Holiday Hacks

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We self cater, I always take propper coffee and a cafetere (SP) I can't do instant coffee!! I also take my own knives and chopping board as most places we stay have glass chopping boards and blunt knives as a result of the glass boards. I have also invested, in a 70% off sales, microfiber towels the work well, we have 2 each, one for shower and one for the beach - they are the same size as a bath sheet and fold up into the size of a teatowel, dry quicker than a regular towel and all 4 take up less space in packing than 1 regular towel!
those towels are a game changer - plus the sand doesn't stick to them either.
 
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Make sure you have clothes in hand luggage, change of clothes, swim wear, underwear just encase your luggage goes missing.
I always pack swimwear and a towel in hand luggage if I have an early flight. Means that if it’s too early to check in, most hotels will let you store your luggage and you can just sit by the pool until your room is ready.
 
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Just back from Malaga and here's some boring but practical advice..

1. Make sure to get after-sun cream that has aloe vera in it (like this one). Both I and my MiL got sunburn and her Aldi aftersun cream did sweet duck all, whereas the aloe vera version sped up recovery. Another lifesaver was thermal water spray (I bought this one in boots). I know it seems ridiculous to buy 'water spray', but trust me.. it was a game changer on sunburn/swollen feet as it has anti inflammatory properties. I kept in the fridge too so it was extra cold.
2. I got a very sore throat towards the end of my trip and I was DYING for a lepsip/strepsils and they had none where I was staying :( I got some Spanish equivalents but they were rit. Just pack a box of strepsils/lemsip just in case the worst happens.
3. Just pack one adaptor plug, and bring an extension lead. The extension lead I bought had USB-C ports too so it saved loads plug space too.
 
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Not sure if this is the correct thread to post, but back from my holidays yesterday, we had a 5* all inclusive, paid a fair bit for it and the pictures and reviews were amazing. When we arrived and shown to our room, the doorman opened our apartment to find water dripping from the ceilings (I kid you not this was our first insight to the room) we were told we would have a partial sea view room. If you crook your neck around the balcony and squint you might be able to see the sea😂 I said I wasn’t happy with the water coming from the ceiling, we paid a lot and the staff told me it wasn’t a big issue the maintance men would be round to fix it in 5 minutes. They fixed it but left the roof with gaping holes where 100s of ants were invading the floor and sink and all over my toothbrush 🤮The cracks in the floors meant we have cut and hurt our feet a few times, the food was absolutely horrendous. So bland and the exact same this every lunch and evening. I know this seems such a first world problem and I should be happy with the hols but we really saved for this holiday and I feel we were majorly ripped off with the hotel and the condition it was in. I didn’t have insurance (stupid of me I know). Is there anything I can do to try and get the slightest bit of compensation?
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I’m off to costa Adeje in Tenerife in two weeks. Paid extra for canaries as wanted sunshine and lo and behold, it’s showery in the forecast. Any indoor recommendations? Other than plugging kids into their tablets and getting absolutely wankered😂
 
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I’m off to costa Adeje in Tenerife in two weeks. Paid extra for canaries as wanted sunshine and lo and behold, it’s showery in the forecast. Any indoor recommendations? Other than plugging kids into their tablets and getting absolutely wankered😂
There's no way a forecast two weeks away is accurate. I'd wait and see. Sometimes it says rain for a day if theres any rain at all ie could be just a shower.
 
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There's no way a forecast two weeks away is accurate. I'd wait and see. Sometimes it says rain for a day if theres any rain at all ie could be just a shower.
Fingers crossed, I’m second guessing everything now, what clothes to pack etc 🙈
 
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I have kids so….

Buy shower gel and hand wash in boots or similar in duty free

Hand wash is kid essential - can’t cope with hotel soap

A 99c pop up laundry bin from jysk/home bargains to collect laundry as holiday goes on

try to take out half the clothes I want to take 🤯

extension plug socket thing with usb holes
( I’m so tech)

very very large beach bag x2 so we can both lug kid stuff to pool/beach

If self catering at home, centreparcs etc I always take my own large wine glasses, sharp knife and airfryer 🤣
 
Ooh hack I’ve got is to fill car seats (if taking them) with nappies before putting the cover on and checking it in. Save space in your luggage
 
Love these tips, added sandwich bags to the packing list!

I've never understood why anyone would want to board early with kids, why do you want to sit on the plane even longer than you have to? We are always last on 😂

Second the extension lead, total game changer!

A fresh make up brush to put the suncream on kids faces without them getting fed up or missing a bit 😊

A little paddling pool for small ones to play with by the pool (my little ones had fun for ages filling it up with cups etc and playing with the water when I made them come out of the pool for a break in the shade)
 
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The Canaries are often quite overcast in the mornings, and you do often get a bit of rain but then the rest of the day is clear and sunny! You may be ok. I’d probably pack some rain macs so you can still do days out like zoos and theme parks.
 
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We were in lanzarote last month and it rained two of the days but it was only showers and then it was hot again! Bring ponchos with you - we were able to buy them out there for next to nothing. My kids didn’t mind the rain at all it was like warm rain and was over as quick as it came. Also bring a light jacket or jumper for the evenings it can get a bit cool I find but we just used the jackets we wore on the plane over! Have a fab time!
 
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