holidaymakers

ONE in five holidaymakers have crammed at least a week’s worth of luggage into a carry-on bag this summer to avoid expensive fees.

A poll of 2,000 adults who travel found an ambitious 11 per cent reckon they could squeeze 10 days or more of holiday essentials into hand luggage alone.

While five per cent would even attempt to fit everything they need for a two-week holiday into a single cabin bag.

It also emerged 58 per cent admitted they’ll go to great lengths to avoid splashing out on expensive checked luggage fees.

Half will roll clothes as tightly as possible to save space, and 44 per cent will carefully plan outfits so they can wear the same clothes more than once.

While 34 per cent will wear their bulkiest clothes while travelling and one in five will ditch physical books in favour of a tablet to save precious bag space.

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And a savvy 13 per cent have used a duty-free carrier bag to sneak extra belongings onto the plane.

But it’s not just clothes and holiday essentials getting the space-saving treatment, as 72 per cent think their smartphone is the most important item they pack for their holiday after their passport.

The research, commissioned by Samsung to mark the launch of the Galaxy Z Fold8, found that when packing, smartphones replace cameras (62 per cent), maps (55 per cent) and boarding passes (45 per cent) while abroad.

Four in five (81 per cent) prefer their smartphone to be compact enough to fit easily into a pocket or small bag, as they increasingly do the job of multiple holiday essentials.

With 69 per cent saying the size and portability of their device is important, as it can do almost everything they need from one item, replacing other items they may need to pack (41 per cent).

Spokesperson Annika Bizon said: “I’m quite ruthless about what earns its place in my luggage when I’m travelling.

“When you’re trying to pack for a weekend away, or even a family holiday, every bit of space counts, so I love anything that can do more than one job.

“Technology is a big part of that.”

Almost three quarters (74 per cent) said they have booked, or would consider booking, a holiday at the last minute – making lighter, more flexible travel increasingly appealing.

The study from OnePoll.com found a third of travellers prefer to travel light, with 58 per cent claiming it makes the journey easier.

In fact, almost half (48 per cent) consider it a badge of honour when they successfully squeeze their carry-on bag into an airline bag sizer at the airport.

But 52 per cent worried their carry-on will be deemed too big when taking a flight, with 36 per cent having previously struggled to fit their carry-on within the maximum size limit.

And three in 10 have had to pay an average of £39 because their carry-on was deemed too big.

Annika Bizon, from Samsung, added: “If one device can help you navigate, keep your travel documents to hand, capture the moments you want to remember and provide on-the-go entertainment, there’s no need for extra items.

“For me, technology really earns its place when it makes life simpler, and Galaxy Z Fold8 is a prime example of that.”

HAVE you ever wanted to go camping but avoid the extreme weather from rain and wind to this summer’s heatwave?

If you want all the delights of a camping holiday without the interchanging weather you can have it – just camp indoors.

While not a new concept. more indoor campsites are starting to boom in popularity.

And more campers could be on the road to testing it out thanks to the recent unpredictable weather.

What you might be imagining when thinking of ‘indoor camping’ is a row of two-person tents lined up inside.

But there are some very cool sites indoor camping sites in Europe with retro caravans, beach huts and cosy communal areas.

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In Amsterdam, the city’s only indoor campsite is called Outside Inn.

It’s more upmarket than you’d think with actual caravans inside all with varying themes from vintage, to retro, even a beach house and camping pods.

They’re fitted with beds and ‘outside’ are sets of tables and chairs so you can enjoy the campsite views.

There’s a self-service bar as well selling hot and cold drinks as well as snacks – or you can bring your own food just like you’d do on a camping trip.

There are shared facilities like showers and toilets, a chill-out lounge and games on the ‘lawn’ from badminton to board games.

To give the illusion of being outside, lights are turned down at around 10.30pm with no noise allowed after 11pm.

One visitor said it’s “just like camping. Super cool people from all over the world super nice to share meals together by the almost real campfire.”

Others say it’s a simpler and fun place to base yourself while exploring the city. A one-night stay here starts from £62.

Another similar indoor campsite in Europe is Basecamp Bonn in Germany where visitors can sleep in anything from vintage caravans to sleeper trains.

This campsite is inside a former storage facility and it’s huge with 120 beds inside various transport and trailers.

It’s a funky spot with a blue sky backdrop where there are themed caravans, Airstreams and outside are the trains which have 28 individual sleeping compartments.

Included in the price is breakfast, bed linen, towels, wi-fi and parking – stays for two start from £85.

Then there’s Daheim Indoorcamping which one visitor called a ‘hidden gem of Triberg’ where stays for two start from as £44.

It’s filled with caravans all of which have different themes – one is even kitted up for Christmas.

There are also Safari tents, summer houses, and in one unique case, a hut with a ballpit.

This indoor campsite even has its own brewery where you can pick up its own beer, or local ones.

At the bar, guests can also pick up pizza, pasta and salads.

For entertainment, there’s a foosball and pool table, as well as board games and plenty of books.

So if you’ve ever been tempted to camp but the concept of a wet tent put you off? Maybe this is the new way to test the waters…