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Kit List

Cruise Holidays

Clothing

Cruises need the widest range of clothing of any holidays, especially if the woman needs to look different most nights. Even on the most casual cruises, you will still want to change in the evenings. By day in hot weather and for sightseeing in ports, wear cotton or cotton mix separates like cotton shirts, T-Shirts, sleeveless jackets with pockets, Capris or Bermudas with light, comfortable shoes and a hat. Nautical colours of blue and white look good, and drab safari colours should be avoided.

In the evenings, depending on the dressing up level required, choose a lightweight crushproof dress or separates that make an outfit. The polyester fabrics can be worn straight from the case. They are also easy to wash and quick to dry.

Men can wear just cotton shirts or polo shirts with lightweight trousers or shorts all day. A 100% cotton shirt is cooler in dry heat than poly/cottons, but you may need to find someone to iron it. Man made fabrics with air vents and mesh linings can be a substitute especially if you expect to sweat, as they will dry much quicker than 100% cotton. On cruises more brightly coloured shirts with stripes and patterns are normal. A breast pocket is always useful for carrying glasses, tickets, money etc.

In the evening, men may need to wear dinner jackets some nights on some cruises, but a lightweight crease resistant suit can often be worn.

Accessories

While there may be no size or weight restriction for luggage on a cruise, you do need to get it into the cabin. And if it is a fly/cruise, you will have a weight limit which is unlikely to be more than 20kg and could be only 15kg. You may be restricted to one case, even if you are prepared to pay for more. It is important not to waste your weight allowance on the case, but to get the biggest, lightest carry-on case you can as well as a light check-in case. And, of course, you need lightweight low bulk crease resistant clothing.

Lock your luggage with the Prosafe 900 padlock.

Hats and Shoes

Always have a big hat to keep off the sun, to stop burning, and to see better in bright sunlight. A broad brim straw hat, like the San Diego, would be fine. Shoes can be often be sandals, and should be as light and packable as possible. Wear your heaviest pair on the flight, if weight is an issue.

Travel rainwear

It can rain in the hottest places. A Mac-in-a-Sac weighs very little, and could be useful.

Women’s Handbags

Pacsafe make a special range of secure handbags with slashproof straps and tamperproof zips, useful when abroad. You can also hide documents and bank notes in belt wallets, or neck wallets.

Liquids on flights

You can take on board individual liquids in bottles/containers up to 100g in a transparent litre bag. So large tubes of toothpaste are banned as are many shampoos, soaps, eau de colognes etc. Pack them in your check-in suitcase or leave them behind. Consider the Travel Bottle Set.

Sunscreens and Insect Repellents

You should be able to buy these on board, but if you have a favourite brand it is essential to take it with you. If the container is over 100g, remember to check it in on flights.

Torches

Ships have reliable electrical systems, so little likelihood of power cuts on board, but if you have some nights ashore, there can be power cuts even in quite sophisticated places. Take a lightweight head torch. If you need to go to the loo in a strange place in the dark, you really need it.

Other items. Camera, batteries, binoculars, paperbacks, notebook, pen, maps, adapters, light daysack


Trekking/Safari Holidays

You are often far away from civilization here, so it is not possible to pop out to a shop if you have forgotten an item. A Kit List is really important here.

Clothing

During the day, when it is likely to be warm, cotton shirts and shorts for both men and women may be all you need. For more strenuous treks when you expect to sweat, man-made fabric shirts are better than cotton. Cotton shirts will get damp and make you cold when the sun goes in. They also take a long time to dry which is a bore if you are constantly moving.

It is usually cooler in the mornings and evenings, so zip-off trousers are good so you can convert them into shorts as the day warms up. Use a man-made windproof fabric, not 100% cotton. Likewise long sleeve shirts protect the arms from sun and insects and can always be rolled up. It is horrible to feel your arms burning and not be able to do anything about it.

A sleeveless or short sleeved safari or trekking jacket is very useful. The zipped or Velcro pockets can hold securely items like cameras, maps, suncreens, sunglasses, so you often don’t need a rucksack as well.

