Packing for holidays is just our cup of tea

With the holiday season in full swing, if you are off on a getaway in the near future, chances are you have already started to think about what to pack in your case.

We at Sun-hat Villas were intrigued to know exactly what makes the cut when you pack for your travels abroad, so we quizzed 1,300 holidaymakers about their travel packing habits.

Within the results were some tried and tested favourites, together with some more surprising answers. An overall theme that emerged, however, was that Brits abroad tend to crave their home comforts when visiting a foreign destination.

Amongst the highest placed home-from-home experiences on the list, 38% of respondents said that they always take some teabags away to enable them to brew a good English cuppa.

Our love of the leaf is renowned internationally, and well confirmed through other data and research. The National Grid famously incorporates our tea drinking habits when forecasting power usage, with the biggest ever spike seen in the moments following England’s loss to West Germany in a semi-final penalty shootout back in 1990. The national energy consumption immediately afterwards hit 2,800 megawatts, which is the equivalent of 1.1 million kettles being boiled at the same time.

Britons drink over 165 million cups of tea per day, which equates to 876 cups per person per year – enough to fill more than two bathtubs. It is hardly surprising therefore that over a third of us place such an importance on being able to make the perfect brew whilst they are on holiday.

Many travellers prefer the creature comforts of home when it comes to the bathroom, too. A whopping 70% of travellers shun the complimentary toiletries found at their resort, plumping instead to bring their own shower gels, shampoos and conditioners with them. One in five even bring their own towel, rather than opting to use those provided with the accommodation.

Other items quoted amongst the respondent’s lists of holiday packing essentials included washing powder, a dishcloth, frozen bacon and electrical fuses.

Responses to other questions in the survey painted a similar picture of the home-from-home experience that Brits abroad seem to favour. When asked what they missed most when away, the most popular answer was sleeping in their own bed, with 61% of travellers pining for a more familiar sleeping experience whilst away.

If you are looking for an excuse to pack some teabags this year, why not browse our range of luxury villas and resorts for some fantastic holiday inspiration