I don’t think I can let this article go by without pointing out that trousers in navy blue, brown and red are absolutely the wrong colours for a mosquito prone area and guaranteed to attract the gorging critters who are drawn to dark colours, not to mention how overheated you will get wearing those colours in the heat. Instead take pale colours and rinse them out in a sink or do as I do and take them to a local washer-person or laundromat. This approach has never failed me in decades of travelling to every hot continent. It’s probably time I overcame my writing anxiety and wrote my own nuggets of advise from 50 years of travelling :)
I bought a white broderie anglaise cotton elasticated waist skirt in Sainsburys 3 years ago. I wear it to the beach with swimsuit underneath with old white shirt. Both stained with sunscreen and have tried to remove at home. Nothing worked and no one cares. Also have new foldable hat Wallaroo Hat Company Darby from Salisbury Hat Shop. Am able to tolerate it. Am like a baby in a pram with hats usually. Have underpacked this year and it's fine.
And I’ve bought both the Teva sandals and the hat within 5 minutes! So needed this advice as the only comfy shoes I have are trainers and my hat makes me look like little bo beep 😜. Hoping to look Esther Walker levels of stylish on my Whitstable staycation. 🏖️
A ‘flight bag’ for long haul - tissues, headphones, painkillers, lip balm, water, electrolytes/breath mints etc to go under the seat. Also expandable longchamp pliage travel bag is my go to for hand luggage only or a spare bag for longer trips. Mine is 15 years old and still fairly pristine looking. You can fit so much in it.
Fit-over sunglasses are my latest discovery and are going to be a gamechanger on holiday this year, for me and my severely myopic daughter. Constantly doing the old switcheroo between prescription sunnies and glasses is a massive ballache. And they actually look half decent.
We went to Berlin at Christmas time and the queue for the passport ID checks took longer than the flight from Manchester.
My late father in law was a professional career criminal in the 60s and my husband kept saying how his dad would “turn in his grave if he could see people voluntarily giving their fingerprints”.
I always pack this little fold-up mirror that has its own stand. One side is 30x magnification which, with my failing middle aged eyesight, prevents me from returning home with out of control eyebrows and a full beard if the hotel is without a magnifying mirror. The other side is a regular mirror which is great for doing hair/ make-up if the only mirror in your hotel is in the bathroom and others want to shower etc. https://www.amazon.co.uk/MIYADIVA-Magnifying-Magnification-Essential-Precision/dp/B0D1V3PGJP
I always pack proper flu medicine incase anyone gets that run-down lurgy. I got the flu in Italy once and it was so miserable shivering in an ACd room in my summer pjs. I pack my favourite pyjamas for the same reason.
I also recommend the non-bio dr beckmann laundry sheets (I think they were your idea originally?) I only use them on holiday and the smell marks 'holiday' the second we open the case.
I buy a bottle of the 'acidenzyme' cleanser from beauty pie which really scrubs off the day and helps with evening out peeling skin. I don't open it until I arrive so the plastic seals etc prevent leaking.
I love this SO much. Thank you, thank you, thank you. And to be quite greedy, would love to know where you buy jazzy jewelry, I need (want) some new things to travel with.
I tend to buy things while I'm on holiday! I think it's a nice thing to do while you're away, give back to local craftspeople and it's a reminder of the place
Oh! The other point re EES and Greece. They tried to opt out of the whole thing, but the EU got all bolshy and aggy, so they've said 'naí, naí, naí sure we'll do it', but then every airport has discretion to fuck it off if it gets busy and revert to a quick stamperoo of the passport, so I'm not too worried about our family greek isle trip. As in, either way it'll be the usual greek island aeroporto nightmare so just put your brain in neutral and ride it out.
this is interesting. I saw that Greece had declared that they were going to relax the rules for the summer but then did a u-turn. But you're right that probably is what will happen in the eventuality. except for one terrible greek airport trip during covid, I've always found greeks to be very humane and un-petty
My travel tip is a repurposed one of yours. Remember the bag'o'shite from school pick up days? I bring an airport bag'o'shite (empty tote) for the hoodies, stuffed toys, blankies, books etc that my children invariably get tired/bored of holding/wearing and thrust at me. I KNOW it would be more character forming if they carried their own in backpacks but it is not happening and this is my solution.
