Newbie & First Holiday!

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Hello everyone,

I am a newbie here, and i am looking for lots of advice and tips for our first holiday to Cyprus.
We have just booked to stay B&B in Protaras. We are flying with TUI and we shall be hiring a car for a few days when we are there.

I have stayed in Cyprus many times before but it was always at a villa and it has been 10 years since I last visited.

My daughter is 2 years old, and we are going on 29th August for 1 week. I need some help on the following please.

1. What type of swimsuit would be recommended?
2. Are there still restrictions on liquids through airport security? (I did google this, but someone else said there has been a change in guidelines)
3. Tips for the flight? We do have a night flight
4. My Partner was adamant not to book seats. (I completely disagree with this as I am worried about how my little one will sleep with a stranger next to us)
5. Will at least one parent be able to sit next to my 2 year old?!
6. We are taking a spare car seat, as I have hear horror stories about ones from rental places. We have the original box, so I assume to pack it out with clothes etc? Does it get weighed before going off into the hold?
7. Any recommendations on a company for Travel insurance?
8. Has anyone used a Tui Travel card or shall i stick with cash?

I am so sorry for the long post. I am so incredibly nervous and have major anxiety about this holiday.

Thank you all xx

1. Long sleeve rash vest type, to protect from UV (in addition to suncream!) Accessorize do some good bright coloured ones, which means she can be easily visible in the water Girls Swimsuits & Swimming Costumes | Girls Bikinis | Accessorize UK
2. Yes, some airports are no longer making you take them out of your bags but they still need to be in a clear ziplock and no more than 100ml. You can buy things like suncream once you're through security. Tip: Order online for click and collect to boots.
3. Tire her out as much as possible, find a quiet bit of the airport and let her run about. Mine never slept much on planes, but lying her with her head on your lap will increase the chances. Bring an ipad, or if you don't have one/ don't do screentime, a DVD player is fab and you can get them cheaply second hand, and some headphones.
4. If it's not a ridiculous cost I would book seats, you're not likely to get all 3 of you together and it'll be helpful having the other parent there.
5. I'm not sure if they weigh them, but yes, make sure it's well padded. If possible I'd probably wrap in bubble wrap.
6. We use post office or admiral, whichever is cheapest, but check you don't get it through your bank or work for a discounted rate.
7. I use my monzo card as it's fee free, easy to transfer money to and from my usual bank account and is very easy to open an account (you download the app and do it all from there).

1. We always had uv swim nappies, tops and hats when our children were young (along with a couple of bottles of Factor 50 sunscreen).
2. I always travelled with hold luggage when they were little, so most liquids went in here.
3. My oldest child was fine with flying but my youngest use to suffer from earache when landing. Make sure you have plenty of fluids with you as swallowing helps.
4. Tui are usually pretty good with seat allocation (unlike Ryanair) but there are no guarantees unless you book.
5. As you are hiring a car, get travel car insurance as well as general travel insurance.
6. I use a Revolut Card when travelling, it is very convenient and simple to use.

Take the car seat to the gate with nothing else (maybe a single layer of bubble wrap, but that will probably fall off anyway and if it's a spare seat you're presumably not worried about the odd scuff mark). They take it off you at the door of the plane and it goes in the hold as-is. That's the deal for being able to take it free. If you want to take it in the box, with or without lots of extra stuff, it will count as checked luggage and you will have to pay for it.