Avoid air rage and choose to really relax on holiday

How many times have you wearily glanced at a stack of paperwork or laundry, and sighed “I need a holiday”? Or sat at work daydreaming about the far-flung places you could go next summer, if you could just book the time off, save up some cash... learn a new language... and get those vaccinations sorted... make sure your insurance is up to date... and so it goes on.

A recent survey showed that 40% of Britons think holidaying is more stressful than a trip to the dentist. The sad truth is that worrying is one of our favourite pastimes, so even taking a break can be serious business! But there are ways to improve your holiday experience without adding angst.

One of the first things to consider is your mode of transport. Flying may seem easy and affordable, but when you factor in things like taxes and booking fees, getting to and from airports which are miles outside of the city, and the joys of checking in two hours before flights to sit around in a dingy lounge – often in the middle of the night, for ‘value’ fares – before getting crammed onto a plane; all the while hoping that crying toddler isn’t going to be one of your fellow passengers, it’s not always such a pleasant experience.

Naturally, air travel is a very serious cause for concern to anyone who cares about the planet, its heritage sites, plants or people. Aviation is the fastest-growing source of noxious greenhouse gas emissions, and also responsible for unlawful levels of nitrous oxide pollution. It’s increasingly obvious that ‘carbon off-setting’ is a dishonest, and ultimately pointless, red herring of an industry - as one environmentalist puts it:

“Off-setting doesn't make flying 'OK' any more than giving to Amnesty gets you a licence to torture.”

Do read the science and think twice before you jet off – 45% of flights taken in Europe are less than 500km, or in other words, totally unnecessary. If your destination is easily reachable by train or bus, which will take you straight to city centres or attractions and are about ten times less polluting, why fly?

If you do decide you need to fly, several options are available to make it a less personally stressful experience. Instead of driving, consider travelling to the airport by bus or coach, which can save you hundreds of pounds on long-stay parking. And instead of travelling all night to make an early-morning flight, you could book a night at an airport hotel, leaving you free to get there any time, relax and enjoy a great night’s sleep before you go. Many rates include airport parking, so this could be another money-saver.

The hotels aren’t all grim, identikit breezeblock scenes either; many are really luxurious and situated in gorgeous countryside to help you get into that holiday state of mind. In fact, many around the UK cater for those who want to stay in a relaxing environment. Scotland has some of the most attractive accomoation close to to major transport hubs, for example Aberdeen airport hotel to the north-west of the city, is an ideal starting point from which to explore the stunning Cairngorms national park, and there are several similar places near Glasgow and Edinburgh.

Who knows – once you’ve checked out Britain’s fantastic scenery, perhaps you’ll reconsider that decision to fly away after all!

About the Author

Elisha Burberry is an online, freelance journalist and keen movie-goer from Scotland. Her interests include travelling, cooking and photography.