What are people carrying their jewellery in, please?
Oh Jane, you’re wonderful - that’s just what I need and I somehow didn’t think to look at Stackers - thank you so much! My husband will send grateful thanks too when he doesn’t have to listen to me whingeing endlessly on holiday x
Right getting that rucksack in bright yellow. Need a new holiday bag. 50% off, and since it's the year I changed my car to a boxy jimny colour 'kinetic yellow' it all feels very apt.
Not really summer holiday related, but it has taken me 30 years to realise that if your hotel bathroom mirror doesn’t have a demister on it, a quick blast from the horrible wired-in hairdryer will do the job. I KNEW they must be useful for something!
Always swimwear in the hand luggage: I too want to hit the pool/sea the minute I arrive and bugger the unpacking.
I take my own napkins on the plane as I am clumsy and prone to spilling things. They are the ancient darned damask ones from my grandmother so I could just about bear it if I left them behind, though I try v hard not to.
I second the magnetic hat clip thing. I also found roll-up vacuum packing bags to be great, cos you don’t need a vacuum cleaner to create a vacuum. They worked especially well for big jumpers when on a 4 day trip to Edinburgh in Nov with only under the seat in front bags…
Glad to see the passport sticker trick has made the cut! One of my friends upgraded this by also adding the date the passport expires to the sticker so she doesn't have to root around to remember to renew them. I found out recently the hard way that some airlines won't let you use battery packs for mobiles in-flight now so make sure you have as much charge as possible before getting on the plane. Plus socks in hand-luggage for in-flight as bare feet on a plane is gross. And don't wear floppy linen trousers on the plane because the loos......sports leggings and a large shirt is much better, than a sundress in hand-luggage for changing into when you are waiting for your luggage to never appear.
I learnt the sticker trick when my kid went on a school trip and came back with one on his passport. Those teachers are wise. Also brave, taking 60 fifteen year olds through Heathrow
I have photos of all the family's passports on my phone in a separate folder 'documents'. Also drivers licence, bank cards etc. the amount of times a photo of a passport is enough!
I don’t think I can let this article go by without pointing out that trousers in navy blue, brown and red are absolutely the wrong colours for a mosquito prone area and guaranteed to attract the gorging critters who are drawn to dark colours, not to mention how overheated you will get wearing those colours in the heat. Instead take pale colours and rinse them out in a sink or do as I do and take them to a local washer-person or laundromat. This approach has never failed me in decades of travelling to every hot continent. It’s probably time I overcame my writing anxiety and wrote my own nuggets of advise from 50 years of travelling :)
I bought a white broderie anglaise cotton elasticated waist skirt in Sainsburys 3 years ago. I wear it to the beach with swimsuit underneath with old white shirt. Both stained with sunscreen and have tried to remove at home. Nothing worked and no one cares. Also have new foldable hat Wallaroo Hat Company Darby from Salisbury Hat Shop. Am able to tolerate it. Am like a baby in a pram with hats usually. Have underpacked this year and it's fine.
And I’ve bought both the Teva sandals and the hat within 5 minutes! So needed this advice as the only comfy shoes I have are trainers and my hat makes me look like little bo beep 😜. Hoping to look Esther Walker levels of stylish on my Whitstable staycation. 🏖️
A ‘flight bag’ for long haul - tissues, headphones, painkillers, lip balm, water, electrolytes/breath mints etc to go under the seat. Also expandable longchamp pliage travel bag is my go to for hand luggage only or a spare bag for longer trips. Mine is 15 years old and still fairly pristine looking. You can fit so much in it.
