Episode 25

full
Published on:

22nd Apr 2025

Reminiscing on a Lifetime of Holidays - Round The World in 70 Years

In this week's episode, Lucy and Lisette celebrate 6 months of being 70 and look at the role of holidays in their lives over the past 70 years. They reflect on the holidays they took as children, the family trips they organised for their own families, and how their perspectives on holidays have changed as they've aged. They reveal their differing perspectives, with Lisette embracing more spontaneous and exploratory travel, while Lucy favours more structured and planning for family holidays. The discussion touches on how their holiday experiences and preferences evolved over time, as well as the changing nature of travel and tourism.

Key Highlights

* Lucy and Lisette had very different experiences of holidays growing up in the 50s and 60s - Lisette's family took more spontaneous, unplanned trips, while Lucy's family had a more structured, scheduled approach to holiday planning.

* Lisette's first solo trip abroad was to visit Lucy's family in England, which sparked an interest in international travel for her.

* They discuss how work and technology have changed the nature of their holidays, with both often bringing laptops and being connected even when away.

* Lucy describes a holiday in Jamaica where she and her family stayed at 'GoldenEye' - once the iconic home of James Bond 007 author, Ian Fleming.

* Lisette recounts a formative solo trip to India in her 30s that had a profound impact on her worldview and perspective and made her very open to the idea of reincarnation.

* The two friends explore how attitudes around skin safety (getting tanned) and environmentally-conscious travel and "flight shame" have evolved over the decades.

Why You Should Listen

This conversation provides a fascinating glimpse into how the meaning and experience of holidays has shifted over the course of Lucy and Lisette's 70-year lifetimes. Whether you're a travel enthusiast or just enjoy reminiscing about holidays past, there's something for everyone in this wide-ranging discussion. The hosts' warm rapport and diverse perspectives make for an engaging and thought-provoking listen.

Join the Conversation

What are your favourite kinds of holidays? Do you like to plan every detail, or do you prefer to be spontaneous and open to opportunity? What are your memories of childhood holidays? When was your first solo, or parent-free trip? Where is your ultimate bucket list holiday destination?

Watch our full playlist (The Year of Being 70): https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzDmlsx6mhXmqlFJFZEEvaOwytbeAMFCm • The Year of Being 70

If you enjoyed this discussion of a fascinating subject, as well as the personal journeys of these old (in every sense) friends, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and tap the bell icon to stay updated on new episodes of The Year of Being 70. Subscribe now and join the journey!

#yearofbeing70 #lucyandlisette #podcast #mccarraherpodcast #ep25 #personalgrowth #holidays #holidayseason #holidayvibes #holidaysineurope #travel #travelling #childhoodholidays #50stravel #bucketsandspades #60stravel #flightshame #ethicaltravel #tanning #beach #bucketlisttravel #bestholiday #worstholiday #vacation #planning #spontaneoustravel #storypodcast #lucylisettepodcast #TheYearOfBeing70Podcast #LucyAndLisettePodcastJourney #Reflectionsonourlives #PersonalTransformationStories #LifeChangesAfter70 #LifeChangesAfter40 #Memories #SpiritualGrowth #PersonalGrowth #ThroughLifeChanges

Listen for free

Show artwork for The Year of Being 70

About the Podcast

The Year of Being 70
Two childhood friends who turned 70 in 2024 look back on their lives, their journey, and their busy lives at 70t
Lucy McCarraher and Lisette Schuitemaker are childhood friends. Born one month apart in 1954, they both hit 70 in 2024. In this podcast they take the long view of their experiences, the changes that have taken place through their 70 years of existence in their own lives, their families, their countries and the world. Lucy is British; Lisette is Dutch. Both are authors, eldest daughters and founders of businesses. Every week they check in on each other, recall their younger selves, discuss an important issue, and laugh a lot.
You'll love this podcast if you enjoy:
* Honest discussions between good friends
* Social history from the 1950s to present day
* Memories of growing up in the 1950s, 1960s, 1970s
* Living and working through the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s
* Hearing about families and relationships
* Entrepreneurship and business
* Writing and reading books
* A bit of politics from a personal point of view
* Women's issues and the changing face of feminism
* What it's like to be 70 in the 2020s

About your host

Profile picture for Lisette Schuitemaker

Lisette Schuitemaker