What do you take from home for Self catering abroad

[Baconking]

I'm ready to make a list of must brings from home for a self catering week in Portugal next month.

Not clothes and the like but decanted washing up liquid or handy must haves so we don't have to buy them while there.

To be fair our luggage allowance is 3 x 23kg as part of the package and we won't need all that so can definitely add a few bits to save us buying and wasting.

Probably won't cook dinners but probably breakfast and a few lunches.
Just thought about an ice pack and cooler bag for days out in a hire car

Nothing, I just chose accommodation with good reviews that say things like washing up liquid, bin liners etc provided. We stayed in Portugal last year and they had thought of everything you could need, we just got some food from the supermarket.

{mention:Baconking}@B@Baconking,toto honest my apparently huge list is very light, takes up minimal space, and probs weighs 1-2kg max (inc the pan!).

I've never stayed in a self-catering property that didn't provide washing up liquid and cleaning cloths. I'm amazed at all the people on this thread saying they pack washing up liquid and cleaning sprays and stuff like that.

I take teabags, because teabags in Europe are always awful, and that's it. If we need anything else, it's not like there are no supermarkets or convenience stores overseas. You'll need to go into them for things like milk and butter anyway, so it's not difficult to pick up anything else you need - it's not like you'd need to make a special trip. If you're concerned about wasting money, you can bring stuff back and use them at home I suppose?

Correct answer.

If flying basically nothing. Azera coffee as it’s light and husband likes it. We don’t drink tea. We always try and pack some bags for life and find the nearest cheapest supermarket and just go for it. If driving I take a lot more.

But why would I buy a full bottle of washing up liquid and take it home, rather than decant some into a small bottle from home and take it with me, or a pack of 20 odd dishwasher tablets when I can bring 3 in my bag.

Rubber gloves, smoked bacon and butter (expensive in Spain)

I take a plastic camping spork for food bought when we’re out.
Emergency packets of soup in case we arrive after the shops are closed.

I once took a plastic pasta strainer/salad bowl packed into our suitcase because the previous place we’d stayed at had woefully small serving bowls.
It’s still a good piece of kit and I have three!

Nothing, they have supermarkets overseas though do check what the accommodation is providing eg do you need to bring towels

I take tea bags and peppermint tea. That’s it. They have Lidl and Aldi in Portgual, as well as other supermarkets.

We’re going to Menorca this year, where they also have Aldi and Lidl, I shall be taking the bare minimum wrt toiletries and sun cream etc and picking them up when I’m there.

Do you have space for clothes? 😉

Sandwich bags and bag clips, a few laundry pods but that’s usually it. Maybe a knife sharpener!

We do tend to eat out. I might bring some tea and coffee if arriving late and a cereal bar or similar.

Always pack a sharp knife in hold. Also a wine bottle opener.

Nothing. We go to the nearest shop/supermarket when we arrive and see what they have there.
Part of the fun of going away for us is trying new things and eating local food. It's also often cheaper than buying food at home and taking it with us - Greek Lidl, for example, is cheaper than the one at home but has far more interesting fruit/veg/yoghurt/cheese etc.

Taking hordes of stuff from home with us so we can make a pasta bake or similar just feels thoroughly depressing and incredibly dull. Appreciate it's tricky with fussy kids or special diets though.

Just tea bags, I'm not worried about anything else

Teabags!

Sometimes I take a few dishwasher tablets and a couple of washing tablets and a tea towel.

Also a small amount of milk powder and coffee granules decanted into sandwich bags (for use before we do full shop) plus a few pan au chocolate and dried pasta and sauce sachets for emergency supper / breakfast in case we have a delayed flight.

And I tend to stick a wodge of tissues or a small loo roll in hand luggage in case they run out on the plane.

It’s been a long time since I stayed anywhere that didn’t have proper mugs and the bits of left over oil, spices etc which all disappeared in 2020 have started appearing in cupboards again.

A knife sharpener, because knives are NEVER sharp. If you think you will use it, a can opener and a favourite corkscrew, three drip stops and a wine cooling bag which goes in the freezer or ice box

Also take DH who operates the knife sharpener

Do your clothes not stink of smoky bacon when you get there? And the butter all melted and slimy?

Earl Grey teabags, a sharp knife and a bottle opener/cork screw - too much time wasted hacking into the wine with a blunt implement because there was no corkscrew or it was so old it snapped off in the cork. Otherwise I want to enjoy the local food. Small cool bag handy for picnics and bringing back cheese, charcuterie, olives etc.

Generally tea bags and some instant coffee. Any sachets of salt, pepper, etc that I’ve gathered over the years. Sharp knife (only if you have hold luggage), tea towel. A few dishwasher tablets and washing pods. One of the little bottles of extra concentrated squash. Brown wraps and a few chocolate pancakes (staples for my son who has additional needs). Travel kettle if the room/apartment listing doesn’t mention it.

We are going in the car next and I've a list as ling as your arm. Been in many self catering places and most don't have the basics so I'm going equipped.

If I am taking a suitcase, then I take washing capsules and dishwasher tablets, a few loo rolls, some bin bags and my favourite biscuits.

Washing up gloves. I get psoriasis so use them for any washing up or wiping with a cloth to clean.

In the UK I take a good knife and a bread knife but wouldn't want to take on a plane, even in a hold bag!

Since dc, instant coffee to get some quick morning caffeine.

Freezer bags that seal well in a couple of sizes. Always useful.

Obviously. But I would rather not purchase enough to last me 2 months from a local shop when I can bring enough to last me a week from home.