 kids. They are too young to be in by themselves. So often the accom has to be a more $$ chain resort/hotel thing, instead of a cute little bungalow. But just finding places that will take the 3rd kid without charging a million bucks is becoming an issue...
ReplyDeleteWe pick ours on a whim. We see something that looks appealing or friends may be there etc.
ReplyDeleteWith our frequent flyers the flights are not a big deal, so we can choose to go anywhere we want. However, the reason we ended up in Japan was because of limited ff seats. That ended up being a huge bonus as we hadn't thought of Japan before and it was one of the highlights :)
Your destinations sound fantastic, although I am a bit over Asia (with the exception of Japan) mainly due to the food and my bloody intolerances.
I would love, love, love to have enough ff points to let that take the pressure off...
DeleteHolidays are a complex business in our house - since we seem to be on one every few months. First and foremost - cheap flights get us every time! We are off to Vietnam next year and it was because the "deal" was too good to pass up. We also try and schedule holidays around times of the year we know we can take a break - and then look for great deals for that time. I hate being forced to holiday at a certain time and spending a fortune to do so, not my ideal way to start relaxing ;)
ReplyDeleteAh yes, we've just started the high school thing, so this holiday in school holidays is a total bummer - lucky for me, scoot and airasia don't seem to care so much about our school holidays - at least not the April ones....
DeleteWe are a bit adhoc but flight costs is an important factor for us too. Having said that because we don't know how long we are going to be Down Under for we are trying to cram as much as possible in and trying to book as far ahead as possible so it is cheaper, it always seems to be the cheaper the flight, the more expensive the accommodation though unfortunately.
ReplyDeleteThat is true - I have waited months after booking flights to then get the accom - or wait for a sale on Agoda or something...early bird get the cheap flight but needs to wait for the room!
DeleteI don't really know how we choose our holidays - think it is more a case of where do we want to go and then looking around to see the cheapest flights. Because it is only the two of us, it's a lot easier (and cheaper) to travel. The last two holidays we have booked flights and the first couple of nights accommodation and then just played it by ear after that.
ReplyDeleteHave the best time when you do go away !
Me
I don't know if I could do that - I used to, when it was just me, but now I seem to have everything planned out before we leave - one of the hazards of pouring over travel & restaurant blogs....
DeleteWe're the same! Always the price. Not always cheap air fairs, but sometimes just if it's a cheap country. When we were leaving Italy and choosing where to go next I wanted to go to Spain, but Luke wanted Hungary. In the end we chose Hungary because it was cheaper cost of living. I don't regret it, but I still want to go to Spain. :-P
ReplyDeleteI find also seeing other people's photos helps me decide. For example, a friend is over in India at the moment and seeing her photos on IG makes me want to go there - a country that's never been super high on my list!
I have looked at cheap flights out of KL to cheap countries. It's sort of wrong, isn't it?! Yet necessary.
DeleteI'm a big fan of other peoples photos. I am NUTS about going to Hawaii at the moment (but the month long trip to 4 islands will take big BUCKS so it just isn't happening for now.) Tho I keep looking at the sites and the photos and insisting it happens soon....
I'd prefer to go somewhere we don't HAVE to fly because I hate flying. We have a few places we'd like to see "someday" on a list, so if we get the opportunity we'll look into those destinations first. Usually it depends how much money we have or can save by the time we go. I hate racking up CC debt for a holiday then paying it off, that just leaves stress for AFTER the holiday. We're trying to go to the US next year because my hubby is from there and his family are all there, but so far just for THREE of us, airfare has not fallen under $4000. Ridic! Anyway, to answer your question, usually time and money decide where we will go. This Christmas holidays we're holidaying at home. We live on the GC. People pay lots of money to holiday here! We can do it for free!
ReplyDeleteIf you PM the location in the US, I'll keep an eye on airfares for you - I'm the queen of cheap fares. My best being $900 rtn to NY.
DeleteI am with you on the racking up a debt for a holiday - it's not worth it. Better to cheap holiday than pay it off for a year.
As you point out, in Australia, there are plenty of stunning locations where you can camp or stay on the beach in a caravan park - and people travel the world to holiday there!
We've made Indonesia as our annual trip for the obvious bilcultural and bilingual aspects.
ReplyDeleteI think we may need to change destination at some point but for now, going to Indonesia cures me of my homesickness. Importantly, my extended family get to know my children.
