Top Tips for Easy Packing and the Best Find Ever

Before we go any further .... a very Happy New Year to you all

As we enter 2018 I'm sure you are all looking forward once again to Summer holidays, or maybe even still looking at Winter holidays, especially with the weather we've been having lately. 😐

Always looking for easy options

We are definitely planning more travels this year.  As you know our stays away are usually short breaks, or at most a week, therefore, we like to travel light and carry our luggage on board with us so that we can make a quick get away and make the most of our holiday.😎

Consequently I am always looking for easy packing ideas.

Won't fit, will fit

If you're anything like me I can never find enough room for everything in a cabin size bag.  I end up packing, repacking and probably repacking again!

I thought I'd share a few ideas I have found helpful with making the best use of limited space in your bag and being able to fit everything in.

Packing Top Tips for Carry on bags

• Make use of those free samples that are stuck to pages in women's magazines.  Ask your hairdresser for shampoo/conditioner samples.  They all slip in that little airport plastic bag really easy.  Use them up and you won't need to carry them home, leaving room for a little holiday gift maybe? :)

• Pack pants/socks inside shoes or sandals.
• Save the shower caps from hotels to wrap my shoes in so that the soles don't make clothes grubby.
• Pick up spare plastic bags at the airports.  They are really handy.  Keep loose chargers together or home keys/car keys tidy and easy to find on return journey home.

The best find ever ...

• And finally I found the most amazing piece of kit just prior to my last journey.  I have to tell you I will now never travel without it.  Packs so easily and gets so much in ....  for me 4 vests, 2 cardigans, 1 blouse, plus 1 jumpsuit.  All that in a quarter of the space of my bag.  This little bag deserves 3 images!

Eagle Creek Pack It Garment Folder  

Trust me, if you buy this you won't regret it.  When you get to your destination and unfold your clothes, hang them up and no creases.  Love, love it.  💖

Travel safe, travel light, relax and enjoy.

Useful Sky Scanner link on best luggage reviewed and 

children's luggage too

Happy holidays :)

Throw Back to our Stay at The Savoy Hotel Saacharum Resort and Spa

After a day travelling - actually isn't everywhere at least a day's travel these days?  We landed in Funchal, Madeira.

Travelling light ......

We flew by British Airways from Gatwick and to be honest it was quite uneventful.  Except that we had decided to travel light and take bags on to the plane and not put in the hold.  Inexperienced in travelling light we made a bit of a hash of it!

You see, when you travel light, hence take all baggage on the aircraft with you, you must ensure you have all liquids, creams etc in a plastic bag.  Easy, you think?  It must be the correct size!  19cm x 19cm and one each is allowed, and each bottle/tub no more than 100ml.

Our bags were larger and full, of course!  Consequently many of our items were confiscated!

Note to self:  

Regulations are: 19cm x 19cm

100ml max each bottle and tub

Bag can be full but must be able to seal it!

Whew, feet back firmly on the ground

Eventually we board the plane. 

I am not going to say I enjoyed the flight, but that's not because of anything other than I just don't like flying!

Always very pleased to have feet back on the ground.

The best taxi ride ever ....

We had booked a taxi from the airport to our destination in Madeira and this was a great experience.  Our cab driver spoke excellent English and talked us through the 45 minute drive to Calheta.

Somewhere new and a friendly welcome.  You can't beat it!

Our arrival at the Hotel was greeted with warm friendliness by all Hotel staff.  The Concierge, Jose, took us to our room (from this point until we perched ourselves on sunbeds by the pool, my mouth stayed open .. and if you read on you will see why!)

Jose was full of information from room air conditioning to pools, day trips and much more!

Anyone for a sundowner?

We were so excited to see it all, that at this point we didn't unpack our bags.  The room was amazing and overlooking the small private hotel beach.

Anyone seen the bar?  

But just for starters, and to quench our thirst after a long day, we couldn't wait to investigate the top pool and bar!

At 18.30 the sun still shining, warm and lots of empty sunbeds overlooking the ocean.  It was definitely time for a sundowner.

Actually the sun didn't go down until about 20.30 in Madeira.
So, yes, you guessed it, we had more than one sundowner!

Some of the most amazing sunsets from our balcony and even saw the moon and reflections one morning.  Beautiful.

An Alfresco Breakfast anyone?

