Ready for your summer holidays? Make sure that you’ve packed all of your summer sun essentials before you go.

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Ready for your summer holiday?
I usually like to spend my holidays either travelling to a new city or by the sea. But sometimes you can’t beat a few days of relaxation, lounging by the poolside and sipping on something cold.
Whether you go to stay in a luxury villa with a private pool, or spend your break by the pool in a hotel, it’s a great way to wind down and destress.
I’ve picked out some of the essentials you will need for your summer break by the pool.
Sunscreen and Skincare

This one is a real essential, and should be the first thing you pack for any trip. If you’re going to be spending time by the water, the UV rays will be even more intense than usual. So make sure to put on plenty of sunscreen with the right SPF for your natural skin tone. For example, if you’re fair skinned, you will need a higher SPF than if your skin is naturally olive.
And if like me, you have tattoos, don’t forget to cover them up with a high SPF sunscreen or sunblock, to keep the colours looking bright.
Many of the high street stores have special offers on sunscreen from Spring onwards, so shop around for the best prices.
After sun is also important, as the sun will really dehydrate your skin. I like to use Palmers cocoa butter to keep my skin soft, and an aloe gel is very cooling if you spend a little too long in the sun.
Click here to check pricing on a range of Sunscreen and Aftersun bundles*

Sunglasses
Sunglasses are not just a fashion statement, they’re also really important for the health of your eyes.
Your eyes are very susceptible to damage from UV, so it’s important to protect them. And that’s even true when you’re sitting in the shade poolside, because the UV rays will bounce off the water.
So be sure to check that the sunnies you buy have lenses with UV filter on them. There should be a sticker or tag on them saying if they do.
It might be tempting to buy a cheaper pair of sunglasses, but the health of your eyes is worth the investment.
Click here to check prices on sunglasses with UV protection*
Good Hydration

No, I don’t mean a great cocktail list!
Obviously, it’s lovely to be sipping on a cold cocktail or mocktail as you float around on your pool lilo. But it’s even more important to keep hydrated on a poolside holiday.
Your body will already be getting dehydrated by the hot sun, and alcohol will dehydrate it even more. So give it some help by drinking enough fluid. If you pop a water bottle in your suitcase, it’s easy to make sure that you’re keeping hydrated.
Do check that tap water is safe to drink in your holiday destination. If in doubt, refill your bottle with mineral water.
Chilly’s water bottles are great because they’re reusable and made of stainless steel, so they’re BPA free. They keep cold drinks cold for 24 hours or more, or you can use them to keep hot drinks hot for up to 12 hours.
And with different sizes and a range of fab colours, you’re sure to find the perfect Chilly’s bottle to suit your needs. Click here to check prices and colour availability on Amazon*

But you don’t have to stick to plain water – you can get some great mocktails and soft drinks, or cool down with an ice lolly or some chilled fruit.
And if you’re going abroad for your poolside relaxation, do check if the water is suitable for drinking, and stick to bottled water if you are unsure.
A Good Book
A good book is always a travel essential for me, but even more so if I’m going to be relaxing by the pool for a few days.
I like to take my Kindle* with me, so that I can load it up with plenty of books to choose from. But it’s always fun to pick up a new paperback in the airport as well.
If you’re not already an Amazon Prime member, now’s a great time to sign up. As well as Unlimited free premium shipping for millions of items, unlimited storage space for photos using Amazon Cloud Drive (fab for your holiday photos!), and free streaming of 2 millions songs, as a Prime member, you’ll also benefit from free lending of selected e-books.
If you’re looking for inspiration for your summer holiday reading, click here for some of my Summer book suggestions.
Swimsuit or Bikini
Obviously you need to pack something to wear by the pool. And the decision of whether to opt for a one piece swimming costume or a bikini is entirely up to you.
My thoughts are that you should wear whatever makes you feel happy and comfortable. But do make sure to take something to cover up when the sun is at its highest and UV rays at their most intense.
A summer hat is great for keeping the sun off your eyes and the back of your neck. I love this floppy sunhat that is perfect for keeping you cool, and looks so pretty as well. Click here to check price and availability on Amazon*

And a cover-up like this pretty one from Phase Eight will help to keep the sun off your shoulders when the sun is at its strongest.
It is made from a beautifully soft fabric and features stunning embroidery with a drawstring detail at the neckline and waist. It’s perfect for slipping on to walk down to the pool. Click here to check pricing on John Lewis*
Pool Lilo
A pool lilo or inflatable is a fun addition to your poolside holiday packing list!
Pool loungers and inflatables are a simple way to add a bit of extra fun to your poolside break.Whether you go for a lounger with a drinks holder, a mattress to let you lie back in the sun, or an inflatable chair, pool lilos are a great way to relax in the pool.
