Things you wish you’d taken on holiday with you?

[TheKitchenWitch]

Just back from SC holiday in Croatia and don’t know what possessed me to leave my hair straighteners at home - I should know by now that the sea air is good for my soul but plays havoc with my hair!
Also more loose, easy to wash short summer dresses. I am not a shorts person (didn’t take any with me!) but ended up wearing my 2 dresses more than my skirts as cooler.

What do you wish you’d taken with you?

Croatia too - mosquitoe repellent! Never been bitten before but was horrible in cavtat.

Also a fan #sweatyface

Good thread. I had 2 different type of holidays this summer and after each of them, I wrote down what I should have taken for next year

Should have taken:

• Beach dress
• Nightlight
• More suncream
• Earplugs
• Paper & pen

I have lists on my computer that I update and then re-use the next year to make thinking easier.

Aftersun

Nearly every time we don't bother, then DP decides he needs some, buys it and then we take a 3/4 full bottle home to join all the other 3/4 full bottles from previous holidays. I threw out an old bottle that had gone really runny, so we need to take a bottle of aftersun along with all the suncream.

I've built up to about 5 beach dresses now in various styles and they do me for a good week to 10 days as I've realised that's all I wear in the daytime as they're good for beach, bars, lunch, sightseeing and just about everywhere.

A spare pair of flip flops per person. That's all we wear in hot weather and DP had to wear his trainers after his only pair snapped and he refused to go shopping for new ones because he only wears Havaianas and they didn't have any in the first shop he looked in.

I also do the computer lists, honed over many holidays and spin off versions for different types of holiday. Anything that reduces thinking is good for me.

Keanu Reeves 🤪

One thing we did take this year - a 5 socket power strip with USB ports. Only needs one continental adapter. Just be a refuel not to plug a kettle, a hairdryer and a fan heater in at the same time!

We’re USB hungry so also took a 5 port USB adapter that has interchangeable pins so could just click the continental ones on and plug it straight in.

Extension lead with 4 sockets on the end. Never enough plugs in hotel rooms, especially by the bed.

Also, like the OP, more loose cotton, dresses. I have two and wear them to death.

Spare sunglasses. I'm quite clumsy and end up sitting on my only pair or leaving them on a table, in a bar, on the beach, etc. Then have to buy expensive local pair.

I keep a bag with things I've learnt from bitter experience I need. Ranging from plasters, nail scissors, pen to bottle opener and dental floss among others. Only trouble is it's expanded over the years and could now virtually do with a suitcase to itself

Actually yes to multi USB port - we took a couple of individual ones each and it turned out not to be enough, would have been much more useful taking one hub for all the charging.

I also have a list which I make on the way home noting down everything we wish we'd taken or done before going. I remembered nail scissors this time and was so glad I did - felt very smug getting out my mini manicure set :D

Although I've improved a lot, I also noted to myself to take fewer shoes!

I took 2 pairs of trainers (in case of rain - never happened), 2 pairs of flip flops (I don't know why) and 2 pairs of sandals....I lived in 1 pair of trainers and 1 flipflops

I also took a fuller first aid kit than needed, but when you need it you need it so I won't be changing that.

Power strip, only need one charger.

DEET.

I've forgotten to take the right toiletries-things like face cleanser & toner; enough hair conditioner & enough toothpaste.
This has been in places like Mykonos, Ibiza & Lanzarote so it was fairly easy to find some supplies locally.

Also made fairly expensive mistakes with taking sun lotions I'd never tried before leading to getting burnt & having to buy some locally (Lanzarote, twice - it's easy to burn there!!).

Don’t forget to also make a list of things things your dragged along and definitely didn’t need!

This is my best buy for holiday this year as normally take a power strip which ends up full of usb plugs. And then no room for Hair dryer etc
it takes 3 & 2 pin plugs plus 6 usb sockets on it

Power Strips with USB Ports 3 Way Outlets 6 USB Ports Surge Protection Power Strip Universal Power Socket with 2 Meter Cable with Smart USB Extension Lead

A nanny.

A big mug, when in a hotel with tea/coffee making facilities but teeny tiny cups.

I could do with a USB hub for home anyone got recommendations? Amazon or other retailer that delivers ideally as I'm housebound (I know I know why am I on a thread about holidays - living vicariously!)

"Don’t forget to also make a list of things things your dragged along and definitely didn’t need!" Excellent point.

Past holidays I've regretted forgetting

Ear plugs
Eye mask
Earphones
Notepad (holiday places seem to only have tiny novelty ones! I need at least shorthand size!)
Batteries (again holiday places its always hard to track down good quality ones that last more than a couple hours)
Socks for when back in cold uk! Just one pair would have done, by the time we'd travelled from airport to home my feet were frozen!

My bloody gym gear! Forgot it and had to improvised (badly).

Sharp knife (ones in SC apartment were rubbish)

Chopping board (there was one small solitary wooden one)

Flip flops for the beach (I took 2 pairs of Birkies but didn't want to wear them straight from the sea with wet feet and the sand was too bloody hot to have bare feet. I've never known sand that hot!!)

I'm buying a spare charging plug right now. I usually pack some dishwasher tablets and boring things like that.

YY to nanny!! Am taking her next time

Night lights are good..esp rechargeable ones with auto sensor.
I take a inflatable woggle for under 3yo sheets as bed guard.
If no bath I take small paddling pool for in shower.
I wrap my bose speaker in some spare t towels.
Portable charger

A flask - so when I come out of the lake/river/sea after canoeing/jumping off cliffs/wild swimming I can warm up with some hot soup.
Don't do beach holidays

UK extension lead. You only need one plug adapter then. Obviously be careful not to overload it though but it will allow a few phones to be charged at a time without needing many plug adapters and sockets.