Fit-over sunglasses are my latest discovery and are going to be a gamechanger on holiday this year, for me and my severely myopic daughter. Constantly doing the old switcheroo between prescription sunnies and glasses is a massive ballache. And they actually look half decent.
https://saintbrand.shop/?tw_source=google&tw_adid=797108838632&tw_campaign=23558138839&tw_kwdid=kwd-330314715553&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23558138839&gclid=Cj0KCQjwo_PRBhDNARIsAEcVALU69xJJ5bqXXzPNLgE97P_PrFJq0Hh2UWuwInz2PxC43WrXKTXLyP8aApHqEALw_wcB
Prescription swimming goggles are also brilliant and not pricey.
We went to Berlin at Christmas time and the queue for the passport ID checks took longer than the flight from Manchester.
My late father in law was a professional career criminal in the 60s and my husband kept saying how his dad would “turn in his grave if he could see people voluntarily giving their fingerprints”.
Wow that's some family history!
On mosquitoes and small children: I used these https://www.boots.com/mozzipatch-family-adventure-stick-on-anti-mosquito-patches-20s-10357349?srsltid=AfmBOopmm2nAiU2RaHTuDj5NSH1TY3-brZ-o-zTJzA4B_kXOwXQi5Xby with great success in Italy. This is also great (I think originally an India Knight tip): https://victoriahealth.com/mrs-whites-unstung-hero-mosquito-repellent/?gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23890990271&gbraid=0AAAAAoVcxhTnIgGQEOHtgfbc-_IrPYHax&gclid=CjwKCAjwgO7RBhBKEiwAZNP85g1qLjDcv0QprsBEK2f21475MaU1Wl7wa0FSYQSoglQSWn5fTf0IZBoCDI0QAvD_BwE
I now go everywhere with one of these pens in my handbag to allow the child to draw in many colours on whatever paper we can find https://www.thejournalshop.com/products/hightide-penco-8-colour-crayon?variant=40216923340984&country=GB¤cy=GBP&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&tw_source=google&tw_adid=&tw_campaign=23440405895&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23440414457&gbraid=0AAAAAD_BCxa_Jf4PxcOBdoOjl7TGv9GcJ&gclid=CjwKCAjwgO7RBhBKEiwAZNP85pLURkle-VQyqoFWAewdvCz6w6bLmrO2v9hbk7XE7AcU4qh5iw7N1RoC_p0QAvD_BwE
I always pack this little fold-up mirror that has its own stand. One side is 30x magnification which, with my failing middle aged eyesight, prevents me from returning home with out of control eyebrows and a full beard if the hotel is without a magnifying mirror. The other side is a regular mirror which is great for doing hair/ make-up if the only mirror in your hotel is in the bathroom and others want to shower etc. https://www.amazon.co.uk/MIYADIVA-Magnifying-Magnification-Essential-Precision/dp/B0D1V3PGJP
I always pack proper flu medicine incase anyone gets that run-down lurgy. I got the flu in Italy once and it was so miserable shivering in an ACd room in my summer pjs. I pack my favourite pyjamas for the same reason.
I also recommend the non-bio dr beckmann laundry sheets (I think they were your idea originally?) I only use them on holiday and the smell marks 'holiday' the second we open the case.
I buy a bottle of the 'acidenzyme' cleanser from beauty pie which really scrubs off the day and helps with evening out peeling skin. I don't open it until I arrive so the plastic seals etc prevent leaking.
I love this SO much. Thank you, thank you, thank you. And to be quite greedy, would love to know where you buy jazzy jewelry, I need (want) some new things to travel with.
