Help me get ready for my first holiday

[Cluelessallthetime]

I have finally managed to book my first ever family holiday, yay.
As a family who hasn’t travelled, I need an idiots guide to start making plans. What do I to do/need know? Any advice and useful tips?

Holiday is for a family with two teenage boys, to a water park resort in Corfu, in the middle of July. Travel is with EasyJet from Luton and getting there by car.

thanks

All inclusive

If you haven't already, get travel insurance asap and also the GHIC health insurance cards which you can apply for on the government website. Hope you have a great time!

Plenty of sunscreen, and swimming costumes Inc rash vests.
You may not be able to flush paper down the loo so take some nappy bags to make the bin less hideous!
You'll have a great time

Check what cabin bag size you have, the "free" ones are pretty small.

Have your parking Prebooked and printed out, internet seems to fail just as I enter airport parking. As they are teens they should be fairly self sufficient travelling but remind them to download any content for the flight, internet isn't available on EasyJet (though you can now watch the plane position on your phone for free and they had games I think)

Sorry if this is a silly question but do you all have passports already? If not, get on it, like, yesterday.

Sunscreen, insect repellent, plasters, antiseptic cream, dicky tummy potions, hats, small amount of washing powder, a few citronella tea lights for balcony at night, photocopy of passports in suitcase, pegs to stop your beach towels coming off the sunbed, any small inflatable games you can fit in your luggage

Don't bother taking shower gel, shampoo, moisturiser unless you use a certain type as hotel will supply them and replenish every day

Thanks for all the useful posts so far (I did not know about the loo paper)
I have:
Passports
GHIC cards
Travel Insurance now arranged
Travel money card is on my to do list.
car parking is on my to do list.
I have started writing a packing list

Can I ask a couple of questions please? (I may have more later)

My holiday is all inclusive and I will have travel card/credit cards. But how much cash/Euros should I bring with me? What circumstances would I need to pay in cash?

Using phones abroad. I am on 02 with 25gb roaming. The rest of the family are on Talkmobile with 15gb roaming each. Will this be enough? We’ll Probably need to use maps and social media, but the teenagers are usually stuck to their phones. Do I need to buy a European sim maybe?

Take a LOT of high factor sun cream. It’s very expensive in resort in Greece.

I take 3 x 200ml bottles per person for a two week holiday and use it all. You will need to reapply it several times a day, especially at a water park .

Take several bottles of aftersun too.

Be extremely vigilant so your kids don’t get burnt .

Lots of cheap hats ( baseball caps ) for your kids for the water park . They will get destroyed by the sea water / chlorine water / suncream and faded by the sun, they will be fit for the bin at the end of the holiday.

Several pairs of sunglasses ( they lose them ).

swim goggles for the hotel pool.

buy lots of cheap tee shirts/ rash vests / swimwear as they also get destroyed . I get brightly coloured swim shorts and tee shirts in Primark and cheap rash vests in Decathlon. Next sell them too. Don’t get white as they go yellow with the sun cream .

Your kids will only wear tee shirts and swim shorts for the entire holiday , nothing else. Don’t take any fancy clothes for then unless they are really keen to dress up in the evenings. It will still be very hot in the evenings in July.

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/kids-water-short-sleeved-t-shirt-anti-uv/_/R-p-335162?mc=8655103

@Cluelessallthetime I wouldn't worry about a travel money card - check your cc rates abroad and if they are sensible. If not, set up something like a Starling bank account (very quick). It's a debit account with excellent foreign exchange and also live feedback to your phone etc. Plus you can keep separate pots if you want to keep to a budget for specific areas.
Cash wise, most places are card now but I'd take maybe 100 in euros for incidentals when out and about - again with a starling card cash withdrawals won't cost the earth/at all. Might be worth looking on Facebook for your AI as often groups will be available where you can ask questions regarding whether you're likely to need cash nearby etc. You could also check about loo paper!

