Worst Holiday Experience
- Thread starter RaohNS
- Start date
Did the lawyer get his money or was the payment declined when they tried to process it?
I have to say that both you and your girlfriend don't sound like you should be allowed to go out unsupervised.
Hopefully you've both grown up since then.
Associate
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- Finally, Swindon
The tour operator paid the £600 on our behalf and imprinted my card for repayment
Associate
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- 4 Jan 2004
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- Location
- Finally, Swindon
I went on holiday with the lads as soon as we turned 18 straight to Magaluf, was just the 4 of us. Hotel was the typical cheap as you can find. Anyway the 4 of us were each given a keycard for the room - we soon found out that one of the cards wasn't working, so we left it in the slot for the electricity.
Early in the week we met a couple of other lads on the same floor and got talking. We learned that one of the lads had been in a bit of an accident (jumped off a balcony) and had racked up a fairly large hospital bill - think it was something like a few hundred euros. Obviously had no travel insurance, so basically blew all his money on the first couple of nights.
Wind forward to the last night, and i vaguely remember being absolutely steaming to the point i called it quits on the night and walked back to the hotel. A couple of hours later my mates had turned up along with the other lads from the floor. They only stopped by for maybe 15 mins before heading to their own rooms for bed. Anyway, one of my mates went to lock up and noticed the keycard we had left in the slot for the electric had now gone missing.
Within about an hour (absolutely knackered from no sleep at this point - i reckon must have been about 4-5am) you could hear someone trying the keycard and the door handle. It was obvious the ***** from next door had stolen the keycard and were attempting to mug us when we'd fallen asleep.
That meant having no sleep that night, and we were so lucky that this keycard didn't work.
Early in the week we met a couple of other lads on the same floor and got talking. We learned that one of the lads had been in a bit of an accident (jumped off a balcony) and had racked up a fairly large hospital bill - think it was something like a few hundred euros. Obviously had no travel insurance, so basically blew all his money on the first couple of nights.
Wind forward to the last night, and i vaguely remember being absolutely steaming to the point i called it quits on the night and walked back to the hotel. A couple of hours later my mates had turned up along with the other lads from the floor. They only stopped by for maybe 15 mins before heading to their own rooms for bed. Anyway, one of my mates went to lock up and noticed the keycard we had left in the slot for the electric had now gone missing.
Within about an hour (absolutely knackered from no sleep at this point - i reckon must have been about 4-5am) you could hear someone trying the keycard and the door handle. It was obvious the ***** from next door had stolen the keycard and were attempting to mug us when we'd fallen asleep.
That meant having no sleep that night, and we were so lucky that this keycard didn't work.
Soldato
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- 1 Mar 2010
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- 6,316
I knew it could've only gone downward from there. Top cliche marks if the lads that tried to do a cheeky one on yas were Scousers.
Ouch! V harsh
Maybe but who rips up bank notes in front of a clerk? Especially in Africa where corruption is rife.
Then to make matters worse he then wipes his behind with a note. Especially after going through that nightmare experience. What for? It's just petulance.
If you're that childish you shouldn't be on holiday unsupervised.
OK here's my sob story:
8 of us (friends and friends of friends) went to Bodrum, Turkey, in 2005 (it remains the ONLY time I've been abroad!).
Anyway we were in 3 apartments, I was sharing with 2 close friends of mine, but they used to go out together (this was when this was booked; November of the previous year....) but split up and hated each others guts!! Good start.
The others were friends of one of mine including an engaged couple whom I knew through one of mine and they brought along another.
Sorry for the rambling, I've got to get some context....
SO anyway we fly for four hours (first time for me, but went OK) get to the complex and get our stuff sorted, head for the pool.
SO the alcohol was flowing and the inevitable storm between my co-inhabitants blew up. That bit was fine for I was prepared for it....
I wasn't prepared for 2 weeks of it meaning I'd constantly had to choose between either for any given activity.
Further ructions came about when the bloke of the engaged couple began flirting openly with their friend!! He was also shoving his weight about and basically bossed the group.
This was fine for the first coupla days but it grated big time after a while, especially dictating which restaurant to go to even though the group consensus said otherwise.
Further he got obliterated (I mean really!) on the local spirit; raaky (sp) which is potent stuff!!
