S/O of destinations that jumped the shark - has travel jumped the shark for you?

[Anonymous]

I'm wondering if I've fundamentally changed with age or what. We just got back from a week + in Ireland, and my whole review of the trip would be that it was fine. We were not lucky with the weather - it rained a good bit, so I'm sure that's part of it, but I found Dublin to be pretty "meh" (also dirty), and the teeny, narrow roads made traveling to see the sights not very enjoyable.

We went to Ireland once before - over 20 years ago - and enjoyed that trip much more, even with the roads. This time was just stressful as far as the driving. And I was not hugely impressed with anything we saw. The towns/villages were cute, the music was nice, food was pretty much ok. The only thing that was exceptional was the Ring of Kerry drive.

I've traveled a lot - lived overseas for 10+ years, and I think maybe I am just traveled out.

Anyone else?

[Anonymous]

All because of one bad trip?

[Anonymous]

This is exactly how I felt upon returning from an international trip last summer. Travel has definitely jumped the shark for me. I stayed home this summer for the most part and I’m glad.

[Anonymous]

Jumped the shark? I had to google that. No, travel is still a fun, high quality experience for me. But I understand that it’s not for everyone.

[Anonymous]

So interesting that I was wondering the same thing. I used to love to travel and traveled frequently. Now it seems like such a chore and half the time I don’t really enjoy it more than having a staycation.

All the add on costs like resort fees at a not spectacle mid cost hotel, having to pay extra to reserve a seat in an airplane, etc. I find ridiculous. So many activities are so expensive and some places are just so crowded now.

I am trying to figure out if it because I am getting older or the world really has changed that much.

It used to be I got a lot of pleasure during the lead up phase to travel. All the anticipation that I had travel plans. Now I just feel more stressed about it the upcoming trip and worry more about how much I am spending.

Maybe when it’s just my husband and I traveling in a couple of years when both are kids are in college. Or Perhaps after they graduate college and we retire then I will once again enjoy traveling.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:All because of one bad trip?

OP here - it wasn't even a bad trip. There were parts of it that I would have loved in years past and I just found myself not that interested. We were there with another family - they live overseas so this was a meetup. If not for that I think I would have come back and wondered why we spent all that money.

I will say this about Ireland - their zero alcohol drink game is strong. I don't drink and that was a pleasant surprise.

[Anonymous]

Changed not jumped the shark. It’s gotten a lot busier and crowded. I do think people are getting tired of the Insta craziness (going places just to take pics and post) and there is a bit a backlash of checking off places on a list vs enjoying time off. I think with climate change and frankly near future economy crashing, people are going to stay closer and not be so overt about their travels.

[Anonymous]

OP, I agree 100%. I've traveled all over the globe and lived overseas. I'm not that into discovering yet another foreign city. I'm looking into all inclusives so I can just relax on the beach.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm wondering if I've fundamentally changed with age or what. We just got back from a week + in Ireland, and my whole review of the trip would be that it was fine. We were not lucky with the weather - it rained a good bit, so I'm sure that's part of it, but I found Dublin to be pretty "meh" (also dirty), and the teeny, narrow roads made traveling to see the sights not very enjoyable.

We went to Ireland once before - over 20 years ago - and enjoyed that trip much more, even with the roads. This time was just stressful as far as the driving. And I was not hugely impressed with anything we saw. The towns/villages were cute, the music was nice, food was pretty much ok. The only thing that was exceptional was the Ring of Kerry drive.

I've traveled a lot - lived overseas for 10+ years, and I think maybe I am just traveled out.

Anyone else?

Yes

Expensive , crowded and tedious , not worth the money.

I am much happier at home with friends and family

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, I agree 100%. I've traveled all over the globe and lived overseas. I'm not that into discovering yet another foreign city. I'm looking into all inclusives so I can just relax on the beach.

This whole thread could be me. I lived in a foreign country and now work in the travel industry.

I’m trying to pick a vacation for my family next year and I don’t even wanna deal with it because of crowds, heat, jet, lag, and the expense. Also, my teenagers don’t even want to go.

I think if I had a month or more to really enjoy a place w my spouse, I could get used to that. Also, if I didn’t have to travel when everybody else is traveling, that would be better. But traveling during spring break or summer break to the places that everybody wants to go to is just no fun.

[Anonymous]

This is all subjective.

Some love to travel, others love to stay put. Some want to relax on a beach while others want to explore. Figure out what makes you happy and just do it.

Fwiw, Ireland can be a bit of a let down. It’s very Americanized and much of it lacks the obvious charm you see in other European destinations. Add bad weather on top of it and I can easily see why anyone could be disappointed.

Others have pointed out disappointment with crowds, cost, heat, hassles, and grumpy kids. This is why a lot of us take easy vacations when traveling with kids and save the trips we are dying to take until the kids have launched. Heck, I know several older women who travel exclusively with their gal pals because their husbands aren’t interested in traveling the way these fun women are.

Figure out what would make you happy and just do it.

[Anonymous]

I'm not that into discovering yet another foreign city.

Same. I'm sure I'd feel differently if I had money and if I hadn't already traveled a lot in my life. But the idea of spending a lot to be a tourist somewhere? I'm not into it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm wondering if I've fundamentally changed with age or what. We just got back from a week + in Ireland, and my whole review of the trip would be that it was fine. We were not lucky with the weather - it rained a good bit, so I'm sure that's part of it, but I found Dublin to be pretty "meh" (also dirty), and the teeny, narrow roads made traveling to see the sights not very enjoyable.

We went to Ireland once before - over 20 years ago - and enjoyed that trip much more, even with the roads. This time was just stressful as far as the driving. And I was not hugely impressed with anything we saw. The towns/villages were cute, the music was nice, food was pretty much ok. The only thing that was exceptional was the Ring of Kerry drive.

I've traveled a lot - lived overseas for 10+ years, and I think maybe I am just traveled out.

Anyone else?

Dublin is meh. I like the vibe there but it's not pretty.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is all subjective.

Some love to travel, others love to stay put. Some want to relax on a beach while others want to explore. Figure out what makes you happy and just do it.

Fwiw, Ireland can be a bit of a let down. It’s very Americanized and much of it lacks the obvious charm you see in other European destinations. Add bad weather on top of it and I can easily see why anyone could be disappointed.

Others have pointed out disappointment with crowds, cost, heat, hassles, and grumpy kids. This is why a lot of us take easy vacations when traveling with kids and save the trips we are dying to take until the kids have launched. Heck, I know several older women who travel exclusively with their gal pals because their husbands aren’t interested in traveling the way these fun women are.

Figure out what would make you happy and just do it.

Well, yes. I don't think anyone is disputing different strokes for different folks, more that the travel that once excited me now kind of feels like a chore.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, I agree 100%. I've traveled all over the globe and lived overseas. I'm not that into discovering yet another foreign city. I'm looking into all inclusives so I can just relax on the beach.

OP here - I think I am just about here. I do like the idea of a VRBO/Air BnB somewhere to get together with family and friends, but I think I'm over seeing the sights in foreign capitals. Our other choice for this trip was Barcelona. I am very glad we didn't do that even though I like Barcelona (have been a few times). I think I would've hated it.