Best packing tips needed here please!

[IlanaK]

We are off to Austria for a week at the end of the month and the weather will be variable. Every holiday I try to pack less and never manage. This time we are flying Ryan air who have a very limited baggage allowance so I must do better!

There are 4 of us: me, dh and two ds aged 3 and 6. We have to take swimming towels, but are going to a Kinderhotel which says they have some toys there. We must take books for the boys as there will be no English ones there. To make things worse, I am quite a large lady so can't just throw on a tshirt and a cardi to look good.

At home I wash the boys clothes after just one wearing. It does list a washing machine at the hotel, but I don't want to spend my holiday doing clothes washes.

Sooooo....share your best tips for how I can get this right!

No-one has any packing tips???

I had four months in the far east on one 30kg suitcase so my top tips are:

don't fold, roll! saves masses of space, also try and get those space saver bags that take the air out and reduce the space used.
Only take what is essential, think about what you will need, check what the weather will be like and pack accordingly. I.e if it is going to be warm take summery things but pack a cardi/light jacket or two for cool evenings.

Wear your heaviest shoes (unless on a long haul flight). Take one pair walking shoes (wear them) one pair sandals, one pair nice shoes if you intend going out for evening meals. fit as many things into the shoes you pack as possible.

decant all toiletries into smaller bottles and only take what is essential. Sod cleanser toner etc, use babwipes or facewipes it's only for a week. if using suncream you don't really need moisturiser either.

Can you take one or two books of short stories each?

take one outfit each for each day plus 3 or 4 extras and two going out in the evening outfits if required. That should get you through a week.

Don't take anything that you could get there if it isn't essential i.e washing up liquid or laundry liquid.

Pack things inside your (packed) shoes.

I also put the heavy (but non liquid) things in DP's hand luggage to save on checked-in weight.

And actually, last time we flew Ryan Air, we got away with having a surprising amount of stuff in the buggy bag - t-shirts, shoes, nappies etc, although with your youngest being 3 you prob won't be taking a buggy.

Wear all jewelery to travel in. Sparkly!