It will be cooler at night so take a fleece with zipped pockets. Take a lightweight Goretex top for windy and wet days, or a mac-in-a-sac for occasional use.

You never need to dress up or look smart. In the evenings, if you want to change, wear the clean clothes you will be wearing next day. Long sleeved shirts are useful in the evenings as they look more formal while protecting your arms from insects. Zip-offs worn as trousers will also keep insects off your legs, but remember to rub insect repellent round your ankles as well as your arms and face.

It is no longer necessary or even appropriate to look like a white hunter on a safari holiday. Just wear muted coloured clothing. It is said animals are colour blind, so it probably makes no difference to them, but your companions will appreciate it. There might just be something in the expression, “like a red rag to an elephant”.

Laundry is usually available on a safari holiday, unlike a trekking holiday, and so cotton clothing which needs ironing is more practical.

Accessories

Assuming you are flying to your holiday, you will have a weight limit which is unlikely to be more than 20kg and could be only 15kg. You may be restricted to one case, even if you are prepared to pay for more. It is important not to waste your weight allowance on the case, but to get the biggest, lightest carry-on case you can as well as a light check-in case. And, of course, you need lightweight low bulk crease resistant clothing.

Lock you luggage with the Prosafe 900 padlock.

Hats and Shoes

A Tilley Hat is smart but heavy, a cotton hat is light but can look a bit naff, and peaked caps don’t protect the back of the neck. Or you can look like Indiana Jones on safari. Take your choice. You will certainly need some sort of hat.

Walking boots can be heavy and bulky, so wear them on the flight out rather than putting them in your case. Waterproof boots are not so important on most treks and safaris, but you need proper boots with ankle support and good gripping soles, not shoes. Wear them in and make sure they are comfortable before you are committed to a long trek without hope of a replacement. Sandals can be worn in the evening and are restful for weary feet.

Travel rainwear

It can rain in the hottest places. A Mac-in-a-Sac weighs very little, and could be useful.

Women’s Handbags

Pacsafe make a special range of secure handbags with slashproof straps and tamperproof zips, useful when abroad. You can also hide documents and bank notes in belt wallets, or neck wallets.

Liquids on flights

You can take on board individual liquids in bottles/containers up to 100g in a transparent litre bag. So large tubes of toothpaste are banned as are many shampoos, soaps, eau de colognes etc. Pack them in your check-in suitcase or leave them behind. Consider the Travel Bottle Set.

Sunscreens and Insect Repellents

Essential to take these with you as good brands can be impossible to buy in third world countries. If the container is over 100g, remember to check it in on flights.

Torches

When camping, you need a torch, and even in towns and cities there can often be power cuts. Take a lightweight head torch which you can use for reading in bed. If you need to go to the loo in a strange place in the dark, you really need it. You may like a back-up wind-up torch but modern LED torches have a long battery life.

Other items. Camera, batteries, binoculars, paperbacks, notebook, pen, maps, adapters, light daysack.


Urban/Cultural Holidays

Many people like city breaks which often include a lot of sightseeing which in turn means lots of walking on hard ground. Urban holidays are more exhausting than a cruise, or even a safari.

Clothing

Comfortable lightweight shoes are almost more important than anything, while you still need to look reasonably smart, e.g. trousers rather than shorts. Ladies can wear cotton shirts and smarter tops with trousers, Capris , Bermudas, or loose cotton dresses.

Men can wear short sleeved cotton shirts and light weight trousers. Man made fabric shirts are not so necessary, as you are less likely to sweat – unless it’s at the prices.

Men may like a lightweight cotton jacket with large pockets. They would like it even better if they came with deep pockets. We are working on that.

Women may like a lightweight jacket too for when the sun goes in, and to cover their arms for, say, lunch in an hotel.

Keeping warm is not usually an issue as you can go back to your hotel, or to a local café, if it is cold or wet.

A Mac-in-a-Sac is useful for sudden showers.