I'd get your airport parking booked ASAP as it will get more expensive the later you leave it.
Luton Airport is a pita, particularly at busy times so if you need seating it might be worth looking at a lounge. They aren't amazing but at least you get somewhere to sit which we've really struggled with in the past.

Aim to get to the airport early. 2hours+ before your flight, and factor in time for transfer for your parking and any problems with getting there - road layouts around airports etc can be confusing especially when you are worried about time. There is nothing worse than starting a holiday off in a panic. Better to leave extra time and mill about in the airport than be worrying about making it through security.

I can't help hugely about data/WiFi as I always have a roaming package with EE but I'd assume your hotel will have WiFi which will help reduce your data needs. However remind your kids that if the WiFi doesn't extend to the water park or whilst you are about and about that uploading reels and photos etc will eat through their data allowance like nothing else.

Take bite cream. We always forget it and regret it.

Have a great time!

3 x suncream per person? That would be 15 for us! And best part of £100!

I would take the one in use and probably a spare.

Travel in trainers and a hoody / fleece that goes with most things and just take shorts, T-shirts, swimwear and flip flops / sliders for the rest of the time. My usual holiday system is to put clean shorts / top on for dinner after a shower in the evening and then wear those clothes the next day when not in the pool. Maybe take one smarter outfit each for the evenings or a couple of dresses or skirts for yourself.

Lots of suncream. We go through 1 bottle person plus at least one more. But DH burns very easily (bit of a redhead) and DD hates wet clothes so she has to be covered in waterproof suncream and needs reapplying very often.

Check that the hotel offers wifi and make everyone disable roaming data to avoid unexpected issues. You can always turn it back on if you need it somewhere. It's actually quite liberating.

Do take some towels, you often get only one beach towel per person and we always take our own.

Enough charger and adapter.

We use our credit card and debit card on holiday plus we get a bit of euros but we go frequently to Europe so any leftover money will be used soon.

Maybe watershoes if you also go to the beach?

Yes that’s right. I take 12 for the 4 of us for a two week beach / watersports holiday. It’s much cheaper here than in Greece especially in holiday resorts and you can get the brand you know you like and trust.

Of course it will be less if you are doing city sightseeing all day and are covered up with clothes or inside most of the day and partying at night instead . Or obviously on a shorter holiday .

But in a water park / on the beach with kids / teens , the cream needs to be reapplied several times a day , it doesn’t last long when you are in the water all the time.

You should apply it quite thickly and let it soak in, ideally about 20 mins before you go out for the day. Of course you need to top when you are out .

If you only use 1-2 small bottles of cream for 5 people for a week in July in Greece then I can guarantee that you are not applying enough cream or frequently enough and you are at risk of skin damage. Serious sunburn will spoil your children’s holiday and increase their risk of skin cancer by three times .
https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/causes-of-cancer/sun-uv-and-cancer/the-uv-index-and-sunburn-risk

Yes for a beach holiday I am referring to. I could never achieve 15 bottles, even if I tried harder than I do now

I also pack loads of sunscreen, it is so expensive abroad. We cover up with rash vests but pack a bottle per person and 50% spares.

Extension lead, then you only need one travel adaptor. Agree with the list of medicine posted up thread.

Snorkels are also cheaper here.

You need cash for the holiday tax in Greece, payable on arrival in cash. Agree with Starling/Monzo cards.

Food for the plane. Watch the size limits but you can pack food (dairy and meat need to be consumed before landing- another Brexit benefit)

Definitely aqua shoes if you are going to a water park as floor hot/stoney.

You won't be able to flush so poo bags definitely help.

Insect repellant and anti histamine very important.

Enjoy, love AI

12 bottles of sun cream??

We usually take 3/4 bottles of P20 and then 2 of regular stuff to top up if needed. We started using P20 to stop having to take a boat load of cream and topping up a million times a day.

