What holidays mean to me *

As you may know, I’m not really a traveler in the sense that I’m not planning to up sticks and travel around Asia for the foreseeable future. I admire those that do lead a travelling lifestyle and some of my favourite blogs are written by women who do just that. But personally, I don’t think that would work for me for a variety of reasons.

Holidays on the other hand, I am all down for. There’s nothing I love more than a week or a long weekend away from the norm, spending time away from work, away from my laptop 24/7 and just, being. Soaking up the atmosphere of wherever you are, enjoying the company you’re in and relaxing. Sometimes for the first time in months!

Whilst more recently I’ve only been on UK holidays such as The Lake District, Norfolk Broads and Snowdonia National Park, I have had my fair share of holidays abroad as well. I like to think I’ve been on a wide selection of trips from the fun of Disneyland, the heat of the Canary Islands, the slow pace of the Norfolk Broads and the snowy mountains of the French Alps. I absolutely love looking back over the holidays I’ve been on and thinking about what they mean to me. Because for me, memories are much more important than any physical possession I could possibly have.

And memories and moments are really what makes holidays so special to me. Of course you don’t need fancy hotels, blue sea and sand amongst your toes in order to make lovely memories – that can certainly be done from the comfort of your own home if the circumstances are right – but being away – anywhere – makes me look at the bigger picture. It makes me realise that really, spending time with people you love is the most important thing in life. When you’re cooped up, working, doing the chores and going about your daily life at home, it’s easy to forget that.

I also like to experience something and then leave. That might contribute to why I’ve never really felt the need to travel extensively but deep down, I like the feeling of experiencing something new and then leaving it behind with only photos and your own memories to hold of it. That might sound like a weird approach to holidays and often, leaving a holiday that I’m enjoying makes me a bit tearful. But to me, that means it was special. It means I enjoyed it and it means that I’ll probably remember it forever.

Whilst now I often go on holiday with my boyfriend, I’ve been on a fair few holidays abroad with my parents when I was in my teens. Spain and Majorca but our favourite destination was always the Canary Islands. Having been to Gran Caneria twice and Lanzarote and Tenerife once each I can safely say the Canaries were our destination of choice. They’re all so beautiful, with gorgeous hotels, reasonably priced and a lovely breeze all year round which can be a life saver in the dead of summer.

I often think back at my family holidays to the Canary Islands with my parents. Being an only child, they were all I had for holidays growing up. But that didn’t make them any less fun. We always tended to meet people in the hotel we stayed at and I always, always made friends abroad – one of which I still have on Facebook today! I know these are memories I’ll treasure forever; playing card games in the bar area, spending all day by the pool, taking part in the hotel’s activities and meeting fleeting friends along the way. I think the Canary Islands will always hold a special place in my heart for this very reason.

The Canary Islands are a gorgeous holiday destination for groups of friends, couples and families. There’s something for everyone. To the Canary Islands with Holiday Gems – find your perfect Canary Island holiday!

Have you ever been to the Canary Islands? Which one? What’s your favourite holiday destination? Are you a keen traveler or a short-term holiday maker like myself? Let me know!

* This post is sponsored by Holiday Gems