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in Life & Leisure, Travel, Travel Australia

What Type of Holidayer are you?

  • October 9, 2015
  • By 50 Shades
  • 24 Comments
What Type of Holidayer are you?

What makes a holiday destination special? For some it is five-star all the way with top of the range accommodation, gourmet food, wines, shopping at designer brand stores and personally guided tours to the main touristy attractions. At the other end of the spectrum is the budget holidayer, staying at Youth Hostels, couch surfing or sleeping in cheap Hotels, bumming their way around to see the sites and surviving on a diet of instant noodles and street food.

Holiday experiences are a very personal thing. For some they barely leave the city or town that they live in and holiday close by. Many people like to holiday at the same seaside location year after year because it is within their budget, they are comfortable with this and are maybe a tad frightened to look further afield.

A. Bali or B. Exmouth?

A. Bali Beach Resort or B. In the middle of nowhere in Exmouth, WA

Other people do venture overseas, but only to our nearby cousins, Bali and Thailand, because it only involves a shortish flight and is very affordable. You can holiday in Asia for about $100 AUD a day, including 4 star accommodation, meals and drinks. Plus you can walk down the street and have a massage or beauty treatment for as little as $10 AUD.

Flying on long haul flights can put a lot of people off travelling to overseas destinations. The whole process of checking-in, going through security and immigration, boarding and the actual flight can test anyone’s patience and it can be a very uncomfortable experience. For some there is also the anxiety of flying or the threat of a terrorist being aboard the flight. Not everyone can have the attitude that “flying is safer than driving a car”!

A. London on a Double Decker or B. Hiking in The Bungles Bungles

A. London, UK on a Double Decker Bus or B. Hiking in The Bungles Bungles, WA

For those cashed-up travellers where money is no option, or have saved up for that once-in-a-lifetime holiday, luxury is paramount. It is as though they want to pack up their entire home and travel with “everything but the kitchen sink”, so that they will not miss all the comforts of home!

According to Visa Affluent Traveller Survey, the affluent traveller it seems like travel experiences that show “a sense of status, exclusivity and uniqueness” and prefer upscale hotels to mid-scale ones, although boutique hotels are also popular. They also list their main preferred activities when travelling abroad as relaxing on a beach as their top pick (44% of respondents), while 36% want shopping in popular or large shopping centres and 35% prefer exploring landmarks independently.

However, I am guessing that the “affluent traveller” rarely gets off the beaten track and actually has an authentic travel experience, like exploring a remote beach at one of the lesser known beachside villages spread all along the Australian coastline. I’m also guessing that not many of these tourists have been to West Australia or to Central Australia, let alone roughed it in a tent!

A. Times Square,New York or B. Bush camping at Pemberton

A. Times Square,New York, US or B. Bush camping at Pemberton, WA

I have experienced travel at many different levels, from camping in a tent, camping in a caravan, touring in a campervan, sailing on a yacht, a luxury cruise, staying in Bed & Breakfasts, roughing it in cheap hotels to luxury five star hotel resorts. I must say that each travel experience has been unique and enjoyable. I have fond memories of camping in our tent with our small children and also have the same great memories of chillaxing in a five star resort in Vietnam.

However, by far the best travel experience I have ever had is seven months touring in a 4WD and caravan doing the big lap of Australia. The best things we experienced were the ones that involved getting off the beaten track, like swimming with Whale Sharks in Exmouth, hiking in gorges in The Kimberley, walking on a remote beach picking up shells on the Eyre Peninsula and 4WD driving on rough dusty red-dirt tracks into Cape Leveque, WA.

A. 5 Start Resort, Thailand or B. Caravan Park at Lake Argyle

A. 5 Star Resort, Thailand or B. Caravan Park at Lake Argyle, WA

For us this was a true holiday experience as we saw absolutely everything that the particular destination had to offer, even if it meant getting right out of our comfort zones on several occasions. This sense of being in the moment in a foreign place has made me a better traveller and made me appreciate the beauty and mystique of places I have visited.

So for me, I am the adventurous type of holidayer, who doesn’t want to settle for just staying in a resort or visiting the same place year after year. I like a variety of experiences in different travel locations with different cultures, cuisine and attractions. So I like to mix it up a bit and travel in my own amazing country, but also travel abroad to see new places. I want to seek and explore!

