I still can't quite get used to British summer holidays. They normally kick off with the Spring Bank Holiday (the last Monday of May) and end with the Summer Bank Holiday (the last Monday of August), both of which are national holidays when everyone (or most everyone) has the day off work. Banks are closed and there is no postal delivery. But this isn't what makes the British summer holidays strange.
What makes the British summer holidays strange is that nearly EVERYONE goes on holiday (vacation) during the month of August. Seeing as kids are normally in school from September through June, it does make sense that families take their vacations during August. But when you consider that most people here in the UK get a month or more of annual leave (vacation) and that most people take 2, 3 or 4 weeks off during August, it does seem quite weird. It feels like the whole of the country takes August off work.
And the Brits don't normally spend their vacations at British beaches or even in Britain for that matter. No - they normally take flight to another part of the world. Granted, most head for sunny destinations in Europe like Spain or Italy, but many go further afield to Greece or Turkey or Australia. Many go to Orlando (of all places, for Pete's sake)! You can pretty much guarantee that most will be headed for the sun.
Call me strange, I guess. But I prefer to take my holidays when most others are NOT. I can't handle crowds at the best of times. I'd much rather have a beach or a mountain to myself. And given the choice, I would much rather stay here in Britain where not only is there so much to see and do - but it's much more environment friendly than flying off to some other destination :0)
