Dreaming about the perfect vacation, we can miss important details, and then the long-awaited trip might bring not just joy, but also unpleasant surprises. To ensure your holiday goes great and you bring back only positive memories, it's crucial to prepare thoroughly.
You've likely already chosen your travel destination and planned your itinerary with us on our site. You might have even booked your hotel room and bought your tickets. However, there's still an equally important task left - packing everything you need without including unnecessary items that you'll hardly use on your trip. We've prepared a handy checklist of essentials to bring with you on vacation just for you.
Documents
First and foremost is preparing your documents. If you're traveling abroad, check the validity of your passport well in advance, secure any necessary visas, and arrange documents for your child if needed. Keep all documents, including plane/train/bus tickets, vouchers, insurance policies together in one place. A travel organizer or folder is perfect for this purpose. It's more convenient to keep your documents in a bag that's always with you, or even better, in an inner jacket pocket.
In case of emergency, it wouldn't hurt to make electronic copies of all your documents and save them on a flash drive. Also note down important booking details for hotels and other travel specifics separately. It's a good idea to bring a map, a travel guide, and a notebook on your trip.
Money
Always bring twice as much money as you initially planned. You should always have a reserve fund for unexpected emergencies. Keep your money in different places (in your wallet, a hidden pocket, and electronically on a card). Before traveling abroad, check with your bank about using your card in another country and make any necessary arrangements before departure. If possible, exchange some cash for the currency of the destination country before leaving home.
Medications
Travel planning isn't complete without putting together a travel first-aid kit. First, make sure you have enough of any specific medications you need to take daily or might need suddenly due to a severe condition (heart medication, asthma inhalers, etc.). If not, then your kit should include headache pills, antidiarrheals (for food poisoning), fever reducers, band-aids, antiseptics, and wound-healing medications. Don't count on being able to buy necessary medications at your destination. Medications may have different names abroad and could require a prescription to purchase.
Personal Care Items
Do not forget to pack toothbrushes and dental floss, razors, combs - all the essentials for your trip. As for shower gels, shampoos, toothpaste, etc., it all depends on your personal needs. If your hair and skin are sensitive, then bring your preferred products in the necessary amounts.
If you're certain that the hotel's cosmetics are good enough for you, then don't overload your luggage with extra bottles and tubes. Remember to include wet wipes and hand sanitizing spray or gel in your carry-on.
Electronics
In the modern world, we can't imagine life without gadgets. For a vacation, people typically bring a phone, camera, tablet, or e-reader, and less frequently a laptop. Regardless of which gadgets you choose to bring, make sure you pack all the necessary adapters and chargers. Carry your electronics in your hand luggage, and never check them in with your baggage if you're flying. There's a high risk that expensive equipment could "disappear" from your suitcase during flight.
Clothing
There's no one-size-fits-all answer to the question of what clothes to bring on vacation. It all depends on where you're going, how long you'll be staying, and what type of vacation you're planning. For example, you can't do without an evening dress or suit at a luxurious resort, but comfortable sports shoes are a must if you're going hiking. The main rule, regardless of the factors mentioned above, is to bring half as many items as you would like. When packing your suitcase, ensure that all items can be combined with each other and that you're not packing anything unnecessary.
Beach Vacation Items
If you're heading to warm countries to bask in the sun, you'll definitely need sunglasses, headwear (cap, hat, or scarf), beach flip-flops, and swimwear (swimsuit, swimming trunks). Even if you're confident in the hot weather at the resort, don't forget to pack a sweater, denim jacket, or windbreaker (you might need them in the evenings). Also, pick out a couple of outfits for daytime and evening walks.
Winter Vacation Items
Winter vacation means long walks through Christmas markets or an active holiday at ski resorts. So, the first thing to pack is quality thermal underwear. Next on the list: warm socks (one pair per day), comfortable winter shoes, a hat, scarf, gloves, several sweaters, jeans, and a tracksuit.
Skiers and snowboarders need to think about special equipment: a ski suit, boots, sports mittens, a ski mask, etc. As winter clothes are very bulky, try to wear the bulkiest items (warm jackets, knitted sweaters, fur-lined boots) on yourself, so you free up precious space in your suitcase.
Any vacation starts with the pleasant tasks of preparation and packing. Prepare a practical checklist for your next trip, and you'll see how much quicker you'll be able to gather your things for the journey.
