Your girl’s holiday survival guide

With the dark nights sticking around, many of us are dreaming about sunsets in Ibiza and cocktails in Mykonos. Some of us are preparing for the annual girls’ trip, whether this be your first, or fiftieth. If it’s your first time, do not fear, down below is your survival guide for staying safe whilst having the best time.

Image: Katie Fields 

Girls holidays- where do I start? They can be a mixture of joy, anger, tiredness (especially the plane ride home), bursts of energy, and several hungover mornings but overall, the best week of the summer!

I look forward to this trip each year knowing it’s filled with no stress, no planning, just tanning, and having fun. Whether this is your first time going away or if you’re a holiday expert, I’m going to let you in on a few secrets about how I survived my girl’s holiday.

Pack sun cream

Firstly, and I can’t stress this enough- remember your SPF. I underestimated the Greek sun and burnt my back and legs whilst waiting to catch the plane ride home later that day - ouch is an understatement. Don’t stress you will still get your dream tan but at least this way you can do it safely and painlessly.

Stock up on vitamins

Our heroes when we were in Malia. A Vitamin C drink before bed may just cure your hangover and make you feel productive for the next day- a big bonus. Before you leave for your night out put it on your bedside table with a glass of water, you’ll thank yourself the next morning.

Portable chargers

An essential! You don’t want your phone dying on the walk home.

Tip: make sure when you are pre-ing you charge your phone to full to avoid this risk.

Take with you a suitable-sized bag, one that fits your phone and a portable charger so you don’t lose or drop anything. You can have your hands free when dancing the night away.

Digital camera

Everyone wants cool 90s style, vintage picture, right? This was the first item I bought when we booked the holiday, and the photos didn’t disappoint. Honestly, I think these are my favourite pictures of the trip.

Images: Katie Fields

Stick together

The most important point of the guide. Nobody gets left alone. You’re in a brand-new country with no experience, and no direction- you’re vulnerable (particularly as 18–20-year-old girls). If someone wants to go home suck it up, you have plenty of other nights to party ‘til dawn.

Be organised

If your parents are anything like mine, they will nag you time and time again about organisation. To save you the hassle and interrogation every night: know your flight times, your pick-up locations and your accommodation. Familiarise yourself with how to get around. Trust me, it saves the questions and makes you more excited to get there…

Be flexible

You have to be considerate that people like to spend their time differently. This might mean one day- however boring it sounds- you have to suck it up and travel around the historical museum in the city or go to the local markets. Going with the flow means, when it comes to your day at the fabulous shopping mall, you can do it altogether without complaints. 

Use this checklist below to help you remember everything so you are totally prepared and nothing can stop you!

Checklist:

°       Passports.

°       Boarding passes.

°       Flight times and gate number.

°       Sun cream.

°       Makeup.

°       Vitamins.

°       Digital camera.

°       Bikinis and swimsuits.

°       Day time outfits.

°       Evening outfits.

°       Sliders.

°       Toiletries.

°       Handbag.

°       Shoes e.g. heels, sandals.

°       Lip balm.

°       After sun.

°       Paracetamol, ibuprofen…

°       Hat.

Finally, remember it’s a GIRL’S HOLIDAY- have fun and relax. Unfortunately, arguments are unavoidable just don’t let them ruin the trip or the vibe! Enjoy yourselves and comment where you end up :)

By Katie Fields

Edited by Isabel Butler