To ask for a holiday checklist for dummies

[Justyou]

Hi, I’ve just booked our 1st family holiday abroad (me,dh, 3dc) we’ve never flown since we were young and kids haven’t flown ever.
It’s to Cyprus in 2 weeks it was a combination of never having passports until now , big b day coming up & desperately needing one/wanting one before teenagers don’t wanna come away anymore that led to it being a last minute thing.
Please please could anyone help with any advice that may help, packing lists, airport advice/tips anything at all.
We really are totally clueless - I have been googling but to be honest my head is ready to explode with just researching/booking the holiday, can’t believe how stressful it was having to factor in so much stuff.

I am asking as I know that there will be really obvious things I would never even have thought to pack.
Thank you in hopeful advance!!

Medication - paracetamol, ibuprofen, loperamide, antihistamines

Photocopy of passports
Passports
Travel documents
Boarding passes

Clothes for everyone
Spare shoes
Extra undies
Swimming stuff

Toiletries
Emergency period pack
Suncream
Aftersun
Shampoo/conditioner
Razors/shaving cream
Bite relief cream

Tablets
Toys
Chargers for phones
Plug adapters
Headphones

You can take noodles, biscuits, crisps in your main case.

Anything under 100ml needs to go in a clear plastic bag you get from airport security but can stay in your hand luggage.

Make sure you have enough laundry detergent for when you get home.

I always book a food delivery for about 6-7 hours after we land. Been hiccup-free every time. Probably jinxed it now.

Food delivery awesome idea thanks!
How’s travel going Icequeen01 ?

We have arrived safely after a good flight which was delayed by an hour but we managed to make up time in the air so only arrived 35 mins late in the end. It’s currently 10.30 pm here and it’s 26c so no need for a cardigan! I’m feeling cross with myself as I left my lovely denim jacket on the plane 😡 I loved that jacket!! During our stay if I find anything useful to pass on I will post again.

Cyprus is 240v UK sockets, I believe?
Check the situation re. Powders in hand luggage just before you go, as there is a change of rules likely, so eye shadow, baby powder etc. may become an issue in hand luggage.
Check in on line e and print boarding cards if you can
Take beach towels, most hotels won't let you take room towels on the beach. If there's pool they may supply or rent towels for that.
Any laptops or kindles need to be in separate tray for security.
You need to remove watches, belts etc for the metal detector.
At the moment it seems to be footwear off ( even flip flops) for security. This seems to vary from week to week and airport, so just ask at security if unsure.

my really specific tip (based on bitter and painful experience). Have some sort of insect repellent with you on the plane and use it. I'm very likely to get bitten getting off the plane/collecting luggage /driving to the hotel. And then spending time itching and sulking.

Put chargers, plus uk plug and euro plug adaptors in your hand luggage NOT the hold, so if you get delayed / esp in foreign airport you can charge your gadgets and phones. Get a decent battery charger for back up.

Most people don't realise that EVEN THOUGH you might have to throw your liquids away before security you can take packed lunches through. Make a batch of sarnies in Tupperware for the flight, I always do this now, never had an issue with security, also take empty bottles through to fill from water fountains and you won't be fleeced by the airport or airline prices (e.g. 30 quid for four sandwiches and water).

Do the same the other way. Get your Tupperware loaded up with sandwiches/bananas/chocolate croissants or whatever from a local supermarket.

Finding the local supermarket is a good thing all round. Seek it out on the first day, not for plastic crap but for water and other basics.

You can do a click and collect order and pick up toiletries from Boots airside; good for sun cream, after sun etc and if you are hand luggage only.

You get these great waterproof pouches from Amazon and are really good for putting your phone, keys etc in for when you’re at the beach or pool.

www.amazon.co.uk/Waterproof-Mpow-Watertight-Underwater-Smartphone-Transparent/dp/B01IJKI874/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?ref=plSrch&keywords=waterproof+pouch&dpPl=1&dpID=51ruaT4CibL&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&tag=mumsnetforum-21&ie=UTF8&qid=1533158625&sr=8-4

www.amazon.co.uk/Waterproof-Pouch-Boating-Kayaking-Hiking/dp/B0140Y9R46/ref=mp_s_a_1_5?ref=plSrch&keywords=waterproof+pouch&dpPl=1&dpID=416i9FFcMwL&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&tag=mumsnetforum-21&ie=UTF8&qid=1533158625&sr=8-5

You definitely don’t need adaptors for plugs in Cyprus. Their sockets are the same as ours.

