What to take?

[ChangeMyHappy]

I need some advice on what to pack please.

I'm going to an AI hotel with MIL, DH and DD1 5, DD2 18 months. We're staying in an apartment with a kitchenette. We have a luggage allowance of 15kg each except for DD2 who has 10kg. We currently own 2 suitcases and a travelling size rucksack between us. Max weight in any bag is 23kg I believe.

My main concern is that i don't (as usual) end up taking the kitchen sink with us!

So, what can I leave behind, and what must i absolutely not forget?

TIA

Where are you going? What will the weather be like?

And how long are you staying for?

Were going to Menorca in July for 10 nights...likely to be too hot

Just realised this all sounds a bit pathetic! I should be able to pack a few clothes and a wash bag

What I was looking for was more of the 'we didn't take ...but wished we had' or 'we took x y z but didn't use any of it'.

We haven't had an overseas holiday for 3 years, and probably won't for at least another 3 (or more ) so I'm just getting excited and hoping to get it right!

it will indeed be hot. You need one warmish fleece for the plane, maybe the transfer bus and that's it.

make sure you have the medication everyone needs. Yes, they have chemists abroad but who wants to be finding one when ill?

don't overpack, you won't wear most of it. There is no need for a different swimsuit and a different outfit for each day.

sunsuits for the kids, plus sunhats - one to wear, one dry to change into after swimming and one drying on the balcony.

might be worth taking tea, coffee etc so you can have a cuppa when you want one. But as it is AI I don't see a need for anything else!

check weight of suitcases; they are often very heavy even empty. You certainly don't want one of 23kg, you won't have a porter!

Minimum medicine like painkillers, antibacterial cream, thermometer, plaster.

Travel insurance and credit card

I always take lots of spare underwear, I hate sweaty knickers.

Sunhat, sunlotion (normally expensive in resorts)

A bit to entertain the children in the hotel if you need some siesta like a small game, books, paper and crayon. Stickerbooks are great like the Usborne Dolly Dressing for the older one. We had games like Uno (could also play in a restaurant or cafe), memory, Ludo. Things you don't need lots of pieces and instructions so no need to take the box.

Some entertainment for the flight back, English stuff is very expensive.

Some small tupper ware container if you want to take snacks out of the hotel room.

Weigh your cases. I was horrified when my old ones weighed 6kg each. If they are heavy replace with trolly bags.

Buy all toiletries when there or airside at the airport to save weight in the bags.

Swim nappies - don't chuck when worn, they dry out for a second use ok.

Does the hotel supply towels for the pool? Some don't

Take a little carton of travel wash to rinse things through like undies so you don't need to take a lot.

Some great ideas here:

silver-fish.hubpages.com/hub/what-to-pack-for-a-family-beach-holiday

Travel pills for the transfer. Once you're off that main road that runs across the middle of the island, some of the little roads can be quite winding and your DC's might need them. Also handy pre-descent of the plane as it can be bumpy! Sick bags in hand luggage too as a precaution - can you tell we have got caught out more than once!

something to keep them swallowing on take off and landing incase they have sore ears. A sports bottle filled with water or if you feel relaxed about it ... a lolly....something like a chuppa chuppa. The idea is to stimulate saliva so they keep swallowing. They can brush their teeth when you land if you're worried about the sugar!!

These are great, thanks!

I had planned to take some lollies for DD1 to suck, recommended by a friend, but not sure about DD2...not too precious as a one off, but she is a one woman demolition derby, so the idea of her plus soggy, sticky sugariness in a confined space with other people-shudder

Hadn't thought about drying out the swim nappies-brilliant! Thanks!

Also great website link, thanks.