Most people dream of escaping the daily grind during their summer breaks, fantasizing about exotic beaches, far-off cities, or quaint European towns.
But for many of us, the truth is simpler: the best part of any holiday is coming home.
In fact, a recent survey of 2,000 UK holidaymakers found that 52 percent feel returning to the comforts of home tops the whole experience.
And I wholeheartedly agree—though in my case, I’d argue it’s the best part, bar none.
Five Days Away and Already Homesick
No matter how much we anticipate our trips, it seems only a few days away are enough to make us long for familiar surroundings.
Our own beds, daily routines, pets, favorite TV shows—even the simple pleasure of a properly made British cup of tea—quickly start to feel like luxuries.
DFS, the sofa retailing company behind the survey, confirms what many of us secretly know: the magic of home often outweighs the allure of far-flung adventures.
Youthful Dreams vs. Reality
In my younger days, I yearned for endless travel—new sights, tastes, and experiences.
But money was tight, and Europe was the farthest my bachelor adventures took me.
Marriage, four boys, and work commitments meant that more ambitious trips had to wait.
Now, with the boys grown, the mortgage behind us, and more freedom than ever, I could travel anywhere we fancy.
Yet, truthfully, even five days on the Isle of Wight felt more than sufficient this summer.
Holiday Mishaps That Leave Their Mark
It’s not that I’ve lost my spirit of adventure entirely.
But after decades of family holidays, what lingers most are mishaps and anxiety.
There was the time in Pompeii when our three-year-old fell into a massive Roman wine jar, leaving only his head and feet visible. Or the Tuscany villa incident where he broke his arm laughing at a book.
Trips to hospital abroad also left their mark, like a mysterious illness in Normandy that vanished the moment tests were scheduled, or the time near Toulouse when I skewered my head on a chandelier and ended up in a vintage ambulance.
And let’s not forget more mundane disasters—blowouts, missed ferries, or pickpockets in Rome.
Stress Multiplied Abroad
Even when everything goes smoothly, foreign holidays carry a constant undercurrent of stress.
Have we locked the windows, turned off the gas, packed the passports? Airport queues, baggage claims, hire cars, unfamiliar roads, and currency conversions all add to the mental load.
Mrs. U and I, hopeless at maths, often find these little tasks exhausting.
Home Sweet Home
All of these headaches make returning home an unmatched joy.
There’s nothing quite like spotting the Isle of Wight or the White Cliffs of Dover from a plane or ferry, sinking into your own comfy bed, ordering a favorite takeaway, and enjoying the familiar comforts of your kitchen, your TV, and your routine.
For me, that moment is the pinnacle of any holiday—a reminder that sometimes the simplest pleasures are the most satisfying.