This giant strawberry would be perfect for relaxing on the pool with a cold drink at hand! Click here to check prices on Amazon*
Last year, inflatable flamingos and unicorns were hugely popular and they seemed to be on everyone’s Instagram feed. I can’t wait to to see what the trend is for this summer!
I’d like to be sunning myself in Spain
I’d love to go to Lake Como in Italy
Anywhere in Italy would be lovely
I would love to be in the Cayman islands…I unfortunately think it will more likely be my garden!
What a great selection of skincare I just love Boots No7 range
I think somewhere really exotic like the Bahamas why not it’s a fantasy so go for it.
I’d like to be sunning myself on a beach in Chania,Crete.
I would love to return to beautiful Kefallonia
I’m going to be in Marbella but I’d love to be going to California!
cuba
Hopefully in the garden as we have no holiday plans!
The Maldives
I’m looking to go in on holiday in October / November time, just before my maternity leave ends. I’ve been researching winter sun and have found Oman to be quite interesting and cheaper than Dubai, yet just as luxurious.
It will be our first gangly holiday with my baby boy, so I’m not sure how much relaxation I shall get, but I’m super excited to make some memories!
I would love to go somewhere exotic like Morocco… but Cornwall seems more likely option this summer.
Italy would be lovely.
I will be sunning myself up in Majorca this year and hopefully a cheeky Canaries break in October . I always take a good book and I need some No7 in my life too
would love a family holiday to florida xx
I’d love to be sunning myself in sunny spain, luckily it’s all booked for two weeks in august ;) x
I’d love to be in the Bahamas but we can’t face leaving our pets so sunny norfolk it is.
It would have to be somewhere sunny, by a pool and very private. Good food and wine would also have to be very important.
A beach somewhere in Spain with my two little boys would be lovely
im not fussy my own back garden or on a beach is fine for me lol x
I would love to travel to our favourite family holiday destination of Swansea in Wales
maldives
Fabulous prize for summer. Possibly might manage a holiday to Italy this year, hoping it’ll be sunny in the UK though!
I’d love to go to the Maldives
Guernsey
i would love to cruise round italy and Croatia
I would love to be in Florida.
In sunny Greece will be nice :-)
in Spain
dont mind home or away as long as the sun is shining!
For me it would have to be in Florida i think some nice hot sunny weather.
i’d love to go to disneyworld florida
In cornwall
Just in my garden will do me!
I would love to be going to Malta or Italy but I doubt I will be this year.
Would love to be sunning myself in America
I’m going to Lisbon, but would also love to be in the Maldives
ooh italy please hehe
Greece
I’d love to enjoy the sun in my beautiful garden, if I need to go and find the sun then I would probably head for one of the greek islands.
Going to Benidorm for a week, very soon.
on a nice Majorcan beach would be just great
Happy to be in my garden x
Somewhere on on the Med
The Bahamas, however its probably Scarborough beach
I would love to go to Crete again x
we are off to Benaldemena in spain this year with our 2 year old
In the Lake District.
I’d love to be sunning myself on a beach in Tenerife.
Italy
On a beach in Sardinia
I would like to go to Canada, It’s on my bucket list.
Any Beach ,Anywhere away from work
The Amalfi Coast
I’d love to go to the Indian Ocean! I can always dream :)
The Maldives
I like staying in the UK but some nice weather to sun ourselves in would be nice
Guernsey. May well be nice for sunshine, events, restaurant meals etc. Some years since I last visited Guernsey.
I’d love to be sunning myself in Miami
tenerife which is where i will be
the lake district
In the Cayman Islands ❤️
Anywhere where it is sunny, there is a pool and some sort of cocktail
We are hoping that we can have our first long haul holiday together this year, thinking maybe Mexico.
I will be in Canada and my friends know a little beach on the lake.
The Maldives would be nice if you’re offering!!!
The Algarve would be an absolute dream at the moment x
Greece great food and the locals are so friendly
Somewhere exotic like Hawaii
I’d love to be sunning myself in Majorca, we had an amazing time there last year.
I’d love to be going to Spain or Egypt this year but unfortunately no holiday for me!
I would live to sun myself in Italy
I would honestly be happy with Cornwall haha!
right here, at home, in old blighty with sun shine galore that lasts right up to november
Devon xx
I would love to go back to California x
Hawaii!
Palma Nova, Majorca
I would love to go back to Greece this year!
I’d love to go back to Greece x
in Bournemouth – so fingers crossed for a few sunny weekends :)
We’re moving house soon to somewhere with a garden so I will be quite happy with that after not having a proper garden for years!
The Cornish coast has always been one of my favourite places.
