What to pack for your holiday at the Costa del Sol

Hooray! You've booked a last minute holiday to the Costa del Sol. Boo! You have to pack. Surely the worst part of any holiday (apart from coming home, of course) is the packing. No need to do a frantic  panic-pack ten minutes before the taxi arrives or pick up lots of overpriced toiletries when you land at the airport - just make sure you've packed everything in our handy guide and it'll be a breeze!

 

Obviously the majority of your suitcase will be clothing. If you’re going on a summer holiday, you’ll need lots of light layers and beachwear for lounging on the Costa del Sol’s swathes of white beaches. Several light layers, such as kaftans and loose t-shirts, will be much more effective at keeping you cool than one thicker layer, which will stick to your skin and make you uncomfortably sticky. Flip flops and sandals are ideal for beach strolls, and remember to pack some comfortable trainers for driving your hire car and long walks around tourist sites.

In terms of toiletries, you’ll need all the usual essentials: shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, toothpaste. Although the hotel may provide these, it’s often in such small amounts that you may need to supplement it with your own. Also think about taking a heat protective spray for your hair and a deep conditioner to repair sun-ravaged and sea salt blitzed hair. Of course, suncream is a must – at least factor 15, or higher if you’re pale.

Remember to take some more of the practical items, such as a beach towel, travel adaptors and various medicines. The ones you’re most likely to need include painkillers, mosquito repellent and rehydration sachets in case you’ve overdone it a bit in the sun, along with antihistamines if you suffer with hay fever or from insect bites. A pouch for your travel currency which you wear on your body is the best way to keep your cash safe on the move. Don’t forget to take your phone charger!

In the way of entertainment, an mp3 player and a book should be all you need. If you want something a little more stimulating, a puzzle book and a pen will keep you occupied on the plane. If you’re travelling with children, some toys or activity books can keep them busy while you’re on the move. A couple of snacks and drinks would also be a good idea in case there are delays so you don’t go hungry.

Of course, the most important thing to take, after your passport, tickets and money, is a willingness to explore, relax and have fun. Bon voyage!

 
About the author:

Emma Lawson is a travel blogger writing about her experiences in Europe

Girls on Holiday

Booking holidays online has become one of the perks of the internet. Sitting at home with your friends browsing through thousands of potential holiday destinations is almost as fun as spending the day shoe shopping with the girls.

Decide when you want to travel, pop in your travel dates and see what comes up. Do you want to travel to Europe and flop on the beach for a week or are you looking for a far flung adventure? Deciding on the destination is often dictated more by cost and time restraints than desire, so sensible thinking is required at this point. Once the country has been chosen then the fun really starts.

The search results will bring up a whole host of resorts that match your dates in the destination you want to visit, so if you narrow it down by the price you can sensibly afford, then you can whittle down the options until you find something that fits your requirements.

Do you want to go for a five star hotel with an all inclusive board basis or are you planning on more of a self catering apartment? This again will be determined by your type of holiday. For instance, if you want to go out clubbing every night and only need somewhere to lay your head for a few hours then expensive hotels will be a waste of money. However if you are planning a more glam getaway and intend to make the most of the hotel facilities then choose the best that you can afford, as paying the extra will definitely pay off once you are there.

If you want to pay for something special but still get a bit of a bargain then look at last minute holidays from Thomas Cook or other similar agents. If you leave it until a few weeks before your flight date, you will often find some really good bargains. Which means you can spend the savings on shoes...