When packing a suitcase to go away, it’s easy to forget the basics: Suncream, toothbrush, bathing suit.
While most things can be easily replaced, there is one particular item that we cannot bear to leave behind – probably because of the dire quality of the varieties found abroad.
Our most cherished holiday bring-along, a poll has found, is teabags.
Such is our love of a good cuppa that 44 per cent of us load up our suitcases with our preferred brand.
A dedicated bunch (19 per cent) even bring a travel kettle, in case, heaven forbid, there isn’t one provided in the hotel room.
Around 44 per cent of British holidaymakers make sure to load up their suitcases with their preferred brand of tea (Stock Image)
Some 40 per cent of us also bring biscuits, while 37 per cent take coffee.
The poll, by M&S Travel Insurance, found that more than a third of us bring crisps too.
Other important items included anti-bacterial spray, which 30 per cent pack, while 21 per cent insist on taking pillows.
Amazingly, 17 per cent pack tins of baked beans and nearly the same number take loaves of bread.
Almost half of the respondents admitted their friends and family tease them about the household items they pack.
Yet many travellers defended their choices, saying they needed to take the items in case they are unavailable at their destination.
Despite our apparent intentions to pack everything in the house, many travellers said they have on occasion forgotten to bring essentials such as suncream, phone chargers, adapters and sunglasses, and spend £140 on average to replace them.
The poll, by M&S Travel Insurance, found that a dedicated bunch (19 per cent) of tea drinks even bring a travel kettle with them abroad (Stock Image)
Nic Moran, from travel insurance provider M&S Bank, said: ‘Planning a holiday is an exciting time and even though many of us will have been thinking about our next break for quite some time, it’s still easy to forget certain things.
‘It sounds simple, but making a list of everything you intend to take – paying particular attention to your passport if travelling abroad, along with tickets, travel money and insurance – can ensure that you’re well prepared.’