So anyway 2 weeks of this and bascially everyone wanting to kill everyone else!
Fun times
8 of us (friends and friends of friends) went to Bodrum, Turkey, in 2005 (it remains the ONLY time I've been abroad!).
Anyway we were in 3 apartments, I was sharing with 2 close friends of mine, but they used to go out together (this was when this was booked; November of the previous year....) but split up and hated each others guts!! Good start.
The others were friends of one of mine including an engaged couple whom I knew through one of mine and they brought along another.
Sorry for the rambling, I've got to get some context....
SO anyway we fly for four hours (first time for me, but went OK) get to the complex and get our stuff sorted, head for the pool.
SO the alcohol was flowing and the inevitable storm between my co-inhabitants blew up. That bit was fine for I was prepared for it....
I wasn't prepared for 2 weeks of it meaning I'd constantly had to choose between either for any given activity.
Further ructions came about when the bloke of the engaged couple began flirting openly with their friend!! He was also shoving his weight about and basically bossed the group.
This was fine for the first coupla days but it grated big time after a while, especially dictating which restaurant to go to even though the group consensus said otherwise.
Further he got obliterated (I mean really!) on the local spirit; raaky (sp) which is potent stuff!!
So anyway 2 weeks of this and bascially everyone wanting to kill everyone else!
Fun times
I knew it could've only gone downward from there. Top cliche marks if the lads that tried to do a cheeky one on yas were Scousers.
haha was a long time ago
I was in Lucca, Italy 2005 and we were away as a family for 2 weeks. I was 16 at the time and this was my first time in Italy and I loved it. Everything about the place, the people, the history, the food, the general ambience of the place was right up my alley.
A week into the holiday my step dad had to go back to the UK as a family member was ill. That arvo/evening my Mother went out with my sister, her boyfriend and my brother for something to eat. I didn't fancy it. Was knackered and wanted to stay at the villa and just chill out and watch Monsters Inc. on the portable DVD player.
I made some food and whilst I was doing so I saw some bloke come around to the villa and knock on the door. Being the introverted type at the time I ignored it and didn't think there was any point in me coming to the door to an Italian with whom I couldn't speak to. He eventually left and thought nothing more of it.
A few minutes later whilst walking upstairs I heard the shutters to the French doors drag across the floor. Meh, maybe it was the wind...me feeling a bit spooked and wanting to believe nothing was happening I got to my room and locked the door and continued to watch the movie...albeit quietly hearing for any more abnormal noise.
Then it happened...my door handle moved and someone was trying to open it...
I immediately try and find a way out...flight has royally kicked in at this point and I frantically look out the window of this 2 storey villa for a way down...my window was over a basement garage so it was closer to 3 storeys...no way out there then...
I hear the person check my sisters locked bedroom door...there is definitely someone here now. BANG! Something has kicked down my sisters door and I'm basically bricking it at this point...do I hide? No...they'll find me...how many people are here...god knows...what do I do?
I'm there standing in front of the window...bed in between me and the locked door...BANG! A bloke kicks his way through the door and confronts me, rabbit in headlights, both of us. We stared what felt like a minute at each other which was actually a couple of seconds before making off down the stairs. I'm like a terrier at this point, he ran so I ran after him. Shouting my head off and screaming after him. He drops the bag of epic loot and disappeared off the side of the hills where we were staying. He could have had me...he really could.
I locked up, grabbed a knife, checked my phone...no credit...snap...what's the police number in Italy? No idea...no internet...no computers...hmmmm...
I make sure he isn't coming back and then ran 2/3 miles down into Lucca to find someone with a phone...I was paranoid about anyone I saw. Then I plucked up the courage to ask someone to use their phone. With me holding my phone asking if I can use their phone talking very slowly and loudly explaining what's happened.
Ring mumsey..."We've been robbed"..."Stop joking around with me, what's really going on?"
The long walk back and the longest wait for everyone to make their way home and a tense night sleep where we all slept in the lounge. I only felt calm once my step dad walked through those arrival gates at the airport again.
Was pretty stressful but I tend not to run away from things like this anymore. I have to immediately investigate any sound.
Saying all this though, I love Italy. I've been to Rome since and it was as good as before. I will move there one day.
