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Self-catering homes and apartments have long been a popular holiday choice for many. Whether you’re travelling solo or en masse as a large group of friends or family, self-catering holidays offer you that freedom – and often privacy that is missing from an all-inclusive holiday. If you’re new to self-catering, we’ve got the ultimate guide to help you make the most out of your holiday.
The benefits of a self-catering holiday
As countries begin to open up following the pandemic, self-catering holidays offer that peace of mind to travellers. Unlike all-inclusive holidays where guests dine in a communal place like an on-site restaurant or café, self-catering accommodation allows guests to prepare and eat food in their own space.
Similarly, self-catering holidays often feel more like a home away from home, as opposed to a hotel room or apart-hotel. You’re free to unpack, settle in, and all round tend to have more space to lounge around.
Thanks to platforms like Airbnb, self- catering holidays are becoming more commonplace in some of the most coveted locations around the globe, as they provide a budget-friendly way to travel. Sharing accommodation with friends and family is often cheaper than everyone having to get individual hotel rooms, and because you’re able to cook for yourself, you’re not having to fork out for expensive meals every night.
Choosing your self-catering holiday
Before you go and book the first self-catering accommodation you find, it’s important to think about who you’re going with and where you want to go. If you’re travelling with older relatives, they’re less likely to enjoy an action-packed week away, whereas young children won’t be that impressed with a quiet and secluded spot without any attractions.
Next up, consider your finances. You don’t want to blow your budget on great accommodation, but not have enough money to enjoy the experiences. By researching local attractions and restaurants ahead of time, you can allocate a rough budget for accommodation and activity expenses and not have to worry that you’re missing out on something. Think about when you want to go on holiday. Like hotels and all-inclusive holidays, self-catering holidays will be more expensive in peak periods and cheaper out of season.
What to pack for a self-catering holiday
If you’ve never been on a self-catering holiday, it can be daunting not knowing what to pack. Whether you’ve booked a caravan or a cottage, it’s wise to check the website or ring ahead instead of presuming certain things will be provided. Often bed linen and shower towels are provided, but not beach towels. You may find your accommodation has a washing machine or it might be that there’s a local laundrette you could use.
Obviously with self-catering, you will have to cater for yourselves, and while there might be a welcome pack of local goodies, it’s important that you take the basics so you can at least have a couple of meals without having to venture out. Pre-planning the food will ensure you don’t arrive on your first night to find the local shops closed and a car full of hungry passengers!
