Why do we bother?

Ah Jeanie! No its not you, it is true. why bother? I have been most places in Europe there is nothing like good old blighty!
Have a holiday in Pembrokeshire you will forget about exotic places!( can guarentee even sunshine this week!)
Hope you find the rest of your holiday is more enjoyable.
Hugs
Ruby

Oh dear, oh dear. Sounds as if you should have gone for somewhere a bit more off the beaten track. If you're in the middle of a town or a tourist resort you're unlikely to experience much peace and quiet. What made you opt for this particular location? Whereabouts in Spain are you? Perhaps you could salvage something from this holiday if you can look for something positive about the place, otherwise your annoyance and frustration are just going to eat you up. Good luck.

Sorry to hear that Jeannie! That's one of the reasons we don't go on holiday - at least not to a resort town of any sort! Can you find some ear plugs? Is it quieter during the day and have a siesta then?

Mossie bites can be awful - anithistamines may help. A mixture of citronella and eucalyptus oils can help keep them away, and keep completely covered up in the evenings. The best option is to take a multivit containing high B complex with calcium in it - that seems to work, but best taken for the month ahead.

As Sunanda says - hope you can salvage some benefit from your trip.

Love and Light

I use fresh lime juice to keep mosquitoes and other insects from biting. I squeeze a half a lime into my hand, rub my hands together and pat the juice all over me from crown to toe. It works very well, and is not sticky when applied in this fashion. Lime juice should not be used in sunlight, however, as it can intensify the rays of the sun (cause sunburn).

Thank yo for taking the time to respond the only thing I can think about is packing my case and getting out of this sweat box of a country. Why did I choose the 'Costa del Sol' I keep asking myself that over and over, maybe I am just bonkers! No I re phrase that I AM DEFINITELY BONKERS It really is difficult to think of something positive, I feel terrible healthwise, no sleep, can hardly walk with pains in legs which came on from last apartment up the mountain! Headaches everyday and getting worse, I better come off this now as it is a tiny screen and won't help, crazy really it just feels like a connection with reality coming on the forum and a sort of comfort to know someone has listened. I don't even drink so I can't get myself sozzled and switch off. Maybe it is an age thing that I can no longer cope with such heat, hustle and bustle. Adios amigas x

I used to live in Spain and loved it. So much so that I had even considered going to live there when I retire. However, two years ago I visited two different parts of Spain in the same year. One of those places was in the South, Andalucia (although not on the coast, we did visit Fuengirola I think), where a friend and her husband were living and running a B&B. Secondly I spent a week touring around Salamanca, Burgos and Leon. Well, I couldn't have been more disappointed. The South was so hot that my friend and her husband were forced to come back to England every August (!) as they couldn't bear the heat. And I didn't like anything about my other destination apart from the cathedrals and monasteries, and they were a bit gore spattered to say the least. (There's such a lot of pain and suffering in Spanish Catholicism.) All in all, I concluded that Spain was great when I was young but is not the place for me now. I'm no longer thinking of moving there - can't say I particularly want to visit again either. Even the food didn't do it for me, now that I'm no longer a carnivore.

I am excited only two days to go and we will be back in England

Heat here in Feungirola is still stifling and the Spanish still noisy

Thanks for advice about mossies CarolineN and Dogwoman, we have
found that E45 itch cream has actually worked quite well.

Sunanda, I am curious, you said you used to live in Spain, which part?

We have had one or two nice 'moments' the Peublo we are staying
in is gated and once you are inside the grounds it is nice and quiet (ish)
and there are some beautiful plants and flowers (so I have found something positive) By the same token we are going to have to think
long and hard before we have another holiday, I am getting to the
stage where I wonder if I will actually like anywhere? Help, suggestions
please.

Poor you - your frustration is palpable, and I feel very sorry that you've not had a relaxing break. Going somewhere hot is difficult, especially when you are coming from a temperate climate. It isn't easy feeling hot all day, and trying to sleep in the heat - you feel like there is no escape. I'm from Australia and I have lost count of the number of times people ask me why I live here (Scotland) when the weather in Australia is so good (i.e. hot). My response is always the same: You've obviously never lived in a hot country, have you?