Greece
I would love to go to Italy
I would love to go to Mexico but were settling for Menorca
It would be amazing to be able to spend the summer sunbathing on Bondi Beach
We’re going to gran canaria in the summer
Iceland as its great their long days and warm too.
I’d love to be sunning myself in Florida!
I would love to go back to the Maldives
I would love to be in Santorini
I would love to go to either Madeira or Sicily this year
The Canary Islands
I’m off to Mallorca this year and I’m very happy with that!
I’d be happy sunning myself at home in the garden if we finally get some summery weather like last year.
Iceland as it is lovely and warm there in the summer
wish i could be in the sun in Tenerife
As long as it was sunny I wouldn’t mind, but I would really love to visit Croatia one day.
Hawaii would be wonderful
Kalanggaman Island in the Philippines is a dream!
You can’t beat Devon or Cornwall for lovely scenery and beaches.
Presently I am on holiday in Kefelonia where we come every year and have been for 13 years. You can leave Kef but it will never leave you. 80% of the visitors yearly are returning visitors
Where else would I like to go in the world? Hmm tricky as we have done alot of the inexpensive bucket list. I guess New Zealand would be the one
Somewhere secluded on the Californian coast.
I would love to be sunning it up on the Maldive island’s.
Anywhere warm
I’d love to be sunning myself in Bora Bora this summer! It’s my all time dream holiday :)
I would love to go to Hawaii, it seems like such a beautiful place, with an amazing culture, people, food, eco system and traditions, I would like to experience an action packed day there with everything the island has to offer, finishing off with a bonfire at the beach!
Definitely somewhere in Spain!
Hopefully Tenerife later in the year for a chill out
In my dreams, it would be the Bay of Islands, New Zealand.
I’d absolutely love to be sunning myself in the Maldives! I hope I can visit there one day
we had planned to go to Portugal, but had to cancel due to the operator, who gave full refund, so we’re saving for a last minute break hopefully somewhere nice like Greece or Spain xx
m not going abroad this year, im hoping for some amazing uk sunshine!!!!
I really hope to be sunning myself in the back garden – let’s hope this weather picks up!
I’d love to be sunning myself in Italy.
Italy would be amazing this summer!
I really would love to win this amazing prize xx
I’d love to visit The Maldives
Florida
By the banks of the river at Warwick Castle, its so relaxing
I’d rather be on a beach on gold coast Australia.
Not had a holiday abroad for years, hoping to this year. The Greek Islands would be amazing.
I would love to go to Italy or anywhere where the sun is shining
In the Yorkshire Dales as we have planned to go camping. Fingers crossed the weather will be glorious!
id like to be in Barbados but its not going to happen ha ha
I’d love to go to Portugal, I have never been and I’ve heard it’s beautiful!
In tunisia
I just Love Greece
In Ibiza
Would love to be in Croatia. It’s on my list
I would love to be sunning my self in Santorini – pure bliss
I’d love to go to Rome
I’d love to visit Greece!
On a beach in Cornwall :-) what can I say – simple pleasures!
I would love to go somewhere hot with beautiful scenery – i’m dreaming!
Australia…. But will be the South of France
All the way to New Zealand would be good
I would like to be sunning myself in Torquay this summer.
Thailand would be nice, however I don’t think i will make it out of the UK this year..
Anywhere in the Mediterranean
Anywhere there is a nice beach! However a wellbeing trip to Ibiza would be lovely
Cefalu in Sicily.
I would love to be going to turkey with the cousins this summer and the 2 stepdaughters but as im high risk pregnancy im not allowed to fly so this year ill be chilling by the canal, in the park and at local events with family
Id love to be chilling on a beach in Thaliand, Koh Lipe
i would love to be in disneyworld florida
In Cyprus x
I’m going on a family holiday to Spain
I’d love to visit Croatia.
Love to go to Malta
I’d love to be in Vietnam on one of the golden sand beaches that stretch forever.
I would love to take my daughter to Cyprus she’s never been on a plane so she would be so excited
We are going on holiday to Italy in summer and I cannot wait to be sunning myself!
Anywhere other than my back garden, I broke my heel 2 weeks ago and I’m house-bound for another 5 weeks!!!!
I am lucky enough to be going to Turkey, i can’t wait.
I would love to visit rome :D
I would love to go to Florida ☀️☀️☀️
Florence Italy
Probably our garden – no travelling so more time to relax.
Fistral beach , Cornwall
Hello Sally My Favourite Place To Be Sunning Myself is in The Dominican Republic , It So Beautiful There , Hot But Breezy , So I Need good Sun Protection , To Cover Up When I Can And Have Lots Of Fluids Too . Same as in the UK where I’m Usually Found Out In My Garden . Thank You for a Fantastic Giveaway . Xx
My absolute summer essential? A large Mojito. Then it doesn’t matter where you are or what the weather is like!
