Girls holiday - expectations v reality
It's not all fun and laughter
As holiday season is nearly here, have you decided when, where and who, you will be going with this year?
Holidaying with your mates can be a fantastic experience and something everyone should do, but sometimes it doesn't go quite to plan.
If you're going on holiday with your friends, what could possibly go wrong?
Expectation: All your mates are up for the holiday.
Reality: No one can decide on the dates or destination, or even a budget.
Expectation: Everyone turns up to the airport on time.
Reality: You're waiting on THAT friend who is always late.
Expectation: Your luggage is the correct weight, size and shape.
Reality: Your luggage weighs too much and you have to pay an excess or leave it behind.
Expectation: It's going to be the most amazing holiday.
Reality: You're homesick after one day.
Expectation: You're booked into a luxurious five star hotel with a lovely room, spa and swimming pool.
Reality: The budget wouldn't stretch that far and you're in a two star dive which could do with a lick of paint.
Expectation: It's so hot out there, it's fine though, the air conditioning in your room will cool you down.
Reality: Air conditioning? What air conditioning?
Expectation: Swimming in the sea every day is heavenly.
Reality: Swimming in salt water is taking its toll on your hair and you begin to look like Monica from Friends.
Expectation: Relaxing in the sun is lovely.
Reality: Lying on your sunburn is unbearable.
Expectation: You'll be up partying all night and sunbathing all day.
Reality: You'll be recovering from a hangover and won't surface until the sun has set.
Expectation: Sharing a room with your best mate will be great, you can chat and reminisce.
Reality: Your mate snores and you don't get any sleep.
Expectation: You take perfect photos every time and get hundreds of likes on Instagram.
Reality: After 20 selfies you give up and the photo you choose just gets one like, from your mum. You can always count on her!
Expectation: It's a girls holiday so someone will have a steamy holiday romance.
Reality: Most friends have partners, for those who don't, well where ARE all those steamy bods?!
Expectation: You're all still best friends at the end of the holiday.
Reality: Some of them aren't talking to each other and others might have just gone home!
Now take a look at some amazing Airbnb places:
Log cabin with hot tub, near Bath
The log cabin is a warm, cosy retreat away from the hustle and bustle of city life. Unwind in the hot tub under the stars, or sit and relax on the private deck.
Log cabin with hot tub
The cabin has an open plan lounge with two sofas (one is a sofa bed) as well as a kitchen area with hob, cooker and fridge.
Cosy vintage American caravan, Somerset/Devon/Dorset border
Dip your toes into the rural 1950s with a stay in a comfy, fully refurbished, air-float caravan.
Cosy vintage American caravan
Set in its own private garden with bbq area, outdoor fire pit and dining table, you can collect eggs fresh from the chickens, and don't forget to pet the pigs!
Beautiful Gothic church conversion, near Wells
This gorgeous Gothic church, has been tastefully converted into a six bedroom house, with stunning original features, and sleeps 17 (a few more with a squash)!
Beautiful Gothic church conversion
The converted church is in a peaceful village, 2 miles from the historic Cathedral City of Wells, 30 mins from Bath and Bristol.
Unique holiday experience in a railway carriage, Saint Austell
The SIPHON offers a special glamping holiday where your carbon footprint will be minimal - as they source as much as they can from local suppliers and ask guests to recycle/compost.
Unique holiday experience in a railway carriage
The SIPHON is off grid - solar power provides electricity for lighting and charging mobile phones - and there is a 'green' waterless toilet. A really exciting and different holiday experience with outside space for barbecuing and play.
Boatel, Machynlleth
Be under no illusion this is like camping under a wooden roof! Not glamping or a hotel. Boatel guests share the boat roofed shed with other guests and residents and no one has exclusivity on this structure.
Boatel
The boat is old and dusty with the occasional spider, an unusual and quirky experience!
The views are stunning. Sorry no dogs but there are two friendly dogs that live there, cats and ex-caged chickens.
Lovely old house and art deco cinema, Axbridge
A fabulous, stylish place to stay for a group or a family holiday! Not ideal for the crazier hen parties (though open to discuss details of your particular needs).
Lovely old house and art deco cinema
This is a fabulous place to stay in a restored old Georgian coaching inn (with older parts) on the southern slopes of the Mendip Hills in Somerset. Stylish and quirky, with contemporary art and fittings as well as vintage and antique furnishings, the house accommodates at least 11 people.
Spiral straw bale studio, near Canterbury
This house as a beautiful and unique hand-built straw bale studio overlooking open countryside.
Spiral straw bale studio
It has great transport links to Canterbury's historic centre and nearby beaches and a garden location, with a secluded patio for al fresco dining.
Garden refuge in style, Naunton, Cheltenham
This cabin has the feel of a true hideaway, with the light of the pond outside reflecting on the ceiling, you could be anywhere.
Garden refuge in style
This is an unusual space in a beautiful Cotswold garden. It is very calming and romantic. In addition you could rent the Quintessential Cotswold Cottage located in the same romantic garden.
Romany caravan at Bush Meadows, near Bude
This is a unique stay in a traditional Romany caravan furnished with some mod cons to make your stay comfortable and enjoyable.
Romany caravan at Bush Meadows
The caravan has an electric stove, lights, television, DVD player and tea making facilities.
Stargazer in country garden, Holcombe Rogus
A rustic stargazer where you can fall asleep watching the stars and wake up to the sound of birdsong! A rural spot, far from street lighting, the sky lights up on clear nights.
Stargazer in country garden
Simple, basic, but unusual accommodation. This is a wooden A-frame structure with enough room for two to sleep in with a mainly glass roof.
Here be dragons..., Westhall
Echoing the medieval mapping practice of placing dragons and mythological beasts in uncharted seas, the phrase, "here be dragons" has become shorthand for that which is fascinating and unexplored.
Here be dragons...
Here's an opportunity to conduct your own exploration of a previously uncharted house (meaning its not been available to stay in) . A choice of two beautiful bedrooms each with en suite bathroom (bath and digital shower-over) in this award-winning oak frame building (built 2011) known locally as the Dragon House.
Dairsie Castle, Fife
Dairsie Castle is a unique self-catered property which sleeps 14. Located close to St. Andrews (15 minutes drive) and Edinburgh (1 hour drive), it is an ideal setting for a holiday to explore the heart of Scotland.
Dairsie Castle
First sited in the 12th Century, Dairsie has been the location of secret Scottish parliaments, military sieges, and safe haven for escapee monarchs (James VI and I in 1583).
Wherever you decide to go, and whoever you decide to go with, make sure you enjoy your time off.
Happy holidays!
If you're going away then you might find these beach holiday hacks useful!