It's such a shame that this holiday hasn't been relaxing. I really feel for you because I'm the sort of person who chooses a relaxing break over an exciting/active holiday, and need my time off to recharge. Please don't stop having holidays. But maybe next time try and find somewhere which isn't a tourist town. I am positive that if you asked here for suggestions of nice quiet places to go you'd get lots of good recommendations.

Ava x

Sunanda, I am curious, you said you used to live in Spain, which part?

In my early 20s I lived in Ibiza for a few years. Later I spent another three years in the Canary Islands. In between I worked for a coach company ferrying people between London, Barcelona and Alicante once a week.

Jeannie, maybe you could think about what kind of holiday you would really enjoy. Do you want a beach resort or do you like to do cultural stuff. Do you want all the arrangements made for you as in a package holiday or are you happy to do your own research and booking on the internet? There are loads of other countries besides Spain where you could have a great holiday. Personally I believe that the South of Spain is getting hotter and hotter. What a shame that you've not enjoyed your hols. Soon be home though.

I just don't seem to know what I want anymore. For years all I wanted was to eventually move to Spain maybe set up doing my reflexology etc., but Spain is now a big no no. I think you are right ava it might be a good idea to start a new thread to get advice about different holiday ideas/places thanks all. :rolleyes:

Jeannie - please do. I have lost count of the personal recommendations and excellent excellent advice from personal experience that I have got from HP folk. I think the quality is so good because we are generally a group of similar-minded people. I am sure you'll get some really good ideas for nice quiet holiday locations.

Ava x

Arrived back from hols and that did not go smoothly either...what a flight, it was AWFUL, seat belts signs on most of the way due to great turbulence. Ah for my sunny, peaceful conservatory and cuddle off me doggy, bliss :dogrun:

Looks like it'll be a staycation then next time then, Jeannie? x

For next year, why don't you do a series of short breaks around Britain? There are wonderful places in the UK that you could explore. City breaks or country. Farmhouse B&Bs....do a few days here and there and you won't have time to get fed up even if the place doesn't quite do it for you. Really there is no reason why a holiday has to be sun and sand. We just have this concept of spending our vacation time on a hot beach but as we get older that often proves to be not what we enjoy any more.
xxx

I'm a bit of a holiday chameleon and just love getting away wherever it is. Can't remember having ever had a real disaster (except when my husband was ill one time). But I agree with Sunanda - there are some great breaks in Britain especially if you just want to get away from civilisation.

This year we are doing the best of both worlds for me - a week in the sun in Fuerteventura followed closely by a week in a cottage in the middle of nowhere in Devon. Bliss.

Good luck with your search Jeannie. Let us know what ideas you come up with.

Hello, just wanted to say thanks for checking by with comments/suggestions.

I think my problem is more underlying, Britain has been mentioned for a holiday but it would have to be coach as I have found I just hate being on the roads, I enjoy driving short distances, shops etc., but the thought of motorways etc., big no no, I am also worse when my husband is driving

We did get a cute place not far from Yorkshire earlier this year, after the initial oohs and ahs at how nice it was and walking around the 'silent' village, after 3 days I found myself bored stiff. I notice Celtia you mention a remote Devon cottage, if this were me I know I would begin to feel extremely lonely and sad and my mind would start on all kinds of negative things. As mentioned above, I do think my problem is just me and my bouts of severe sadness and fear, especially with not working now I have too much time to think. A friend's husband died suddenly last year and although she is getting on with life and going here there and everywhere, the whole thing has left me in great fear of the life and death situation and anything happening to my husband, then I start thinking how our son will cope if he did not have us around, he is divorced and still has one hell of a life through his x wife, he is not in a relationship and certainly not in the best of health. He holds a very responsible job within Mental Health dealing with very unhappy people everyday, there is just no fun in his life, he has had to give up one day a week due to suffering Chronic Fatigue. My mind starts going crazy with one thing leading on to another all related to fear and worry. Thanks HP for the opportunity to ramble on...maybe bits of this Thread need to be elsewhere!

Jeannie - thank you for sharing that with us. I hear what you say about needing a holiday to keep you busy, but one which allows you to relax so that you can get your mind off the things which trouble you.