I’d love to be able to visit my family in Spain
Cornwall would be beautiful
I would love to be on a Mediterranean cruise, sunbathing on the deck of a luxury ship.
I’m hopefully going to the lovely Wales this summer.
In Bali, Indonesia
Dream hols would be Japan but we will make it to Athens to see some friends later in the year
going to greece in october
Croatia
I would love to be sunning myself in southern spain
Bora Bora
Galveston, Texas
Isles of Scilly
I’d love to be in florida
I’d like to be sunning myself with my family in corsica. I’ve heard that it’s a beautiful island ️
I’ll be sunning myself in London on our break to celebrate my 50th birthday :o)
I’d love to go to Greece
I would love to be sunning it in Levanto Italy, where my mate moved to last year.
Not going away during the summer just some day trips but will be sunning myself in the garden . Love boots no 7 my favourite products
Tahiti would do – some hope!!
Anywhere would be good at the minute …. I am so in need of a holiday anywhere would be bliss
A Greek island
A beach in Barbados would do ;)
It would be Newquay, Cornwall.
The Maldives would be lovely
Corsica !
Jersey
Like sun on beach in uk brighten it got history and great sea world to cool down in
Hawaii if only
I would love to be sunning myself on a beach in Hawaii!
In Crete, would love to go back and visit this beautiful island
The Caribbean
I would love to be in Florida.
Anywhere sunny wtih a pool!
I would love to be in Sidari in Corfu. Beautiful island.
My dream would be Iceland but the only sunning myself I’ll be doing will be looking after the plants on my allotment unfortunately.
I would love to go to Florence. It is so beautiful.
Gran Canaria
Hawaii! That would be a fab once in a lifetime holiday x
In Tunisia or Thailand
Majorca. Never been to that part of Spain
On a quiet beach on a Greek island
Bamburgh
I am lucky enough to live near a beach so this is the place we will be sunning ourselves as a family this year
O wow I’d love to get back out to Jamaica amazing beaches and amazing people x
Tenerife where I was last week
Sorrento on the Amalfi coast just down from the delights of Pompeii. Italian food hot sun and beautiful views How TANtalising
I’d love to be sunning myself in Greece
I’d like to go to Spain. We went two years ago and the kids would love to go back, and so would I!
Hopefully I will be sunning myself in Cornwall
I would love love love to be sunning myself on Santorini I have always wanted to go there.
The small coast specifically Sorrento it’s so beautiful
I’d like to go on a European cruise so I could sun myself in between visiting interesting cities.
I would love to visit Turkey
I would love to be sunning myself in Crete
I’d love to return to Costa Navarino in Greece. We had the best family holiday there a couple of years ago!
Barbados
In my back garden. X
We are going to Gran Canaria
Fingers crossed i’ll be sunning myself in Cyprus in a month or so’s time :)
I want to say somewhere exotic but this year will be the garden
New Zealand
ive always wanted to go to vietnam!
I’d really love to be spending time in Hawaii!
id love to go to LA
I’d love to go on an aeroplane anywhere! I love holidays. Unfortunately funds aren’t available for a holiday abroad so we will be in Woolacombe this summer x
the maldives
I’d love to be sunning myself in The Maldives
This Summer I would like to be sunning myself in Croatia.
I would love to be sunning myself in Italy
the pembrokeshire coast
I’d love to be at Lake Garda with my hubby
Hawaii would be lovely :)
IN THE SOUTH OF FRANCE WOULD BE PERFECT
I’d love to be sunning myself in the Maldives – I have such happy memories of my holiday there!
In Turkey.
I’d love to be anywhere near the coast this summer but sadly it’s unlikely.
I’d like to go to Greece.
on one of the greek islands
We’re off to Rome in August for a family holiday. We haven’t been to Italy before so we’re very excited about it!
At home on Isle of Skye
At home on Isle of Skye
I’d love to go somewhere really exotic such as Tahiti, however I’m more likely to be at a beach local to us in the Wirral!
l would love to be in italy sharing a coffee at lake garda
I would love to be sunning myself in Florida
I’ll be sunning myself at home sadly. I’d love to get away somewhere hot and beautiful though!
I would love to be in Spain x
I would love to be sunning in Spain
I like anywhere thats hot and sunny!
Essex x
I’m off to Tunisia in a week.
I’d love to be on one of the Greek islands
I would love to be sunning myself in Florida . However will probably be sunning myself in my garden
Rome – and I’m going next month!
The Maldives! Looks like paradise there : )
I would love to be in Lanzarote as we love it there and try to go as often a we can its so chilled
The Bahamas!
I would love to be sunning myself in Portugal
I will be in Spain with my daughters xx
Australia.