A. Amongst crazy traffic in Hanoi, Vietnam or B. Riding a Camel at sunset along Cable Beach, Broome

A. Amongst crazy traffic in Hanoi, Vietnam or B. Riding a Camel at sunset along Cable Beach, Broome, WA

What type of holidayer are you? Take my quick quiz to find out. Choose either A. or B. from the photos above. If you choose mainly A’s then you are a 5 star type of holidayer. If you choose both A’s and B’s you enjoy a mixture of holiday experiences (5 star down to roughing it). If you choose mainly B’s then you don’t mind roughing it and having a lot of adventure on your holidays! Leave your answer in the comments.

Linking up with Travel Photo Thursday

Linking up with Weekend Travel Inspiration

 

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By 50 Shades, October 9, 2015 Kathy was a 50 something year old when she started up this blog 6 years ago, but has since turned over another decade and is now in her early 60s. She is married with two adult children and lives on the Tweed Coast of New South Wales, Australia. Kathy enjoys living life to the fullest and loves to keep fit and active by maintaining a healthy diet and exercising regularly. Some of her interests include reading, photography, travelling, cooking and blogging! Kathy works part-time as a freelance writer but her real passion is travelling and photographing brilliant destinations both within Australia and overseas and writing about it.
  • 24

50 Shades

Kathy was a 50 something year old when she started up this blog 6 years ago, but has since turned over another decade and is now in her early 60s. She is married with two adult children and lives on the Tweed Coast of New South Wales, Australia. Kathy enjoys living life to the fullest and loves to keep fit and active by maintaining a healthy diet and exercising regularly. Some of her interests include reading, photography, travelling, cooking and blogging! Kathy works part-time as a freelance writer but her real passion is travelling and photographing brilliant destinations both within Australia and overseas and writing about it.

24 Comments
  • Rae Hilhorst
    October 9, 2015

    Hi Kathy, I think I’m a bit of both. As long as I can plug in my hair dryer. I love the look on you face with all those bikes behind you xxx

    • Kathy
      October 9, 2015

      Yes I like to mix up it up a bit as well. I was able to use my hairdryer all the way around Australia thanks to battery and solar power in our caravan. The streets in Hanoi were crazy and I was terrified! Crossing the street is taking your life into your hands! :)

  • budgettraveltalk
    October 9, 2015

    I love visiting a country with a different culture – Morocco, Laos, Turkey yep I do. We are budget travelers and by that I don’t mean hostel dormitories but Airbnb, Housesitting, Apartments, Affordable Hotels. But I am really excited that you rate the big lap above all of your other experiences, because we have yet to go the whole way around in one go. We’ve travelled the coast except for Cape York and across the Nullarbor and done some outback trips especially in Queensland but look forward to hitching up the van and going around with our Van and 4WD especially in W.A.

    • Kathy
      October 9, 2015

      I think we are on the same page Jan, when it comes to travel. I love my own country, but I also enjoy holidaying overseas and exploring different cultures. Our trip around Australia did blow my mind, particularly the west. :)

  • Jenny P
    October 9, 2015

    No surprise that like you Kathy, I’m a bit of both. Love a comfy, luxurious stay for a couple of nights, but for a longer trip being able to walk in the outdoors and explore the local environment is my preference. Can’t wait to hitch up a caravan and follow your blogposts as we make our way around Australia. We will have to practice a little first!

    • Kathy
      October 9, 2015

      I think we all like a little luxury and indulgence now and again. However, I don’t mind roughing it a bit either. There is a certain amount of freedom in not worrying about hair and makeup for weeks or even months. I hope you get to do the “around Australia” experience. I’m sure you would enjoy it. :)

  • Michelle Weaver (@pinkypoinker)
    October 9, 2015

    Your fourth paragraph is exactly why I don’t travel overseas much any more. I love Australian holidays in the big smoke. Mind you I love the Whitsundays as well.

    • Kathy
      October 9, 2015

      Yes flying isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. I know people that have to take sedatives to fly! I enjoy visiting cities but I think I prefer the country more. The Whitsundays are divine! :)

  • Rachel Heller
    October 11, 2015

    I hate flying, but I love traveling. I think I’m more of an A-type than a B-type. I like some relaxation and luxury, but I like to explore a culture, food, etc.

