Self-catering- what can you put in hold luggage?

[jennylamb1]

Have booked a nice hotel (bed and breakfast) in Greece for next year. We normally go all inclusive but prices have gone through the roof and we've chosen a smaller place this time as large hotels can tend to feel like cattle markets and it would be nice to head out to different place.
The food and drink at the hotel is expensive so I was looking at packing some items in our luggage rather than paying £10 for a glass of Prosecco! Will also use the local supermarket once there. Planning to pack decent tea bags, snacks, long life milk, bottles of well wrapped up wine (know that the suitcases will get thrown about) that sort of thing, so that we can enjoy ourselves whilst keeping costs down. Does anyone else do this?

I do often take a few bits that we’d really miss if we couldn’t get our hands on them - tea bags particularly, marmite sometimes .

You need to be a bit mindful of the customs rules now we’re not in the EU - I think dairy is not allowed to be taken in for example.

I really wouldn't take wine:
a) it's very heavy & might break
b) greek wine is delicious & cheap in the supermarket
I also wouldn't bother with milk. What makes you think you wouldn't be able to get milk there.
The only thing I would bother with are tea bags. Everything else is available locally (we went to Lidl!) - snacks, wine, milk etc.

We did similar but it was a good few years ago. I wouldn’t risk bottles of wine, no matter how well wrapped

Don’t do what I did and put coffee mate in your hand luggage

You really don’t need to take the wine. It will bump up your KGs and you’ll be able to buy it at the supermarket.

I would never take wine to Europe! A decent local bottle will be much cheaper than anything worth drinking you can buy in the UK .

Take teabags and your DCs preferred snacks.

Booze is very inexpensive in the supermarket in Greece.

It will break and ruin your clothes.

Since brexit you are not allowed to take food and drink into EU. Check with customs.

Food in the supermarkets in Greece is more expensive than in the UK. Markets are cheaper. It’s really cheap to dine out. Listed under starters are mezze plates, sagonaki, courgettes, meat balls, dips chips and bread. It makes a delicious and cheap meal.

Completely agree about NOT taking wine and milk. I always just google maps the nearest lidl or carrefour, to see how far a walk they are.

Pack a couple of shopping bags, to avoid buying them there. Other than teabags, I usually pack a tiny packet of salt and pepper and garlic powder- to save buying a large packs there. Sometimes a few pot noodles we can eat in the hotel on arrival if late etc, but otherwise, I buy everything there.

Don’t bother with milk and wine or anything else liquid or heavy.

Teabags and coffee, yes. Maybe some snack bars or biscuits to keep you going. Salt and pepper (spend the year picking up sachets in cafes, ditto ketchup and mayo!).

There will be lots of lovely tavernas to eat at - it makes me sad some of these traditional family businesses are nudged out by the all inclusive hotels - and they’ll often have deals on. Also look for little takeaways where you can grab gyros or pizza to eat on the beach at sunset. Lovely!

Where are you going? Is there a decent supermarket International nearby eg Lidl?

No dairy or meat.
Otherwise, pretty much whatever you want.
HOWEVER, wine would not be my first choice! I'd take anything that you won't tolerate a substitute for (tea bags?), a corkscrew, and some shopping bags.

Thanks all, yes we are looking forward to going to some little local tavernas and restaurants rather than the usual all inclusive bunfight. Will ditch the wine and milk etc after advice, there is a proper supermarket within 10 minutes walk so not far. The accommodation has a fully equipped kitchenette, we have plumped for a nice suite with a plunge pool so looking to economise on other things!

Don't take food stuffs other than tea. Buy locally which is likely to be cheaper for wine too. I pack a corkscrew that's all - hotels with kettles provide tea in my experience. I did take my cafetière on a cruise though, I'm a coffee snob

I buy locally lunch items often and it saves a lot

Yes, corkscrew is a good shout.

Why would your own take wine to Greece?

We are self catering in USA at the moment. Only brought couple of shopping bags, Aeropress and supply of Yorkshire tea. Forgot USA has no kettles and had to buy a travel one. Should have brought a little sugar. Otherwise part of the interest is exploring local food markets and shops.

We usually do SC. I take tea coffee biscuits instant noodles for emergency and some of my kids’ favourite snacks.

Since brexit you are not allowed to take food and drink into EU. Check with customs

@fruitbrewhaha This is absolutely not true.

There are certain restrictions on meat and dairy but you most certainly can take food and drink into the EU.

I’m sensing you’re concerned about the wine situation 🙃grab some in duty free on your way over. Actually, do they sell wine in duty free? I’ve only ever bought spirits!

Find the closest Lidl, hire a car for the day (or taxi) and stock up! Greek yogurt, flat breads, cheese, tomatoes and lots of wine. You can even change the location on your Lidl app to get the Greek offers.

Do you use a water filter at home?
Either take it, or buy bottled water from the supermarket when you’re there.
We’ve noticed most European supermarkets sell water in big 5 or 6litre bottles.

Does the kitchette have a kettle?

We also take our own cups as we find European cups in kitchenettes are aimed at smaller coffee portions.

What would you take a water filter for? Do they have particularly hard water?

We always self cater and take nothing. The fun is buying in the local markets and eating the traditional food (although you can get pizza everywhere).