A week into the holiday my step dad had to go back to the UK as a family member was ill. That arvo/evening my Mother went out with my sister, her boyfriend and my brother for something to eat. I didn't fancy it. Was knackered and wanted to stay at the villa and just chill out and watch Monsters Inc. on the portable DVD player.
I made some food and whilst I was doing so I saw some bloke come around to the villa and knock on the door. Being the introverted type at the time I ignored it and didn't think there was any point in me coming to the door to an Italian with whom I couldn't speak to. He eventually left and thought nothing more of it.
A few minutes later whilst walking upstairs I heard the shutters to the French doors drag across the floor. Meh, maybe it was the wind...me feeling a bit spooked and wanting to believe nothing was happening I got to my room and locked the door and continued to watch the movie...albeit quietly hearing for any more abnormal noise.
Then it happened...my door handle moved and someone was trying to open it...
I immediately try and find a way out...flight has royally kicked in at this point and I frantically look out the window of this 2 storey villa for a way down...my window was over a basement garage so it was closer to 3 storeys...no way out there then...
I hear the person check my sisters locked bedroom door...there is definitely someone here now. BANG! Something has kicked down my sisters door and I'm basically bricking it at this point...do I hide? No...they'll find me...how many people are here...god knows...what do I do?
I'm there standing in front of the window...bed in between me and the locked door...BANG! A bloke kicks his way through the door and confronts me, rabbit in headlights, both of us. We stared what felt like a minute at each other which was actually a couple of seconds before making off down the stairs. I'm like a terrier at this point, he ran so I ran after him. Shouting my head off and screaming after him. He drops the bag of epic loot and disappeared off the side of the hills where we were staying. He could have had me...he really could.
I locked up, grabbed a knife, checked my phone...no credit...snap...what's the police number in Italy? No idea...no internet...no computers...hmmmm...
I make sure he isn't coming back and then ran 2/3 miles down into Lucca to find someone with a phone...I was paranoid about anyone I saw. Then I plucked up the courage to ask someone to use their phone. With me holding my phone asking if I can use their phone talking very slowly and loudly explaining what's happened.
Ring mumsey..."We've been robbed"..."Stop joking around with me, what's really going on?"
The long walk back and the longest wait for everyone to make their way home and a tense night sleep where we all slept in the lounge. I only felt calm once my step dad walked through those arrival gates at the airport again.
Was pretty stressful but I tend not to run away from things like this anymore. I have to immediately investigate any sound.
Saying all this though, I love Italy. I've been to Rome since and it was as good as before. I will move there one day.
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Rakky potent. Lol no it isn't.
You should go Cuba and ask for their strongest drink. Blows your socks off. Absinthe is water in comparison.
Have been pretty lucky with travel experiences since leaving home/getting married.
Worst holiday probably when my parents took us to Eastbourne in '74.
Got to have been the grottiest caravan park in the UK - miles from the sea front and town centre.
It was only May and rained constantly - but then on discovering the beach was all pebbles anyway guess it wasn't a total loss.
The on site fish and chip shop served up Birds Eye fish in batter cooked in a dirty frying pan.
My parents always had a habit of returning early from holiday but that was the only one where they came home on Wednesday. And the final straw - as we were descending the escalator at Victoria to get the tube over to Euston the handle on one of the suitcases broke. Cue my father's most famous quote as he turned to my mother and asked with a straight face, "Haven't got a hammer on you?"
Then there was Pontins Brixham in 1969 when I somehow fell in an ornamental pond and nearly drowned. (Maybe I did and this is all a fantasy).
Or the time my parents were visiting relatives near Reading from Northampton and decided to save money they would do it all by local bus via Buckingham and Oxford rather than the express coach or train. Never ending journey...
Worst holiday probably when my parents took us to Eastbourne in '74.
Got to have been the grottiest caravan park in the UK - miles from the sea front and town centre.
It was only May and rained constantly - but then on discovering the beach was all pebbles anyway guess it wasn't a total loss.
The on site fish and chip shop served up Birds Eye fish in batter cooked in a dirty frying pan.