Jesus you are going to fry,
take a portable pop up shade tent thingy,
Find those caps with a neck flap for the kids.
Find out if the car has shades for the windows or take your own
Best of luck its a long flight for 3yr old

Dc are teens & 8

Is it really worryingly hot over there?

It's about 30-34C so think about any keep cool tactics you have used here recently.
I have been carrying a damp flannel and bottled water as my car air conditioning has broken down and I don't have a day off to get it fixed. The flannel helps a lot

Get the kids to take some of the responsibility for their own packing. It's your holiday too. Have a great trip.

Justyou It is no hotter over here at the moment than it is in the UK! It's currently 30c here (although it may get a few degrees hotter over the next couple of hours). We are currently sitting by our pool in the shade and it's gorgeous. I assume you have a pool at your hotel to dip in and out?

I was anxious about the heat just like you last year and even posted on here about it but we had a fab holiday but you just need to make sure you are sensible. I don't use anything under a 30 sunscreen when I am here. DH and I usually go for a walk early in the morning before it gets really hot then come back to wake up our DS18 who would sleep the day away if we let him. We then swim in the pool or go to a nearby cove to swim and snorkel which is not far from us. We don't rush anywhere we just chill .... Make sure you have plenty of fluids (water not alcohol 😀)

You will have a fantastic time I'm sure of it! Here are a couple of photos to wet your appetite!

Thank you so much it looks gorgeous , shopping yesterday & tomorrow for holiday stuff but most places sold out of basic stuff, gonna have hunt on our hands and next year buy early.

Justyou - you really don't need many clothes! I found last year that I took a lot home unworn. I lived in my swimming costumes, a couple of cover up dresses, couple of pairs of shorts and some tops and a couple of dresses for the evening. I guess it might be harder if you are in a hotel and can't wash any of your clothes. Luckily we have a washing machine in our villa but I only really washed our beach towels and some underwear a few times.

Passports
Travel insurance
First aid kit- calpol, paracetamol, heart burn tabs, plasters etc.
Boarding passes
Money
Purse

Cyprus can get windy so layers- maxi skirts, hoodie (good for cold plane too)
Flip flops- don't bother with anything else
Summer clothes
Kids towels
Mozzie bands- Poundland
Arm bands
Floats
Swimming pool toys

Toiletries
Book
Magazine
Sunnies
Swimming nappies
iPad with films and programmes
Back pack
Chargers
Headphones

Make up
Socks
Undies
Bikinis
Plastic bag for dirty clothes
Beach bag for daily trips to beach and pool

Suncream!
After sun
Body shop lotion

Hairbands (I forgot- extremely hot so very annoying)

(We're currently abroad in lanzarote with 2DC 4 and 2)

And adapter plugs

Stupid question- do people on holiday actually wear the big straw hats? I got one but now am panicking that I’m gonna look like the newby holiday maker

I hope you took nothing related to work, definitely no work phone if you have one.

I do! They're great and keep your shoulders from burning

Thats why I wanted one to protect my shoulders but don’t wanna look crazy if I’m the only person with one

Icequeen01 How’s hol going? Getting so so excited now, I think the panic has gone and it’s just positive thoughts that it’s going to be fab.

The holiday is wonderful thank you @Justyou.

Your comment about straw hats made me laugh. I've just bought two and loads of people are wearing them. As long as it hasn't got Kiss Me Quick on it you will be fine 😀 It's still hot here but looking at the temps at home it's about the same as the UK. Only thing we have noticed is there has been a bit of cloud which we didn't have last year and earlier we actually thought we might get a shower - we didn't! You can see what I mean from the attached photo. We have hired a boat for Friday so we can sail up the coastline a little and stop at various good snorkelling sites. You only need to have a driving licence to hire the boat. My DS has a turn "driving" the boat (he's got a driving licence) and he loves it.

You will have a lovely time and I am going to look forward to your posts and hopefully some piccies?