My Five Holiday Must Haves ft. Domenica De Rosa, Hilary Boyd and Kay Langdale

Whether it’s a book or a hat – we’ve all got that one thing we absolutely must have on our holiday. Find out what some of our authors pop in their suitcases…

Domenica de Rosa, author of One Summer in Tuscany

A book. I feel twitchy and nervous if I don’t have three real books as well as my kindle. On previous holidays I’ve run out and been forced to fall back on my daughter’s Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging (surprisingly excellent) and my husband’s tomes on the war and archaeology (less fun). I also need sunglasses (because I’m half-Italian and am genetically programmed to wear them at all times), sun-cream and a floaty scarf. Oh, and marmite.

Hilary Boyd, author of The Lavender House

1. Factor 500 – it’s my number one obsession. When I was a kid, we never went anywhere but the Lake District, so sun wasn’t exactly an issue. But when I grew up and got a taste for the Mediterranean etc, I realised I’d better shape up, factor-wise. My daughters thought I was nuts, plastering them with the stuff every five minutes, but now, well, they’ve both got great skin!
2. A hat – same paranoia about the sun. But, God, which one? I have a big head and look really stupid in most hats. I envy those women who can put anything on their head and look cool. I’ve currently got a battered panama – sort of dotty-old-lady-with-trug-full-of-roses look – but I’m not convinced.
3. Books. Heat, sand, too much rosé, mosquitoes keeping you awake at night… these all dramatically kill off brain cells and reduce concentration. So if it’s a beach holiday, it can’t be anything too baffling. You need characters you can remember from read to read. Time for a good romance.
4. Travel insurance. I’m a nervous person. What if…
5. A small bag. Luggage is a nightmare. I don’t understand people who take these massive suitcases as if they’re emigrating to Australia, rather than going to the Algarve for a weekend. I don’t have one of those clever ‘capsule’ wardrobes the magazines bang on about every summer, but I pack the minimum. And I always come home with something I haven’t worn.

Kay Langdale, author of The Way Back to Us

My suitcase always contains:

• My running shoes for an early morning pad around.
• A pile of books because I read, read, read on holiday.
• A dress to *throw on over everything* and which a) has required more time to find than the lost city of Atlantis and b) involved more returned items than the DPD collection man can comprehend.
• My squishy wide-brimmed straw hat which manages to be dermatologically responsible and unflattering in equal measure.
• My Birkenstocks. I pack numerous espadrilles and strappy sandals and always only wear my French Navy, ponyskin Birkis because everything else is uncomfortable in comparison.

Read more of the #BookendsBeachParty and get some fabulous book recommendations for your holidays too!

Inside My Beach Bag ft. Jo Thomas, Emily Giffin, Katie Marsh and Ruth Hogan

My dream holiday destination, ft. Daniela Sacerdoti, Guinevere Glasfurd, Sarah Maine and Talulah Riley

Photo by Alexandre Perotto on Unsplash