My parents always had a habit of returning early from holiday but that was the only one where they came home on Wednesday. And the final straw - as we were descending the escalator at Victoria to get the tube over to Euston the handle on one of the suitcases broke. Cue my father's most famous quote as he turned to my mother and asked with a straight face, "Haven't got a hammer on you?"
Then there was Pontins Brixham in 1969 when I somehow fell in an ornamental pond and nearly drowned. (Maybe I did and this is all a fantasy).
Or the time my parents were visiting relatives near Reading from Northampton and decided to save money they would do it all by local bus via Buckingham and Oxford rather than the express coach or train. Never ending journey...
When I was about 12 we were returning from a family holiday in Ibiza (back in the early 80s, way before the clubbing scene).
I'd bought a toy cap gun made of metal that looked like a Colt .45 as the hand luggage went through the x-ray machine....
Cue Spanish security guards spitting out their drinks, scrambling to their feet, hands on holstered guns, prompting a chorus of "You have a gun! You have a gun!". Thankfully they didn't overreact too much, but it was examined thoroughly (the barrel had metal welded on the end, no hammer, no magazine) and told we could collect it when we got off the plane at Gatwick.
The look we got from the security guards back home as they handed it over would've made Batman pee his pants....
I'd bought a toy cap gun made of metal that looked like a Colt .45 as the hand luggage went through the x-ray machine....
Cue Spanish security guards spitting out their drinks, scrambling to their feet, hands on holstered guns, prompting a chorus of "You have a gun! You have a gun!". Thankfully they didn't overreact too much, but it was examined thoroughly (the barrel had metal welded on the end, no hammer, no magazine) and told we could collect it when we got off the plane at Gatwick.
The look we got from the security guards back home as they handed it over would've made Batman pee his pants....
When I was 10 we went on holiday to Florida and my dad booked a coach trip from the tour operator to see a shuttle launch and visit the Kennedy space centre.
The trip was supposed to take an hour (I think) but the traffic was so bad we were stuck for about 3. Eventually we had to pull over and watch the launch from the side of the road.
I suffer from migraines and that particular day one started as we eventually pulled up to the space centre. I took some pills and walked round but don't really remember anything about the afternoon because of it.
On the way home on the coach I'm feeling really ill. I turned to my dad and said something like 'I'm going to be sick'. He tells the driver who can't pull over and my dad starts frantically looking for some kind of container.
The older couple across the aisle of the coach pass my dad a plastic bag and told him I could use that. He points out that its full of stuff and they tell him it's just rubbish and sweet wrappers. He hands it to me and I immediately throw up. As the bay is being filled the older woman suddenly goes 'no, stop!'. After I finish I look at her and can see tears in her eyes.
She explains that they are going home tomorrow and she had forgotten that she had put all their films from the trip in that bag. They are now all floating round... Everyone looked round and I could see the same question in all their eyes - why on earth had she put all her films in a bag of rubbish?
The trip was supposed to take an hour (I think) but the traffic was so bad we were stuck for about 3. Eventually we had to pull over and watch the launch from the side of the road.
I suffer from migraines and that particular day one started as we eventually pulled up to the space centre. I took some pills and walked round but don't really remember anything about the afternoon because of it.
On the way home on the coach I'm feeling really ill. I turned to my dad and said something like 'I'm going to be sick'. He tells the driver who can't pull over and my dad starts frantically looking for some kind of container.
The older couple across the aisle of the coach pass my dad a plastic bag and told him I could use that. He points out that its full of stuff and they tell him it's just rubbish and sweet wrappers. He hands it to me and I immediately throw up. As the bay is being filled the older woman suddenly goes 'no, stop!'. After I finish I look at her and can see tears in her eyes.
She explains that they are going home tomorrow and she had forgotten that she had put all their films from the trip in that bag. They are now all floating round... Everyone looked round and I could see the same question in all their eyes - why on earth had she put all her films in a bag of rubbish?
Soldato
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Associate
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- 17 Mar 2011
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- Stoke, no, wait, Wilmslow
Can't say I've had any bad holidays in 50 years of trying.
Waiting 5 hours in a Dunkirk ferry queue last year coming back from Germany? doesn't really count.
A 'bit poorly' in the south of France because of sunstroke? Meh.
