Greek Islands
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| If You Can...Get Really Distinctive Luggage ! |
...our handy Greek islands checklist of travel essentials.
Our ten top tips to assist in your preparation for your most enjoyable holiday yet.
Preparation, as every Boy Scout will tell you, is the basis of every successful task. Going away is no different, and a little extra preparation will make all the difference on your next trip.
...Bon Voyage!
| Online Check In | Checking in online can save you loads of time at the airport. You can drop your luggage off in a designated area at the airport, or better still, just take hand luggage and start your Greek islands get-away while everyone else is waiting for their bags! |
| Luggage Love | Don't lose your luggage or walk off with someone else's. Get a really distinctive suitcase, or decorate yours with colourful straps and ribbons. If you don't want to put your address on your suitcase, just put a mobile number instead. |
| In flight essentials | Your holiday experience begins on the flight. Take ear plugs, eye mask and travel pillow for sleeping on the plane, and socks and a jumper to keep warm. Irritatingly, some airlines now charge for blankets and pillows, and it can be a little embarrassing when the flight attendant returns with your requested pillows and blanket and asks you for £10 or $20 |
| First Aid Kit | As well as any prescription medicines, remember to pack paracetamol, plasters, insect repellent and dehydration sachets. |
| Spare Juice | You'll need batteries or the charger for your camera, MP3 player, laptop or handheld computer. Make sure they're charged up, take spares and a battery charger, and don't forget the right adapter for the country you're going to. |
| Extra Eyes | Lose your glasses and sightseeing loses its edge. Take a spare pair with you, it's a requirement in some European countries if you're the designated driver. Contact lens wearers should go disposable if they can. You won't have to worry about losing a lens or carry solution around with you. |
| The Right Suncream | Take suncream that's the right strength for your skin. Cancer Research recommends at least SPF15, higher for children, people with fair skin or lots of moles or freckles. Don't forget the sun in the Greek islands can be extremely 'unforgiving'. |
| Booked Parking Space | For the ultimate in convenience, pre-book a guaranteed parking space at the airport. A Meet and Greet service is ideal if you've got lots of luggage and/or kids. Check out Post Office airport parking |
| Connections | Don't get stung when making calls, sending texts or using the Internet on holiday. Ask your network provider if your phone will work abroad and what the charges are. Remember that it can cost as much as £1 per minute even to receive calls abroad. It may work out cheaper to buy a local phone card when you are there or an international SIM card before you go or alternatively, pop into the local phone store on the island you visit and ask for their help in choosing something appropriate. |
| Travel Insurance | Your own travel insurance is essential when visiting the Greek islands, even if you have a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). It's your peace of mind in case your luggage gets lost, or someone in your family becomes ill. Travel insurance policies start at just £5.50 for singe trip travel insurance, or - if you're going away more than twice this year - save money with an annual travel insurance policy, and kids go free! |
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| Cancer Research Recommends SPF 15 Even Higher For The Children |
Exploring the astonishing Greek island can be more than half the fun. But you'll need the very best of island maps. Yes...
You could also be bumping around the back roads exploring the "unknown to tourists" parts of the Greek islands.
The Greek islands probably have many more miles of dirt roads, than paved roads...
There is normally one major paved road in good condition that goes all around most of the islands, with minor spurs off to wherever they are required. And often there can be several smaller paved ones in "less good but OK" shape. And there are tons of dirt roads, all the way down to "for mountain goats only."
Sure, these off-the-off-roads are all rocks and bumps, but you don't need an expensive SUV. An average rental car can handle it, if you're careful -- I know, because we do it all the time!
And do not worry about safety! The Greek islands are very safe! There is no abject poverty here, and there is very little crime. No matter where you go, you'll find only warm, friendly people.
What should you take with you? Your curiosity, a good pair of hiking shoes... and an extremely detailed map of whichever islands you are visiting!
Sure the tourist map that you'll get (at the airport or a thousand other places around the islands) is good. But it is not detailed enough to give you the confidence to explore the poor-to-bad condition roads/tracks.
One last peace of advice we can offer is, don't leave things until the last minute if you can. I know, we all do it, and it easier said than done, but if you can get yourself sufficiently organised to do things in advance (especially mums), then you should arrive at the airport feeling a little calmer than you will if you leave things to the last minute.
Why not check out our family friendly holiday checklist just to make sure you haven't forgotten anything in the run-up to your holiday.
