Holiday Vacation Packing Tips
As we approach the holiday season, many of us will be lucky enough to have a getaway trip. Vacations are exciting no matter where we choose to go, and packing is just part and parcel of the process. To make sure that we have a good, worry free time, it is important to take a step back and consider everything else that needs to come along with us. If you’re having trouble with this sometimes stressful task, we are here to help you with this short checklist of things you need to consider when packing for a vacation.
1. The Essentials
The essentials consist of a wide range of items that you just simply will not be able to do without, such as proper luggage and of course passports and documentation if you’re traveling overseas. Your passport may be your ticket in, and forgetting it is just not an option, so maybe consider placing it as early as possibly safely into your carry on. Additionally, take along ID cards, health and travel insurance information and physical copies of tickets and reservations.
By proper luggage, we mean, not only a suitcase or bag pack that can adequately hold your belongings, but also one that is most convenient for whatever purpose. If you have a lot of items and are traveling longer distances, maybe you could also consider a wheeled suitcase or backpack that takes the strain away from having to lug it about. Also, depending on the type of adventures you intend to embark on, carrying an extra bag pack along might go a long way in solving your day to day storage problems.
2. Weather Friendly Items
First thing you should do when packing clothing and other items is consider the weather in the place that you will be visiting. For hot and sunny climates don’t forget your light clothing, sunhat, and sunscreen, as well as some swimwear. If you’re looking at colder climates, or planning a ski or winter running trip, the right gear, as well as parkas, coats, socks, and gloves, might make the difference between you enjoying your holiday or being bothered by the cold. What’s more, it will help to research some winter running tips for further help on the right gear to pack.
Also, finding out the weather for your destination is usually just a Google search away; just make sure you take into consideration the time of year. It may also help to look into how locals in the area dress in order to better adapt to the climates.
3. Enough Change Of Clothes
Chances are while you’re vacationing, you will not have the time, energy or the facilities to be able to do laundry; so to avoid the problem of running out of clean clothes and underwear, make sure you pack enough. Depending on how long your vacation will be, it may be good to consider an outfit for each day, even if clothing items are interchangeable, this is a great way to ensure that you have enough. Keep in mind that you can never have too much underwear.
4. Gadgets And Chargers
These are also such an obvious part of the checklist but it is also so easy to forget them. This list includes, phones, laptops, chargers and often most importantly, cameras. Also do not forget your accessories especially, earphones and chargers and consider whether or not you will need a new sim card and how to get one if need be.
Phones make it possible for us to access information as soon as possible even when you are already there. In this day and age, there are also various apps that can make your vacation much easier, a basic one is Google Maps, to help you navigate new territory and get to and from places.
5. Toiletry Bag
The chances of forgetting toiletries are also very high, so you may want to get this packed up as soon as possible. In a toiletry bag, go through a checklist of everything you will need in the bathroom, including, toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, shaving sticks, and sanitary pads. Despite how sure you are that you will be able to buy some items when you get there, it is better to be safe than sorry especially with such essential items. Don’t forget shampoo, conditioner and deodorant.
6. First Aid Kit
Vacations take us everywhere and expose us to all kinds of illnesses. Hopefully all you will need to worry about how minor discomforts such as colds, flu, headaches or scars. When packing a first aid kit, first consider the essentials; bandaids, gauze and adhesives, hand sanitizers, vitamin C. But also consider light medication for relief from headaches colds and flu.
Your first aid kit should also cater especially to you, so don’t forget allergy medications, inhalers, eye drops, and some altitude sickness pills if need be. Also, depending on the type of place you are visiting, packing mosquito repellent and a mosquito net may also be essential.
7. Maps/Guide Books
Although our phones often help with this, going the more traditional route and carrying physically copies of these items may come in handy when you least expect it. Consider picking up a guide book for your destination at a local book store, you might find fun activities to participate in or interesting places to see. A map is necessary for obvious reasons and there are often specialized maps available for tourists which can help you smoothly navigate the area.
8. Miscellaneous
This involves everything else that may not fit into the categories mentioned above. Consider items that will make your vacation even easier or more enjoyable, such as a book or magazine to read on the plane or a deck of cards and other easy to carry games. Also consider how you much you intend to spend where you are going and ensure that not only do you have some cash on you, but an additional credit card that works internationally as well just to be on the safe side.
Ensure that as you are traveling you take a physical copy of contact information for the hotel you will be staying at as well as other emergency contacts and addresses. In all the excitement that comes with vacationing, it is easy to forget such small but very important pieces.
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