Packing is one of my favourite parts of going on holiday, as choosing what to take reminds me of the great trip I’m about to embark on. It’s important to get packing right, though, so you have everything you need on your break. Here are my tips on what to bring with you.
Look stylish
Beach holidays are among the easiest to pack for, as you have a pretty good idea what you’ll be doing day in, day out. Firstly, it’s essential you don’t forget your swimsuit, as you’ll be living in this most days. Then you should also think about what you should wear when you’re not dipping into the water. If you’re like me, you’ll take more photos during your getaway than at any other time of the year, so it’s worthwhile making sure the clothes and accessories you’re pictured in are among your best.
As you’ll spend most of your time on the beach or in the sea, you don’t want to wear anything too glamorous during the day, but a stylish sarong, dress or playsuit will look timeless and chic for ladies, while shorts and a linen shirt is a smart look for men.
The evenings are the best time to show off your holiday wardrobe (which, no doubt, you’ll have spent weeks deliberating about like I would). If you choose a cheap hotel for your luxury holiday, pick one near to bars and restaurants, where you can wear your glad rags. It is worth remembering that even on tropical islands, the temperature drops at night, so take a cardigan or jacket with you as well.
Don’t forget your accessories too. This can be the hardest thing to get right, as you’ll want to bring your favourite pieces of jewellery, hair grips, belts, bags and shoes, but your baggage allowance probably won’t allow for all of this. Consider a capsule wardrobe, taking essential – but stylish, of course – outfits and pick accessories that match these so you don’t have to bring numerous heels that you’ll never get to wear.
Keep up with technology
There are many advantages of taking some of your favourite high-tech gadgets with you, particularly if you’re joined at the hip with your handheld devices back home. By bringing electronic music devices, you can listen to your favourite tracks wherever you are. This will be very welcome during long plane journeys, as well as when you’re lying on the beach, going on a boat trip or driving to lush mountain jungles.
Other popular gadgets include digital cameras – a must if you want to capture the best parts of your holiday forever. You could even invest in an underwater digital camera, so you can take photos of brightly-coloured marine life when you go snorkelling or scuba diving.
Prepare for the tropics
If you’re planning a break on an exotic island, it’s essential you’re totally prepared. As you can imagine, the climate, wildlife, scenery and pretty much everything else, is completely different than at home, so make sure you bring medication, toiletries and gizmos that you will need for a smooth trip.
Insects can be rife in hot countries, and if you get bitten as much as I do, one item you must definitely not forget is insect repellent. For countries that are at risk of malaria, bring anti-malaria tablets that you get prescribed from the doctor. You should also remember dehydration sachets, anti-diarrhoea capsules and antihistamine cream – you never know what you may need on your trip!
Before you zip up your case, throw in your international plug adapter, so you can enjoy listening to your music, using your phone and taking as many photos you want during your idyllic getaway.