Travel

Booking a last-minute getaway? That sounds like fun! What about that last-minute packing? You know what they say: “Those who fail to prepare prepare to fail.”

Whether you’re off on an impromptu trip or have been dreaming of a quick escape all year, a city break can be just as much fun as a longer holiday.

City breaks are all about soaking up as much of one location as possible in just a couple of days, and of course, you’ll want to look good doing it when it’s time to share your treasured memories with family and friends.

But while it might look nice in pictures, the wrong footwear can lead you to pain and discomfort when all you really want to do is peruse shops, cafes and restaurants and take in the beautiful sights. In order to make the most of your time away, you need to pack sandals that are comfortable and supportive.

When time is lacking, you need to know there is a pair of sandals that will go the extra mile. If you’re going on a city break and your shoes don’t feel like you are

Mediterranean cruise…VERSATILE

If your loved one is getting ready to escape the cold, dark winter to sun themselves on deck, Fit Flop Lulu Shimmersuede leather are great daytime options for warm-weather cruises

Brazilian beach…COLOURFUL

If the objective of the winter destination is tan-topping-up on a sun-drenched beach, brightly coloured Slim-fit Havainas are the obvious choice.

City sights…SUPPORTING

If city breaks are your thing, Birkenstock Arizona Sandals are a firm favourite, perfect for wandering around ancient ruins and drifting through 

markets. Stylish, durable and comfortable.

Himalayan trekking…PRACTICAL

If hardcore trekking in a warm climate is on the agenda, The Teva Women's Original Universal Backpack Sandal fits the bill.

Flip flops are a summer staple, inspiring a sense of freedom and relaxation in everyone who wears them. This year’s must-have flip flops will bring you closer to that special holiday feeling whenever you’re ready to discover them! We’ve prepared a list of the most stylish and comfortable flip flops gracing the streets/beaches this year:

The flip flop has been transformed! Chunky soles are super trendy across every footwear category this year, so it’s no surprise to find that flatform flip flops are also massively popular and a summer must-have. They’re just as comfortable as regular flip flops and a great option for those who want a little extra height and lots of style, without losing out on comfort. This elevated version of the flip flop has been seen often on fashion runways and is beloved by many celebrities who gave them the status of essential hot-weather gear.

Black is the one colour that shouldn’t be missing from anyone’s wardrobe.

Summer in the UK is never long (or hot) enough for some of us, and we dream of catching the last of the sun before it’s back to rain and overcast skies. For those whose circumstances allow it, arranging one last getaway is the perfect way to wrap up the summer holidays. This last hoorah is all about soaking up those last few rays of precious sunshine!

It’s all well and good choosing a stunning location for your holiday backdrop, but what are you actually going to do when you get there? Are there any points of interest that are a must on your to-do list, or do you just want to lounge on the beach and consolidate your tan?

Knowing what you’re going to be doing in advance can help you decide what to pack. Make sure you’re well prepared for all your adventures. Pack comfortable, weather-appropriate clothes and equally comfortable footwear. Speaking of, do you know what flip flops you’re taking with you? There are so many different styles you can choose from!

Beach trips with the family are wonderful, but in reality, they take a lot of coordination and preparation from the whole family in order to make them go by without difficulty. As a family-owned business living in Cornwall, we know better than anyone that in the chaos of getting everyone ready, we forget to pack both essential and non-essential items that might make the day go a bit smoother. Here are some things you should definitely remember to bring with you if you’re taking the kids to the beach this summer.

Make sure the beach stays fun and safe - pack adequate protection against the heat and UV rays: sunscreen and a sunhat are essential and no one should take a trip to the beach without them, especially the young ’uns. Nothing ruins a glorious day at the beach quicker than sunburn or heatstroke. Don’t forget to apply sunscreen BEFORE you get to the beach and to reapply it after swimming.

The Altruist sunblock is water-resistant, so it’s ideal for wet and sandy

It’s not ideal that travel is still severely restricted around the world, but the UK is still home to some pretty amazing and stunning locations. If you’re taking a staycation this year, here is what you should take with you depending on the location.

