JOE has our readers best interests at heart, so if you are lucky enough to be going on holidays to Zante anytime soon, there are some things you should keep in mind.
We have narrowed it down to the 10 most important things to keep in mind if you are jetting off to the Greek island any time soon.
Pack sun cream and loads of it
There is something inherently Irish that means we take the “ah sure it will be grand” approach when it comes to suncream. Some of us are ginger, or at least strawberry-blonde, and many of us have pale skin, so it really is a no-brainer.
Aside from the painful procedures of a shower, should you care for one, or even just lying down, the threat of skin cancer is high if you repeatedly burn. You have been warned.
Make sure you bank card is a Maestro
As much as your family members will love the call “I need some money to tie me over” before you get cut off from having not enough cash to pay for an international card, be prepared. Only Maestro cards are guaranteed to work.
Set you mobile up to roaming
At best you will come back from the holiday tired, emotional and broke. At worst you will be broke financially, mentally and physically. The last thing you will need is a massive phone bill on returning.
Switch to roaming, don’t bother overdoing it with friends or family on the phone, you won’t be gone forever. And if you must keep in contact with your other half, keep it brief. It is a holiday after all.
Pack light
You’re going for a week or two, not a year so the five jumpers is no good if it’s going to be 30 degrees hopefully.
The key is to be economic, a change of shirts and t-shirts yes, having different jeans and trousers for each day is not necessary. Pack light and if you need something small, just pick it up when you are there. Shorts, flip-flops or towels aren’t going to break the bank.
Visit the Ship wreck
It is nice to return and say you got up to something touristy and historical when you are there. The modern-day history of cocktails doesn’t really count.
The shipwreck is a must-do while on holiday. In 1980, a freighter was pursued by the Greek Navy and the crew were suspected of smuggling contraband and the navy chased the ship through the Ionian Sea. Allegedly there was ‘wine, tobacco and women’ on board and the chase came to an abrupt end when the ship ran aground in stormy weather on the coast to the north of the island at Porto Vromi.
A good story and ticks the ‘cultural’ box.
Don’t flush the toilet paper
It may sound dirty and hygenic, but you won’t be saying that if you have blockage issues in your apartment. The last thing you want is an apartment with a stench. Well, that kind of stench.
You can broaden your cultural experiences by using bidet, which may be a the best solution in a week where your body may be creaking.
Update the time zone on your phone
Rory McIlroy nearly paid a big price for getting his time zones wrong at the Ryder Cup. You don’t want to miss your flights because of a detail like this. You also don’t want to miss it for any reason, but at least get your times right.
Get travel insurance
It may seem like a needless cost at the time, but in the greater scheme of things it could prove to be a Godsend. You never know what can happen from the time you leave to when you come back and best to take no chances.
Make copies of important information
To quote an American imitating a leprechaun, to be sure to be sure. Make copies of your passport details, insurance policy, traveler’s cheques, visas and credit card numbers. Carry one copy in a separate place to the originals and leave a copy with someone at home.
Make sure your passport has at least 6 months on it
Yes most of us wait until the last moment to root out the passport, but this can have serious consequences. You don’t want your holiday ruined before it ever begins.
Check the date and if it has less than six months to go, hurry up and get it sorted.
Meet your rep
Your rep for the week will be your source of information for the week, so best to check in and suss out what is in store for your holiday.
Find out the events planned for the week and most importantly, to find out the time of your bus back to the airport. Maybe the most crucial detail of the week.
Do not drink the tap water
For the same reason you shouldn’t drink yellow snow, steer well clear of the tap water. The stomach could be in for a trying week, you don’t need to compound this by drinking dodgy water.
Stick to the bottled stuff and it might just cut down on potential mishaps.
And with all that onboard, all that is left is to enjoy one hell of a holiday in Greece.
