Holiday packing !

I only backpack as a rule but did go on holiday once with a friend who took a case. I just could not believe what she took. I don't have that many clothes anyway.

Lilypops - about this time last year there were about 5 consecutive threads on packing, packing light and useful ideas on what to take. Also the internet is full of tips - and not all of them are commercially sponsored.

People come up with the most imaginitive things - but you have to find what suits you.

Basically you should always have enough in your hand luggage to tide you over the first night, in case luggage gets lost, and if you take medication, be sure to have that with you at all times. Keep money, tickets, passport and phone as close to your body as possible, spread cash over different pockets.

Shopping abroad is an exciting part of the holiday, so don't worry if you don't have enough tops or sun cream.

OH has just said: would I like to hire a boat in the midi Camargue. I just gave him the look. It's hotter there

Help! I am trying to pack, as we go away tomorrow, but I am so hot I have had to have a rest and a cool down. Not complaining - just saying.
You know when you go on holiday to a hot country and you step out of the plane and go "Wow" because the heat hits you? Well I anticipate that tomorrow I will step out and go "Oh, it's quite nice and warm here - but not as hot as in England!"
So I bid all you Gransnetters a fond farewell and I will be back on here 4/5 August...........I will miss you all x

cruising in northern Europe in September. not sure what to pack. will I need jumpers

The art of not worrying or fussing over holiday packing I expect!

Hi Petra, just wondering what Monica has got in one , just curious ,

I agree Noname - we were on a flight to Jersey recently and most people seemed to just have hand luggage. It took an age to get them all stowed away - I felt quite sorry for the cabin crew.

Got it one MOnica

Some good suggestions/advice on here re.packingfor hols, Thankyou GN,s, I will think carefully about what I am packing this year with all your tips in mind ,
When I come back in August ,I will let you know how I managed with minimal clothes/shoes,, it could be quite traumatic !!!

I admire those who can travel light but what really annoys me are the passengers who are trying to cram an overstuffed ‘hand luggage ‘ case into the overhead locker and holding up the whole boarding procedure! One girl I saw just walked off leaving the cabin crew to sort it for her! ?

Coolgran, you sound very organised ("I could get dressed blindfold") Sometimes I think I look as if I've got dressed blindfold, which is not the same at all! I love colour, so I do have to be a bit strict with myself when packing, so as to ensure that most things go with most other things. Blue, turquoise, purple, green usually work well enough for me; plus white cotton trousers, navyish cropped trousers, assorted tops... and a sarong can be a skirt, a beach wrap, a towel, a shawl, a beach mat, even a top sheet for the bed if your bedding is too hot. A microfibre travel towel is fine for the occasional swim.

I am a bit cautious about health, and tend to travel with a large selection of tablets etc, just in case. I always carry a universal sink plug and a Swiss Army knife. If I need to wash any clothes, shampoo or shower gel will do the job well enough.

Packing cubes/pods: never tried these but seriously interested. Anyone care to advise me how best to use them?

Why not do what you've done every other year for the past X number of decades? Whatever you pack, halve it and don't check again once you close the case.

Some lovely suggestions here. We returned two weeks ago from a driving holiday to England and back. I overpacked shoes and sandals plus two long cardigans and a rainjacket which packs small. Not needed because of the lovely weather in England. When I did the washing on our return DH had got through 28 golfing style shirts in the 15 days we were away. Must say he does always look smart though. Now off to look for villas in Majorca over Christmas/ new year. You have given me an idea. Thanks

I always put a clothes rail up a few days to a week before I pack then put on things on there as I wash/iron them and anything I think I would like to take and go through everything before packing. When you see it hanging you have more idea of whether you have too much or too little and I usually end up thinning it out quite a bit.

We take camping towels .we got lovely giant sized ones for about £7 each on line . They fold up really tiny and do a brilliant job of drying you.

3 tops, 1 or 2 dresses or skirts or shorts. 2 bras, 3 or four pairs of panties. Swimsuit. Something with long sleeves for evening or preventing sun-burn. Something nice for going out for dinner in, if needed. A little make-up. Lots of sun screen. Hat or headscarf, comb, brush, tooth-brush, toothpaste, nail-clippers, comfy sandals or shoes, nice pair for evening wear, soap powder, short clothesline and some pegs, and wash bra, panties after wearing them and hang them out to dry.

If this seems too minimalistic, pack your case with everything you want and try lugging it up and downstairs three times quickly - this makes me decide I can do with far less than I originally packed.

Plasters for blisters!

I can see I didn't read the OP properly. A villa in Majorca is quite different from a walking tour staying in lots of different hotels!!

I can't relate to most of this advice. I only have one swimming costume -why would you want more? Only 1 pair of shorts. No sarong. I tend to take a couple of skirts and several pairs of trousers with mix and match tops, and a couple of cardigans for cool evenings. I guess I go on different types of holidays -mainly walking, not beach/pool ones. I also have walking sandals ,walking shoes/boots and one pair of pretty sandals/slip on flatties for evenings. Minimal jewelry/scarves for evenings. Of course sun hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, and toiletries decanted into small bottles. I find there is usually a hairdrier there so dont bother with that. I wash any clothes I need to (take a bottle of Travel wash) and choose quick drying non iron clothes. As Ive said on another thread, I usually take around 5 wire coat hangers which are useful to hang clothes on to dry , in the shower or over the bath! And you can leave them behind. Also of course underwear ,socks, nightclothes, first aid kit, book to read etc. I find it hard to cut down myself actually!

If you are in a villa there may be some days you don't even get out of swimwear! Just a cover up for the evening perhaps. Few T shirts and shorts for day time, 3-4 little dresses for evening. Chances are you won't see the same people twice anyway so doesn't matter if you wear clothes more than once. You will have a washing machine if you need it. Take cheap underwear that can be thrown away if need be to make room for new purchases! Dragonfly go for it, you can always use a sarong or cover up when walking around (from beach/pool to bar!). Flipflops and tan leather, strappy sandles for footwear. Take mini bottles and then buy toiletries there. Sorted.

On return from holiday I write down what I used most , what I hadn't worn and what I wished I had taken. It really helps for a similar holiday. Just keep them in a file on the computer. So travelling in Sri Lanka in February I packed the same list as travelling around in Vietnam, and a week in Nafplion in October I will pack using a list for a week in Croatia last October. I do say please no photos as I love the clothes I have but I'm always wearing the same ones and sun hat. I wore out some brown linen trousers which I bought at East and can't find the same. If anyone can point me in the right direction.....

Two words - "Packing pods"! They are marvellous! (Haven't we had this thread before?)

The villa will have a washing machine. Pack light.

One consolation is that a holiday in a villa does not require you dress for dinner.Is anyone going to notice you are wearing the same things day in day out ?So a few items that can be washed and dried overnight should see you through and can go in hand luggage.

I am off to Australia next April for almost 4 weeks, the tips here are great, thanks. I have garments that can wash and dry overnight (non iron) - however can anyone advise on sourcing a decent travel laundry / wash product, please?