going self catering for the 1st time abroad - what do we need to take?

welshmoneylover

Good afternoon all,

Me, my partner and my 3 teens are off to Magaluff on Saturday for a week's hol. :j

Now, we've never done self catering abroad before so I'm just looking for some tips that will make our holiday easier.

What shall I take food wise, I thought about some cereals taken out of boxes, biscuits, tea bags, sugar, crisps maybe a few tins, my marmite

Do I need to take loo roll or washing up liquid, spongy things or will they be provided?

Daft questions I know, but what might be seen as common sense by some doesnt mean I won't think of em til its too late.

oh, and what about milk? will the spanish fresh stuff do or would I be better off taking marvel, cant stand that stuff myself but can't do without my morning cuppa. Besides, I've told my partner he has to bring me tea in bed every morning as I'm paying for the holiday and its my treat! :rotfl:

Sue x

Tarry

How does all that fit in your suitcase as well as your clothes Most milk abroad tend to be that UHT stuff or at least that is what I have found.

tessie_bear

i have always found spanish supermarkets to be quite nice so id only take things u really like.such as marmite.id be careful about taking liquid through airports and they make leak

richardw

Take the marmite with you in your checked luggage and get the rest there.

yvonneem_2

Hi there, lived in Spain for a long time and I don't think there is anything that you can't get. Biscuits are gorgeous cereals pretty much the same. Leys crisps are nicer than walkers and cheaper, a huge bag for about 1.50euro. Fresh spanish milk is fine but most people tend to stick to long life, Presidente is very nice. The only thing i'd take is Tea bags simply because they can be very expensive. If there is a supermarket called Carrefour then they will have an aisle especially full of English stuff. Usually you will get loo rolls but not washing up liquid but its cheap enough anyway.
Have fun
Yvonne

terryw

Firstly, I think that you will really enjoy the holiday in Magalluf. There are plenty of supermarkets there, and most things can be obtained without any bother but at a small premium. I normally take bacon, English brand-name coffee,Colman's mustard and tins of salmon.

A bar on the square called "the Garage" is run by a chap called John and it is where all the local ex-pats congregate. Pop in there and give John a couple of tins of salmon or corned beef and you will make a friend for life. He is a really nice guy and can give you the gen on what is happening.

Adam and his family who run "Goodfellows" are another font of knowledge and another bar well worth patronising. A trifle pricier than other places but excellent food and helpings, and only brand-name drinks are sold , not copies. He used to offer a free drink to anyone who called after finding him on the "HolidayTruths" site so mention this!

have great time.

terryw

brightonman123

marmite, bottle opener, can opener, and basic cleaning stuff if needed - anything else can be bought there - or just eat out!

LillyJ

You can get everything while you are there. Definately wouldn't bother taking cereal on the plane! They do have milk in Spain as well you know!

Buy loo roll there. Buy washing up liquid there. Maybe shove a few spongy washing up things in, but otherwise don't bother.
Tea bags can be bought there but I often shove a few in a bag because they are easy. Definately don't take sugar - unidentified white powder in luggage is often a cause for suspicion at airports

melb

I always take a few tea bags a small decanted jar of coffee a small decanted container of washing up liquid and/or enough dishwasher tablets for one a day. I also take a few washing powder tablets and a few pegs and a dishcloth and a teatowel. I usually take a few "variety pack" cereals for the first day and a small travel pack size of salt and pepper. the only place I've been to in spain where we couldn't get fresh semi-skimmed milk (which, by the way, tastes exactly the same as here) was in the Costa Azahar region which must not be much visited by us. I managed to take all the above (minus the cereals) last time we flew which was hand-luggage only with Ryanair for a 2 week holiday! It's not that I'm tight I just don't like waste - Oh nearly forgot I took sugar sachets as well.

jfdi

Much as has been said before - and a lot depends on your arrival time!

I always take teabags, coffee, few sugar sachets & 1l of long-life semi - then at least we can have a hot drink & it'll keep us going till we can get food sorted! LOL! Used to take Blackcurrant drink when my lad was younger too (but don't think I'd trust that in my case, these days!).

One other thing is a decent knife - well wrapped in your case. Quite often they're carp in rental properties. Knives (kitchen ones, I hasten to add!) are a BRILL buy at Spanish / Portuguese markets, too!

Have a brill time!

A
xx

MrsE_2

Bottle/wine opener & a couple of scrubby sponges.

Tea bags & marmite (if you must).

Those sachets of hot chocolate & cappachino are handy if you arrive late & fancy a hot drink before bed.