Self catering holiday abroad. What to pack?

[pollysproggle]

Can I get some help and tips for a self catering holiday in Spain?

5 weeks until our well overdue holiday, 2 adults and 2 DC (12 & 3).

What to pack and ways to save money on food without eating warm sandwiches and pasta every day!
😎

I go to Spain 3 or 4 times a year self catering and never take food.
Food is as cheap or cheaper than in the Uk as long as you aren’t stuck with just a small mini market in a very touristy area.
A lot of restaurants will do a 10e menu del dia which is 3 courses and a drink and takeaway pizza is cheaper than in the uk too. You might be close to a roast chicken ship that does a whole chicken with chips and a large bottle of coke for 10e and you can just buy salad from the supermarket

Toastie maker
Sharp knife
Frozen bacon /sausage in suitcase
Herbs and spices
Tea and coffee
A decent frying pan

It might be worth putting together some herb and spice mixes that you can just throw over a tray of meat and veg.

Otherwise we always just bought stuff there. Cereal can be expensive so if you have fussy cereal eaters it might be worth taking some.

Sharp knife definitely
Tea/coffee
Packets of soup and mugshots
One year when we were particularly skint we also put a little cool box in out case with sausage, bacon, black pudding and potato scones

Generally now though the supermarkets in resorts are really well equipped. You also get a lot of restaurants who do 10 euro meal deals and things for at night.

I bring a 100ml squeezy bottle (from Muji's travel bottles selection) of washing up liquid to last me a week rather than buying a bottle out there.

I also bring a box of 40 teabags, as I like a certain brand and can't get them abroad.

Robinsons (and other brands may also do similar) have a very concentrated squash in a very small bottle that can be handy to bring and makes water more interesting - make it using sparkling water and it's lovely! If you bring a water bottle each as well, you can fill these up daily before going out and that will save on needing to stop at shops/cafes for every drink - but you will still need some extra drinks I reckon.

If you have them, bring a small salt and pepper, and maybe 1 or 2 favourites herbs/spices/seasonings. If you can find them, small medicine cartons or little facecream pots (empty and clean!) might work well as you only want a small amount of each. But might allow you to make something like a frittata omlette easily, or whatever your family likes.

And maybe a small amount of a wine vinegar in another travel bottle or similar - 50ml or less should be plenty. For over chips if needed, to make salad dressing (with olive oil below, and your herb above) etc

I normally throw in a J cloth or similar, as I never know what the facilities will be in SC and it takes up almost no space.

Food I would buy on arrival (in a reasonable grocery, not the tiny ones on-site, if possible) are:
a small bottle of olive oil (250ml)
real butter (if your family uses spread, get that, but I like the treat on holidays and it can be used for cooking as well)
block of cheese
couple of onions and a bulb of garlic
eggs
some nice veg and salad - lettuce, tomatoes, peppers, mushrooms and other bits that look good
some nice fruit
lunch things - cooked meat, quiche, ...what your family will eat, check out the deli counter for nice or different things to try
enough for 2 dinners - easy ones, but nice fresh ingredients
snacks - you are on holiday - fruit is included and cheese, but also some crackers, biscuits, crisps, nuts, olives etc - again what your family would like and eat
breakfast - cereal if needed, OJ/apple juice, bread, jam, croissants etc
coffee, hot chocolate? (I bring the tea from home)
milk
something else to drink - beer, wine, sparkling water, still water, fizzy drinks etc
Kitchen towel (can use sheets as napkins too) and perhaps some extra toilet roll

Apart from the bacon everything listed here is readily available in Spain, even frying pans and knives!

I just pack my clothes, shoes and skincare toiletries.

Everything else we buy there. Even fussy pants DH copes with whatever tea bags are either left in the place we are staying or what is available in the shops.

I've yet to stay anywhere, here or abroad, that has had completely bare cupboards.

We don't even bother taking towels. Just pick up a cheap beach towel there.

The supermarkets tend to be cheaper and well stocked.

Actually, I had forgotten I usually bring 1 sharp knife and a small pair of silicon oven mitts - but they are in my camping/SC box of bits.

Mostly, I was looking at things I bring from home to reduce the amount of leftovers left behind (because I only need a small amount for the period) and the things that I will absolutely buy in a decent supermarket to enjoy while there.

I always take ziplock sandwich bags they come in handy for all sorts.

Thanks everyone, I received no notifications that I had an comments on this post!

I'm not thinking about taking fresh foods in the case, I'll happily buy ingredients from the supermarket, do people actually pack sausages and bacon?!

We'll eat out a couple of times I'm sure but definitely packing tea and a couple of mugs, washing up stuff is a great idea, salt and spices so I don't have to buy there, kitchen roll a must and a decent knife.

Maybe a few ice packs too I can put in the freezer (if I have one).