I wonder if a structured holiday at one of the yoga retreats, or spa break places. Goodness, I can't think of the right term to describe them. But they are in beautiful places - have a pool and spa and that sort of stuff, but you can go on ones which teach you meditation or yoga or healthy cooking or weightloss or something spiritual. Clearly I've never been on one so can't recommend anything from personal experience.

I'm not sure if I'm barking up the wrong tree, but here is a thread about [url]spa retreats[/url], and another about [url]meditation retreats in Scotland[/url].

And I found [url]Retreat Company[/url] via Google - no idea if they are any good. But they list retreats available in England, Scotland, Wales as well as OS.

Ava x

I think one big problem is that we look to a holiday to take us out of ourselves, to fix what's wrong in our lives. We imagine that a change of scene and a bit of sunshine will do the trick. But of course whatever problems we carry inside ourselves we take with us on holiday too. So, time to do a bit of work on yourself, Jeannie. I think Ava's suggestion is excellent. Think about it. It would be so good for you if you could learn to live in the present and not fear the future so much. Have you read stuff like The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle? Or Loving What Is by Byron Katie? And please don't worry so much about your son. I know it's hard to accept but he has his road to travel and you can't do it for him. He will cope, believe me, whatever happens. (I speak with feeling here as I too have shed many tears and spent many sleepless nights worrying over my son but now I have let that go and let him get on with his life. I have detached....which is what I would say you should learn to do.)
xxx

hi jeannie,, just got back from spain ourselves.. we had turbulance too my ears were ready to explode..coming into land i thought she was in a race ( our plane captain that is).. our holiday had its 'moments' and we wont be going back to spain even though we were in a beautiful spot..but what it made me realise was how much i do actually love home..and that in itself gave me a warm feeling right where it was needed!!:)

Hello, just wanted to say thanks for checking by with comments/suggestions.

I think my problem is more underlying, Britain has been mentioned for a holiday but it would have to be coach as I have found I just hate being on the roads, I enjoy driving short distances, shops etc., but the thought of motorways etc., big no no, I am also worse when my husband is driving

We did get a cute place not far from Yorkshire earlier this year, after the initial oohs and ahs at how nice it was and walking around the 'silent' village, after 3 days I found myself bored stiff. I notice Celtia you mention a remote Devon cottage, if this were me I know I would begin to feel extremely lonely and sad and my mind would start on all kinds of negative things. As mentioned above, I do think my problem is just me and my bouts of severe sadness and fear, especially with not working now I have too much time to think. A friend's husband died suddenly last year and although she is getting on with life and going here there and everywhere, the whole thing has left me in great fear of the life and death situation and anything happening to my husband, then I start thinking how our son will cope if he did not have us around, he is divorced and still has one hell of a life through his x wife, he is not in a relationship and certainly not in the best of health. He holds a very responsible job within Mental Health dealing with very unhappy people everyday, there is just no fun in his life, he has had to give up one day a week due to suffering Chronic Fatigue. My mind starts going crazy with one thing leading on to another all related to fear and worry. Thanks HP for the opportunity to ramble on...maybe bits of this Thread need to be elsewhere!

Ah good ideas, I will check them out and certainly look up the books suggested. Thanks for kind words.

Did anyone see the Grumpy holiday programme last night? I thought they could have asked me to participate!

I am going to buck the trend here.

We have just come back from a fantastic week in Italy. We haven't done anything like this before but I would recommend it.

It wasn't cheap I have to say. We stayed in Lake Garda at a lovely 4 star hotel. We were taken out by coach to Venice, Verona, a trip right round the Lake and the Dolomite mountains....breathtaking!!

Food fab, tour manager great very informative and funny, room lovely with beautiful view of the mountains, temperature perfect about 24 degrees.

On days not being taken out we could walk round beautiful Riva del Garda, it was so peaceful and lovely.

We went to the Costa del Sol last year but we shared and apartment with our daughter's family which was very nice but like you I got bitten by mozzies, I counted 19 bites.

Ah you are so right about Lake Garda, I would say without a doubt it was the best place we have been, it is a holiday that can be enhanced by trips to Venice etc., think you have inspired me to go back there now just thinking about it.

For the moment though we have got a cheapie to Portugal on Thursday 30th, wish me luck