    • Kathy
      October 11, 2015

      Most of us hate the flying part, but the destinations is usually worth it! As long as you get out of your luxury resort to explore your surrounds then I guess you can be forgiven Rachel!! Happy travels!!! :)

  • Life Images by Jill
    October 11, 2015

    I like all sorts of holiday – any holiday. Many of my friends can’t understand how I could enjoy bush camping, but I love the solitude of the bush. BUT I say to them I also love being pampered and staying in a plush hotel with a swimming pool and drinks brought poolside too!
    Happy travels Kathy and thank you for stopping by my blog last week. Sorry I have been so slow in getting back to you. Life has been hectic since we got back from camping!

    • Kathy
      October 11, 2015

      Hi Jill. Being in the middle of nowhere is just the best isn’t it? We are kindred spirits, because I also love camping and being pampered!! It’s a shame we can’t do both at once! :)

  • Michele Peterson (A Taste for Travel)
    October 12, 2015

    As I get older I think I’m becoming more of an A although I do love the adventure of a B – I guess I’m a mix of the two at heart.

    • Kathy
      October 12, 2015

      I agree with you totally Michele. As I’ve got older having a comfy bed is paramount and I also like to shower in a proper shower. However, our 7 month jaunt around Australia in our caravan was fairly luxurious as we had solar power, our own shower and toilet plus a comfy queen size bed. I too love a luxury 5-star resort type of holiday once in a while! :)

  • Linda ~ Journey Jottings
    October 12, 2015

    More than anything I love being consumed by the landscape, whether that be in Australia or elsewhere in the world –
    I feel 5 star resorts are so homogeneous, they seem totally pointless to actually travel for – Go to one, you’ve been to all them all!
    But a landscape is irreparable ;)

    • Kathy
      October 12, 2015

      So true Linda! Beautiful vistas and immersion in different cultures cannot be achieved by sitting around in a 5-star resort every day! There is no better experience than sitting on the beach in the middle of nowhere with a wine in hand watching the sun go down. An irreplacable experience for sure! :)

  • seizetheday20
    October 12, 2015

    I’m somewhere in the middle Kathy. I do like a little bit of luxury sometimes, but can rough it when it means seeing something amazing. I don’t like to pay too much for accommodation, but I’m well past staying in Youth Hostels! :-)

    • Kathy
      October 12, 2015

      As long as I have a clean and comfy bed I’m fairly happy, but I also do like a bit of luxury now and again. I think to get off the beaten track you need to sacrifice comfort for the amazing experience! :)

  • Johanna
    October 13, 2015

    I really enjoy 5 star, but then I’m equally at home camping, so I guess it’s the variety that I hanker after really. You’ve done so many things, it’s really interesting to follow your journeys and photos – I love the look on your face in Hanoi. If a picture tells a thousand words … this is one of them!

    • Kathy
      October 14, 2015

      I think most people like to mix up their holiday experiences. They do say “variety is the spice of life”! I have travelled around a lot but there is so much more to see. When I did a FB survey on how many cities I had travelled to, I had only been to 12 out of the 40. That means I’ve still got a lot of the world to see!

  • malaysianmeanders
    October 14, 2015

    I chose both A & B for every single pair. No wonder I have such a hard time planning trips — everything looks good to me. I do like to mix it up regarding destinations and only return to the places I really, really like a lot. As for lodging, I seem to be on the mid- to almost-luxury end of the spectrum. Hostels don’t appeal to me at all. I’ve never traveled via campervan and would really like to try that one day, especially if it’s a lap around NZ.

    • Kathy
      October 14, 2015

      It is a difficult choice. I like to mix it up as well. However I do think you have more authentic travel experiences if you get off the beaten track a little. :)

  • Red Nomad OZ
    October 18, 2015

    Interesting! I chose mostly B’s, with a couple of A’s! I like getting off the beaten track, exploring natural attractions and seeing things I wouldn’t get to see at home – otherwise what’s the point?? Lurching from one ‘great’ coffee shop to another (why doesn’t anyone have ‘average’ coffee??!!) doesn’t interest me much, especially when there’s an awesome bakery around :D

    • Kathy
      October 19, 2015

      I thought you might be more of a ‘B’ girl! We often referred to our trip around Australia as the ‘bakery tour’ as we stopped in almost every town and this is where we ate! However I must say that I do love my coffee and it was hard to get a decent cup on our trip. I think I am a combination of As and Bs, but like you, wherever I travel, I like to go to the out of the way places rather than the tourist areas.

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