Beach Holiday Tips for Summer

Beach Holiday Tips for Summer

Summer is just a few months away and we think now is the perfect time for Beach Holiday Tips for Summer! Once you have made the decision and booked your beautiful luxury beachfront accommodation, then there is time to stop and think about our best tips to will ensure that your upcoming beach holiday is the best yet.

Inspired by the articles “10 Smart Tips for Better Beach Vacations”, and “Enjoying a fun and hassle-free beach holiday with your family” we’ve Australianised the content and added a few tips of our own!

The Top Dozen

1. A lifeguard tip – always looked downwind for lost (small) children. Why? Because nine times out of 10 a small child will follow the path of least resistance and walk with the wind. So if your child goes missing on the beach, try following the wind first. 
2. Baby powder on the skin allows clinging sand to slip right off.
3. Slip (on a shirt), Slop (on sunscreen), Slap (on a hat), Seek (shade), Slide (on sunglasses).
4. Pack a small spray bottle filled with vinegar in your beach bag. If anyone gets stung by a jellyfish, vinegar takes the sting out.
5. Shop locally and look at your shop-a-dockets.  You are not only helping the local economy, you may find discounts for meals and sightseeing, and this could add up to quite a lot of savings. 
6. Bring a very bright umbrella/sun shade and set up our towels and gear near a large landmark (like the lifeguard flags). It makes it easy for kids to find their way back  if they lose track of where they are on the beach, or if they are playing in the water and drift a bit.
7. Swim between the flags – and other tips from Surf Life Saving Australia.
8. Choose your destination wisely.With so many beautiful beach destinations out there, the choices might overwhelm you. Consider a few things including the date of your holiday, the number of days you’ll be spending, and of course, your budget. These factors will definitely make choosing your destination much easier.
9. Know when and when not to take advantage of promotions.  Make sure that they will not let you sacrifice your family’s comfort or enjoyment. For example, booking a cheaper airfare may sound like a good idea, but if it means dealing with cramped seats and lesser baggage allowance, spending a little more on your tickets may be a better option.
10. Prepare your children for the holiday.  If it’s your children’s first time to travel, talk to them about what they can expect during the trip.  If they are old enough, think about involving them in planning your holiday – or at least some of the fun activities you plan.
11. Pack light but wisely.  Packing can really be a tedious task, especially when you are going to the beach with the whole family. Don’t overload and bring only the essential items for your beach holiday. Think about some cute swimwear for your children to make them more excited about the whole trip.
12. Finally, make sure your children are safe during your holiday. Chose activities wisely, and minimise risks by watching them.  Consider a necklace/chain with your mobile phone number on a fun “tag” which the children can wear in case of emergencies.

All this talk about holidays really make me want to go now!  However, Summer is just a few months away and with the great weather we are already experiencing this winter in Casuarina (and some fun winter beach activities we have prepared for you), now could be the best time to inspire you to make that booking!

Happy holidays – dream about what is possible; believe you can do it; make the most of your annual leave; plan, book and enjoy your holiday; then dream about where you will go next!  It is your turn!

Would you like to book or find out more about us?

Check out our rates,

Look at our last minute accommodation specials or

Send us an enquiry now! 

You can also Contact us for more information or Subscribe to our free monthly email newsletter

Until next time – enjoy your day wherever you are from La Maison Pacifique “The Peaceful House” and your boutique designer luxury holiday home vacation rental in Casuarina, New South Wales, Australia – half way between the Gold Coast QLD and Byron Bay NSW, Australia.

Di Hendy
Property Consultant
La Maison Pacifique Telephone – call +61 (0) 411 052 759
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Ordering Groceries online for your holiday

Ordering Groceries online for your holiday

As a family who loves to spend time in holiday apartments and homes, a great Holiday tip from us is all about ordering groceries online for your holiday home.

I know this sounds simple, but is it?  Does your holiday rental property manager offer this as an extra service?  Is there a local concierge service you can tap into?  Why would you do this anyway?  What are the costs?  Is it really that convenient?

Is ordering groceries online available in my holiday location?

Firstly, access the standard Coles online and Woolworths online website.  All you do is put in the postcode of your holiday location and voila!  You find out whether you can even organise this before you go.

