The holiday thread

[Torquemada 1420]

Just did Costa Rica. Amazing if you like your nature:
https://www.u-96.co.uk/Places/Costa-Rica

[Tichtheid]

Does anyone have experience of the fear of flying courses and do they work?

I'm not suddenly going to start short-hauling my way from Edinburgh to Newcastle, but I do feel I'm missing out on stuff

btw, I know that once you get to the airport, statistically the most dangerous part of the journey is done, but that won't get me on a plane

I don't personally. Which part of the flight experience is the challenge for you? Or you've never flown?

I hate the descent and ascent with a passion but can handle the majority of the flight. Trust me, I am a mess at takeoff and when climbing so can perfectly relate to your fear, but once you are cruising along it's fine.

Nothing in the flight itself - I love the acceleration on take off particularly, nothing on the flight bothers me although I may get scared during turbulence.

It's the thought of it. I had no problem until I was on holiday on Menorca one time and it suddenly hit me, the fear of it. Then the next day a bad fatal crash happened at Madrid airport.
I got on the plane home but that was the last time, it's close to 20 years ago. So it's not like sedation would help at all because it's not the flight, it the thought of it. I could fly somewhere and spend the entire time worrying about the flight home, which would spoil it for everyone, plus every minutes after booking the flight. I'd probably "get the flu" before the day of the flight

I know the statistics of air safety, I know the checks they have to go through to get a plane off the ground and how it compares to every other form of transport - I know it's an irrational fear.

I just think that I'd be on the one fear of flying plane that crashes

[Slick]

Does anyone have experience of the fear of flying courses and do they work?

I'm not suddenly going to start short-hauling my way from Edinburgh to Newcastle, but I do feel I'm missing out on stuff

btw, I know that once you get to the airport, statistically the most dangerous part of the journey is done, but that won't get me on a plane

I don't personally. Which part of the flight experience is the challenge for you? Or you've never flown?

I hate the descent and ascent with a passion but can handle the majority of the flight. Trust me, I am a mess at takeoff and when climbing so can perfectly relate to your fear, but once you are cruising along it's fine.

Nothing in the flight itself - I love the acceleration on take off particularly, nothing on the flight bothers me although I may get scared during turbulence.

It's the thought of it. I had no problem until I was on holiday on Menorca one time and it suddenly hit me, the fear of it. Then the next day a bad fatal crash happened at Madrid airport.
I got on the plane home but that was the last time, it's close to 20 years ago. So it's not like sedation would help at all because it's not the flight, it the thought of it. I could fly somewhere and spend the entire time worrying about the flight home, which would spoil it for everyone, plus every minutes after booking the flight. I'd probably "get the flu" before the day of the flight

I know the statistics of air safety, I know the checks they have to go through to get a plane off the ground and how it compares to every other form of transport - I know it's an irrational fear.

I just think that I'd be on the one fear of flying plane that crashes

My fear of flying came out of nowhere and for a few years it was a battle to walk over the threshold and I hated every second. Then one flight it just stopped and I’m OK with it now. I doubt that’s much help, but that was my experience

[Gumboot]

Genuine question Tichtheid, if you're sure it's not the actual flying, could it be more like a fear of heights or something?

[Stranger]

My fear of flying came out of nowhere and for a few years it was a battle to walk over the threshold and I hated every second. Then one flight it just stopped and I’m OK with it now. I doubt that’s much help, but that was my experience
[/quote]

That is pretty much my experience

[Biffer]

Had five days of leave to use before the end of the year and didn’t fancy using it on my in-laws, so did a week’s walking in the West Highlands last week. When you do get a clear day on the mountains there is something incredibly special about the combination of sun and snow, you pay for it by walking into horizontal snow for three hours the next day!

Overall I didn’t find walking conditions wildly different to the summer, you have the place to yourself and there’s enough time to get proper walks in providing you get up and go. Recommended

Yeah, it can be amazing but it's the additional preparedness that people miss, for being able to deal with a sudden break in the weather where there's high winds, extreme cold and zero visibility.

A guy I know was trying to persuade me to go on a winter hill walk with him over Christmas but I said I'd never dome it before and was looking at getting a guided walk before I went myself. Ahhh, it's no different from summer walking if you have crampons he said. What about navigating and things like cornices?

