What do you look for in a holiday?

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DougS · #1 Post by **DougS** » September 4th, 2007, 10:12 pm

I liked this question in Club Soda's interview thread and would like to know what more people think.

So what's top of your list: Sea and sun? Culture? Activity?

Wherever I go, I expect to be able to walk and the rockier the terrain the better but I also love swimming. Good food and wine is icing on the cake but not essential. The best holidays I've had have been in Greece where I've been able to do everything I want and then some.

Alan C. · #2 Post by **Alan C.** » September 4th, 2007, 10:29 pm

Rugged natural beauty, ancient monuments, archaeological sites.
The Scottish highlands and Islands

lewist · #3 Post by **lewist** » September 4th, 2007, 10:56 pm

Activity and moderate to low temperatures. Skiing is great!

Bryn · #4 Post by **Bryn** » September 6th, 2007, 10:52 pm

I enjoy swimming the sea and sunbathing or playing beach volleyball and partying at night but I wouldn't want to spend a whole fortnight doing nothing but. Ideal family holidays nowadays involve two or three changes of location so we get to do some sightseeing, some sailing or sports and some wandering round markets as well as a few days doing nothing but soaking up the sun.

Beki · #5 Post by **Beki** » September 6th, 2007, 11:01 pm

I like activity holidays where there is something different to do every day. My son and I went on an activity holiday in France last year which was brill - white water rafting and canyoning.

I also went to Luxor with my partner and some friends which was totally mind-blowing. Standing in the place where Alexander the Great once stood. Also, being in Dendara where Mark Anthony and Cleopatra hung out together. I mean, Wow!

Keep meaning to do the skiing thing again, but it is too expensive when the schools are off at Xmas. Scuba diving is also fantastic abroad (not here - too cold!) Does anyone else dive?

Alan C. · #6 Post by **Alan C.** » September 6th, 2007, 11:12 pm

Beki
Scuba diving is also fantastic abroad (not here - too cold!) Does anyone else dive?

My youngest brother is a SCUBA instructor, he had a business in Malta.

There are loads of SCUBA divers here in Shetland; Get a dry suit and you won't feel the cold.

Maria Mac · #7 Post by **Maria Mac** » September 7th, 2007, 7:00 am

I like city breaks spent visiting museums and galleries but my ideal holiday would include traditional Greek music and dancing or, failing that, the opportunity to hear other traditional music.

I like the sun but don't care to waste time lying on beaches.

Nick · #8 Post by **Nick** » September 7th, 2007, 10:21 am

Having spent time in Australia, where everyone is scared stiff of the sun (skin cancer etc) it's put a totally different perspective on sun-bathing. Also, if the truth be known, I'm a bit blobby for it too.

Beki · #9 Post by **Beki** » September 7th, 2007, 12:13 pm

Alan C. wrote:
Beki
Scuba diving is also fantastic abroad (not here - too cold!) Does anyone else dive?
My youngest brother is a SCUBA instructor, he had a business in Malta.

There are loads of SCUBA divers here in Shetland; Get a dry suit and you won't feel the cold.

Hi Alan. I learned to dive in Malta (Gozo island) it was fab, the folk were brilliant there. I have actually dived once in Scotland. It wasn't even nearly as far north as you (somewhere on the West Coast), it was a beautiful sunny day and I was wearing a dry suit. I still found it way too cold because I am a total woose!!

I have heard that the diving up your way is magificant, but I think it is probably only for people way, way more hardy than me!

Alan C. · #10 Post by **Alan C.** » September 7th, 2007, 1:50 pm

Beki
Hi Alan. I learned to dive in Malta (Gozo island)

Thats where my brother was teaching! Tony Crowe, 1993/95...........Nah, that would just be too much of a coincidence.

I have heard that the diving up your way is magificant,

So they tell me, lots to see, Seals, Porpoise, Dolphins, Killer whales etc, also loads of underwater caves.
A lot of divers here do it as a career, there is lots of work for them with all the Salmon farms, and it pays very well (I'm told).

Beki · #11 Post by **Beki** » September 7th, 2007, 3:59 pm

I'm going to check my dive card when I get home because it was definitely a Tony who taught me, but I think his surname was Davies and it may have been a bit later - around 1997 I think. I was based in Marsalforn, where did your brother teach?

It is just a brilliant place for a beginner (and for someone like me who gets really sea-sick, because most of it is shore diving rather than going out on a boat). I did Belize a few years later and spent the whole time throwing up over the side of the boat - not nice.....

Never · #12 Post by **Never** » September 7th, 2007, 6:42 pm

I like different things for holiday.
For short getaways, I go to concerts. I love live music.
I like seeing new places in general - getting a feel for the people, history, architecture, etc.
Beaches are ok for a few days as I love to lay around doing nothing and sun and swim are relaxing, but they become boring for longer than that.
Just plain getting away. Having the opportunity to NOT go to work, NOT do piles of laundry and dishes and NOT be responsible for everyone else is the best holiday of all. Throw in a few good books and I'm happy.

Oxfordrocks · #13 Post by **Oxfordrocks** » September 10th, 2007, 12:53 pm

I always like to try a new language when we go away, so it's rare for us to visit the same place twice. Historical sites are good, scenery also.

To be honest as long as I get to spend some quality time with my wife then I'm pretty happy wherever we are.

Zoe · #14 Post by **Zoe** » September 10th, 2007, 4:14 pm

Sun, sea and good food are top of my list. Southern Europe especially Greece and Cyprus.

Noggin · #15 Post by **Noggin** » September 11th, 2007, 7:21 pm

I can't take too much sun - I look for beautiful scenery, walking, and good food. That's why I love Scandinavia.

wizzy · #16 Post by **wizzy** » September 13th, 2007, 8:35 pm

Beautiful scenery, city/town activites, places to go on trips, pleasant, civilised people. I love Switzerland, just came back last week (though not keen on the SVP political party's current poster campaign)

Am hoping to visit Norway next year.

I Am That I Am · #17 Post by **I Am That I Am** » September 14th, 2007, 12:44 am

Wild and beautiful country, mountains, moors, prairie. Peace and quiet and friendly people. Live music, good beer and delicious food.

And on Monday next week I'm off with Karen to spend four days/nights in Dublin where we'll find enough of the above to keep us well pleased.

Nick · #18 Post by **Nick** » September 14th, 2007, 9:04 am

*gazes dreamily into the far distance*

Aaah, yes! The Dublin prairie..!

Have a great time! And drink a Guinness or two for me, would you?

ranter · #19 Post by **ranter** » September 14th, 2007, 10:35 am

A mosquito free zone would be a treat!

I Am That I Am · #20 Post by **I Am That I Am** » September 14th, 2007, 1:16 pm

Nick wrote:
Aaah, yes! The Dublin prairie..!

Bejaysus, Nick, have ya never sin the Dublin prairie?! It's just a hop skip an' a jump from the Temple Bar.

Have a great time! And drink a Guinness or two for me, would you?

Thanks, Nick. Yes, I'll be more than happy to have a Guinness or two or three for you.

We're going primarily for the trad music sessions and will be drawn into any pub that's emitting good sounds but we plan to take trips out of the city, to Newgrange and Glendalough.

Sings: "Home, home on the range, where the deer and the antelope play....."

Think Humanism

Think Humanism

What do you look for in a holiday?

What do you look for in a holiday?