I tend to buy things while I'm on holiday! I think it's a nice thing to do while you're away, give back to local craftspeople and it's a reminder of the place
Oh! The other point re EES and Greece. They tried to opt out of the whole thing, but the EU got all bolshy and aggy, so they've said 'naí, naí, naí sure we'll do it', but then every airport has discretion to fuck it off if it gets busy and revert to a quick stamperoo of the passport, so I'm not too worried about our family greek isle trip. As in, either way it'll be the usual greek island aeroporto nightmare so just put your brain in neutral and ride it out.
this is interesting. I saw that Greece had declared that they were going to relax the rules for the summer but then did a u-turn. But you're right that probably is what will happen in the eventuality. except for one terrible greek airport trip during covid, I've always found greeks to be very humane and un-petty
My travel tip is a repurposed one of yours. Remember the bag'o'shite from school pick up days? I bring an airport bag'o'shite (empty tote) for the hoodies, stuffed toys, blankies, books etc that my children invariably get tired/bored of holding/wearing and thrust at me. I KNOW it would be more character forming if they carried their own in backpacks but it is not happening and this is my solution.
What are people carrying their jewellery in, please?
I have a small square Monica Vinader one that I’m not crazy about either, but I have one of these in the safe and would love another for travelling: https://sagebrown.co.uk/products/rectangular-zip-leather-jewellery-case-emerald-croc
If anyone knows how to keep fine necklaces from tangling while travelling I am all ears!
Thread them through a drinking straw!
I bought this one for our trip to Spain, no tangled necklaces & very easy to slip into the side of the case.
https://www.johnlewis.com/stackers-jewellery-wallet/green/p5587748?tmad=c&tmcampid=7&s_share=jlappios_Y29tLmFwcGxlLlVJS2l0LmFjdGl2aXR5LkNvcHlUb1Bhc3RlYm9hcmQ=
Oh Jane, you’re wonderful - that’s just what I need and I somehow didn’t think to look at Stackers - thank you so much! My husband will send grateful thanks too when he doesn’t have to listen to me whingeing endlessly on holiday x
Ooh and they’re on sale at Stackers’ own website!
Even better. Have a wonderful holiday x
I’ve just bought a couple of the Estella Bartlett travel jewellery boxes in the sale for small Christmas gifts.
Ooo I've got a small jewellery case. I'm actually not crazy about it, but there are lots of good ones you can get from e.g. John Lewis https://www.johnlewis.com/stackers-oval-travel-jewellery-case/sage-green/p4997145 - it's good to have somewhere to drunkenly toss your earrings rather than washbag side-pocket
Right getting that rucksack in bright yellow. Need a new holiday bag. 50% off, and since it's the year I changed my car to a boxy jimny colour 'kinetic yellow' it all feels very apt.
Not really summer holiday related, but it has taken me 30 years to realise that if your hotel bathroom mirror doesn’t have a demister on it, a quick blast from the horrible wired-in hairdryer will do the job. I KNEW they must be useful for something!
Always swimwear in the hand luggage: I too want to hit the pool/sea the minute I arrive and bugger the unpacking.
I take my own napkins on the plane as I am clumsy and prone to spilling things. They are the ancient darned damask ones from my grandmother so I could just about bear it if I left them behind, though I try v hard not to.
I second the magnetic hat clip thing. I also found roll-up vacuum packing bags to be great, cos you don’t need a vacuum cleaner to create a vacuum. They worked especially well for big jumpers when on a 4 day trip to Edinburgh in Nov with only under the seat in front bags…
I use these ones https://packmate.co.uk/products/bumper-travel-vacuum-roll-storage-bags-x8
Glad to see the passport sticker trick has made the cut! One of my friends upgraded this by also adding the date the passport expires to the sticker so she doesn't have to root around to remember to renew them. I found out recently the hard way that some airlines won't let you use battery packs for mobiles in-flight now so make sure you have as much charge as possible before getting on the plane. Plus socks in hand-luggage for in-flight as bare feet on a plane is gross. And don't wear floppy linen trousers on the plane because the loos......sports leggings and a large shirt is much better, than a sundress in hand-luggage for changing into when you are waiting for your luggage to never appear.
I learnt the sticker trick when my kid went on a school trip and came back with one on his passport. Those teachers are wise. Also brave, taking 60 fifteen year olds through Heathrow
I have photos of all the family's passports on my phone in a separate folder 'documents'. Also drivers licence, bank cards etc. the amount of times a photo of a passport is enough!