29 Travel and Packing Tips for Your Summer Vacation
Traveling can oftentimes be stressful and tricky. Here are Domestic CEO’s 29 top tips and tricks to make your next vacation a success!
Summer is here. For many it is time for a much needed V-A-C-A-T-I-O-N!
Most of us look at vacation as a restful, relaxing time, but travel can oftentimes end up being stressful and tricky. Here are 29 of my best tips and tricks to make your next travel vacation a success!
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Smart Packing
Packing a suitcase seems like a simple thing to do. Not so. How many times have you packed a suitcase only to find that you could only get a third of what you need to fit in there?
Here are 14 pointers to make that job a little easier:
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Do all your laundry before you start packing. You know you’ll miss that favorite shirt if it’s buried in your hamper rather than clean and ready to be packed.
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Only pack one or two dressy outfits. Chances are you will only wear it once or twice so why take up precious suitcase space with clothing you won’t wear often?
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Pack extra underwear. This clothing article doesn’t take up much space at all and having a few extras is never a bad idea especially if you’ve had a long, sweaty day of activity.
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Pack just 2 pairs of shoes. Shoes take up a lot of space so only take your two most comfortable and versatile pairs. I typically wear a pair that is easy to take on and off, then pack 1 pair of walking shoes, and one pair that can go with my dressy outfiits.
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Stuff socks inside your shoes to save on packing space. Roll up each pair and insert into your shoes. You should be able to get a few pairs in each shoe.
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When traveling to warm destinations, always pack a hat that will help shade you from the hot sun’s rays. I recommend a hat with a good brim for added sun protection. Choose a fabric hat that can be rolled or folded for easy packing.
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Don’t take brand new clothing that you’ve never worn before. What if it’s uncomfortable? Then you’re stuck and you wasted suitcase space bringing it. Also, make sure you break in new shoes before deeming them travel worthy. Knowing your shoes won’t cause horrible blisters is very important. Tired, achy, blistered feet can ruin a vacation in no time.
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Be sure to use small containers for your shampoo, conditioner, and any other toiletries. Don’t lug along a regular-sized bottle of shampoo. Even if you’re checking your luggage, you will not use up 4 ounces of shampoo in two weeks so save some space in your suitcase by taking smaller amounts of beauty products.
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Consider taking along dry shampoo (or use baby powder to freshen hair), especially if you are traveling internationally. You never know when washing your hair might prove to be a challenge. Dry shampoo will help give you a fresh, clean feeling even if you can’t grab a shower.
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If you are checking luggage for a flight, do not pack the following: toothbrush, deodorant, necessary medications and pajamas. If your luggage gets lost, at least you won’t feel completely lost without these essentials.
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International travel comes with a particular set of challenges,depending on where you go. You cannot always assume that bathrooms will provide toilet paper so I recommend carrying little packs of tissues. Tuck one in your purse or backpack and keep a few spares in your suitcase to replenish the supply when needed.
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Absolutely use a suitcase or duffel with wheels and a handle. Your back will thank you!
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Take along a travel-sized first aid kit. You never know when you’ll need pain reliever, a bandage, hydrocortisone, or triple antibiotic. This is especially important if you are traveling abroad and/or with children.
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Be sure to pack all your chargers: phone, tablet, iPod, reading device, and camera. I like to keep them all together in a plastic baggie.
Road Trip
If loading up the family in the car and hitting the highway is your plan, here are 10 tips to help you have a fun road trip:
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Clean your car thoroughly before leaving for your trip. Yes, your car will get dirty along the way, but it’s so nice to start out with a clean vehicle inside and out.
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Be sure to have your car serviced before hitting the open road. At the very least, get an oil change, check wiper blades and windshield washer fluid, and have tires inspected and properly inflated. This will help avoid possible issues on the road.
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Consider becoming a member of AAA. There’s nothing worse than having your car break down in the middle of nowhere and paying a ridiculous amount to get towed (let alone repaired).
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Bring an emergency jug of water along. If you get stranded, you’ll want to be sure to stay hydrated. This can also be used in case the car overheats.
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Have a loosely planned itinerary, but feel free to stop at unusual places. If you are brave, you may want to forgo hotel reservations and just stop when you feel like stopping. A word of caution – this could result in having to drive extra miles to find a hotel that has a vacancy. If this is a bit too adventurous for you, then go ahead and make reservations in advance. Mr. Domestic Ceo and I like to stay with locals via Airbnb. We get to meet great people, and get the inside scoop on places to visit.
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Pack plenty of snacks but try to avoid junk food, unless you want to risk a car full of pukey kids and nauseous, cranky adults. Skip the Cheetos, licorice whips, and other pre-packaged goodies. Instead, choose fruit, string cheese, granola bars, nuts, raisins, and other healthy options.
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Take along various travel games, iPods, and iPads to keep the kids occupied. Pillows and light blankets are also helpful to have in the car.
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Stop at rest areas frequently, even if no one says they need to, especially if you are traveling with children. The moment you skip a rest area, I guarantee someone will need to use the bathroom. So don’t ask…just stop.
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Plan rest days during the road trip. Driving a lot each day will put everyone in a bad mood, so make sure you have some down time to just chill.
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Resolve to only eat at local restaurants if you can. Broaden your eating horizons by trying something new rather than sticking to that same old fast food chain.
International Travel
Traveling internationally is exciting and illuminating – but it can also be tricky. Follow these 5 tips to have an awesome trip abroad:
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Don’t post your travel plans or progress on social media. As tempting as it is to post and tweet everything you are doing, posting pictures while you’re away tells would-be-thieves that your home is empty and vulnerable. Wait until you get home to post all your vacation pictures at once.
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Don’t carry your wallet or passport in your back pocket. Petty thieves prey on unsuspecting tourists and who wants to deal with that on vacation?
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Call your credit card companies to alert them you will be traveling abroad. Let them know specifically the destinations where you will be so a purchase doesn’t get blocked by your bank.
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Make photocopies of your passport. Leave one with a friend at home and pack an additional copy in your suitcase. If your passport gets stolen, at least you’ve got a copy to start with.
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If traveling in a foreign country where you do not know the language, learn a few basic words and phrases to help you get by. Most important will probably be “Please,” “Thank you,” and “Where is the bathroom?”
I hope these tips help you to have a fun, exciting, enjoybale summer vacation. Now get packing!
Until next time, I’m the Domestic CEO, helping you love your home!
Luggage, wallet, sun hat, toiletries, and mechanic images courtesy of Shutterstock.