Going on Holiday // Top 10 Tips
Hello, humans!
Because I am going to Malia, Greece, in precisely 2 weeks and 4 days, I thought it would be appropriate to create a blog post with ten really important tips, all based on my own experiences. I have been traveling to different exotic countries, and some not so exotic regions of the UK, since the young age of three. This will be my first holiday without my parents or my brother, but even on family holidays I have learnt a trick or two about various aspects of holidays, from nights out to coping with anxiety in airports. Some of these tricks, I have learnt the hard way!
In this post, I'm basically going to be elaborating on the do's and don't's with my own experiences on each as a bit of back up as to why it's a yay or nay. It is mainly aimed at the people who are going a similar holiday to myself and Tom. So more of a party holiday. Because from what I've been told and seen on TV, you have to be pretty damn street wise to have a safe and enjoyable time!
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1. Airports- This is going to sound stupid but seriously make sure you have your passport, boarding passes and everything you need to get on your flight. Because when you're all excited and ready to leave home for the airport, it's so easy to lose concentration and think about these things. To avoid forgetting them, sort your hand luggage out the day before and invest in a little plastic file that you can keep all your travel documents in. Pop it in your hand luggage on the same day, double check it's in there before you leave home and you should have no issues.
Airport anxiety: If you are a fellow anxiety sufferer, like myself, thoughts of forgetting travel documents and boarding passes probably worries you excessively, making you more cautious. Just keep organised and keep breathing!
Security and border control isn't a nice experience for us either, especially when coming home and the systems are kind of different, you don't know your way around the airport etc. Make sure you have someone with you who understands your anxiety and knows what to do. Because of my anxiety, on families we always used to stay in a bar or café area so I could just chill after going through security and that because it's usually quite daunting for me. It works, because everyone stays together and has a drink, can do a bit of people watching, play a game and it literally doesn't feel like you're in an airport. Just take deep breaths and relax. You're going on holiday!
2. Reps- If you are going to a party town/island such as Malia, Kos, Aya Napa, Magaluf etc, be aware of the reps, especially on Club 18-30 holidays. Now, I'm not saying it to be nasty because there is nothing wrong with the reps. They're all lovely. But, there job is to be nice to you and promote/sell off different night and day time events for you. So, you will need a bit more spending money, as some of these events are compulsory if you want a night out at all, considering most of the clubs and bars are included when these events are on. So for example, Zoofari. If you haven't paid for the t-shirt and face paint, you won't have a chance at getting into many of the bars at all, as they are all participants too.
3. Don't be a dick- Not to scare you or anything, but have you ever heard of those stories when people have had a bit too much to drink, maybe looked at someone a bit funny and got into a serious argument/fight? It happens. If you are friendly with other people, they will be the same with you. Heck, you might even make friends! Don't be the idiot and start any drama, because everyone is going out there to do the same thing. Have an amazing time! Yeah, there will be idiots out there, some people may look at you weirdly but have fun and focus on what you're doing. Ladies, that goes for you too. I can honestly tell you that some women can't half throw a punch, so be careful what you say.
4. Don't go into water when drunk- I beg you, please don't do this. I've been thrown into a pool when stupidly drunk and I was terrified, even though it wasn't out of malicious behavior. When drunk, your mind isn't functioning well enough to focus on swimming. If you can't even walk properly when you're drunk, forget swimming. By all means go to the shore and just cool off or whatever but don't go out of your depth, or throw yourself off piers (guilty) or balconies into pools.
5. Drinking- I probably sound like such a boring wet lettuce at the moment, but this is more for saving money. Go for the cocktails! They are cheaper and good value for money. Especially blue lagoons. Your usual drinks like JD and coke will be more expensive and similarly priced to the UK. Cocktails are like student drinks. Bar tenders know you want to get drunk quick, so they've made it cheaper for you to do so. Don't waste it!
Spiking drinks: Ladies and gents, keep an eye on your drink and maybe even a hand over it at all times. There is some dodgy folk out there. If someone offers to buy you a drink, make sure you're with them, as this 'friendly stranger/friend' could spike it on their way back to you. If you need the toilet, leave your drink in the hands of a trusted friend.
6. Don't waste the day!- Chances are there's some really cool stuff to do during the day time. In every party town, there is always a beach that offers water sports like going on banana boats, jet skiing etc. Just be careful they don't rip you off, haggle them if need be! Go for walks on the beach, find a nice bar! Don't waste the opportunities by staying in bed trying to get over your hangover. You won't get a tan that way, either!
Quad Bikes: The people who offer quad bike rentals will more than likely rip you off. It's known in Malia that you will park up outside your hotel, the sales people will come and collect it (they take your hotel details), making you think it has been stolen, and ask to keep the deposit plus a potential fine. Don't risk losing any more spending money.
