The option to go self catering when going on holidays has always been available but in the modern years it has started to become more and more popular. There are a huge number of advantages in choosing a self catering holiday like privacy, flexibility and the most important lower cost. By choosing the self catering option the cost of your holiday will be remarkably decreased as the cost for food and drinks will not be so high as you pay that you buy and no paying for usually expensive meals in touristic locations. Self catering tends to be a much better option if you’re going on holidays with children or as a big group of people. The self catering option not only gives you much more flexibility but it makes meal times much less stressful too. Self catering services you can find in apartments, holiday units, homes, cottages, chalets, cabins, villas and usually you can recognize when you look for self catering by this abbreviation S/C or just is written as offering self catering. So, let’s know more about what self catering must haves, what are the benefits and for what kind of people is more suitable.
What are the self catering must haves?
A self-catering property is your home away from home. It usually offers guests a sole occupancy unit consisting of one or more bedrooms or suites and a dining area with cooking facilities which has to include a fully equipped kitchen with fridge, oven, grill, microwave, toaster, saucepans, crockery, cutlery, cooking utensils and generally all the necessary things you need to prepare and keep your food. Self catering holidays is a great way to combine a break away from home and work with the comfort of cooking yourself. A lot of things and devices are available in the self catering accommodation but it’s a good idea to pack some things to take with you just in case. Below is a short list with possibly necessary stuff.
- Toilet paper: sure you don’t want to risk to run off this ‘’white gold’’!
- Coffee, sugar, tea: usually they are provided but as we have already mentioned ‘’just in case’’!
- Plastic bags or bags for everyday use: useful for bins and also as your dirty laundry bag.
- Flashlight / candles, matches / lighter: these are very useful things you have to pack with you for every case. Also, the candles can be useful for a romantic dinner…
- Board games, playing cards: for boring hours, for relaxing and laughing moments. If you have children, is good to have something with you to keep them enjoyable busy.
- Bottle and can opener: usually is the most difficult item to find in a kitchen so it’s good to have it already with you just in case!
- Soap: washing dishes and also dirty hands and clothes!
- Finally, it’s obviously necessary to have regular food items like bread, milk, oil, salt / pepper, drinks etc. If you don’t want to carry them during the trip, you can find these items easily in a local store or supermarket without problem.
What are the benefits of self catering holidays and for what kind of people is more suitable?
There are a lot of benefits to choose self catering holidays. The most interesting for all of us is surely the lower cost. You can spend less money for food and drinks and use the rest for trip outgoings, for entertainment and why not? To stay a few days more and to enjoy your holidays for a longer period. You don’t have to fit in with restaurant meal times, or worry about disturbing other guests (or them disturbing you!). Also, flexibility is a good advantage. You can eat whatever you want, at any time you want and the most important with healthy ingredients that you have chosen them. Some people express their opinion and say they don’t love to eat in restaurants or eating houses as they don’t always know what is the quality of the offering food. So, if you have the ability and the facilities to cook you don’t have that kind of problems and you enjoy without stress your vacation. Quality, freedom, independence, privacy and choice are some advantages. Self catering accommodation is great choice especially for longer stays, for families and larger groups. Some children tend to be pretty fussy about the food which means that holidays often turn out to be much more expensive if your food is included because you have to buy separate food for them. On a self catering holiday on the other hand it’s really easy to buy food that you know everyone will eat making the whole experience much more enjoyable for all of your family. If you are a group of friends, you have the opportunity to cook every day each one of you or to combine different recipes and meals so cooking will be a funny experience and not just something typical.
In conclusion, some people don’t like the idea for self catering holidays as they want to get away from cooking (as they do this every day at home). Although, there is a group of benefits to think for before to make your choice. You can think what is more suitable for your tastes and your style. If you are a ‘’stay at home’’ type, self catering holidays are ideal for you. Look for an accommodation carefully and enjoy the best of both worlds, a fantastic holiday in a homely setting!
