Holiday hacks

[LifeInAHamsterWheel]

We're going abroad soon, self catering, first time abroad in a long time and I've forgotten the things I used to bring to make things easier.

So far all I've got is an extension lead so that we can plug in various things with just one adapter - I know there are loads more, but my mind is blank!

Hit me with your holiday hacks please

I personally take dry bags (which also take up less room than folding clothes in suitcases) to put dirty / clean clothes in.

DC all grown up now so holidays tend to have more leisure time....

One of my favourite things to do on holiday is to navigate a washing machine. Most reasonable 'naice' hotels eps in the USA have a DIY laundry room on the premises. I'm endlessly fascinated by the difference in washing machines.

Taking home clean clothes is a welcome side effect

If you like your tea or coffee sweetened, take condensed milk in a squeezy tube (if you are allowed to take dairy in).

Packing cubes have made life so much easier for me. Just cheap ones from ebay.

I'm intrigued by packing cubes. I must be quite sad, because I get quiet satisfaction from finding perfect pockets & corners in the suitcase for socks and underwear so that I can pack my nice clothes flat.

I'd worry that I'd actually end up getting less stuff in.

@hopeishere , found the same in France, arrived late near Lake Annecy - nothing to make a cup,of tea or coffee with. I suppose we’re spoilt in the U.K., where there’s nearly always a ‘welcome tray’ with a nice packet of biscuits and even maybe a bottle of wine thrown in.

We take an extension cable with an adapter
Thats it, no food, mugs, tin opener, tea bags or anything else and I’ve never wished I had despite going SC around 4 or 5 times a year

Corkscrew!

If OP is flying (she said they're going abroad) then I'm not sure a knife is a good idea, even in checked luggage!

We take,
Tea towel
J cloth
Tea bag
Cork screw
Sharp knife
Dish washer tablets
Coffee filter papers and a little cup to use with
Matches
We buy basics on our journey to eat/ have a drink on day 1 .

can of g&t
olive oil
salt
vinegar
microfibre towels
multi plug with usb and adapter
water bottles
coffee
tupaware
bag clips
tunnocks

Reading this thread with interest as we're heading abroad soon , S/C as usual but this time we're travelling lighter than usual.

I just had a (potential brainwave?) thought ....can you use your Amazon Prime whilst abroad? ( in our case , Spain).

If so it could be very handy when travelling light for those items you don't want to take "just in case"

In the apartment we go to regularly in Corfu, there is always a basket of fruit, a litre of milk and some drinks (water, juice) already chilled in the fridge. Last time the owner went to the cash and carry for us, to save us trying to cart three weeks' worth of bottled water back to our apartment. We love her, she always is a star all round but this additional kindness was a delight. Never had to take kitchen sundries but we do always take teabags as you can't get Yorkshire abroad.

I have a long holiday checklist of things to make sure we have done everything and brought all we need, in itself one of my most useful things!

Oh my god tea bags how could I have forgotten them?! Thank you!

split the packing across multiple bags in case you lose one.

Swimming noodle to use as a bed guard and stop kids falling out of bed.

lots of snack and reusable sticker books and colouring for the journey and eating out.

download the kids fave shows on your phone/iPad before travelling.

more hacks we’ve seen on www.yourofferskidsoffers.com and bast family on Instagram!

I always take carry on only (probably not feasible with kids).

Because of limited space I don't take any toiletries or towels. Buying towels/toiletries (and even cheap trainers once) there is much, much cheaper than paying for hold luggage. Even buying t shirts and shorts in resort can be cheaper and it is so much quicker getting out the airport

Tin foils sticks to window with water if you need blackout blinds eyc

We freeze bottles of water and that way you have cold water all day long nearly. Or up until it's time for a glass of something alcoholic.