I take a half empty suitcase and fill it with things like Gillette Razor Blades, Decaf Tea, Vitamins, HP Printer Ink, Finish Dishwasher Tabs (although these are heavy & books as I find these things pricey here. I also bring the kids favourite biscuits as they are fussy although not chocolate ones for obvious reasons and these need to be packed precisely again for obvious reasons.

If I were you I would bring my own mattress protectors fitted and flat sheets as I find home centre ones good quality but overpriced. I would also bring 'dust attracting' duster sheets as these will be your best friend.

Dry cleaning is cheap here so bring anything that needs that and bring any clothes that need altering as tailoring is also cheap too. Also get plenty of passport photos taken before you leave for all your id stuff here and if you are bringing cats or dogs bring wormer/flee tab things as the vets are pricey. If you dont have any pets then keep it that way by not feeding any strays that come into your garden or you will soon have hundreds of them as I have found to my cost and to my husbands agitation!

If you are finding your own villa bring your bartering head as there is alot of brand new property at the moment and you can get a good deal on the older ones if you play your cards right.

Enjoy the sun, the shopping, the safety (apart from perhaps on the roads) and the fantastic people from every nationality.