I was about to tell you that I have never been on a package holiday, but Mr R reminded me that many of the snow holidays we went on in our child free days were exactly that (I just went along, I didn’t book anything!)…
I guess the very words conjure up images of those first holidays to Spain for many a Brit – featuring cheap hotels, lobster sunburn and English breakfasts offered to the masses – not ski holidays (however raucous they might have been – I am blaming the cheap French plonk personally), but apart from those, I have honestly never been on one. When I was small, my parents ran a busy country pub so we had very few holidays abroad. The breaks we did take were to either visit family, or to stay in sunny apartments belonging to friends.
Then, having flown the nest, independent travel was always my preferred option. This probably stemmed from a hatred of being told what to do, and possibly out of pure fear of the atrocity that was my younger sister’s bright red checked uniform (complete with palm tree adorned hair scrunchy) when she worked for a major high street holiday company back in the nineties.
As they were the main source of amusement at family meal times back then, I could tell you many a tale of the days she spent selling holidays by the bucketful. They included having to decipher the various location requests of customers (Pizza turning out to be Ibiza, not Pisa), complete confusion over the phonetic alphabet, and mortification at phoning up a popular holiday camp to ask whether they accepted “group sex” when she actually meant to say “single sex groups” (they didn’t at the time)… Anyway. Back then, package holidays didn’t exactly get a good rap did they? And gradually our high streets saw many a popular holiday firm close their doors for good…
But recently, there’s been a bit of a resurgence in package holiday love. Actually, here in Germany, it never really went away, and neither did high street travel agents (many Germans can’t figure out why anyone would want to go to all the hassle of booking every single aspect of a holiday, could it be they have been right all along?).
Obviously you don’t even have to venture out, now you can book some amazing locations on line. My Mum’s just come back from a river cruise in Burma (on her own. That’s a story for another day because I am still waiting for her write about it for me), you could really go the distance to Australia, or break into relatively new tourist territory in Montenegro…
And in these days of precious spare time and stressful lives, why spend hours searching for flights, accommodation and all the little extras when you can just book it all in one go? You can pay for it immediately, and someone will even meet you at the other end and deliver you to your chosen destination (not to mention be there to complain to if you aren’t happy about something)… Plus secretly I have always fancied a truly last minute “jump on the plane sunny holiday bargain” which is so readily available in package holiday land…
Sounds like I have talked myself into it doesn’t it? I am tempted. We could pop back to beautiful Santorini and gaze out over its beautiful blues and whites, or perhaps back to where we tied the knot and stay on a South African Wine Estate (I have bookmarked one I like the look of!); but part of me will always love the research involved in planning every aspect of a trip, the independence, and the lure of finding stuff off the beaten track.
But, with the world becoming an ever smaller place, and with two children who adore exploring, but who would also sometimes be happy with sunshine, a pool and not much else, and a tiny baby who doesn’t care about anything apart from milk-o’clock and his squeaky giraffe (not to mention the fact that we can’t go anywhere too crazy while he can’t take malaria tablets etc.), perhaps we really should think about an easy option and take the plunge for one of our trips this year…
What do you think? Do you love package holidays or loathe them? Would you recommend anywhere in particular? I always love a good recommendation, and obviously like to dish them out myself – but not for the red wine in any of the ski hotels I have stayed in. I don’t think anyone in their right mind would recommend that…
Collaborative post
Stephen says
I think if the package holiday has everything you need then definitely do it, but sometimes it is worth looking around to see what you can get for much better value!
Emma says
Thanks so much Stephen! :)
MsCaroline says
I’ve never been on a package trip, but my mum does it all the time and loves it. We looked at the idea of a cruise, but it seemed like you spent most of your time in the floating hotel and not much time actually doing and seeing anything. A couple of my German friends do package tours, but they are things like traveling from China to Russia (via Mongolia) by train (staying in a yurt along the way) or a camping expedition through Sumatra – not your typical hotel-and-flights arrangement, if you get my meaning. I would love to do something like that, but so far haven’t run across the right package at the right time. Most of the time I do my own research or depend on tips from friends!
Emma says
I love the idea of the more extreme package holiday to locations like Mongolia and Sumatra, much more than I do to say Benidorm… :D Having also been on a couple of Caribbean cruises in the past, a cruise to the Northern lights would be nice one day… Thanks Caroline x
Cass@frugalfamily says
I must admit that I do like a package holiday where everything is taken care of for you – especially when travelling with kids x
Emma says
Thanks Cass. Sounds good to me! :)
Andrea says
The last few years we have done package holidays – life has been incredibly busy for us and we just want to go away and relax. As Sophie gets older though, I imagine holidays where we make our own way and really get to explore the cultures of the countries we visit. Even on package holidays we make a point of heading away from the beaten path.
