Food and Drink

Practicalities Getting Organised Food and Drink Eating In 

At the end of a tiring day, this may be preferable to taking your children to a restaurant.

Hotels

Children love room service; the novelty of being waited on in a bedroom. Menus usually include one or two simple options which should appeal to less sophisticated tastes.

If room service is too expensive (and it often is) stock up at the local supermarket and keep your supplies in the minibar. Some hotels might frown on you bringing in fast food from outside, but are unlikely to object if it is for your children.

Alternatively a travel kettle with a concealed element [Suppliers] can be used not just to boil milk but for boil in the bag style cooking.

Minibar items are almost invariably over-priced so it might be worth thinking about having these removed so children can't eat them when you aren't looking. Note also that some are electronically controlled so simply moving the items can make it appear to reception that you have eaten something. It may therefore be a good idea to warn them of what you are doing.

Self-Catering

Large supermarkets are generally the easiest places to shop, cheaper than resort shops and more likely to offer familiar foods; they are also easier if you don't speak the language.

Local markets are much more fun though, and a great source of fresh fruit and vegetables and, in France, cheese, pate and olive oil.

Check food shop opening times and any public holidays when shops may be closed. If you are arriving at a self-catering holiday in mainland Europe on a Saturday afternoon all the local shops may have shut at lunchtime, not reopening until Monday; so you will need to stock up before you arrive at your destination.

Bear in mind that convenience foods may be more expensive than in the UK and the selection of other foodstuffs not what you are used to with only one type of rice, pasta etc stocked. Somewhere like a Greek island in particular stocks can run out so if you know you want something it can be wise to shop ahead.

If it would make life feel easier think about packing some basics like instant noodles, cereals, muesil bars and the like.

Aportable clip-on/attachable high chair, also useful in restaurants [Eating Out], might be useful for babies if the accommodation does not provide one.