But back to the original question

Take plenty of swimwear - rash vests and things like goggles are a good shout too.
Sliders or crocs - maybe beach shoes if it’s rocky or shingle
Beach towels - the bane of my life. Try and find out if you can access any laundry facilities, because towels will be grim after the first week 🤮 I usually take about 12 of the buggers

Plenty of plug adapters and possibly a 1m extension lead (saves you having to take so many adapters)

Mozzie spray - don’t buy cheap, you’ll regret it. Take some bite and sting relief cream as somebody will usually get a few.

A 200ml bottle of sunscreen should last one person approx 1.9 days (obviously size of person matters!) If applied three times a day, but that includes back and front, we use 50+ rash vests for that

Supermarket sun cream in the UK is absolutely fine and costs £3/4 a bottle. So £50 not £100. Just make sure everyone has their 3 bottles in their own bag.

Taking 2 bottles for a family going to Greece for a fortnight is a recipe for sunburn, bankruptcy or a holiday spoiled due to having to hide from the sun all the time.

It's easily 20 euro a bottle over there, so you'd only need to buy 2 or 3 bottles and it's cost more than just taking it with you. I'm not one for taking the kitchen sink on holiday, but I always make sure I have enough suncream for what I'd expect to use.

Teenage lads in rash vests?! Only on MN

12 bottles of suncream and 12 beach towels? Goggles? 🤣 Only on MN

Snacks of meat and dairy for the plane? 🤣 fuck me. Just get a meal deal at boots OP once you're through security.

They will want sliders, trainers, and they'll get changed for the evening. You don't see teenagers hanging around in their swimming shorts and aqua shoes in the bar at night.

Definitely take insect repellent and religiously apply it before you go out for the evening. Mosquito bites are a holiday ruiner.

Read trip advisor reviews for your hotel. It'll give you an idea of busy times in the restaurant and tips for the best rooms. Also what the situation with sun loungers is like. Some hotels are a nightmare for people going down really early with towels, some have booking systems.

Once you know where the best rooms are, email the hotel with your booking details and politely request a room near pool/sea view/specific room numbers that have been recommended. I also translate it into their language and copy it below. We've had some great rooms, even upgrades.

Have a great holiday.

"Taking 2 bottles for a family going to Greece for a fortnight is a recipe for sunburn, bankruptcy or a holiday spoiled due to having to hide from the sun all the time."

Yes but there is a happy medium between 2 bottles and 15.

Yes teenagers in rash vests. Because it is preferable to covering in cream or burning. Plus it stops rashes when surfing/body boarding. Skin cancer is avoidable, brining children up to be skin aware is sensible.

As for packed lunch why would I spend £5+ pp for a stale sandwich? I guess if you are just a couple it is OK but it is spending carelessly like this that are hidden holiday expenses. I'd rather make sandwiches and put the money towards another holiday

The meal deals are £4 or thereabouts and presumably you'll want a drink when flying to Greece. They include the huge bottle of water. They aren't stale either great value and plenty of choice. You don't have to choose a sandwich.

You rarely see teenagers in rash vests, the exception being when they surf and as the OP has never been abroad I doubt her kids will be leaving the all inclusive resort with water park to hit the waves.

Honestly, I've never laughed so much reading the comments on here! Been abroad with my kids many times over the years and not once have any of them got sunburn / come home with sun damage (I'm an aesthetician as well so I know what it looks like) and I can assure you I did not take 43 bottles of ambre solaire! Sure, take plenty and re-apply but if you run out and have to buy some then that's what you do, it's not the end of the world.

"Honestly, I've never laughed so much reading the comments on here!"

I know 🤣 imagine the disappointment when your mum slaps you head to toe with sun cream in the departure lounge before whipping out a packed lunch. "Come on Freddie, you've got to eat all of the dairylea before we land, brexit remember".

2 weeks running around in his rash vest and bright coloured swimming shorts, arrives home as pale as the day he left. Poor fucking 15 year old Freddie 🤣