Ready for your self-catering cottage holiday? Here are some things to arrange before you set off and a list of items you might decide to bring…
To arrange
- Arrange for pet and plant care. (or book a pet friendly cottage)
- Stop routine deliveries.
- Make your home seem lived-in while away by putting lights and a radio on timers
- Turn down thermostat.
- Empty refrigerator
- Leave keys and itinerary with a friend.
- Lock windows, garage, and doors.
- Notify local police or neighbourhood watch of your absence
To gather and pack:
- Guide books and maps
- Passport and visa(s), Personal ID (Drivers license)
- Student ID (for discount access to museums etc.)
- Foreign currency of your destination country
- Cash & Credit cards (foreign currencies?)
- Coins for tolls
- Travelers checks or ATM card
- Insurance: Trip Cancellation/Medical
- Photocopies of documentation
- Birth Certificate (if necessary)
- Marriage License (if necessary)
- Tickets & itinerary
- Hotel Reservations
- Special Event Reservations
- Paper printout of emergency contacts
Electronics
- Cell phone, charger, extra battery
- (Video) Camera, charger, batteries, film, cords, etc.
- iPod
- Headphones
- CD player & CDs
- DVD player & DVDs
- Laptop & cord & battery
- Plug & voltage adaptors for foreign countries
Basic Essentials
- Appropriate Luggage
- Luggage Locks & ID Tags (Do NOT Lock checked baggage)
- Passport/Money Carrier
- Appropriate Clothing
- Comfortable Footwear
- Rain Protection
- Small Flashlight & batteries
- Travel Alarm Clock
- Brimmed Hat or Visor
- Eyeglasses, sunglasses & lens cleaner or contact lens preparations
- Language Books
- Reading Materials
- Playing Cards/Games
- Address Book
- Maintenance Items
- Mini Sewing Kit (place in checked baggage)
- Scarf/Bandanna
- Travel Iron or Steamer
- Folding Scissors (place in checked baggage)
- Laundry Bag
- Food bars or emergency snack food
Toiletries
- Comb/Brush
- Toothbrush/Paste
- Mouthwash
- Dental Floss
- Shampoo/Conditioner
- Soap
- Vitamins
- Medication
- First Aid Kit
- Aspirin/Pain Reliever
- Cold/Sinus Medication
- Diarrhea Medicine
- Laxative
- Insect Repellent
- Antibiotic Ointment
- Alcohol Wipes
- Sunscreen
- Motion Sickness Medicine
- Personal Prescriptions
- Nail clipper
- Kleenex
- Q-Tips
- Blow Dryer
- Deodorant
- Lotions/Creams
- Cologne
- Lip balm
- Shaving Cream, Razor & extra razor blades (or electric razor)
- Towel/Washcloth
- Earplugs
- Plastic bags (if carry on, remember FAA limits on liquids & cremes)
Major Clothing
- Dress clothes: dresses, suits, shirts, slacks, socks, ties/scarves,
- Dress suit/sport coat
- Dress shoes
- Casual clothes:
- Casual shoes
- Belt(s)
- Under wear: undergarments including t-shirts & under wear & bras etc.
- PJ’s
- Overcoat / rain coat / top coat
- Umbrella
- Sweater
- Jeans
- Winter dress gloves & scarf & hat
- Hat
- Exercise clothes (swimsuit, goggles, running clothes & shoes, gym workout clothes & shoes)
Sports related
- golf
- bicycling
- tennis/squash/badminton
- horse riding
- climbing
- canoo-ing
- etc.
Study/Work Related
- Books / magazines / bible
- Work / school files & projects
- Homework
- Day-planner / PDA
- Paper / notebook
- Pens / pencils
- Index cards
- Calculator
- Briefcase / backpack
We know that his list will never be complete but let know what we’ve missed that you always take on your holiday…as always leave a comment.
June 30, 2008 at 3:39 pm |
A ball of string! This may sound silly, but someone gave me this advice when I was a young back packer… A ball of string comes in very handy… from making impromptu washing lines to quick fixes and emergency repairs of things and it doesn’t take up much room at all.
July 8, 2008 at 3:12 pm |
Safety pins are a must – can’t count the number of times they’ve come in useful, replacing missing/lost buttons, holding difficult curtains open (or closed), removing spells from fingers, emergency bracelet/watch strap repair…
July 21, 2008 at 4:37 pm |
A good friend of mine always has a kitchen ‘goody box’ already to go….. This has kitchen essentials such as travel size salt and pepper; dried herbs and spices; tinfoil; stock cubes etc. There’s nothing more frustrating when the inspiration to cook strikes than not having familiar ingredients and kitchen gadgets to hand……
July 21, 2008 at 4:45 pm |
As true coffee lover I take my own espresso machine and coffee to the holiday property. I just NEED my shot of espresso in the morning and unless we are in Italy where you can get the best coffee on the street corner, I’ll have to make it myself.
August 7, 2008 at 2:22 pm |
A toilet roll and a tin/bottle opener
August 31, 2008 at 4:02 pm |
Tea/Coffee, Milk, and Sugar because the first thing you want to do after a long drive is have a drink before unpacking. Also a general battery recharger as cameras, torch and if you have children possibly favourite toys run off batteries (all ours are rechargable). As dog owners, we always take a flea spray, as most places that have dog properties never think to spray them, and it only takes one infected dog along the way before the property is jumping!! We always spray properties on arrival.
June 29, 2009 at 2:49 pm |
Thanks for checklist – lost my own comprehensive one when last PC crashed! One or two additions which I always find useful are sandwich bags, kitchen roll, foil, matches, gravy granules, j-cloth, carrier bags, torch, air freshener, and a bottle stopper.
July 19, 2009 at 11:13 pm |
I have two kids under five so wet wipes are essential !
August 12, 2009 at 6:38 pm |
Dont forget any membership cards for National Trust; RSPB; RHS etc. So many places to see when you have your cottage holiday, you wouldn’t want to miss out now would you!