What are they?

I'm busy that day.

I have a couple of friends involved with the mountain rescue. Your mate sounds like the kind of guy they have to help off the hill.

[mat the expat]

Planning a cold-climate visit to Japan in Feb/March.

Our delayed 25th anniversary. The Lady of the House is very accommodating of my Martial Arts Trips so this time, no Budo, just tourism.

Lots of hot springs and good food

Nice...not the cold but very nice

You forget, I'm from the UK - I miss getting snowed in for a week a year

Knysna - I have friends there and am looking forward to visiting

[mat the expat]

Had five days of leave to use before the end of the year and didn’t fancy using it on my in-laws, so did a week’s walking in the West Highlands last week. When you do get a clear day on the mountains there is something incredibly special about the combination of sun and snow, you pay for it by walking into horizontal snow for three hours the next day!

Overall I didn’t find walking conditions wildly different to the summer, you have the place to yourself and there’s enough time to get proper walks in providing you get up and go. Recommended

^ This is the reason I am going to Japan in Winter

I miss it so much

[Sards]

Still on holiday till Friday. We had a weekend away at Die Dam for the boys only just before Christmas and it waa awesome. Fishing not great but the kids had a lot of fun and my mate and I had a chance to just chill. We are currently in Wilderness and today we had a charter in the estuary close to Sedgefield and just targeted Leeries. An estuarine game fish that we trolled live mullet for. I was just there for the record as I wanted my 2 boys to experience this fish. They landed 2 each . The afternoon fish the better size. I cannot emphasize more how amazing this area of the Western Cape is for a holiday. There is just so much to do. The restaurants this year we are finding a bit meh compared to last year but are still decent enough. There is loads for the adrenaline Junkies to do besides the obvious beach days with water temperatures around 25 degrees. This year has been very busy according to the locals so obviously the appeal is growing. It's still manageable and you aren't going to get a hernia bothering about traffic but you need to book your table in advance because we saw lots of customers being turned away at the restaurant last night because it's too full. January is not as hot as December but we prefer it because it's less busy than December.

[inactionman]

We're keen to go to the north west of Scotland for easter hols but I've never ventured that way and know very little about it. Suggestions for tranquil places with decent walks, and ideally some beaches or lochs for paddleboards etc would be gratefully received.

We usually go near Pitlochry as it's close and there's stuff for kids to do, but it's getting a bit familiar now.

[Slick]

We're keen to go to the north west of Scotland for easter hols but I've never ventured that way and know very little about it. Suggestions for tranquil places with decent walks, and ideally some beaches or lochs for paddleboards etc would be gratefully received.

We usually go near Pitlochry as it's close and there's stuff for kids to do, but it's getting a bit familiar now.

We were up around Achmelvich/Lochinver during the summer and it was ace, lots of lovely secluded beaches for paddle boarding, and lochs.

Also been around Plockton and Ullapool fairly recently, you’ll find plenty of great adventures all up that coast

[vball]

Yip Clachtol or Achmelvic.
You camping?

[Sandstorm]

Yip Clachtol or Achmelvic.
You camping?

Sounds like medicine and a typo for "cramping"

[vball]

I also have a mate that does canoe trips around the Kyle of Sutherland. Also some overnight camping on the small islands there.

Gowildhighlands.co.uk

[inactionman]

We're keen to go to the north west of Scotland for easter hols but I've never ventured that way and know very little about it. Suggestions for tranquil places with decent walks, and ideally some beaches or lochs for paddleboards etc would be gratefully received.

We usually go near Pitlochry as it's close and there's stuff for kids to do, but it's getting a bit familiar now.

We were up around Achmelvich/Lochinver during the summer and it was ace, lots of lovely secluded beaches for paddle boarding, and lochs.

Also been around Plockton and Ullapool fairly recently, you’ll find plenty of great adventures all up that coast

ta buddy

[inactionman]

Yip Clachtol or Achmelvic.
You camping?

Much obliged. It'll be a cottage for a week, the kids still aren't quite up to camping longer than a couple of nights - by which I mean I'd go mad trying to get them to sleep in a tent for anything more than a weekend

I'll take a look at the general area of Lochinver northwards, there's not too many cottages coming up a available but I'll try as few different websites.,

[Slick]

Yip Clachtol or Achmelvic.
You camping?

