Pls Prep clueless Mum and Teen for AI Hols!

[PowerTulle]

Just booking first ever AI resort holiday tonight. Kos, in July. Me and DS14. I’m so excited!

Family holidays for 20yrs have been camping (me doing everything) and once to friend’s villa in Spain (me doing everything again). We’ve had a tricky few years with no hols and this is a treat for me and DS to relax and get away in the sun. I’m not bliddy lifting a finger unless it’s for a beer or a taxi.

Thing is I’ve never done a holiday other than on a shoestring, out of a backpack! I don’t even have a suitcase. What do I take? Do people dress for dinner? Do I take towels for pool/beach or are they provided? What do I pack for teen DS to survive a week with only his knackered mum for company? What little things will make me feel like I’m on a ‘proper holiday’?

Oooo love this question! I’m a bit like you this year, the only think I’m convinced of is I need linen trousers. No idea why. Seems summery. Following for insp.

Holiday clothes are one of the things I’m definitely excited about kitkatt! I was looking at a linen dress today. Imagining myself wearing lovely floaty things rather than a vest and grubby denim shorts for a week.

Ooh exciting! We've done a couple of AI holidays, it really depends on the hotel as to whether to dress up in the evening. Often the main restaurant is anything goes (apart from swimwear), then if there is an a la carte restaurant they sometimes have a dress code.

Unless the hotel details say otherwise, I would take beach towels.

Have a lovely time, I'm jealous, no holiday for us this year!

Ooh and treat yourself to a nice big hat, that makes me feel like I'm properly on holiday!

I would say yes to dressing up for dinner, but weather appropriate, white linen trousers spot on! And usually towels are included, but you could take your own for helping to identify your sun lounger/ want to be that person who reserves the best one at 6am. 😂😜

And have a lovely trip, sounds like you deserve it!

Go to Bodrum for the day. The castle there is amazing and you can see one of the 7 wonders of the ancient world. OK it is ruins but still! Also great shopping especially for teens.

Paradise beach, Zia and Kos Town are great. You can see the first hospital and the tree hippocrates sat under. None of this really answers your question but are so worth doing and these are free/cheap (apart from the crossing- would be worth taking birth certificate/or letter from father if you are going to Turkey)

Yes dress for dinner if you want, do as you please you won't see these people again! Join in and have fun, I always travel with just the children and love it.

Ok towels are on the packing list. Thank you. Also a couple of nice outfits for dinner. It seems quite a relaxed resort but I quite like the idea of dressing up a bit.

That’s so funny something as I actually bought a big floppy hat today! It just said “holidays” to me!

Thank you Ducks that’s brilliant! These are the sorts of things I’d love to do. Also birth cert and letter from DH yes.

I saw your post OP, and have been puzzling over what an Artificial Intelligence holiday would be, and thinking maybe you were going to Kos virtually. I was secretly thinking that sounded a bit rubbish, so I’m glad you’re going for real 😂

Arf! Yep a virtual break is about the nearest I’ve got so far Lizze!

Now, should I treat myself to a nice beach bag? For days out or carrying to the pool.

Yes definitely get a nice beach bag, 'tis an essential

I tend to wear one outfit for at least two dinners if on the smarter side, or for dinner and then for the following day if less smart and we are doing something other than by the pool. Ditto pants, to be honest. Depending on how good you are in the morning, you can either get pool/beach ready and go from breakfast straight out, or you can throw on anything for breakfast, then go back to your room to get ready when you’ve woken up a bit. I always forget this, and tend to rewear the same 2 or 3 dresses on rotation for breakfast.

I sound like a total scruff, but I’m really not! I just don’t see the point in only wearing something for an hour or two when you’re clean. Obviously if I get hot and sweaty that’s different.

The pre-dinner shower when you rinse off the suncream and salt from the sea is one of my favourite moments in a holiday!

Most hotels provide pool towels or, more often, you get a token when you check in and you exchange that for a towel by the pool. You can then exchange towels as frequently as you want/need. If you’re going to want to do an excursion, you should probably book either before you arrive, or as soon as you get there. The good ones fill up!

Check the hotel details carefully, they vary so much. Look not only at the travel agent/tour operator page but also Tripadvisor.

Usually towels are provided (you may need to pay a deposit). Some hotels require men to wear long trousers after 6pm for dinner, some have even more enhanced dress codes whereas some have none.

Suggestions:
Take a bag to take your things to the pool area. I find it's easier.
If you are checking luggage buy sunscreen in the U.K., it's far cheaper in places like Lidl.
Check what the ai includes eg it rarely includes snacks like crisps, if your 14 year old wants them just find a local superstore (also good for water if the tap water doesn't taste good).
If there's multiple meal options work out if you need reservations, we had to book on an app which I downloaded in advance

Agree with wearing a dress for dinner a couple of times and then next day. I have a few jersey maxis that are smart enough for dinner ( if not too smart a resort) and then use in the daytime. Also a kaftan/cover up is useful for putting over your swimsuit when going to the bar/ reasturant at lunchtime as its usually by the pool and casual but not just swimmsrs.
Also take a cardigan/light jacket as it can get cool in the evenings plus if you go to any religious places you might need to cover up/ be expected to be more discreet.
Also if your DS will want a lilo/ inflatable for the pool get it before you go its a lot cheaper and there is usually a shop on site which will inflate it for you (or a local shop that sells them usually will for free or a small fee)

These are all brilliant tips thank you so much. I’m going to pack snorkel, lilo and check snack situation for DS. Cover ups for me to put over swim suit for lunch.

if DS wants music or podcasts do I need to download anything on his phone that will work overseas ? He has Amazon music at home.