Emma says
Thanks Andrea! :)
Emma says
I like booking everything separately but with three children the package holiday and all inclusive option makes for an easier break.
Emma says
I think I am going to have to think about it now we have three. Thanks Emma! :)
Laura says
I’ve never been on a package holiday. My husband and I have always preferred to book things independently as we tend to find we can get better deals and the overall cost of the holiday is always generally cheaper than a package one.
Having said that, we’re going on a cruise this year, which is all-inclusive. It’ll be interesting to see what that kind of holiday is like.
Emma says
Interesting. It has just occurred to me that I have been on a couple of cruises so I guess I have done a package holiday! Thanks Laura! :)
Karen Langridge says
I guess your right it is easier and much less stressful having it all taken care of as a package rather than having to research and figure out every detail for yourself :) x
Emma says
Thanks Karen. :)
Michelle Twin Mum says
All the early abroad holidays we took were packages. I think I am a bit scared of just booking a villa and then everything else separately around it but then the only abroad travel I have done in the last 10 years has been blogger trips and whilst they have been anything but package, they have been someone else organising everything. Mich x
Emma says
Thanks Mich x
Carolynne @ Mummy Endeavours says
Interesting. Well I’m not a big traveller but I would be the total opposite I think. I would feel safer flying with a tour operator than doing it myself. We’ve always booked through an agent and have never had a rubbish holiday… mind you we always go to decent areas! hehe. I like being given the option of tours etc. I’m not good off the beaten track! x
Emma says
It’s nice that there’s something for everyone too! Thanks Carolynne! :)
Erica Price says
We tend to do a mixture to be honest, but sometimes it’s nice not to have to worry about transfers and things. When we visit friends that can be part of the fun though.
Emma says
Thanks Erica! :)
Rosie Corriette says
I’m a fan of both, before Boo I hated the idea of a package holiday and always chose to travel independently – but with children comes the comfortable entity of package holidays and if I’m honest I quite like it :)
Emma says
It does sound a lot more straight forward, thanks Rosie! :)
Sonia says
I’ve never been on a package holiday so I’ve no idea. I’ve never really bee n out of this country so I think if I was to book a holiday it would be all inclusive so I know everything is covered.
Emma says
I think that’s why so many people love them Sonia. Thank you! :)
Kara says
I long to go back to Santorini, it is so beautiful isn’t it. I like the convenience of a package holiday but have to admit we used to stay in Greek Taverna’s or small hotels whenever we have visited Greece
Emma says
We stayed in a small hotel last time too, it was really lovely. Yes, such a beautiful place! :)
Charly Dove says
Funnily enough we were having a chat about this the other day. Package holidays are great for busy parents as the flights and accommodation are all sorted. You could say Mark Warner is a package holiday – they’re ace, we love their holidays although POD at school now so pricier. That said, we’ve also toured round Venezuela as a package although ten flights in ten days would have been a nightmare to organise!
Emma says
Thanks Charly! Love the sound of your Venezuela trip! :)
Cat (Parent Blogger News) says
My worry is that package holidays don’t always cater for families of five as it doesn’t work well with a lot of hotel rooms. Having said that I’m all for convenience given the option. Taking the kids to Munich is actually on my 40 before 40 list but I think we’ll organise that ourselves (and hit you up for advice before we go!).
Emma says
That is something we need to think about now as well. Thanks Cat. And yes, you must let me know when you plan on coming to Munich! :)
Jen says
Oh South Africa has a big place in my heart. We were talking about going back. We didn’t package it when we went last time, but now with kids I might
Emma says
It looks so much easier doesn’t it? I love it too. Will most definitely go back soon. Thanks Jen! :)
Adriana @changingplate.com says
I’m all about discovery and figuring things out on my own, get out and meet the locals, fly by the seat of you pants….but sometimes a break means just that a break. Go to a beach resort, sit my butt in the sand and just be told where and when. Not to think, I think it can be really good option to anything you’re already doing! Cheers from sofa! X
Emma says
That’s definitely a huge factor. A break should just be that, and as much as I love travelling, quite often I come back needing a break! :D Thanks Adriana, hope all is well! x
angela hamilton says
I think it depends on what you are after. I used to work for a world wide tour operator and we booked hotels and flights to all the usual and rather unusual places too.
