Top tips for self catering villa holiday?

[Flamingnorahs]

Hi. Have booked a villa in a European town for one week during the summer. First time renting a villa, so excited but a little unsure what to expect really. What sort of essentials do you recommend we bring? We have done self catering in UK in a cabin and one other time abroad but that was in a hotel. All other holidays have been all inclusive. We will be renting a car as location is quite secluded and a drive away from local amenities. Will be myself, husband and two teen sons. Thanks in advance ☺️

Research where you nearest supermarket is or consider doing an online food shop before you go and get it delivered to your villa on your first full day. Now that my dc are a little older, we no longer do this because it’s quite fun browsing round foreign supermarkets tbh!
Take your own tea and coffee, little sachets of condiments, Tupperware (for packed lunches or leftovers) and sandwich bags.
Work out in advance what meals you’re going to have so you can take small amounts of any necessary dry ingredients (like herbs and spices), instead of buying way more than you’ll need when you get out there.

We pack teabags, marmite, a few dishwasher tablets, a couple of washing machine tablets, toiletries, pack of cards, kindles/books & just the normal stuff we always need, (clothes, swimwear,etc)

Yes to bringing small tubs/bags of spices you use regularly. Also washing powder and antibac wipes. Try to check the kitchen inventory to see if you need to bring any utensils. I've found that "fully equipped kitchen" is a very broad term! One villa, despite being child friendly with highchairs and stair gates only had champagne flutes for the dc to drink out of. I would gave killed for a nearby pound shop to buy plastic cups.

We’ve often had ‘welcome hampers’ at villas, with milk, butter, drinks in the fridge and bread, jam, cheese, tea, coffee, cake etc. Is this indicated on the website of the property you’ve rented? If not, you could pack an absolute minimum to get you by till you get sorted and do a shop - some tea and coffee bags, a little bottle of ‘Squash’d’, some dried milk, packs of brioches or similar , some individual ‘variety’ boxes of cereal. Any particular ‘must haves’, whether food or toiletries, a spare loo roll, just in case! I’ve never known a villa not to have basic condiments, sugar etc. but no harm in taking small amounts. Hope you have a lovely holiday!

I agree with finding out where your nearest supermarket is before you go. Write down a shopping list in advance so you don't forget anything. (And make sure you buy bottled water!) I usually pack teabags, coffee, a little sugar to keep us going until we go shopping, a couple of toilet rolls, sandwich bags, pegs (have never been in a villa yet that has enough), small tupperware containers. If your children are quite young I would also consider taking a couple of plastic beakers for around the pool, as some places only seem to have glasses.

Sorry, just re-read and realised they're teens so no need for plastic beakers! Hope the wi-fi is good though!

Id add to the other suggestions a sharp knife, bottle opener and corkscrew. And a tea towel.

I wouldn't expect a welcome hamper outside the U.K. so I would stop off and pick up a few essentials. Bear in mind that in most of Europe shops are closed on Sundays so if you're doing Saturday- Saturday, you won't be able to buy anything until Monday

We must have been lucky! We’ve had villas on Lanzarote, Tenerife, and Cyprus, and all of them had at least the basics like tea/coffee/milk/bread/ butter/mineral water left for us.

We've ever had a welcome hamper outside the UK, and afaik no shops do deliveries outside the UK either! So I'd find out where your nearest supermarket is. And pharmacy.

Take a phrase book, sun lotion - in case you can't get your fav brand there - and you will prob need to take beach/pool towels.

Where are you going? Have a lovely time!

British owners I'd guess!

Ah, thanks so much for this! I'll make a list of all these suggestions. I knew you mumsnetters wouldn't let me down! Springtimeishereagain, we're off to Italy. Can't wait 😊

To be honest they vary a lot in terms of what is already there - we've had some with the bare basics, and others with a comprehensively equipped kitchen including cleaning products/dishwasher tablets etc. Check the reviews and see what others have said.