Passports at the ready! Prepare to enjoy your best ever hassle-free summer holiday with our handy hints and tips…
WORDS: SIAN DOLAN PICTURES: SHUTTERSTOCK
1 Lost luggage can really spoil a holiday. Pop a spare costume, underwear and an outfit in your carry-on as a back-up.
2 Pop a few dryer sheets in your suitcase to keep your luggage smelling fresh and pack an empty bag to keep dirty laundry separate on your return journey.
3 No aloe? No problem! You can apply natural yoghurt to sunburn to cool and soothe your skin.
4 Keep your skin hydrated on long flights with a moisturising sheet mask.
5 Book day trips and excursions online before you go on holiday – you can often purchase tickets and passes for much cheaper. It’s also a good idea to pay a little extra for Fastrack or Priority tickets if you’re in poor health or worry abo standing in long que
6 Download Google Translate to your mobile phone before heading off on holiday. It can be a lifesaver when it comes to deciphering menus or finding your way around a foreign country.
7 Store your jewellery in a portable medicine organiser to keep it safe and tangle free. Empty mint tins and travel soap dishes also make great little jewellery cases.
8 Take a photo of your car’s location in the airport car park to help you locate it on your return.
9 Rolling your clothes instead of folding saves valuable space and prevents creases.
10 Sand gets absolutely everywhere and can damage earphones and mobile phones. Keep a zip plastic bag in your beach bag to store your valuables in when you’re at the beach.
11 Looking for the best spots off the beaten track? Talk to local taxi drivers or the hotel concierge to find hidden gems. Pay attention to where the locals like to eat and drink – these eateries and bars are ten better value for ney and less likely to bustling with tourists.
12 Travel-size products can be expensive and full-size products take up too much space in your suitcase. Save space and money by decanting just the right amount of moisturiser, foundation, eye cream and any other favourite lotions and potions into contact lens cases.
13 Wrap your toiletries in a shower cap before packing to prevent any explosions spoiling your clothes.
14 Invest in a good pair of compression socks to wear on long-haul flights. Not only will they prevent swollen ankles, but they can also quite literally save your life as they help to stop clots forming by regulating your blood flow.
15 Tie a colourful scarf to the handle of your luggage to make it easily identifiable. Don’t forget to add