Much obliged. It'll be a cottage for a week, the kids still aren't quite up to camping longer than a couple of nights - by which I mean I'd go mad trying to get them to sleep in a tent for anything more than a weekend

I'll take a look at the general area of Lochinver northwards, there's not too many cottages coming up a available but I'll try as few different websites.,

I'll find out the cottage we stayed in

EDIT: it was called Taigh Uaine

[Yr Alban]

Yip Clachtol or Achmelvic.
You camping?

Much obliged. It'll be a cottage for a week, the kids still aren't quite up to camping longer than a couple of nights - by which I mean I'd go mad trying to get them to sleep in a tent for anything more than a weekend

I'll take a look at the general area of Lochinver northwards, there's not too many cottages coming up a available but I'll try as few different websites.,

I'll find out the cottage we stayed in

EDIT: it was called Taigh Uaine

Literally, the Green House!

[assfly]

Thinking about visiting a friend in Bordeaux later this year. It'll be my first time in France.

[Sandstorm]

Thinking about visiting a friend in Bordeaux later this year. It'll be my first time in France.

Wonderful city

[SaintK]

Thinking about visiting a friend in Bordeaux later this year. It'll be my first time in France.

Stop thinking about it and do it.
Great place to visit. So much to see and do, eat and drink
The food markets are fabulous especially Les Halles de Bacalan which is almost opposite La Cite du Vin which is a must do visit.
A train ride down to the dunes on the Atlantic coast to Arachon is well worth it
And if UBB are playing a T14 match at home so much the better

[assfly]

Cheers both

[Slick]

Cheers both

Totally agree with both, my favourite city in France

[Tichtheid]

Cheers both

Totally agree with both, my favourite city in France

I don't know Bordeaux, but I know the area south of it down to the border, I would move back there permanently if it was feasible.

[Slick]

Cheers both

Totally agree with both, my favourite city in France

I don't know Bordeaux, but I know the area south of it down to the border, I would move back there permanently if it was feasible.

That's my mid-long term plan

[Marylandolorian]

Thinking about visiting a friend in Bordeaux later this year. It'll be my first time in France.

Stop thinking about it and do it.
Great place to visit. So much to see and do, eat and drink
The food markets are fabulous especially Les Halles de Bacalan which is almost opposite La Cite du Vin which is a must do visit.
A train ride down to the dunes on the Atlantic coast to Arachon is well worth it
And if UBB are playing a T14 match at home so much the better

Agree, It’s a beautiful city, I was born and raised there. One bad thing is the traffic jam, just read it was the worst in France.

[Sards]

Lots of tourists around the garden route. Mainly English, German and Dutch. I noticed the prices are hiked for the tourists and we don't get any concessions. We paid R70 for a very average milkshake in Knysna. At the restaurants it's costing around R1800 for a family of 4 for a dinner. No deserts. But I have noticed the portions are very generous. If a picky eater like myself, don't do a starter. It's too much. Weather was a bit cooler when we arrived here...around 22 degrees. But the UV levels are insane. Current temperatures are around 25 with a minimum of 18. So you can sleep uncovered and no top and be comfortable

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id ... tid=ZbWKwL

Would recommend this

Leerie on Swartvlei

Boys had lots of fun.

Leerie

[Hugo]

That's cool Sards.

[assfly]

I noticed the prices are hiked for the tourists and we don't get any concessions.

This really grinds my gears.

African countries love to do it in national parks, not sure how widely practised it is elsewhere.

Tourists end up being absolutely fleeced and apart from the higher fee they don't get any better facilities.
Locals get pissed off because they're treated like second class citizens in their own country, and are still expected to return when the peak season is over.

[Hugo]

I've booked Jamaica in April and Hong Kong in November. Two bucket list places that I will be chuffed to cross off the list.

I was hoping to get to Hong Kong for the 7s but I would have only been able to stay for two days so couldn't quite justify the trip for one day of rugby and one of sightseeing.

[Blackmac]

I've booked Jamaica in April and Hong Kong in November. Two bucket list places that I will be chuffed to cross off the list.