We had a close call on our trip to Florida 10 years ago, took the 'el cheapo' flight changing in Chicago, where it was -20C (christmas holiday), and when we got to the desk for the second leg, the last flight of the day to Orlando, were told the seat wasn't booked and there was no room on the flight, even though we had a the tickets in our hands.
Cue half an hour of gnashing and wailing, 3 seats magically turn up and we get on (there were several others also waiting in the lounge in the same boat). It was a lovely 22C in Orlando.
Next day on the news we hear that all flights out of Chicago are cancelled because of the poor weather.
Waiting 5 hours in a Dunkirk ferry queue last year coming back from Germany? doesn't really count.
A 'bit poorly' in the south of France because of sunstroke? Meh.
We had a close call on our trip to Florida 10 years ago, took the 'el cheapo' flight changing in Chicago, where it was -20C (christmas holiday), and when we got to the desk for the second leg, the last flight of the day to Orlando, were told the seat wasn't booked and there was no room on the flight, even though we had a the tickets in our hands.
Cue half an hour of gnashing and wailing, 3 seats magically turn up and we get on (there were several others also waiting in the lounge in the same boat). It was a lovely 22C in Orlando.
Next day on the news we hear that all flights out of Chicago are cancelled because of the poor weather.
Did the bag leak?
Not on me!
Another bad experience was about 8 years ago. My girlfriend and I went away for the weekend to Leicester for a convention and she booked the hotel. When we turned up it was horrific.
They claimed to have lost our reservation and offered us a room in another hotel at twice the price. We refused so they 'found' us a room. Place was a total dive. It was clearly being used to cram in asylum seekers. The room was dirty, there were nappies under the bed. It was described as ensuite but what that meant was that there was a shower quite literally in the middle of the floor at the end of the bed.
We very quickly tried to get a room somewhere else but there weren't any available because there was a music festival going on as well as some other event so we were forced to stick it out for 2 nights. For anyone interested the tripadvisor is https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel...y_Hotel-Leicester_Leicestershire_England.html
Had another non-starter I remembered.
Due to go away on a camping trip to Port Maddock.
Went bed late as were packing (7am leave). During the night I awoke (about 2am) and could smell gas really badly. Went downstairs and even worse. Opened all windows and called transco or whoever. Guy comes out 20mins later and starts doing little tests. Our house has high gas readings, advises to open all windows. He knocks next door, no answer so sticks this tube thing through letterbox. Says hopefully they wont come down and turn the light on as its at 15-20% or something and that is the explosive threshold.
He then starts knocking this piledrivers into the street and doing more tests. Make him a brew as he calls the gas men out.
At about 3 they show up and start pneumatic drilling on the road right in front of the 3ft footpath on the road. Didn't end up going bed until after started getting light having a laugh with em and making more brews.
Basically pipes leak all the time but normally permeate through the road but for some reason this leak was going toward the houses and coming up.
Wake up absolutely dead at 6:30. Oh forgot say gave my dad the front door key the evening before to feed the tortoises and in the house is a solid wood door locked from kitchen side leaving only access from back door (to which we had the key) to the bathroom.
Departed and met up with other people. Guy assured us his satnav could get us there in 1.5hrs ish. We thought well only takes that long anyway. We set off in a little punto (everyone else has 4x4's/vans/big cars. Satnav takes us wrong way and have to go back following this satnav that doesn't know where its going.
Eventually get into Wales and see the sign for Betsey Coed 4m. Me and ex think right straight through, 40mins tops. Oh no. Satnav driver veers off taking all the convoy into the mountains. 3hrs in the mountains and falling further behind.
I start getting livid (5-6hrs driving at this point). After contuing to drive and losing the others who sped away in their big cars we couldn't call due to now reception in Snowdonia NP.
Eventually get in touch: "We're here now where are you?" ... Still up in the mountains where you left us. Finally come to a sign with Port Maddock. Cant remember how far that was but remember underneath Betswy Coed 2m...
So probably 7-8hrs driving at this point, running out of fuel. I demand we go home. Agreed. An hour later get a call "You nearly here yet we've all set up"... Gave an earfull and hung up.
Called the old man and told him bob over and post key through.
Topped up with fuel by Betswy. Started going back and were nearly home when there is a bang and then steam starts coming out of the car bonet.