Yes, 'going home' is a big deciding factor for many.
DeleteI've flown to France for the past two years via royal Jordanian airlines - they partner with qantas so I can get the points, they are safe, reasonable in the cabin and serve decent vino. Last year we stopped in Jordan and took a side trip to Petra. I use jet abroad.com it's so much fun punching in different destinations and coming up with bargain prices - this year we stay at home... Now that is a real budget holiday, and a good one too, we havent been here for Xmas hols for,seven years - I can't wait!
ReplyDelete*green with envy* I love that decent vino on the plane gets a mention!! I also sit for hours playing around with dates/destinations to get the cheapest deal....
DeleteSadly its a decision based on drive time or where our friends are going.
ReplyDeleteDrive time not such a factor for us, unless it's a weekend, but where our friends are going is a great reason to pick a holiday. Big fan of group getaways....
DeleteI usually dream of going somewhere particular, start researching, and then get distracted by another destination entirely. Oooh, shiny things, oooh, a turtle shaped swimming pool! Sometimes in Australia, sometimes overseas, but always trying to get the best specials to stretch our smallish budget.
ReplyDeleteI soooo hear you on the 'ooh, shiny things' - that's exactly how it works, isn't it? Hilarious.
DeleteAnd specials. I'm signed to every newsletter ever, that I scan daily. The best I got was $20 return (including taxes!!) to Melbourne. The whole family went for a weekend for $120!!
I really want to explore new places, but Husband likes to go back to the same places because he knows he loves them. About once every few years I get to explore a new place .... and he gets to love it ... and then that's where we continue to go for every holiday therein until I can manage to coax him to a new spot. It's a fascinating dance. Cost is definitely an issue as well as weather.
ReplyDeleteLeanne @ Deep Fried Fruit
This is an interesting quandary. (I don't know how to spell that word). My husband keeps suggesting we go back to Bali (where we've been 3 times and love, and have a great time) but it ends up costing us a bit in airfares etc, and I am now panicking (in that existential FOMO way) that there are countries I will never get to see, so I always check the bali flights first, then come up with another destination that is cheaper...which again, is sort of weird, I know...as you say, it's a fascinating dance.
DeleteWe have been on several 'trips' over the past few years, but haven't been on a family holiday as yet. All of our trips interstate have been to visit family. I'm hoping to plan something early in the new year, will depend on what 'deals' are around!!
ReplyDeleteI would class 'trips' as a holiday (basically I count leaving the house as a holiday) but you've raised a very interesting distinction. I need to ponder this a little.
DeleteAnd deals are a BIG deal for me. ;)
DeleteWe go for chap and go very rarely. Thailand was good value. About $4k for two weeks for two people including spending. Cruises are good value also :)
ReplyDeleteI have to admit that I'm tempted by the price of cruises - be the 3 kids is a problem, berth wise.
DeleteAnd travelling as 2 people makes everything cheap - it's the 5 that blows it out. I've looked at Thailand a few times over the last 2 years, but we never seem to get there - someday.
DeleteThat's such a good question... we have no rhyme or reason at all... trips back to Scotland have been all for the wrong reasons this year... we went to Coollum on husband and Teen16 golf pilgrimage... I've become overwhelmed with an urge to visit East Timor and maybe can get there next year... not sure if with the family though?? We are feathers for each wind that blows.... not sure it's wise!??
ReplyDeleteIt's wise. I've gone to a country purely cos I wanted to stay in one Uber fancy hotel. We had a ball. I've travelled to Singapore for 2 days for the F1 (was cheaper than going to Melbourne for it) and I've gone to Brisbane overnight to see a play. Had free accom so the ticket to the play was the biggest expense! I think it's really interesting what makes us decide where we are going, almost as interesting as the destination itself.
DeleteI'm curious about the appeal of East Timor? Beach? Jungle? Volunteer aid?
We usually choose our holidays based on past experiences or friends recommendations. We did a big trip around Europe last year and that's sort of set us up for our next zillion holidays as there are so many places we want to go back to!! I absolutely love Singapore too! :-) xx Lucy from Bake Play Smile
ReplyDeleteIt's just bargain basement bogan stuff for us. What else? Last year Sunshine Coast this year Central Coast NSW. Classy. We never go overseas. Can't afford it. The end.
ReplyDelete