General Holiday Tips

Lemon aid

You go on holiday, dying for that long awaited bath and find there is no plug! Pop to the shop, buy a lemon, slice it in half then place it over the plug hole. Now for the other half, make yourself a gin and tonic, slice the lemon, then relax in your long-awaited bath...

If someone asks you if your (mobile) phone just rang, most people put their hand to their pocket/bag to feel for it. Which means a potential thief knows whereabouts your phone is... Just say no, then check discreetly when you get a chance.

Don't stand n' queue

When your flight has been called to board, don't rush just to stand in another queue. Sit on your chair and watch everyone get frustrated in the slow moving line. Just remember (in most cases!) you already have your seat booked and the plane isn't going to fly off in the middle of boarding.

Take a recent photo of your children with you, it's much easier to show to the police if you lose a child on holiday, rather than trying to describe a child to someone who may not speak English.

Less luggage to lug

When you are travelling abroad and are taking make-up, go to your nearest chemist or make-up seller and buy 'three in one' tubes.Especially ones that you can use for your eyes, lips,and cheeks - it cuts down on luggage space!

When traveling abroad carry your wallet in the front left pocket. Most people are right handed so pick pockets will tend to direct their activties to the right pocket. Also in areas that lend themselves to theft I often will use an old wallet in the back pocket with nothing in it as a decoy.

Drawing pins were invaluable on my 'roughing it' trip to Thailand.I used them for everything from hanging up a washing line to repairing the mozzie net that always falls down. Obviously don't put them in your hand luggage!!

Don't fight over the radio stations in the car. Take your own personal radio. They are not too expensive and mean you can listen to whatever station you want without interruptions.

Another handy way to find your luggage on the carousel is to tie a bright coloured ribbon on the handles of the bags.If everyone in the family has the same suitcase you can all have your own colour this makes it much easier at hotels as well.