Come rain or shine, there is always something to do in London! A trendy spot offering a diverse range of activities, the capital city is the most popular holiday spot for many, promising all day and all night fun, with hundreds of cafes, bars and restaurants, free museums and some of the most iconic attractions in the UK. You can spend the day walking through the city centre or shop until you drop, from local boutiques to some of the most luxurious brands in the world. You’re going to have to pack the comfy ones for this staycation because no matter how you choose to spend your time, you’ll be walking a lot! We recommend:

Women's

Havaianas Slim

Havaianas Slim Flatform

Ipanema Maxi Heart

Men's

Reef Fanning

Havaianas Brazil Logo

Rider

How many ways can you think of to use an old flip flop? For this bearded Aussie, there was only one: striking the ends of a set of carefully-tuned PVC pipes to bash out some techno (or ‘acoustic bass synth,’ as he calls it) – and he does it in the middle of a shopping centre to a large crowd.

The tie-dye-T-shirt-wearing busker bashes a bass drum – well, more like a box – while he rocks out in the centre of the shopping centre in Adelaide, South Australia, using only his flip flops to bash the ends of the pipe (to create different beats) and slap his thighs to mimic a clapping sound – or was it high hats he was going for?

Either way, this video of Pipe Guy performing in Rundle Mall, in August 2014, has been seen a colossal 8.7 million times.

This psychedelic chap has quite a following on social media too, with more than 46,000 Likes on his Facebook page, where people have left requests for him to teach them the art of making flip flop/pipe tunes following a gig in an Indian desert.

Back

Havaianas are one of the top dogs in the flip flop world, and the story behind the brand is a vibrant one in equal measure. In fact, you could say it’s as colourful as the flip flops themselves!

At the Flip Flop Shop we like to get to know our brands and understand what gives them their va va voom. We adore Havaianas flip flops for their signature materials and eye-catching colours, but when you dig a little deeper then you realise that there’s so much more to love about ‘em.

To do this digging, a few weeks ago we set off on a quest for stories, adventure and flip glorious flops, to Casa Rio – home of the Havaianas’ HQ.

And what an amazingly elaborate HQ it is! Casa Rio is a villa in a gated complex on the outskirts of Madrid, surrounded by lush green trees, and other striking villas in large grounds. (You could easily imagine bumping into Cristiano Ronaldo walking along the road!) The Havaianas team were incredibly welcoming and we were privileged to have access to everything

The weather has turned. It’s the time of year when a pair of slippers seems more favourable than your thongs (Australian for flipflops) and to get any warmth you need to stoke the fire rather than lie in the sun.

For any jammy ones with a bit of time and money to spare there are still some places in Europe with the heat on though. I’ve just got back from a toasty 33C in Gran Canaria, in November! It’s only a 4-hour flight from England and although it’s one of the Spanish islands it’s actually just off the coast of Africa and so benefits from their scorching temperatures. It was beautiful, balmy and the perfect opportunity to get my flip flops out again. I’m still on my trusty pink, spotty Slim Fresh Havaianas and Roxy Sevilla leathers for best. I’ve got my eye on these white Gizeh Birkenstocks though; I think they’d go nicely with the sun (or snow).

Apart from that, I spent most of November as a hermit inside – in London and the Midlands –

Anyone had the chance to travel somewhere sunny this winter for their flip flop fix?

These last two months I’ve mostly been skiing – France, Austria, Italy and Germany – it’s been an incredible adventure and I’ve seen some beautiful vistas up there on the slopes. I’m kind of obsessed with mountains right now. You’d think I was a pro the amount of ski trips I’ve had, but sadly no, sometimes you just have to do things for the sheer pleasure rather than the fact you have any sort of skill.

Those ski boots have been an uncomfortable change from the usual flip flopping about. I’ve learned from experience that you really need to make sure your boots fit in the shop before you head out on the slopes. As in really stamp around and wear them in the shop for a bit. There was one day when my feet were so squashed into the boots up on the slope that I could barely ski down to change them. Not cool.

I did get to Florida since my last update though, twice actually. Just like that you