If they don’t have the service available, google your location (ie. Casuarina) and “order groceries online”.  This should give you the list of websites who offer online grocery ordering in your area.

Does my holiday rental offer a grocery service?

Next, chat to your friendly holiday rental property manager.  Do they offer a grocery service?  By this I mean will they meet the delivery truck when it arrives and then unpack all your groceries into the pantry/fridge/freezer?  Expect an hourly rate charge, but for the convenience of having it all done for your arrival, that sounds just fantastic to me!

At La Maison Pacifique, we have just started a new grocery service for $40-/hour.  Our fabulous property assistant Lisa will meet the truck and as promised sort all your groceries into the home.  This reduces the risk of any spoilage.

Is there a concierge service available?

At La Maison Pacifique, we pride ourselves on offering the best possible services to our discerning guests.  As property manager, it is my job to ensure that you have a great time on your holiday (as much as is possible at least!) by offering extra services at competitive rates.  Need some flowers delivered?  Done.  Would you like champagne and chocolates for your arrival?  Not a problem.  Need some information on booking tours and attractions? Happy to help.  Need an extra clean of the home during your stay?  Can all be arranged.  Just ask me and I will send you a quote.

Why would you be ordering groceries online for your holiday?

OK, so your flight gets in late and you are traveling with kids.  Mmmm..  First stop grocery store? Probably – but what a hassle. Will it be open?  Maybe, maybe not.  This is especially pertinent in holiday locations – and sometimes can be affected by daylight savings times (note: nearby QLD does not go to daylight savings time, so we operate by two times on the border -“NSW time” or “QLD time” when daylight savings is on.  Make sure you clarify this when making any bookings, going shopping or making appointments.

By ordering groceries online and utilising a holiday home’s grocery service, this takes all the stress out of your holiday arrival and means that you can relax from the moment you arrive (and open that cool drink you have been longing for….).  You can also focus on all the activities or events you want to go to!

What are the costs?

Despite what they say, I reckon the grocery prices online can be slightly more expensive that an in-person shop.  Having said that, specials are offered and with just a small delivery fee from the supermarket/grocer, it is certainly worth considering.  There is also a “click & collect” option allowing you to have a parcel pick up from a local store.  Be mindful though – from what I can tell our Click and Collect store for Woolworths is at Tweed Heads (and not the newly opened Woolworths at Cabarita Beach nor nearby Kingscliff).

There will also be a charge from the property manager/concierge service.  At La Maison Pacifique, we have kept this at a reasonable $40/hour.  We can ask that the delivery driver notify us 10 minutes before their arrival (noting that you will have indicated a time slot on check out which you will have advised us previously), meaning that we expect that most services would not exceed the hour.  This may change if you have more than one delivery arriving (ie. from the bottleshop or a separate green grocer), but this will all be explained when you book.

If you have any questions before or during the process, feel free to ask.

Is it really that convenient?

In a word – YES!!!  I have done this many times both personally and for clients and the relief of having everything there on your arrival is priceless.  Your holiday can then start from the moment you arrive and this service provides a real opportunity of peace (and capacity to feed the hungry hordes) no matter how far you have traveled.

So, do we recommend ordering groceries online for your holiday?  Yes.  Do we think it is affordable?  Of course.  Just think of that cool drink waiting for your arrival and some nibblies just waiting to be served.  The beach is beckoning and I am on my way!

Happy holidays – dream about what is possible; believe you can do it; make the most of your annual leave; plan, book and enjoy your holiday; then dream about where you will go next!  It is your turn!

Would you like to book or find out more about us?

Check out our rates,

Look at our last minute accommodation specials or

Send us an enquiry now! 

You can also Contact us for more information or Subscribe to our free monthly email newsletter

Until next time – enjoy your day wherever you are from La Maison Pacifique “The Peaceful House” and your boutique designer luxury holiday home vacation rental in Casuarina, New South Wales, Australia – half way between the Gold Coast QLD and Byron Bay NSW, Australia.

Di Hendy
Property Consultant
La Maison Pacifique
Telephone – call +61 (0) 411 052 759
Mobile/Cell – call or text +61 (0) 411 052 759
Email – contact info@lamaisonpacifique.com
Website – visit http://www.lamaisonpacifique.com
LinkedIn Group – join http://www.linkedin.com/groups/La-Maison-Pacifique-4634043
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