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 😁

Thanks for that Morris, it's a €10 deposit per towel for the duration of the stay so that might actually be worth looking at :)

With 22k luggage allowance you can take the kitchen sink.
You are staying in one place for ten days so I don't see the need to minimise.
I have always taken four cases for a family holiday and I would take way more clothes than you. Make sure you buy cases with four wheels not two as they are so easy to move about.
If necessary you can buy pool towels very cheaply in resort and they are a fun souvenir.
As others have said Spain in October is very late season and the weather could be warm and sunny or cool and wet so you need to cover all eventualities. A bit like a British summer holiday.

We have the 'world's lightest' brand cases and take 3 large ones. I always take washing line and pegs too

It's not so much the NEED to minimise, I just hate lugging loads of stuff around!

Plus we have a 200 mile drive to the airport and I'm not sure 4 cases and people would fit comfortably in the car 😂

Article on packing cubes

Definitely more outfits for everyone, if it's still warm you'll want to freshen up before evening meal even if not into fancy clothes and possibly warmer ones for evenings. I don't know if you plan to take some toys/books/colouring/drawing stuff, 5 year old will need some entertainment. Particularly if not planning beach days as this is the best entertainment.

I often take a small jar of coffee and oats as my toddler loves his porridge and we tend to be self catering.

Why don't you see if you can borrow some cases rather than the expense of new?

Make sure you buy cases with four wheels not two as they are so easy to move about

I love the twirly 4-wheelers, but I use 2-wheelers because they’re much less susceptible to baggage-handler damage. (I’ll always check in cabin bags if it’s free, so they’re 2-wheeler too).

We have the IT super-light cases too as they leave much more weight allowance for contents.

We drive to Manchester from Scotland for our flights and 3 cases fit ok. Take enough underwear for every day. Take spare tops and make dressier outfits for evening last 2 nights.

We do have one medium hardshelled case and friend is willing to lend another medium so I think we'll just get 2 cabin cases then a rucksack each as carry on.

Just means nothing will match but I'm sure I'll cope!

Don't forget that you can buy things when you get here - suncreams, mosquito spray, shampoos, pegs...

There are Chinese bazaar shops dotted about for cheap buckets n spades and other beach toys, and they'll have towels if it turns out you need to buy some (better priced ones are back from the seafront), or a beach umbrella.

You could have very, very warm days - i have had lunch on tbe seafront in a tshirt - with cooler evenings and the odd rainshower.

There isn't an awful lot to do there if it is raining, cinemas are in Spanish.

If you need to buy any clothes, or fancy a mooch, there's a shopping centre in Tarragona (20 mins by bus along the seafront) with H+M, Zara etc. There's also a ton of Roman stuff to see there including an amphitheatre, definitely worth a visit.

The Salou beach us fantastic - wide, long, lots of climbing frames and swings dotted along. You can rent bicycles cheaply and cycle down the seafront bike lanes to Cambrils, which is very very pretty, great ice cream! In Salou next to the train station is a great little park with loads to do for you 5yo, very safe, a few little bars for coffee/ice cream/people watching.

Anyway, back to clothes... Pack layers! But you get stuff while you're there. Enjoy your holiday.

You can attach some distinctive ribbon to the suitcase handles so yours are easier to spot when they come off the carousel, especially if black, some can look quite similar.

Suncream can be quite expensive in Spain, I'd take it with you.

Check the weather forecast just before you travel to refine your clothes to the expected weather.

I'd expect and prepare for the odd shower or cool evening. 22 kg per person sounds like you're on a Jet2holidays package, so in that case, I'd take one wheelie case per person (or 3 between 4) and just take small rucksacks/handbags on the plane for the journey and any valuables/delicates/medicines etc. Easier to get through the airport if you get rid of most of your luggage straight away. Sometimes jet2 do resort check in on the way back, which is also a big convenience.

I really wouldn't worry about lost luggage, the chances of it happening on direct flights is very very low.