So, the holiday you booked all those months ago is fast approaching. It’s one of those very rare times you get to de-stress, put your feet up, and relax, aaaaagh!
Or is it? Our luggage is limited, and how many times have you been at your destination, and suddenly thought ‘If only we’d have brought one of those’ with us.
Fear not! Read our guide to those essentials you don’t want to leave behind!
1 – First up, are those all important documents. Without them, the rest aren’t important, as you would look pretty out of place walking through your local supermarket in your Speedo’s with an inflatable character dinghy around your waist!
Don’t forget Passports, Tickets / e-Tickets and also the all important Travel Insurance! Don’t be fooled into thinking that your credit card insurance will provide the full cover that you realistically need when going away. Also, don’t forget to check the expiry date on your passports as some destinations require you to have at least 3 months remaining on them before you can enter!
Double check the date of travel on your tickets, you don’t want to be turning up at the airport a day early – or even worse, a day late!
2 – Tanning lotion! We know it sounds obvious, but make sure the whole family have the right amount of protection for where you’re heading to! Our advice would be to check the weather reports before you travel, and plan in advance. Younger family members and those with more delicate skin will need a higher SPF level. Remember, it’s better to be safe than sorry, and it’s always better to have too much and not need it, than not have enough and need it!
3 – Summer Footwear! Whether it’s for chilling on the hotel balcony, paddling in the pool or something cool and light for going out to eat in the warm evening, your footwear matters! We have a great selection of footwear for the whole family, including the Rocket Dog Sailor Island (Pictured). Prices start from just £3, so not only will they be light in your suitcase, but light on your wallet as well!
4 – Currency! Don’t leave it too late to exchange your hard-earned money into the relevant currency for your destination. Most places need at least a couple of days to order the money for you, so don’t get caught short! You may also find it surprising that where you live can affect the exchange rate, with prices from specialist shops, Post Offices and even the Airport fluctuating. Our advice would be to shop around for the best rate, although don’t forget that the prices are changing all the time, so when you find the right rate for you, do it before it
changes!
5 – Plastic Bags. Yes, we know it sounds strange as a holiday essential, but keep reading! Air pressure inside an aircraft can cause any container that has air inside to inflate, and thus explode. Whether it’s your cans of deodorant, tubs of Pringles or your bottles of suncream, it can feasibly go bang at any time! There’s nothing you can do to stop it happening, but you can stop it affecting your clothing and other items you will have in your suitcase!
6 – Adapter Plug. Whether it’s to charge your mobile phone, laptop, tablet, kids’ portable DVD player or hair straighteners, it’s pointless remembering to take your mains lead, if you don’t have the adapter for the relevant country you are in!
7 – Holiday Medical Kit. Taking basic medical supplies with you is vital if you want to avoid having to visit – and pay for – a Doctor while on holiday. Being able to protect yourself from pesky mosquito bites, cleaning up those little cuts that may occur and stopping that headache will help you to enjoy your holiday rather than spending it in medical facilities. However, your health should be your priority, so our advice would be to visit a doctor or hospital if you’re in any doubt over any medical issue whilst abroad.
8 – Notifications. Believe it or not, there are some people you need to notify before you go away. It is recommended that you let the Police know of your travel plans (if the house is being left empty) so that they are aware the property will be empty for a certain period of time. Also, if you intend on taking your credit or debit cards with you, even if only in an emergency, let your bank know. They will need to know where you will be in advance, otherwise, they might flag any transactions up as fraudulent activity and block the card from use! We’d also recommend contacting your mobile phone provider for their advice on how to stop running up a large bill abroad! Sometimes you can be charged for receiving calls and texts abroad, and a lot of people are caught out when their smartphones download data in the background without them knowing about it. Learn how to stop or limit this from happening!
9 –Beach Footwear. We’ve all done it – stepped onto the beach for the first time and ended up dancing around like headless chickens as it’s a lot hotter than we thought! Don’t get caught out, wear a pair of light sandals on the beach and beat the heat at its own game! This pair of Chix Pearly (Pictured) are stylish and airy and provide a layer of protection from your tootsies and soles of your feet.
Very hot sand 0, Prepared Traveller 1!
10 – Finally……Hair and Skin Care. The sun can dry your hair and skin a lot more than you realise, so taking protection against it is essential. Specially formulated shampoo for hotter weather should be included in your selection, as to should be plenty of moisturiser to stop your skin drying out and plenty of after-sun. Aloe Vera is also well known for helping cool inflamed skin.
Don’t forget the main thing when on holiday – enjoy yourself! Yes you should be aware and alert abroad, and you should be prepared, but if you have good preparation then that will allow you to get the most out of your holiday!
