When it comes to the perfect family holiday – one that caters to everyone’s needs in a home-from-home fashion, we say self-catering is best. Self-catering allows you and your family to relax and enjoy your break at your own pace. And, if you’re at Ramsgate Cottage, you’ll also enjoy the perfect combination of homely comforts, those little luxury extras, and beautiful surrounds... not to mention the wealth of activities on offer in and around our beautiful cottage.
The best self-catering holidays are the result of careful planning and organising upfront so that relaxation is the order of the day once you are on holiday. With the right accommodation sorted, we suggest you put together a self-catering packing list (here’s the first one we did for this blog) so that you’re sure to have all those little extras from your own home with you during your ‘off’ time. To add to that list, we have ten more must-haves we think you’ll be glad to have by your side, wherever you stay.
Must-haves for your next self-catering holiday
1. Multi-purpose army knife
With attachments like a bottle and can opener and a sharp blade for slicing items like biltong, you can’t go far wrong with an army knife in your gear.
2. Ice packs
Useful for keeping food fresh on your road trip, ice packs can come in handy for picnics and for emergencies like a twisted ankle.
3. Plastic packets or cloth bags
A few of these will always be put to good use, whether as food carriers, rubbish holders, or extra laundry bags.
4. soap
Yes, we’re talking about the big, green bar from your childhood. That or in liquid form, soap is good for washing hands, dishes, clothes, and even certain items of furniture.
5. Toilet paper
You never know when you might run out of what’s in stock so bring a bit more. Enough said.
6. A spare sheet / light blanket
It’s good to have spare linen just in case, plus a sheet can double up as a picnic blanket or table cloth or come in handy for rainy day games with the kids like fort building.
7. Food wrapping
Lightweight and easy to throw into any food basket, cling wrap is great for covering leftovers, from the picnic blanket to the fridge. Or go for Ziploc bags – they’re also useful for marinating meat and sealing up bottles of oils and spices that might leak in transit. Tin foil makes for another useful wrapping – great for braaing veggies and cooking up yummy baked potatoes, plus grilling bacon or whipping up fresh fish wraps.
8. First aid kit
From a sinus headache to a bad cut, it’s important to have basic medicines and emergency items on hand. No one likes to think of illness or injuries happening on holiday but it never hurts to be prepared.
9. Candles and matches / lighter
While torches are a definite must-have, candles make for atmosphere (think romantic dinners) and can be a great air freshener. Plus, matches (or lighters) are useful for lighting the braai or gas stove.
10. Mineral water
If you have the space, take some bottled water with you wherever you go. Potable water is a necessity and you never know when it might come in handy.
When it comes to self-catering accommodation on the South Coast, Ramsgate Cottage is the place to be. It has everything you and your family need for a comfortable holiday away from the rush of daily life. Do as much (or as little) as you like in our stunning surrounds, while making special holiday memories with your favourite people.