Accessories

Assuming you are flying to your holiday, you will have a weight limit which is unlikely to be more than 20kg and could be only 15kg. You may be restricted to one case, even if you are prepared to pay for more. It is important not to waste your weight allowance on the case, but to get the biggest, lightest carry-on case you can as well as a light check-in case. And, of course, you need lightweight low bulk crease resistant clothing.

Lock you luggage with the Prosafe 900 padlock.

Hats and Shoes

People don’t often wear hats in towns. If it is hot, go in the shade, and take a good pair of sunglasses.

Good quality lightweight walking shoes or sandals are essential. They need to work like trainers but not look like them.

Women’s Handbags

Pacsafe make a special range of secure handbags with slashproof straps and tamperproof zips, useful when abroad, especially in cities. You can also hide documents and bank notes in belt wallets, or neck wallets.

Liquids on flights

You can take on board individual liquids in bottles/containers up to 100g in a transparent litre bag. So large tubes of toothpaste are banned as are many shampoos, soaps, eau de colognes etc. Pack them in your check-in suitcase or leave them behind. Consider the Travel Bottle Set.

Sunscreens and Insect Repellents

Best to take these with you as good brands are expensive in European cities and can be impossible to buy in third world countries. If the container is over 100g, remember to check it in on flights.

Torches

You can get power cuts in quite sophisticated cities. Always take a lightweight head torch. If you need to go to the loo in a strange place in the dark, you really need it. You may like a back-up wind-up torch but LED torches have a long battery life.

Other items. Camera, batteries, binoculars, guidebooks, paperbacks, notebook, pen, maps, adapters, light daysack.

Tip. If there is a DK Eyewitness Guide to your city, buy it. Much the best city guides.


Villa/Beach Holidays

We have put these holidays together, as they both largely involve lying around next to water – whether it’s the sea or a swimming pool.

Clothing is very simple here, and it may well be possible to take all you need in a carry-on case. Or at least a couple can share one suitcase, so one person waits by the carousel while the other rushes to the car hire or taxi queue.

Clothing

If it’s not actual swimwear, it’s cotton short sleeved shirts or T-Shirts and shorts with sandals.

In the evening, after the sun has gone in, changing for dinner is part of the ritual. For women, light weight loose dresses, or long or three quarter sleeve shirts with trousers or Capris are best, while men can wear shirts and trousers. If you are dining outside and there are insects around, long sleeved shirts are useful as well as being smarter and a bit warmer.

Accessories

Assuming you are flying to your holiday, you will have a weight limit which is unlikely to be more than 20kg and could be only 15kg. You may be restricted to one case, even if you are prepared to pay for more. It is important not to waste your weight allowance on the case, but to get the biggest, lightest carry-on case you can as well as a light check-in case. And, of course, you need lightweight low bulk crease resistant clothing.

Lock you luggage with the Prosafe 900 padlock.

Hats and Shoes

Wear a large sunhat, or a panama. Hats with white underbrims can be too bright, so best avoided.

Some sandals have excellent walking soles, so can be used all day. Others are leather and can also be worn in the evenings. But use insect repellent on feet and ankles if mozzies about. Switchflops give different looks for minimal effort, cost and weight.

Women’s Handbags

Pacsafe make a special range of secure handbags with slashproof straps and tamperproof zips, useful when abroad. You can also hide documents and bank notes in belt wallets, or neck wallets.

Liquids on flights

You can take on board individual liquids in bottles/containers up to 100g in a transparent litre bag. So large tubes of toothpaste are banned as are many shampoos, soaps, eau de colognes etc. Pack them in your check-in suitcase or leave them behind. Consider the Travel Bottle Set.

Sunscreens and Insect Repellents

Best to take these with you as good brands are expensive in Europe and can be impossible to buy in third world countries. If the container is over 100g, remember to check it in on flights.

Torches

You can get power cuts in quite sophisticated places. Always take a lightweight head torch. If you need to go to the loo in a strange place in the dark, you really need it. You may like a back-up wind-up torch but LED torches have a long battery life.

Other items. Camera, batteries, binoculars, guidebooks, paperbacks, notebook, pen, maps, adapters, light daysack.