First family holiday, luggage/packing advice and tips please?!

[YerAuntFanny]

I haven't been abroad since I was in my early teens and DH had never been, now we're booked up for Spain in October and I realise just how clueless I am!

I'm thinking 2x medium cases between 4 of us (kids are 12 and 5) plus 2 rucksacks as carry on, will this be allowed/enough or should we have small suitcases too?

This is my packing list, any thoughts?

Travel wear:
1x hoodie
1x tshirt
1x jeans
1x canvas trainers
1x bra
1x boxers/pants
1x socks

Girls:
2x cardigans
3x vests
3x shorts
2x dresses
1x sandals
7x pants
3x socks
2xj bras
2x short PJ's
2x swimwear

Boys:
1x hoodie
5x t-shirts
5x shorts
1x sandals
3x boxers
5x socks
2x short PJ's
2x trunks

4x beach towels
4x hats
4x sunglasses

Toiletries:
2 in 1 shampoo
Soap
2x razors
4x toothbrushes
Toothpaste

Make up:
BB cream
Waterproof mascara
Lip balm

4x large suncream

3x phones
2x chargers
Kindle
Camera
Batteries

4x passports
4x photo copies
Insurance document
Health card
Cash/euro card

I think I have everything covered and don't mind doing a quick hand wash every few evenings if needed, or is this totally unrealistic?

See, clueless 😁

How long are you going for? Not sure if that's enough if you're going for 2 weeks. Hotel or self catering?

We'll be away 10 nights/11 full days in a hotel, half board if that makes any difference.

I honestly don't know where to start!

Deodorant, hairbrushes.
Not sure what the weather will be like, but if you think it's shorts weather, why vests?
Need some teeshirts for the girls. I'd put in more boxers for the boys.
Worth taking some plasters and pain killers.
You need a plug adapter - I usually take one, and an extension lead with 4 sockets.
Do you need some travel wash?

Enjoy your holiday

What is your luggage allowance? In general most airlines only allow one hand luggage per person (so either cabin case OR rucksack - some airlines allow more) - what have you paid for?

As you're not going until October I don't think you can really decide on the actual clothes until the week before. The weather is more temperamental in October so you may need more/less warmer clothes maybe even rain jackets (sorry).

Will you be hiring sun loungers or sitting on towels at the beach? If sitting on the towel what do you intend to dry yourselves with if only taking 4 towels? (if in a hotel you could take their towels but hotels don't really like it).

I aim to wear dresses/bottoms twice if it's just a beach holiday. If I'm doing lots of sightseeing/hiking then I pack more clothes as I get too sweaty and don't want to hand wash.

Ooh I completely forgot those, thanks!

Yes, will be a mix of vests and t-shirts but forgot them on the list! I prefer vests but DD prefers t-shirts.

Does hotel provide beach/pool towels?

Spain in October could be jeans weather - do you know what’s likely?

I love compression vacuum bags for packing

Damn, I really haven't thought this through!

Glad I asked now...

I have been looking at those microfibre towels for drying as they're lighter/less bulky than lugging 8 beach towels around I think?

Right, may change shorts to light trousers instead. Maybe hareem/cropped leggings instead!

Sweatshirts and rain wear jackets - where are you going in Spain. In October you can get cooler and rainy days.

Which part of Spain? If south it will still be warm. They don’t take the sunbeds/umbrellas in until November

Salou, not planning beach days as such just a few pool days/theme park and generally sauntering about. Possibly a day trip to Barcelona.

I assume the photocopies are in case you lose the original passports?
In that situation, you would be more than likely to have lost the photocopies as well!

Just scan/take pic and email to yourself. No need for paper copies if you have electronic ones.

Also think about aftersun or moisturiser - chlorine and sea water can be very drying.

Finally, don't do washing per se, you're on holiday! Just chuck whatever clothes need a quick wash into the shower and have everyone sluice them about with their feet, then roll up in a towel to squeeze dry then hang overnight. That is plenty enough to get out a bit of sweat and "wear" each day.

Driving license for your car hire

Good ideas Shotsfired, that was probably more my style of washing anyway. Never thought of email copies rather than paper ones.

Get the kids to take a hand luggage each too even if they just have their own entertainment in it. Short haul flights don’t often have films etc these days so you.

Also pack some clothes in hand luggage in case your suit case is lost. I just put in 1 outfit and a swimming costume (although DD is 3 so gets about 5 outfits in case she has an accident).

If you’re flying BA you’re allowed to take hand luggage + 1 bag up to laptop size which is useful too.

I don't have a driving licence and no car rental plans :)

I would give the 12 year old a case too.

Something for evenings? 2 dresses doesn't seem much. Is your Dd the 12 or 5 year old? The younger one is likely to get more dirty and need more stuff. Possibly be chilly in the evening too. My 12 to always had their own case.

Make sure there is a bit of everyone's clothing in each hold suitcase, so if one does go awol you still have some spare clothes for everyone.

Some ibuprofen, diarrhoea tablets, indigestion etc etc remedies?

I take one outfit per day and usually dress up for dinner in some nice dresses or skirts and tops.

Salou in October is a lot cooler to when we go in July so maybe cropped trousers and extra cardigans.

We went last summer and had a case each.

Why towels never yet taken towels away with us.

Usually we travel with 4 10kg suitcases. Have done two weeks in Spain, Sweden, the States and Barbados like this.

Would get evening on the bed and then look again at what you really need to take.

Coats etc I’d wear.

If it helps, these are temps from last October. The lows will be early morning; evenings will just gradually cool down.

Do take light waterproofs & a couple of brollies.

m.accuweather.com/en/es/salou/304711/month/304711?monyr=10/01/2017

DD is the youngest.

Bugger, I think my minimalist packing ideas are out the window

We're not really dress up people so not too fussed about day/evening wear, if it's clean and fits then I'm happy!

(Small folding brollies )