7. No means no- This goes for you, gents! If you are going on a 'lads' holiday (#malialads, #allthebanter) you are going to look at girls, right? So a few ground rules. If she isn't interested, just back off. No means no. If she said she isn't sure, just give her space and let her decide for herself (she probably still means no). Also, just because a girl may be wearing ridiculously short shorts and a skimpy crop top, that doesn't mean she's 'gagging for it'. It's not an invitation for you to go over and pester her, it's how she chooses to dress. Especially if you're in a hot country, just use your logic.
8. Wear sun cream- Seriously, it takes no more than 5 minutes to apply it and let it soak in. You can even get 'all day' sun cream that you only have to apply once every day if you're lazy! Getting bad sun burn can completely ruin your holiday, because it's painful. My dad even told me he was on a holiday with his friends years back and none of them wore sun cream. My dad had to fly home early he was in that much pain from sun burn.
9. Take vitamins- Christ, how much more like a mother could I possibly sound? This isn't me trying to be a nutritional expert, this is a way to avoid hang overs. Just take one or two every day and you will either get a very small hang over or none at all. Stay hydrated as well!
10. Take photos!- But don't take anything too expensive out to take photos on, like a massive DSLR or something like that. Because if you lose it, you're chucking £500 down the drain. Instead, just take your phone and download Retrica, or even take a few disposable cameras! Capture all your favorite memories so you can show everyone when you get home what a wonderful time you've had.
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More importantly, just stay safe and don't do anything you wouldn't do at home. Then, you're bound to have an amazing time.
If you're going on holiday this summer, with friends, family or your partner..have an amazing time!
If you're in Malia from 7th-14th of July...we will see you there!
Take care xo
5. Drinking- I probably sound like such a boring wet lettuce at the moment, but this is more for saving money. Go for the cocktails! They are cheaper and good value for money. Especially blue lagoons. Your usual drinks like JD and coke will be more expensive and similarly priced to the UK. Cocktails are like student drinks. Bar tenders know you want to get drunk quick, so they've made it cheaper for you to do so. Don't waste it!
Spiking drinks: Ladies and gents, keep an eye on your drink and maybe even a hand over it at all times. There is some dodgy folk out there. If someone offers to buy you a drink, make sure you're with them, as this 'friendly stranger/friend' could spike it on their way back to you. If you need the toilet, leave your drink in the hands of a trusted friend.
6. Don't waste the day!- Chances are there's some really cool stuff to do during the day time. In every party town, there is always a beach that offers water sports like going on banana boats, jet skiing etc. Just be careful they don't rip you off, haggle them if need be! Go for walks on the beach, find a nice bar! Don't waste the opportunities by staying in bed trying to get over your hangover. You won't get a tan that way, either!
Quad Bikes: The people who offer quad bike rentals will more than likely rip you off. It's known in Malia that you will park up outside your hotel, the sales people will come and collect it (they take your hotel details), making you think it has been stolen, and ask to keep the deposit plus a potential fine. Don't risk losing any more spending money.
7. No means no- This goes for you, gents! If you are going on a 'lads' holiday (#malialads, #allthebanter) you are going to look at girls, right? So a few ground rules. If she isn't interested, just back off. No means no. If she said she isn't sure, just give her space and let her decide for herself (she probably still means no). Also, just because a girl may be wearing ridiculously short shorts and a skimpy crop top, that doesn't mean she's 'gagging for it'. It's not an invitation for you to go over and pester her, it's how she chooses to dress. Especially if you're in a hot country, just use your logic.
8. Wear sun cream- Seriously, it takes no more than 5 minutes to apply it and let it soak in. You can even get 'all day' sun cream that you only have to apply once every day if you're lazy! Getting bad sun burn can completely ruin your holiday, because it's painful. My dad even told me he was on a holiday with his friends years back and none of them wore sun cream. My dad had to fly home early he was in that much pain from sun burn.
9. Take vitamins- Christ, how much more like a mother could I possibly sound? This isn't me trying to be a nutritional expert, this is a way to avoid hang overs. Just take one or two every day and you will either get a very small hang over or none at all. Stay hydrated as well!
10. Take photos!- But don't take anything too expensive out to take photos on, like a massive DSLR or something like that. Because if you lose it, you're chucking £500 down the drain. Instead, just take your phone and download Retrica, or even take a few disposable cameras! Capture all your favorite memories so you can show everyone when you get home what a wonderful time you've had.
***
More importantly, just stay safe and don't do anything you wouldn't do at home. Then, you're bound to have an amazing time.
If you're going on holiday this summer, with friends, family or your partner..have an amazing time!
If you're in Malia from 7th-14th of July...we will see you there!
Take care xo
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