A buffet breakfast and there was so much to choose from.  English breakfast, which was Malcolm's favourite, but mine was the delicious fresh fruit, yoghurt and to top it all the sugar cane syrup and outside again overlooking the ocean.  My idea of heaven!   

This Hotel has windows galore and everywhere there are the most amazing reflections.  Absolutely stunning.

I think by looking at our photos of this wonderful place, you will see why my mouth stayed open in wonder and amazement.

Hotel Saccharum Resort and Spa ... I can only describe as blissful.

Want to know more about Madeira?

See too our visit to Funchal, our ride in the cable car, the tropical gardens, and a very long levada walk.

Bliss .... meaning 

The Savoy Hotel Saacharum Resort and Spa Calheta, Madeira

  

What to Wear in Malta in Winter Particularly November

Just a quick rewind to Malta!  Promise it won't take long.

You see we'd never been to Malta before.  I had no idea as to what the climate would be like.

Yes, yes I know you can look online at the forecast.  We did!  Several times.  

Women need to have so much more

Ok, so it's going to be warmer than the UK.  Does that mean I need to take coats, raincoats, cardigans, trousers, swimsuit, dresses, sandals and shoes?

It's always ok for the men.  They seem to make do with a pair of trousers, shorts, several T shirts, undies, one pair of shoes and one pair of flip flops!

Ah, yes, little and large! :)  Our cute little hire car and my umm .....cute big man 😍

You see as I said, shorts and a T shirt 😚

Me?  Unless I absolutely know for sure that it's going to be a scorcher, I need to take all things on a 'just in case basis' 

Come on ladies I know I'm not alone in that.

But, of course, I'm trying to turn over a new leaf and travel light!  

The search is on....

So my online search for 'what to wear in Malta in November' came up with nothing.   No no not to 'wear nothing'  - no answers!

My advice to you ladies - is take a lightweight raincoat as it does rain occasionally!  Although, to be honest, when it did rain we didn't have our rain coats with us. 😩

Some lightweight trousers, plus strappy vests, T shirts and a couple of cardigans.

A pair of shorts probably, although I'm not too keen on them I did wear them on a couple of days as it turned out to be quite hot!

A swimsuit/bikini doesn't take up much room.  There's always the chance that you'll have time for a dip.

And on hot days if you have long hair, something to tie it back with......I did take something but found something so much more sophisticated on the market in Marsaxlokk.  

A very good salesman put this in my hair for me and did such a good job that husband was impressed.  He bought me several in different colours. 

I do own up to having never managed to get it quite like this again but work in progress 😏

And on the streets of Valletta, this is what the locals wear.

Unless, of course, you're on a scooter and carrying a dog in your bag.  

Editing a little different?

Yes, you might have noticed the difference in our photos on this occasion.  

Not all images suit a little bit more high definition editing and I certainly wouldn't do it all the time but on this occasion, just for fun ....

And just in case you haven't had chance to come with us on our travels yet.  It's always worth taking a look back at a few of our previous posts.

Thanks for visiting.

See you next time .....

Tips on How to Pack for Antigua

I don't know about you, but I always pack too many clothes. Every time I go away I say to myself 'travel light'. Well the thought was there!

And when I packed for Antigua I did what I always do - pack too much.

My bag was overweight At the airport things were being tossed out of my bag into husband’s, and we even had to add things to our carry ons! Trust me, the queue behind us were not best impressed!

After our experience, let us give you some tips on how to pack when you travel to, not only Antigua, but any hot climate. Be it a little one sided and a female view!

Loose fitting short dresses. M&S do some great beach dresses which pack well without the need of ironing, wash and dry without a problem!
Linen trousers are always cool for you and your man too
A pretty cool floaty dress for evening, linen shirt and trousers for your other half!
Shorts
Strappy Vests
Cotton underwear
Swimsuit, bikini, swim shorts
Sarongs are a must for us ladies and do a great cover up job, if you need it that is! Great tips here on how to wear a sarong.



Factor 50 sun cream is a must. The sun is intense and unforgiving.
Mosquito repellent is a definite



And remember any bottles, creams etc you want to take into the hold must be in a plastic bag 20cm x 20cm and if your bag is bigger the airport staff will throw yours away and give you one of theirs!

It rains sometimes, but you won't worry about that, in fact, you'll find that you'll be quite grateful to cool off. It soon dries up too.



And ......



And enjoy a glass of your favourite tipple this is Jan's!.

Happy holiday