Expedia is a good site to use
Emma says
Thanks very much Angela! :)
Nayna Kanabar says
I do like the convenience of a package holiday if I just want to go on a beach holiday although I prefer to make my own package when I go travelling as I like to take each day as it comes and plan accordingly.
Emma says
Thanks Nayna! Oh for a sunny beach (she says as a storm rages outside!) :D
mama syder says
Part of the fun of a holiday for me is the research and the planning. I prefer to do things my own way. Looking forward to reading about your Mum’s trip xxx
Emma says
Thanks Emma. Me too, must give her a nudge! :D xxx
Sarah MumofThree World says
I’ve hardly ever been on a package holiday either! Our honeymoon was one and our trip to Barcelona with the kids three years ago – both superior ones, not the comedy sort you describe! I can see the benefits of them because you don’t have to organise transport from the airport etc etc, so I’m sure we will do one again in the future.
(I will be laughing about the ‘group sex’ for the rest of the day!)
Emma says
Thanks Sarah. I like the idea of the superior ones! :D Yes, I think she definitely had a laugh working there…
Indiapink says
I laughed out loud reading this, I often think of those days and how much fun I had in that job. The pay was terrible but it didn’t matter! The uniform however was something else!! I love independent travel but think packages have their place for those that like it all to be done for them. The Golden Triangle package we did in India was amazing and we definitely did more than we would have been brave enough to do on our own xx
Emma says
I forgot you did the Golden Triangle as a package. Yes, those were the days weren’t they? Straight home to put your flared velvet jeans on before going back out again (thanks nineties fashion!) :D xxx
Rachel @ The Ordinary Lovely says
I’ve never been the biggest fan of package holidays until we went with the boys last year and it was a dream!! Everything was so easy, which was much needed at the time because we were beyond exhausted. I can’t see us doing something like that every year but it’s a good option if you simply don’t have the time or energy to do all the research.
Emma says
Just once in a while it seems like it might be a good idea! Thanks Rachel! :) xx
Jennifer says
We were always a bit snobby about package holidays and my husband and I always booked our trips independently, but since having children we’ve booked a few package holidays and it’s worked out cheaper and easier, for example having bus transfers booked from the airport. I’m afraid we never go to the welcome meetings though or book any of the excursions!
Emma says
I just couldn’t do the welcome meetings either. I hate that kind of thing! :D Thanks Jennifer…
midlife singlemum says
Sometimes package holidays hit the spot. One very wet summer cooped up indoors with three young sons, and even though they had decided not to go away that summer, in desperation my sister went into a local travel agents on the high street. It was already the beginning of August. She wanted at least 10 days, not too far, not too expensive, guaranteed warm weather, and leaving in the next couple of days. Of course there were cancelations and they left two days later for a fortnight in Bosnia. It was exactly what they needed and all they had to do was pay in the high street, pack and arrive at the airport on time.
Emma says
I think that’s why I like the idea of them, just turn up and go! Thanks Rachel! :)
Ginger says
I know exactly where you’re coming from! Get the skiing but the thought of an all-inclusive break in a country whose name I keep forgetting as all the staff are English-speaking…
We did it when I was 5 months’ pregnant, Italy, with a German company, and it was just as horrible as I expected. But we enjoyed the fact that we didn’t have to think or plan anything. Only moan and complain …
Emma says
Not thinking and not planning, sounds good to me (sometimes!) I did laugh at the moaning and complaining bit at the end of your comment! :D
Grace says
How funny that you should write this now when I’m deliberating whether to book my next trip to Burma independently or take the easy option of going by package holiday again. Talking to others I met on my trip, who were travelling independently, made me feel I had taken the cushy option and the thought of ‘doing it myself’ this time is exciting! On the other hand, the thought of being alone in a strange country, half way around the world, with no one to answer to but myself if something goes wrong …. I’m still doing the research!! x
Emma says
Mum, I am not being funny but take the easy option please unless you go with someone else… I know I get my “getting lost gene” from you xxx
Emma says
The wine really was that bad, wasn’t it! Great times though x
I’d forgotten about the Pizza and Group Sex things too. Very funny.
I know some friends who’ve been to Martinhell in Portugal on the package thing. V nice. Or you could come to Lapland with us in December! Package tour heaven I’m hoping!
Emma says
Thanks Em, yes I found some ski trip photos the other day. What did we look like??? Loving the sound of Lapland, let’s see where we end up! xx
Valerie Rees says
You get what you pay for! As for pool and sun now where could you find that and with built in babysitters?!
Emma says
Yes, I wonder where! :D We are very lucky x