We always learn more from what goes wrong so your occasional series Holidos and Don’ts looks here at the key to a stress-free holiday.
Prompted by our old friends at VIP SKI who have researched the topic.
And discovered that nearly half of us misplace valuable possessions on holiday.
With 16% of travellers surprisingly citing jewellery, probably bolstered by the female of the species.
Because unless you’re a pearly or bling king you probably only wear your wedding ring or chain with a crucifix or holy relic.
And will only take off your gems to lose when you’re in a sauna and you put them in your white towelling robe.
Only to then put on the wrong one and have an Asian woman half your size chase you around your Czech multi-baths.
Now we’ve lost every one of the top ten items on the VIP Ski list in our time.
Tricks of the trade
There is, of course, a reason why we have ten sets of shades.
To match the caps, bandanas and T-shirt from our past adventures.
And replace those we’ve left on bedsides, beaches and bars.
Now who hasn’t had to sheepishly ask reception for a replacement key.
The trick, of course, is to leave the card, it has to be really old-school to get a jangly key, in your wallet or purse.
Only you’ve put that down somewhere, probably in a bar or by the poolside, or again the beach.
When you do leave, or lose, something you’re bound to experience that all too common feeling that it could only happen to you.
But you are not alone and there will be someone who left their mobile in the hotel bedroom in Cleveland, Mississippi.
And a kind courier who takes it up to Jackson for the opening of the Two Museums… the memory still gives me shivers.
A pocketful of problems
Now checking and double-checking and constantly padding your pockets will help.
But life being what it is there is always the chance that it will fall out.
When you’re up in the Maverick helicopter above the Grand Canyon.
No, my pal, didn’t drop it in the gorge, but down the back of the seat.
He did get it back but only after having to raise his dad at home in Ireland for details to be sent over.
And a replacement one ordered through the consulate.
Which, of course, is our advice here, seek out your local guide and embassy… they’ve heard every story before.
All of which housekeeping is being urged by VIP SKI ahead of the new season.
And no summer isn’t too early to think of your winter holiday.
For the cack-handed
VIP SKI tell us that we’re often at our clumsiest and most cack-handed on the slopes… they’ve obviously seen me skiing.
With 71% of respondents respectively saying they’d lost belongings on these holidays.
Andy Sturt, MD for VIP SKI speaks for us all when he says. ‘It might be the goggles abandoned at lunch or gloves left in a cable car.
‘But it seems that the more gear you have, the more there is to lose.’
Of course, anything you can do to relieve the stress will make your vacation all the more enjoyable.
Keep your feet on the ground
So that you can lie back and savour, say a seven-night stay at No 1 Club Bellevarde in Val d’isere, arriving 30 November and priced at £1,060pp, based on twin occupancy.
Prices include daily continental or cooked breakfast, afternoon tea and dinner on six days, twice weekly canapes and return transfers from Geneva Airport.
This also includes a FREE six-day Espace Killy lift pass.
More information about the most frequently lost holiday items and how to protect your items while skiing visit www.vip-chalets.com.
While for the rest, follow this accidental tourist and do the opposite for the key to a stress-free holiday.