Cooler? Backpack? What?

Need2GetAway · Post by **Need2GetAway** » Fri Jan 28, 2011 11:50 am

This is how clueless I am.

So we're renting a villa. I'm picturing day trips to beaches, which will necessitate carrying food, wine, beer or something.

Since it seems like some of the beaches might be a bit of a haul from the car, what am I carrying cold stuff in? Will the villa have an appropriate cooler or should I bring a backpack/cooler thing?

THANKS. You guys have been a huge help so far and I appreciate it.

Xislandgirl · Post by **Xislandgirl** » Fri Jan 28, 2011 11:53 am

The villa should have a cooler. I would place a quick call to the management company and ask what size. We have arrived at villas only to find a massive cooler or a super small one, so I have learned to ask.

If they say it is very big or very small, we bring our backpack cooler and fill it with frozen food or stateside treats for our on island friends and then we have it for the trip.

kma27 · Post by **kma27** » Fri Jan 28, 2011 11:57 am

We bring a collapsible soft-sided cooler. It lays flat until you open it and can be put in your luggage. Sorry, but I don't remember what the brand is but I'm sure we got it at either Target or Wal-Mart or some place like that. It's perfect! We pack ice, drinks & sandwiches each day when we visit the beaches.

BuffaloGal · Post by **BuffaloGal** » Fri Jan 28, 2011 1:13 pm

As mentioned, most villas have coolers, but we also like bringing a soft-sided cooler from home. If we're walking a decent distance, we like having the shoulder strap, and it's a little lighter than some of the hard coolers at the villas.

Joppa · Post by **Joppa** » Fri Jan 28, 2011 1:33 pm

I guess it depends on what you do. We like to hike to some of the more out of the way beaches. We carry backpacks with camel packs. We can put snorkel gear and some snacks in them, and strap a Noodle to the outside and we are good to go. Soon come...

Bob & Anita · Post by **Bob & Anita** » Fri Jan 28, 2011 2:00 pm

Need2GetAway wrote:

I'm picturing day trips to beaches, which will necessitate carrying food, wine, beer or something. Since it seems like some of the beaches might be a bit of a haul from the car, what am I carrying cold stuff in? Will the villa have an appropriate cooler or should I bring a backpack/cooler thing?

We love our backpack cooler just for this purpose.

JJShaw · Post by **JJShaw** » Fri Jan 28, 2011 4:54 pm

I have to vote for the backpack cooler too. And you can always use it for items you dont wanna pack in luggage on the return trip and use it for a carry on. Last time I had a few breakables in mine, or just fold it and put it in a peice of luggage. We have this one and its that one MUST go item...

http://www.keepyourcooler.com/backpack-coolers.html

Teresa_Rae · Post by **Teresa_Rae** » Fri Jan 28, 2011 8:29 pm

We have a backpack cooler that we use when it's just the two of us, but if we have a group we use a large rolling cooler (the same one we bring on the flight full of food) and take that to the beach. Of course that's only for beaches that aren't a hike.

mahojim · Post by **mahojim** » Sat Jan 29, 2011 9:09 am

I don't think I've heard of one of them there "back-pack coolers"...
Where do you folks find such a thing? We usually just use our softsided jobber that we check in on the plane with our frozen meats & grub, but what you are all talking about seems a bit more sensible to bring to the beach...
Thanks, and always
Smiles-
MJ

Teresa_Rae · Post by **Teresa_Rae** » Sat Jan 29, 2011 10:21 am

Jim, go to Amazon.com and search for "backpack cooler"...there are lots of options.

Ours is similar to this one, which we like because it can be rolled or used as a backpack:

http://www.walmart.com/ip/17-2-Section- ... ue/2603675

traveler22 · Post by **traveler22** » Sat Jan 29, 2011 11:35 am

We have always used the soft sided coolers you get for free with a case of beer. They usually sell them in the summer, it's shaped like a case of beer with two handles,they are very light. I broke ours last trip so I purchased another off ebay for $5. It folds flat and fits in your suitcase fine.

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