What is important to you on your holiday abroad? During our trip to Bulgaria, we started thinking about what's important to us when it comes to hotels, food and beaches - and how it might be for others. Now we're curious to hear how you think and prioritise!
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'Good' or 'bad' - can it depend on your preferences?
Is a hotel good or bad? Does a restaurant serve good or boring food? Is a beach beautiful or not beautiful? Of course, there may be some objective measures, but it also depends on what you are looking for and what you think is important. In addition, the experience may be related to the price.
Two events during the trip in Bulgaria made us think and discuss a lot about how we and others "value" experiences on holiday abroad:
A hotel we didn't like very much
We stayed one night in a hotel that we did not like very much. The location was good and the rooms were nice, but we found the food boring and not very good. For us, food is a very important part of the trip, so therefore the "boring" food disturbed our experience. But maybe others think differently? That the location, price and all-inclusive model are more important than the food?
A beach we found paradise-like
We visited a beach that we thought was absolutely beautiful. We posted a picture on Instagram and wrote "paradise beach". One reader commented "njaaa". Maybe it was because we didn't manage to reproduce the beach well enough, or maybe this person simply had a different idea of what a beautiful beach should look like?
We started thinking about this and now we want to know how you think and prioritise hotels, food and beaches when travelling abroad!
What is most important to you when choosing a hotel?
We can stay in both simple and fancy hotels, but regardless, it is important for us that the staff is friendly and the food is well prepared. A decent location is also important! Extra luxuries like spas, gyms and pools are nice, but not necessary. The room may well be fresh, but does not have to be luxurious, we rarely spend so much time there ...
What is most important to you when choosing a hotel?
- That the room is fresh?
- That the service is good?
- That the food is tasty and well prepared?
- That it is all-inclusive so that both food and alcohol are included?
- That the price is low/reasonable?
- That the location is good for everything you want to see and do?
- That there is a gym, spa or pool?
- That it feels luxurious?
- Other ...?
What is good food on holiday abroad for you?
When we're on holiday abroad, we like to eat everything from street food to fine dining (or in the camper van if we're travelling with it). For us, food is an important part of the experience and we like to feel that it's prepared with care. We like to try local food and things that are new to us, and different restaurant concepts are fun. We prefer to avoid excessively large buffets that feel like "big kitchens".
What is good food when travelling abroad for you?
- The "right" kind of food, i.e. the kind you like?
- Exciting exotic food that you don't eat at home?
- Cheap/affordable food?
- Good quality food?
- The restaurant environment is more important than the food?
- Other ...?
What kind of beaches do you like?
We don't spend much time on beaches anymore, but we like small beaches and coves, preferably framed by mountains or cliffs. It's a big plus if the water is clear and a beautiful colour. Mile-long beaches lined with big hotels are ok, but can feel quite impersonal.
What kind of beaches do you like?
- Long or short?
- Popular or obscure?
- Fine-grained or stony?
- Other ...?
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Maria's Memoirs says:
That beach looks absolutely paradise in my eyes 🙂 Really interesting themes, maybe should write a separate post about these things! But in short, I prefer accommodation (does not have to be a hotel) that is a little different / charming / beautiful out of the ordinary. Simple boring hotel rooms can be enough if I intend to be so busy that I really do not do anything other than sleep there.
The food can be varied - I like to try new dishes from the country that I haven't eaten before, but sometimes I want something simpler or more familiar, like a pizza. But most of the time I choose dishes that I don't usually eat at home. The experience is also enhanced by a cosy or beautiful atmosphere.
The beaches can be long or small, as long as they're not too crowded and preferably a place where the locals enjoy themselves. Preferably in a quiet bay so you don't have to swim in high waves.
01 August 2021 - 8:20
Lisa says:
The location is the most important. Preferably with a nice view and not in a disturbing environment with heavy traffic or a nightclub next door.
Good breakfast a plus , as we like to look for good restaurants on our own. and try new domestic dishes . Seafood is the favourite on the menu.
Long sandy beaches are magical, but proximity to water is the key.
Nice nature to experience is definitely a plus.
01 August 2021 - 9:49
Helena says:
Lisa, good reflection about not having a disturbing environment. I did not think about that at all, but once you are disturbed you think about it ... We also love shellfish 🙂 .
01 August 2021 - 14:50
Helena says:
Maria, yes, it would be great if you wanted to write a post! Also interesting to hear your reflections! Can recognise the idea of wanting to vary more exciting food with something more "homely" from time to time. Good reflection also that with the waves. I did not think of that, but I also do not like to swim or swim when there are too many waves.
01 August 2021 - 14:45
Ama de casa says:
When it comes to hotels, the location is important and that there is a shower and toilet in the room. Wi-Fi is also good, but Anders usually has "emergency solutions" so it always works out. Even if there is Wi-Fi at the hotel, it doesn't always work so well...
We have lived both simply and luxuriously (usually simple), but if it is just clean, both work. (Although I prefer to live on paradors... 😉 ).
The food is of course important and a big part of the trip. We like to try new things and food that is specific to the destination, but sometimes it is good to try a pizza too 😀.
We hardly ever visit the beaches, but it is nice if they are beautiful and preferably with a nice promenade above/near the beach itself.
Oh well. Now I got the urge to travel again 🙂 Just wondering if there will be a trip abroad this year? Possibly to Portugal then, but it depends on how the situation develops.
