Beach/sun holiday novice - what to pack help!

[Holidaynovice]

We are a family of 5 and are going away on our first non UK holiday this summer for 2 weeks. We're really looking forward to it and its likely be a one time experience for us as a family. I am however completely out of my comfort zone when it comes to what to take. Previous family holidays have been UK self catering so we don't have the wardrobe or the equipment (e.g. suitcases) for the type of holiday we're going on this year and are starting from scratch.

Its going to be hot - around 30°. We wont be doing masses of sightseeing/walking as there are so many sports and activities at the resort which will keep everyone happy. We will want to explore locally a bit though.

Firstly suitcases... one each? Hard shell or fabric or doesn't it really matter?

Hand luggage - is this just a bag each or do you take one of those mini cabin cases each? What do you take in hand luggage? I've not flown since 2000!

Swimwear - I imagine there will be time spent at the pools or beach every day - how many pairs of swimwear each would you take for 2 weeks? Do you take washing powder to wash them through?

Day wear- am assuming beach cover ups, shorts, tshirts etc or summer dresses? How many?

Eating out/evening wear - shorts and shirts or tshirts for the males, summers dresses for me and dd, how many would you take. Cardigan or 2 in case it's cooler in the evening?

Footwear - flip-flops for the pool/beach, walking sandals for trips out? Evening sandals? DS's live in trainers at home but would imagine they would be too hot in these unless doing sports.

Travel clothes - what do you travel in? Just comfortable clothes and layers? Do you take a change of clothes each... just in case?

Sun cream - how many bottles?

Beach towels - 1 each or more?

Pool bag/beach bag?

Sunhats/caps for all.

Am I missing anything?

Thanks in advance for any advice, I realise I may be overthinking things a bit. It's a lot of money for us and as it's likely to be a one off I just want everything to go smoothly.

Ah I'm an expert on this.

So what you do is, take all the beachwear you own, lots of swimming costumes, plenty of tshirts and vest tops, several shorts, a variety of dresses and skirts and a few pairs of sandals so that you have options (for the evening you see)....and then.....you live in one swimsuit and your fav pair of shorts for the entire holiday and bring everything else back unworn

I take most of what you've suggested but I am a bit of an overpacker and could probably do with less. I usually take 2-3 sets of swimwear and 2-3 coverups which are also suitable for wearing to lunch at a casual beachside taverna/beach bar/hotel restaurant etc. I just rinse swimwear rather than properly washing them.

Travel clothes I usually travel in jeans or leggings so I have one warmer thing if needed or for when we get home. Maybe leggings under a dress or skirt if it's going to be super hot as soon as you get off the plane as it's easy to remove the leggings without getting changed. I would always take what you need for the first day including swimwear and suitable clothes for the weather in hand luggage as I have had hold luggage delayed a few times. Nothing more annoying than being at the beach and not being able to swim or having to spend your first day on holiday shopping.

Hard shell but lightweight suitcases with 4 wheels are easiest. Hand luggage can be the smaller cabin size version but very much depends on the airline and your luggage allowance. I always pack a full set of swimwear plus cover up and flip flops as well as spare underwear in case of luggage delays - also DC's goggles as they won't swim without them. DC always have their own backpack with their own stuff in, younger ages I pack pjs and toothbrush in hand luggage so they can go straight to bed without sifting through the cases if it's a late arriving flight.
I pack a cloth bag in hand luggage for all the snacks/drinks/magazines we buy at the airport and always take a luggage scale so that we don't bring too much back and get charged for excess baggage.
I don't tend to wash clothes for two weeks so ensure everyone has at least two weeks worth of socks and pants. Invariably we put swimwear on for breakfast under shorts and T-shirts and get straight to the beach/ pool though so don't use as much as you think.
When packing main luggage I split everyone's stuff over all the cases so that we all have clothes if one case is lost.
Depending on where you are going it is probably worth bringing suncream as it's normally v expensive in resorts. Allow for 1-2 bottles per person and don't forget mosquito repellent- put it on every evening when you go out for dinner.
Hope you have a fab time

I love a bit of holiday planning ☺️

Things I always take:
Emergency 2-3 laundry tabs just in case - some washing machines come ready loaded with detergent on sites, but you want to avoid having to buy a whole box at the resort.
A couple of decent large bags for life: useful for going to the beach/pool, laundry trips, food shopping if self-catering.
Look at hiring beach towels rather than lugging yours from home.
Yes, multiple swimsuits needed; everything else you’ll probably overpack!
Shoes: make sure everyone has one pair of closed toe shoes for activities, just in case.
Don’t take a jacket! You’ll spend a fortnight lugging it round a hot country.
Money: get a card which doesn’t charge fees for spending abroad, and then you can just use that rather than changing loads of money. Take a bit of €€ for kids to spend, but no more than that. We use Starling abroad, but you can also get credit cards that don’t charge.

Have a fantastic time ☀️

Veteran of 45 years holidays with and without children.
Big suitcases on four wheels plus a rucksack per person. The rucksacks can be used on the beach.
A bit depends on age of DC.
For a largely beach /pool based holiday for 14 nights.
Flip flops for everyone plus travel in trainers.
Sandals as well for me.
Enough pants and socks for 2 weeks unless you wish to do laundry on holiday (I always buy new pant for hols).
Three pairs of shorts each plus an extra pair for the males.
10 t shirts
Hats
3 pairs of trunks per person and 3 bikinis plus a full swimsuit for me (if there is a water park a cossie is better).
Long sleeved floaty top thing for over swimwear.
Some manky old t shirts for swimming. Or if the DC are small then buy sun protection vests.
For me I take summer dresses for evening, probably 4 or 5.
Decent hotels will supply pool towels but not beach towels. I often buy a tacky souvenir beach towel in resort along with a mat and body boards for DC.
Take spray sun cream if you can. Lots of it.
Mozzie spray. Do around your ankles and don't forget the first night.

I always take some travel detergent (can buy at Superdrug in travel section), 2-3 swim wear items, flip flops for pool, sandals for evening and something a bit more solid that I travel in.
Something to wear each evening and an outfit for the day for breakfast and lunch but interchangeable shorts and skirts.
For 5 people I’d take 6 bottles of suncream; you can buy more but it’s often more expensive.
For the plane just a bag for everyone to carry; no need for a mini suitcase and something to entertain everyone.
I don’t take beach towels as they take up so much space.

Thank you all, much appreciated! Now off to make lists 😁☀

Suitcases - we have both soft and hard shell. Both have cons and pros but the hard shells are heavier.

We take one tote bag for the pool/beach and two backpacks as handluggage. I have a small purse as well. All medication (presciption), electronics, charger and essentials like stuffed toys etc go in there. Plus books and whatever you need during the flight.

Have at least one credit card and travel insurance plus your debit cards.

We always take our own beach towels even if the hotel provides them. We have some of these fast drying, thin camping towels, good for drying off but not comfortable to use on the sun lounger.

I found recently that hotels are a bit stingy about replacing towels, you either pay per towel or you can only do it twice/three times a week. Hm.

Swimwear - if you plan mainly to be at the pool/beach have at least 2 sets per person, better 3. Take some liquid detergent and wash them inbetween.

We take a fresh top per day, 4-5 pair of shorts and (DD and me) 3-4 dresses. But we do a lot of sightseeing as well. Plus cover ups and tops for water sport.

Suncream - we plan 1 bottle per person/week. We run out in Greece last Summer and found it difficult (and expensive) to buy factor 50.

We have sandals for meals/bar at the evening plus trainers for sightseeing and sliders for the pool.