Ah, summer vacation!
It’s the one time of the year most people look forward to. Whether you’re planning a major trip to another country or city, heading to the beach or going on a road trip, taking a vacation is one of the most important things we can do for our family and ourselves.
Summer vacations require planning and organization. Surely you wouldn’t want to go and realize in the middle of the trip that you forgot to bring a few things! For a stress-free, fun-filled trip, you need to plan and get organized. Follow these suggestions and have the much-deserved break you need!
Jot Travel Plans in an Old School Travel Notebook or a Nice App
First of all, you need to sit down and put your travel plans on paper. Depending on what you’re comfortable with, you can use either a notebook or an app like Evernote for digital planning.
Start with your ideas and inspirations for your summer vacation. Where do you want to go and what do you want to do? How many will go and where will you stay? These are just a few questions you need to answer.
Research your destination. Ask your friends and family for suggestions. Purchasing a travel book and/or a foreign language dictionary may also be helpful. A few hours of planning are worth the effort if everything runs smoothly!
Mind Your Documents
From plane tickets to passports and other document requirements, you will need to prepare these beforehand.
Is your passport about to expire? Then have it renewed. Are you traveling with minor children? They need express written permission from parents or guardians if you’re not the parent.
Put all these documents in an envelope or folder, properly labeled. If it’s going to be a family vacation, assign everyone their folders for a hassle-free trip. Even if you’re going on a break with friends, this applies as well, as this will help keep things organized. You wouldn’t want to panic during the trip because you couldn’t find your important documents!
Know What to Wear and What to Bring
Once you have decided on your travel destination, research the weather conditions for the time of year that you will be there.
Will you need light clothes, or will you be doing a lot of layering? Some places, like San Diego, will ask for a light layer in the evening, even during the summer. Dual-purpose items, such as pants that turn into shorts or a jacket that turns into a travel pillow are wise choices.
I love planning for my travel outfits at home, by trying them all out and making sure I have at least three tops for every bottom I pack. Planning my outfits this way, helps me extend the life of my items and carry less.
Learn how to pack light, as this will save you costs in airline baggage fees!
As for some very important basics, check to see if you need an AC/DC adapter for electrical items, bright light reading material and bring travel games if you have kids in tow. In the event of delays, these will keep you busy.
If you take prescription medication or use contacts, make sure you pack all you might need and make sure you bring them on your handbag, just in case your luggage gets lost or is late.