01 August 2021 - 9:51
Helena says:
Interesting to hear your reflections! I don't usually think about WiFi anymore, now that roaming is free. But of course it is a thing that can also be important if you need it!!! We also like nice beach walks 🙂 ðŸ™'
01 August 2021 - 14:52
Ditte says:
I rarely go to beaches these days. Not other than to swim. And my choice here will be beaches where there are not so many tourists and which are beautifully located with nice greenery around. In addition, I would like to have crystal clear water and that it should not be like an "amusement park". I have visited these beaches in Asia but also in Europe in Corsica, Sardinia and Greece in some places.
Food is an important part of travelling and I like to choose small local restaurants. As for hotels, in a city I want a quiet location but still central. By the sea I choose a hotel that has beautiful surroundings and preferably a smaller boutique hotel. Hotels with "all inclusive" are out of the question, as are hotels that feel like a factory. I am completely uninterested in the pool. (Unless it is private and included in the room. Then it is something else).
01 August 2021 - 14:04
Helena says:
Interesting to hear your reasoning! In many and much like how we think, not least that you do not want it to feel like an "amusement park" or a "factory". A pool is not exactly on our list either, but when it's a really nice pool we can still appreciate it. Private pool by the room sounds luxurious and lovely! 🙂
01 August 2021 - 14:54
Snows says:
When choosing a hotel, we want it to be centrally located. It doesn't have to be luxurious or big but we prefer smaller and personal hotels. Clean and reasonably comfortable beds and a private bathroom are a requirement. Balcony or patio is preferred. Preferably a pool because it is nice to take a dip after the beach.
When it comes to food and drink, we have tried all-inclusive, which we found boring after only a few days. Half the fun is finding cosy restaurants and we like to try local specialities.
Since we live in Skanör, we are spoilt with several nice beaches close by so we are quite picky. The water should of course be crystal clear and it can get deep quickly. It doesn't have to be kilometre-long sandy beaches but preferably smaller beaches with nature close by. One of my absolute favourite beaches abroad is the small Krioneri beach in Parga. Incredibly beautiful!
01 August 2021 - 15:19
Helena says:
Interesting to hear! We are probably like you when it comes to restaurants, much more fun to try different small ones than to eat at the same hotel all the time ...! And when you live in Skanör, well then you are really spoilt with fantastic beaches!!! Thank you for the tip about the beach in Parga 🙂.
02 August 2021 - 15:33
Seija Viitamäki-Carlsson says:
Thank you for your good reports. We have stopped flying, but travel by motorhome. Preferably long distances. The car should not be difficult. Good pitches are nice. Good campsites. Good cycle paths all around. Long walks in forests and mountains. Always try to think about our age. 75 and 73 years. Plan to go by motorhome as long as we can. In September Berlin, Leipzig, Karlovy Vary (again). Towards Verona, Garda and home through Austria, Germany and Denmark. Best are the spontaneous deviations from the plan.
01 August 2021 - 15:21
Helena says:
So glad to hear that you like our reports! 🙂 What an exciting journey you have ahead of you!!!
02 August 2021 - 15:34
BP says:
The hotel or apartment must be centrally located. Hotel food or even worse all inclusive has never been our style. Food is best at restaurants in town or in villages, preferably hole-in-the-wall with local specialities.
Paradise beach - it is very individual I would guess. Now we are not "sandy beach people" at all, but I probably prefer wide, well maintained sandy beaches without such "four-poster beds". Sunbeds are okay. Then I'd probably want water holes at a suitable distance on the beaches.
01 August 2021 - 19:22
Helena says:
Interesting to hear your preferences! Local holes in the wall can be exciting, I agree!
02 August 2021 - 15:35
Berit "desires" says:
Nice post!
I think the beach you posted in the picture is delicious! - Rather appreciate smaller bays with crystal clear water, in beautiful surroundings!
As for accommodation, we often stay in apartments (airbnb type) but also cosy smaller hotels. Dislike large hotel complexes and all inclusive. .
Most important when I choose accommodation is walking distance to cosy village / town and any beach, and balcony with nice views (preferably sea view) Pool not interesting! Preferably eat at small nice taverns in the village, which are characterised by good food, but also pizza etc (especially in Italy!).
01 August 2021 - 20:48
Helena says:
Glad you liked the post! Interesting to hear how you reason and prioritise! All inclusive does not seem to be very popular among our readers 😉.
02 August 2021 - 15:36
Emilie - Travels by Knutte says:
For me, the location of the hotel is usually the most important thing. But like everything else, it also depends on what kind of trip it is. I usually don't care about the food at the hotel, breakfast is not my favourite and I prefer to eat out somewhere. As for the restaurant, I like when it is located in a charming place, perhaps with some view and tastes just as much exotic. 😉
07 August 2021 - 16:19
Lena - good for the soul says:
Interesting question. Hmm. And a difficult one. I prefer not to choose the cheapest variants. Not because I have to have so "luxurious" but I imagine that it is worse in several ways. Bad beds, noisy, lots of noise from the street, bad/dangerous hoods. Then of course there are exceptions.
I don't usually think about the food at the hotel because we usually eat somewhere else. Then we like to eat local food. If there is something on the menu I do not understand what it is, I will gladly take it.
Central or not central depends on the type of trip and what we intend to do, but usually it will be quite central.
As I said, it is very different what you value. "Interesting" sometimes to read people's reviews on TripAdvisor. It seems that some people have crazy expectations that are not proportional to the price. Doesn't feel very nice.
Great post!
Hug Lena
09 August 2021 - 19:38