Open up and the water is boiling. I had unscrew it lest it explode. Waited another 20mins for it cool down, laughing to save from crying.
Got back in car continued on way. Car starts really playing up. Grinding sounds, slowing down at seemingly random points. Then realise have locked the solid wood door... My dads posting key through.... Try call... No answer. It would take an enforcer get the door off.
Get back and see the giant hole the blokes had dug outside house (car size) and went around back knowing my dad would have been already
leaving us locked out of house. Waiting and fuming. Hear a car door. Some urge to run and check and thank god I did as my dad was literally lifting up the letterbox to post the key through. Just stop him.
Got in at the house at 5pm. Went straight bed after a sandwich and didn't wake up until 8 the next day.
The car... The gearbox had bust, the fifth fear had blew through the geabox and it cost £250 to replace (free labour due to knowing mechanic).
TLDR: 6hr drive in mountains and disaster trip home.
Its actually the reason i will never holiday in Wales ever again and I hate having go on day trips there.
Due to go away on a camping trip to Port Maddock.
Went bed late as were packing (7am leave). During the night I awoke (about 2am) and could smell gas really badly. Went downstairs and even worse. Opened all windows and called transco or whoever. Guy comes out 20mins later and starts doing little tests. Our house has high gas readings, advises to open all windows. He knocks next door, no answer so sticks this tube thing through letterbox. Says hopefully they wont come down and turn the light on as its at 15-20% or something and that is the explosive threshold.
He then starts knocking this piledrivers into the street and doing more tests. Make him a brew as he calls the gas men out.
At about 3 they show up and start pneumatic drilling on the road right in front of the 3ft footpath on the road. Didn't end up going bed until after started getting light having a laugh with em and making more brews.
Basically pipes leak all the time but normally permeate through the road but for some reason this leak was going toward the houses and coming up.
Wake up absolutely dead at 6:30. Oh forgot say gave my dad the front door key the evening before to feed the tortoises and in the house is a solid wood door locked from kitchen side leaving only access from back door (to which we had the key) to the bathroom.
Departed and met up with other people. Guy assured us his satnav could get us there in 1.5hrs ish. We thought well only takes that long anyway. We set off in a little punto (everyone else has 4x4's/vans/big cars. Satnav takes us wrong way and have to go back following this satnav that doesn't know where its going.
Eventually get into Wales and see the sign for Betsey Coed 4m. Me and ex think right straight through, 40mins tops. Oh no. Satnav driver veers off taking all the convoy into the mountains. 3hrs in the mountains and falling further behind.
I start getting livid (5-6hrs driving at this point). After contuing to drive and losing the others who sped away in their big cars we couldn't call due to now reception in Snowdonia NP.
Eventually get in touch: "We're here now where are you?" ... Still up in the mountains where you left us. Finally come to a sign with Port Maddock. Cant remember how far that was but remember underneath Betswy Coed 2m...
So probably 7-8hrs driving at this point, running out of fuel. I demand we go home. Agreed. An hour later get a call "You nearly here yet we've all set up"... Gave an earfull and hung up.
Called the old man and told him bob over and post key through.
Topped up with fuel by Betswy. Started going back and were nearly home when there is a bang and then steam starts coming out of the car bonet.
Open up and the water is boiling. I had unscrew it lest it explode. Waited another 20mins for it cool down, laughing to save from crying.
Got back in car continued on way. Car starts really playing up. Grinding sounds, slowing down at seemingly random points. Then realise have locked the solid wood door... My dads posting key through.... Try call... No answer. It would take an enforcer get the door off.
Get back and see the giant hole the blokes had dug outside house (car size) and went around back knowing my dad would have been already
leaving us locked out of house. Waiting and fuming. Hear a car door. Some urge to run and check and thank god I did as my dad was literally lifting up the letterbox to post the key through. Just stop him. Got in at the house at 5pm. Went straight bed after a sandwich and didn't wake up until 8 the next day.
The car... The gearbox had bust, the fifth fear had blew through the geabox and it cost £250 to replace (free labour due to knowing mechanic).
TLDR: 6hr drive in mountains and disaster trip home.
Its actually the reason i will never holiday in Wales ever again and I hate having go on day trips there.