FEAR of flying, overpacking and choosing whether to see the sights or lounge by the pool – the big holiday problems that anyone faces when they go away.
It’s exactly the same for Love Island couple Alex and Olivia, who have teamed up with Travel Republic to share their holiday dos and dont’s.
Avoid the beach?
Neither were too keen on beach trips, with Alex pointing out: “The sand just gets everywhere.”
Olivia agreed, adding: “I love the pool, I would say I’m more of a pool girl.”
Although Alex did concede that he does “love the sea” the consensus seemed to be that the beach was not high on their holiday list.
Explore on holiday?
Although they both enjoy a relax by the pool if the holiday calls for it, both Alex and Olivia felt they were more likely to be found exploring.
“We are explorers,” Alex said, with Olivia adding: “Yeah, we do explore.”
However, Alex then added the caveat that they will sometimes take a holiday specifically to relax.
He continued: “If it’s a holiday for the sun loungers, then that’s what it’s for. I think it depends on what you’ve got.”
Go phone free?
Both Olivia and Alex admitted that they were never going to leave their phones behind, simply because they like to take photos and make memories.
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However, they both agreed that staying connected was a lot less of a priority when they’re on holiday.
Olivia said: “You take your phone to take pictures and take memories, but we are on it less, I would say.”
Work out?
While they’re able to take a break from work and from their every day lives, one thing Alex and Olivia aren’t able to cut off is their fitness regime.
Both said they continued to work out while they were on their holidays, although they agreed that Alex did it more than Olivia.
He said: “You’ve got to work out on your holiday.”
Olivia agreed, adding: “We actually do both work out on holiday. More so you than me.”
Set an alarm?
As parents of a very young child, the pair admitted that alarms were all but pointless in their homes now – even more so on holiday.
Alex said: “We’ve got a kid and we get up at 4am anyway. He is the alarm.
“I haven’t set an alarm for about a year.”
Attempt the language?
Although it can be a difficult thing to do, Olivia said she at least makes an effort to be polite in the country she’s visiting’s native language.
She said: “Even if it’s just ‘thank you’ or ‘hello’ I think it’s nice to do.”
Take the in-laws?
With a youngster in tow, Alex and Olivia take all the help with childcare they can get, especially while they’re on holiday.
Although they both said that it’s also nice to have each other’s parents around as well.
Olivia said: “Never a day goes by that we don’t know how lucky we are that we have such great relationships with the grandparents.
“They come in very useful. They’re fun as well, but they’re very useful.”
Alex joked: “They’re going to love that we just said that by the way…More childcare!”
Sit by the window?
While Alex is perfectly comfortable with air travel, Olivia said she has a bit of a phobia of flight.
She said that, as well as digging her nails into Alex’s arm on plane journeys, she would rather steer clear of the window seats.
She admitted: “I’m actually not a very good flyer. I would probably not sit next to the window.”
However, Alex added that she was getting better at flying, saying: “You used to cut my circulation off. Now you just give a gentle squeeze.”
Overpack?
Olivia was very quick to admit that she was guilty of packing more than she probably needs for a holiday.
She said: “I do overpack, but as a girl we need options.
“We need shoes and outfits to go with different things.”
Use the airport lounge?
Both Alex and Olivia are huge fans of the airport lounges and said that it’s much better than queueing for a pint in the departure lounge pubs.
Alex said: “You get in the airport lounge and there’s just beers in the fridge and you can help yourself.
“We’re not queueing for an hour in Wetherspoons, do you know what I mean?”
Olivia simply added: “I cannot cope!”