I was hoping to get to Hong Kong for the 7s but I would have only been able to stay for two days so couldn't quite justify the trip for one day of rugby and one of sightseeing.

Hong Kong is amazing. We did eight nights which was great to see and do everything with the exception of Macau.

[Hugo]

I've booked Jamaica in April and Hong Kong in November. Two bucket list places that I will be chuffed to cross off the list.

I was hoping to get to Hong Kong for the 7s but I would have only been able to stay for two days so couldn't quite justify the trip for one day of rugby and one of sightseeing.

Hong Kong is amazing. We did eight nights which was great to see and do everything with the exception of Macau.

Sounds awesome, I would definitely like to get some guidance on an itinerary Blackmac. Ive done no homework on HK yet.

[Slick]

I've booked Jamaica in April and Hong Kong in November. Two bucket list places that I will be chuffed to cross off the list.

I was hoping to get to Hong Kong for the 7s but I would have only been able to stay for two days so couldn't quite justify the trip for one day of rugby and one of sightseeing.

Where are you staying in Jamaica?

[Slick]

I want to start looking into family skiing holidays, but don’t really know where to start.

I’m a beginner (a couple of weeks spread over 25 years!) my wife is advanced and the kids (6,8) would be first time.

I’m guessing just call one of the big companies and let them guide me?

[Hugo]

I've booked Jamaica in April and Hong Kong in November. Two bucket list places that I will be chuffed to cross off the list.

I was hoping to get to Hong Kong for the 7s but I would have only been able to stay for two days so couldn't quite justify the trip for one day of rugby and one of sightseeing.

Where are you staying in Jamaica?

Kingston. Tbh I'm pretty much going solely for the Bob Marley stuff. Planning on visiting his old house/museum, Trench town tenements where he grew up and his birthplace, if I can make it there. Ofc will try and check out other cool stuff if I can.

PS - can't help you in the skiing, have never been, but good luck, a family skiing holiday sounds fun.

[laurent]

One week to go before skiing holidays in les Saisies.

Looks like good snow so far.

[Slick]

I've booked Jamaica in April and Hong Kong in November. Two bucket list places that I will be chuffed to cross off the list.

I was hoping to get to Hong Kong for the 7s but I would have only been able to stay for two days so couldn't quite justify the trip for one day of rugby and one of sightseeing.

Where are you staying in Jamaica?

Kingston. Tbh I'm pretty much going solely for the Bob Marley stuff. Planning on visiting his old house/museum, Trench town tenements where he grew up and his birthplace, if I can make it there. Ofc will try and check out other cool stuff if I can.

PS - can't help you in the skiing, have never been, but good luck, a family skiing holiday sounds fun.

Oh cool! I spent a week in Kingston a few years ago, it’s pretty raw but great fun. Bob Marley is literally everywhere!

One thing I learnt pretty quickly was that a lot of people approach you quite aggressively but if you just smile and don’t act intimidated it usually melts away instantly. I paid a guy on the street a few dollars to take me places you wouldn’t normally go. Not sure I’d do that now, but it was an amazing experience as a younger idiot

[S/Lt_Phillips]

I want to start looking into family skiing holidays, but don’t really know where to start.

I’m a beginner (a couple of weeks spread over 25 years!) my wife is advanced and the kids (6,8) would be first time.

I’m guessing just call one of the big companies and let them guide me?

Are you thinking of going during the school holidays? Don't know if you get a full week for half term in Edinburgh, or if you'll need to go during the Easter break. Bear in mind Easter holidays are pretty much at the end of the season, so you'll want to go somewhere high to get best chance of some decent snow. Val Thorens is the obvious choice (but correspondingly can be expensive), but there are others resorts that also go pretty high (bear in mind how high the runs are as well as the resort - e.g. Avoriaz resort is quite high but the runs don't go much higher, contrast with somewhere like Tignes or La Plagne that have higher runs even though the resorts are lower). Of course, if you take the kids out of school, then you have much more flexibility and will be cheaper.

Given your wife is an advanced skier, you might be better choosing a larger resort (or linked area like Paradiski, Portes due Soleil, Via Lattea etc), rather than a small place - better chance of there being a good variety of difficulty. I personally like Tignes for that as there are lots of big wide cruisy blues that'll be great for you & the kids, while there are lots of challenging things for your wife.

