How essential are holidays?

misskool

ninky wrote: »

interesting question. what exactly do we mean by a holiday? someone once said we need prisons to know that we are free. maybe we need work to know when we are on holiday.

if we live in a society where we are less alienated, the product of our work is more 'real', working hours are less consuming and the border between work and leisure less harsh maybe we don't feel the need for holidays. people who live somewhere pleasant and who enjoy what they do for most of the day probably don't feel the urge to escape. i suspect the majority of people in the uk however do feel the need to escape. this is where holidays come in.

I love my job but I still need a holiday from it.

To be fair, you would have to really love it for the amount you get paid for it.

ninky_2

misskool wrote: »

I love my job but I still need a holiday from it.

To be fair, you would have to really love it for the amount you get paid for it.

i think the real test comes when you think about whether you would still work if you came into a large amount of money like a lottery win. there's a real culture in certain sections of society to say how fantastic their jobs are yet i doubt that many would continue if they became multimillionaires. on the other hand, i think most new millionaires would consider a holiday or two......

lostinrates

ninky wrote: »

i think the real test comes when you think about whether you would still work if you came into a large amount of money like a lottery win. there's a real culture in certain sections of society to say how fantastic their jobs are yet i doubt that many would continue if they became multimillionaires. on the other hand, i think most new millionaires would consider a holiday or two......

Winning he lottery would enable me to return to work myself more easily and become an employer, thereby improving other lives too by being a good fair employer. I wouldn't hesitate. I'd love to be disgustingly rich, but I wouldn't sit on it, I'd make it work by allowing other people to earn and acheive something. DH and I have discussed this. He says he's work too, as much as anything for brain fitness, but he'd work in a different way....he'd me very less worried about career progression and consider working in a primarily pro bono role, preferably part time. I wouldn't say DH ''adores'' his job though.

misskool

ninky wrote: »

i think the real test comes when you think about whether you would still work if you came into a large amount of money like a lottery win. there's a real culture in certain sections of society to say how fantastic their jobs are yet i doubt that many would continue if they became multimillionaires. on the other hand, i think most new millionaires would consider a holiday or two......

I'd be much better at my job if I was a millionaire. I can afford someone to do up my house and clean it :rotfl:

SingleSue

After the week I have had, a holiday would be very nice indeed right now!

Loopy_Girl

SingleSue wrote: »

After the week I have had, a holiday would be very nice indeed right now!

And if I had the money, believe me I would send you on one xx

sjaypink

No

Are you still talking about hols? No to that- yes for the kids though...

Driving is not always boring- depends what car. I challenge anyone to still have their brain engaged after 17 mins in my car, let alone 17 hours!

treliac

chucknorris wrote: »

Great thanks, actual feedback about the ship itself, although I would be ok with sort of roughing it. My wife was hoping it would be a good experience after looking at photos and layouts of that ship on the internet as it seems to have decent enough restaurants, 2 cinemas, bars and cafes and live entertainment (not that I am expecting that to be much good). I was in the merchant navy for 6 months and I can't imagine it would be any more basic than that.

chucknorris wrote: »

What cabin did you get? Would you get the same one again?

The range of choice seems to be basic for £65/crossing, de-lux £110/crossing (incl £10 discount as only 2 of us) and the best with balcony £215/crossing.

I think we will go for the middle one as it has proper beds (not bunk beds) (bunk beds only for 3rd and 4th person, and only 2 of us) and has a satelite tv, dvd, and comes with breakfast in the cabin, complimentary bar etc well worth the extra £45 IMO. I would pay a lot more again if we could have our dog in the cabin

Hi chuck

We went, for the experience, because we had a promotional offer. We took the short break option and stayed at one of the hotels they can arrange (the lovely Gran Hotel Victoria). Hired a car for a day and enjoyed the region very much. It's not a typical Brit holiday place and that was even more enjoyable! We learnt a few phrases and got by okay. On board we met some people who used it to access their holiday in the south of France. The joy is that you can take your car with you if you wish.

As far as the ship went - it was a very good experience. There's a variety of eating options. The return journey was much smoother and we enjoyed a really good meal in the best restaurant, which was on a par with a good land-based restaurant.

There was lots to do and, although it was high season busy, there were plenty of quiet areas to find. We had a cabin on the same level and close to the main bar and entertainment area. I was worried that it might be noisy but, once inside, it was tranquil and peaceful. We travelled basic class but had an outside cabin. I didn't want to be without a view! The cabin was small but clean and functional and it was only one overnight each way.

The entertainment was lively and fun and in the main bar area. I believe there were 3 or 4 entertainers who were chatting and singing, which was perfectly acceptable though we didn't spend much time there. I have to confess also to a half hour of bingo - just to fill in some time I must point out. I did spend a fair bit of time mooching around the shopping area though. Someone played the piano close to the top end restaurant. All in all it was well and tastefully done, I felt. We didn't go to the cinema and I'm sure we didn't visit everywhere else either. It's a pretty big place to get round.

I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Haven't travelled by ferry to Calais for a good few years, since the tunnel opened, but The Pont Aven is in a completely different class of comfort. There again, I haven't had a luxury cruise either but I've certainly got the hots for one now.

I did the virtual tour before we went and, I have to say, I was not disappointed. It definitely wasn't roughing it by any stretch. From what you have said, I should think you would enjoy yourselves too.

Note to Brittany Ferries - I'm open to commission for advertising write-ups. :cool:

treliac

PasturesNew wrote: »

- I've never had a posh meal like that, any lunch I had would be a cheese sandwich from a petrol station

You'd be lucky, they don't do non-meat in France. It's all jambon, jambon, jambon. I could have starved!!

Generali

treliac wrote: »

You'd be lucky, they don't do non-meat in France. It's all jambon, jambon, jambon. I could have starved!!

I went to France with a veggie mate. He lived off green salad and oeufs sur plat.