Holiday essentials

[lucindaaa]

I'm not going away until next year, but I love to be extremely organised so whatever it is for I start buying and putting away early.

So, I haven't been abroad since I was about 13 and then obviously packing wasn't my responsibility.

What would say are the absolute essentials for a week abroad? Medicines? How much sun cream for two adults etc? Anything that you think you need that end up being a big waste of money?

Tip for how much to pack for 7 nights would be helpful also as I'm a terrible over packer!

Holiday is going to be about 35 degrees and there will just be me and my partner, no children. Thank you!

Gosh you are organised. Are you going self-catered or to a hotel? To a city or the countryside or a beach resort? Fancier hotels will provide a lot of stuff like basic first aid (plasters etc) and manicure sets, toiletries etc but obviously if self-catering you may need more.

Obviously the first thing to sort is passports and visas, but I assume you have those already? Then I'd look up the country/area you are going to online and check what recommended vaccinations and required and if you will need anti-malarials (not many touristy areas these days but worth checking). Even if it's not an area affected by malaria I always take deet and a good insect cream as I am always bitten - but then DH never is so you might find you are fine!

Sun cream a big bottle is normally plenty for DH and I for a week but if you are planning on spending all day in the sun and/or being in and out of the water a lot maybe 2 would be safe (sun cream keeps forever so I doubt it'll go to waste). I find after sun totally unless, best not to get burnt in the first place! Personally I don't bother with travel sets of shampoo, shower gel etc as we just do a supermarket run when we get there and buy cheap toiletries locally, or if I have space in the case and/or I know it will be particularly expensive to buy at the destination I just take a regular sized bottle of whatever we are using at home (assuming I have checked in baggage of course, you can't take big bottles in hand luggage). I try and pack quite light generally (more space to bring souvenirs/food home!) and am not averse to picking up stuff locally even if you pay over the odds but my one 'luxury' I always bring with me is my own hairdryer as hotel/b and b ones are usually useless!

Don't forget a travel adaptor (correct version for the country you are going to). Plus plenty of books/magazines/podcasts - but you might want to get these nearer the time!

Packing, I do something like a complete set of underwear and a clean T-shirt or vest per day, plus a few spares in case of spills or getting sweaty. Maybe 4 or 5 pairs of shorts/skirts/loose trousers for the daytime, and 3 or 4 slightly nicer dresses to change into for the evening (this depends on whether you'll be eating out a lot and if so how fancy the restaurant, we usually go self-catered so some evenings will eat in, no need to change or go somewhere very casual so shorts/t shirt fine, but maybe one or 2 nights will eat out in a nicer restaurant). I take a pair of flip-flops, a pair of comfy sandals for walking around/sight seeing in and a nicer/smarter pair of wedges or sandals for evenings. A light cover up for the beach and a smarter jacket for evenings. Maybe 3 or 4 swimming costume/bikinis depending on how much beach/pool time I expect.

How lovely and something to look forward to.

My first thought was something recommended to me on here for at home but which also adapts to overseas plugs

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B07QMVB2WK?psc=1&ref=ppxpoppmobbbasin_title

Generally speaking as someone who in the past has travelled/holidayed a lot I would say re packing:

Documents

IT/tech - have this on packing list mainly so you don't forget charging cables! Or earphones! So include all the "peripherals" on your list.

Meds - check the regs if any are narcotic or otherwise likely to be "controlled" I'm on strong painklllers which i need a letter for. Also CONTRACEPTION!

Jewellery - don't take anything precious you'd hate to lose. Basic studs that you can keep in without faff and still feel "groomed", rest as per personal preference

Make up - I have a basic "kit" that's neutral colour wise and so goes with any outfit, multi use products are good too

Toiletries - I have allergies so need to take my regular products so I do use the travel bottles. If I didn't have allergies I'd just do as pp and buy cheap when there and dispose of before coming home. So I take "my" shower gel, shampoo, conditioner, body lotion, wipes and deodorant as they're the ones I have issues with. Toothpaste, mouthwash, floss, I get there. Sun cream - again I have sensitive skin so I take loads of f50, Sanpro again I take my own but most places have the most popular brands/types there

1st aid kit - kinda depends on where you're travelling to but assuming a fairly good country medically speaking then just the basics: plasters and dressings in assorted sizes, tweezers, nail scissors, essential oils (I take lavender - helps pretty much everything! Headaches, burns & scalds inc sunburn, cuts & grazes..., tea tree - bites and stings, antibiotic/antiseptic for wound cleaning & insect repellent, peppermint - upset stomachs, headaches, stuffy noses), aloe gel - fantastic for sunburn and cuts and grazes especially if mixed with a few drops lavender oil, crepe bandages and safety pins,

Clothes

Wear warmer/bulkier clothes (and shoes) on the plane, layer up so you've more space in suitcase, I generally wear a vest, tee, AND a cardigan or light jacket on the plane, if you do feel warm it's easy enough to tie cardi/jacket around your waist. Jeans, trainers & socks.

Other than that assuming a "normal" beach holiday I would recommend:

3 swimsuits/bikinis minimum - you'll be practically living in these so you'll want 1 to wear, 1 drying. 1 in "laundry" as it were

I sleep nude on holiday but for those who don't wish to - light pjs or nightie or tee whichever you prefer, take a few as you sweat more at night

3 vests

3 tees

3 pairs shorts

Couple of dresses/skirts for "fancy"

10 pairs underwear - save yourself the grim task of hand washing undies and have enough spare for sweaty/period/discharge days

7 bras - i wear the crop top style ones due to disability but again it's a faff handwashing more than strictly necessary

Remember you're wearing stuff on plane too

Shoes

Remember you're wearing trainers on the plane

I'm not a fan of packing heels as they take up too much space/weight and even in a supposedly separate section they can end up causing damage to clothes - but it's personal preference, if you do take then I would say take 1 neutral pair

Flip flops - again you'll live in these probably so take a few pairs. I tend to take a couple of "plain" ones and 1 or 2 "fancy" ones they come in so many great designs now

1 additional pair of trainers if you think you'll wear them.

2/3 scarves/sarong type deals - they take up so little space and are so versatile, great for covering up if you feel you're burning or adding a little warmth of an evening as a wrap or even turning a swimsuit into a "dress", they're also handy to use to create an extra "pillow" if the ones in the hotel are insufficient or go flat in the night! Even as a bag (knot the corners).

Luggage wise I would say have a rucksack style bag for hand luggage which you can then use as a beach bag on holiday - remember to check dimensions for your airline and carry on restrictions.

I like to have in my hand luggage:.

Basic toiletries, meds, basic make up, tech/IT & chargers etc, purse/phone/keys of course, travel docs, 1 each vest, pants, shorts - just in case load luggage goes astray!

Load luggage - I manage fine for both dd and I with a standard sized suitcase. As you're travelling with partner if you're taking 2 cases I'd have it you both have luggage in each case - again in case 1 goes astray.

@Graphista great packing list. @lucindaaa will you have access to a washing machine there? That makes a huge difference in how much you should pack, especially due to the sweaty heat.