How I wish we have a camper van but it is very expensive. It's just wishful thinking though. While my camera is busy cleaning and transferring files to my hard disk, let me try to write something about how do we prepare for a big holiday as a family. Last year, we went to the South of France and Spain.

Big Holiday Means...

A big holiday means it is a trip for around two to four weeks but on a budget. It feels like you are living in your own home but in a different country. We also need to be in a country with hot weather.

I am writing this because I want to make a list of what we bring for a holiday so that I have a reference for our next trip. Taken by the example of what we brought last year for the South of France and Spain.

When the husband and I were not yet married, we spent three months in Thailand and three months in Bali, SG and Palawan so we always love being on a long holiday.

Cleaning Tools

We need to bring cleaning tools as we need to clean everything the moment we arrived at the place. My husband is very strict with cleanliness. And with covid, it's better to be safe.

Gadgets

We bring the following:

• cameras (underwater camera, DSLR camera)

• phones and tablet (one phone with 4G wifi credit)

• laptops

• 32 inches TV (if the TV in the Airbnb place is small)

Bedroom Accessories

We bring our own bed sheets, pillows, pillows for the baby, and pillowcases as we need to be comfortable.

Kitchen Tools

• fryer machine for French fries - we just buy potatoes in the supermarket

• all-in-one blender machine - we can have fresh oranges every day, cut carrots for our salads

• coffee, coffee maker, noodles, and other snacks to eat while in the car and arrival at the place, home-made fruit jam (we have so much in here)

Bathroom and Toilet Accessories

We need to bring the basic needs so that we don't have to go to the supermarket on the first day.

• tissues

• soaps and Shampoos (you bring products that are suitable to your skin care needs)

• medicines, lotions, and other skin care needs for the kids

• bathtub for the baby

Pieces of Luggage

• adult clothes and children's clothes

• shoes and slippers

• hats

Swimming Accessories

• diving suits

• swimming goggles and diving fins

• inflatables for the kids

• beach toys

Things we need for the kids

• car seats

• trolley for the baby

• portable bed for the baby

• portable seat for the two kids

• breast pump machine

• bibiron for the baby

I am not yet sure if my list is complete because I believe we have so many things to bring. Our car is always jam-packed now that we have two kids. It's like we are bringing our house to a new place. LOL

My husband loves to cook so we don't always go to the restaurant unless we can find an eat-all-you-can restaurant for one time. But we have two kids so it's better we cook and eat in our own kitchen. Obviously, the consumables can be bought from the supermarket. Also, we love pizza for a take out and we can buy 4 boxes. Sometimes, I request Asian cuisine so we can have a take-out as well.

Spain is not expensive compared to France so it's a good destination to stay for a month. The gasoline is very cheap that's why last year we were able to cross Spain from the South of France and decided to extend in Spain.