10 of the best holiday hacks
Don't go away without reading these first
Check out our top ten holiday hacks you must read before going on holiday, whether it's just for a long weekend or a long break.
1. Safety sun lotion bottle
Create your own handy little safe with an old sun cream bottle. Simply wash it out, cut through the middle and pop the top back on. Your valuables will be kept safe in the bottle.
2. Bug free drinks
Keep the tropical bugs out of your drinks with this cheap and handy tip. Place a cupcake case over your glass and pierce a small hole with a drinking straw. Then sit back and relax on the beach with a bug free ice cold drink.
3. Roll your clothes, don’t fold
Looking for extra space in the suitcase? Roll your clothes instead of folding them. Not only do you have more space but it also prevents creasing!
4. Mark your bags as fragile if you’re travelling in a group
If there are a few people travelling, mark each suitcase as fragile, this means they will get processed together and therefore come out at the same time!
5. Create your own electricity card
Keep your hotel room cool whilst you’re out, place your card in the electricity slot to keep it powered and you will have an air conditioned room on your return.
6. Organise your jewellery with a tablet container
Every girl knows the struggle of keeping jewellery organised whilst on holiday. Buy a cheap pill container from the local chemist, and you will never have to worry about your mixed up rings again.
7. Yoghurt your sunburns
If you can’t get your hands on any aloe vera, natural yoghurt is the next best thing to treat that nasty sunburn.
8. Use the free TV to charge your phone
Forgotten the plug for your phone charger? Don’t panic, check the back of your hotel room TV, most of them have a USB port free to use.
9. Create your own TV on the plane
Place your device into a plastic food bag, hook over the tray table, and there you have it... a homemade TV for the journey.
10. Plastic bags are your best friend
We all know sand gets everywhere, so stop it getting in your valuables with this handy tip. Simply place your items in a resealable plastic bag to prevent any damage.
Put these great hacks into practice on your summer holiday!
Now take a look at some fantastic Airbnb properties in our gallery below
Log cabin with hot tub, near Bath
The log cabin is a warm, cosy retreat away from the hustle and bustle of city life. Unwind in the hot tub under the stars, or sit and relax on the private deck.
Log cabin with hot tub
The cabin has an open plan lounge with two sofas (one is a sofa bed) as well as a kitchen area with hob, cooker and fridge.
Cosy vintage American caravan, Somerset/Devon/Dorset border
Dip your toes into the rural 1950s with a stay in a comfy, fully refurbished, air-float caravan.
Cosy vintage American caravan
Set in its own private garden with bbq area, outdoor fire pit and dining table, you can collect eggs fresh from the chickens, and don't forget to pet the pigs!
Beautiful Gothic church conversion, near Wells
This gorgeous Gothic church, has been tastefully converted into a six bedroom house, with stunning original features, and sleeps 17 (a few more with a squash)!
Beautiful Gothic church conversion
The converted church is in a peaceful village, 2 miles from the historic Cathedral City of Wells, 30 mins from Bath and Bristol.
Unique holiday experience in a railway carriage, Saint Austell
The SIPHON offers a special glamping holiday where your carbon footprint will be minimal - as they source as much as they can from local suppliers and ask guests to recycle/compost.
Unique holiday experience in a railway carriage
The SIPHON is off grid - solar power provides electricity for lighting and charging mobile phones - and there is a 'green' waterless toilet. A really exciting and different holiday experience with outside space for barbecuing and play.
Boatel, Machynlleth
Be under no illusion this is like camping under a wooden roof! Not glamping or a hotel. Boatel guests share the boat roofed shed with other guests and residents and no one has exclusivity on this structure.
Boatel
The boat is old and dusty with the occasional spider, an unusual and quirky experience!
The views are stunning. Sorry no dogs but there are two friendly dogs that live there, cats and ex-caged chickens.
Lovely old house and art deco cinema, Axbridge
A fabulous, stylish place to stay for a group or a family holiday! Not ideal for the crazier hen parties (though open to discuss details of your particular needs).
Lovely old house and art deco cinema
This is a fabulous place to stay in a restored old Georgian coaching inn (with older parts) on the southern slopes of the Mendip Hills in Somerset. Stylish and quirky, with contemporary art and fittings as well as vintage and antique furnishings, the house accommodates at least 11 people.
Spiral straw bale studio, near Canterbury
This house as a beautiful and unique hand-built straw bale studio overlooking open countryside.
Spiral straw bale studio
It has great transport links to Canterbury's historic centre and nearby beaches and a garden location, with a secluded patio for al fresco dining.
Garden refuge in style, Naunton, Cheltenham
This cabin has the feel of a true hideaway, with the light of the pond outside reflecting on the ceiling, you could be anywhere.
Garden refuge in style
This is an unusual space in a beautiful Cotswold garden. It is very calming and romantic. In addition you could rent the Quintessential Cotswold Cottage located in the same romantic garden.
Romany caravan at Bush Meadows, near Bude
This is a unique stay in a traditional Romany caravan furnished with some mod cons to make your stay comfortable and enjoyable.
Romany caravan at Bush Meadows
The caravan has an electric stove, lights, television, DVD player and tea making facilities.
Stargazer in country garden, Holcombe Rogus
A rustic stargazer where you can fall asleep watching the stars and wake up to the sound of birdsong! A rural spot, far from street lighting, the sky lights up on clear nights.
Stargazer in country garden
Simple, basic, but unusual accommodation. This is a wooden A-frame structure with enough room for two to sleep in with a mainly glass roof.
Here be dragons..., Westhall
Echoing the medieval mapping practice of placing dragons and mythological beasts in uncharted seas, the phrase, "here be dragons" has become shorthand for that which is fascinating and unexplored.
Here be dragons...
Here's an opportunity to conduct your own exploration of a previously uncharted house (meaning its not been available to stay in) . A choice of two beautiful bedrooms each with en suite bathroom (bath and digital shower-over) in this award-winning oak frame building (built 2011) known locally as the Dragon House.
Dairsie Castle, Fife
Dairsie Castle is a unique self-catered property which sleeps 14. Located close to St. Andrews (15 minutes drive) and Edinburgh (1 hour drive), it is an ideal setting for a holiday to explore the heart of Scotland.
Dairsie Castle
First sited in the 12th Century, Dairsie has been the location of secret Scottish parliaments, military sieges, and safe haven for escapee monarchs (James VI and I in 1583).
Wherever you decide to go, and whoever you decide to go with, make sure you enjoy your time off.
Now take a look at 11 of the best beach holiday hacks.
Happy holidays!