Five things you shouldn’t forget to take on holiday

As the winter chill sets in with a vengeance and it reaches the post-Christmas point where summer seems unimaginably far away, many of our thoughts turn to booking a summer holiday. Whether you follow the sun to the south of France or the chill to the ski slopes of Whistler, there is a holiday for everyone waiting at the end of the work rainbow. But if you’re anything like us, you arrive at your destination and realise you’ve left behind the most important items. We’ve put together a list of the top five things you’ll need with you as you embark on your travels.

Spare shoes

You know the feeling – you get to the hotel, you’re ready to go on the beach, and you realise you’ve forgotten your flip-flops. Unless you’re the kind of packer who somehow manages to magically fit a month’s worth of clothing into a weekend-size suitcase, it often feels tempting to leave that spare pair of shoes out of the equation and rely on your old plimsolls. But trust us – it’s almost always more sensible to bring a spare. You don’t want to end up having to buy a cheap pair that you’ll never use again once you’ve reached your destination.

Smartphone

What did people do before smartphones? Aside from allowing you to contact your nearest and dearest wherever you end up, the best offerings coming from top smartphone producers have cameras of superior quality. If there’s anything better than spending time relaxing and enjoying a release from the stress of normal life, it’s being able to document it and remember it even in the darkest of winter months. You also want to relax in bed before sleeping, perhaps watching the latest Netflix release.

Notebook

Another way to easily memorialise your time away is to keep a journal where you write down your impressions and experiences while on holiday. While this might be a more meaningful account if you’re somewhere with lots to see and do, often there is a beauty in remembering the daily interactions and people-watching that make up the memories of a holiday.

Books

Holidays aren’t just enjoyable in themselves; they’re also a valuable opportunity to catch up on some of the reading you’ve been too busy to do throughout the year. Everyone has their preferred reading matter on the beach – some are fond of an autobiography, while others like a chick-lit romance. Whatever you prefer, it’s essential to take the right number of books. Too many will fill up your case unnecessarily, while too few will land you bored on your trip.

Sunscreen

How could you forget it? If you want to enjoy your holiday, you don’t want to get sunburned. Even those of us with dark skin are susceptible to burning, and failing to bring sunscreen with you on holiday can land you with a seriously painful weekend. Don’t worry about getting a tan – many brands allow both protection and that “been-on-holiday” look.

The editorial unit