Going with a package will be easiest, though you could consider a DIY trip (I always did this as I was a single parent and getting a package deal for 3 was awkward). We would get Easyjet flights to Geneva, hire a car and drive to a fairly close resort as daughter used to get really travel sick (Morzine, Flaine good options), organise self-catering through Airbnb or similar. This helped a bit with small kids eating - we tended to do 3 nights self catered with simple meals and 3 nights out for pizza/burger etc, rather than hoping the kids would cope with whatever the hotel produced. Sorting ski passes is easy online these days, as is ski school and equipment hire (pre-order using Skimium or something similar).

On ski-school, I made the mistake of allowing daughter to choose skiing and son to (of course) choose boarding. Turned out to be a huge error. Dropping them off for different classes at different time, or (worse) different places at the same time was a pita. Also, skiers learn to use lifts quicker, so they spend more time learning to actually get down the piste, while boarders are still stuck trying not to fall off the drag lift. So, if you can, get them both doing the same thing. I also enrolled mine in a course of classes at Hillend before going so they had a bit of a head start.

The Snowheads chat forum is a good resource for advice on all things skiing, including things to consider for younger kids once you're there (e.g. remembering the day 3 blues, take chocolate etc etc).

Feel free to ignore all of the above! Skiing is a great family holiday though, I'm sure you'll have a fantastic time wherever you go.

[Slick]

I want to start looking into family skiing holidays, but don’t really know where to start.

I’m a beginner (a couple of weeks spread over 25 years!) my wife is advanced and the kids (6,8) would be first time.

I’m guessing just call one of the big companies and let them guide me?

Are you thinking of going during the school holidays? Don't know if you get a full week for half term in Edinburgh, or if you'll need to go during the Easter break. Bear in mind Easter holidays are pretty much at the end of the season, so you'll want to go somewhere high to get best chance of some decent snow. Val Thorens is the obvious choice (but correspondingly can be expensive), but there are others resorts that also go pretty high (bear in mind how high the runs are as well as the resort - e.g. Avoriaz resort is quite high but the runs don't go much higher, contrast with somewhere like Tignes or La Plagne that have higher runs even though the resorts are lower). Of course, if you take the kids out of school, then you have much more flexibility and will be cheaper.

Given your wife is an advanced skier, you might be better choosing a larger resort (or linked area like Paradiski, Portes due Soleil, Via Lattea etc), rather than a small place - better chance of there being a good variety of difficulty. I personally like Tignes for that as there are lots of big wide cruisy blues that'll be great for you & the kids, while there are lots of challenging things for your wife.

Going with a package will be easiest, though you could consider a DIY trip (I always did this as I was a single parent and getting a package deal for 3 was awkward). We would get Easyjet flights to Geneva, hire a car and drive to a fairly close resort as daughter used to get really travel sick (Morzine, Flaine good options), organise self-catering through Airbnb or similar. This helped a bit with small kids eating - we tended to do 3 nights self catered with simple meals and 3 nights out for pizza/burger etc, rather than hoping the kids would cope with whatever the hotel produced. Sorting ski passes is easy online these days, as is ski school and equipment hire (pre-order using Skimium or something similar).

On ski-school, I made the mistake of allowing daughter to choose skiing and son to (of course) choose boarding. Turned out to be a huge error. Dropping them off for different classes at different time, or (worse) different places at the same time was a pita. Also, skiers learn to use lifts quicker, so they spend more time learning to actually get down the piste, while boarders are still stuck trying not to fall off the drag lift. So, if you can, get them both doing the same thing. I also enrolled mine in a course of classes at Hillend before going so they had a bit of a head start.

The Snowheads chat forum is a good resource for advice on all things skiing, including things to consider for younger kids once you're there (e.g. remembering the day 3 blues, take chocolate etc etc).

Feel free to ignore all of the above! Skiing is a great family holiday though, I'm sure you'll have a fantastic time wherever you go.

Thanks mate, this is incredibly helpful.

We are really looking at either new year or half term next year so plenty of time to plan hopefully. I'm presuming that booking earlier might get slightly better deals? We'd probably do the same as you suggest and go self catering so we can get out a few nights.

We haven't even put a snowboard option into their heads as yet and will try and keep it that way!