Top 3 Tips To Get Organized For Summer Vacations

Simple Steps For Great Summer Vacations

Ah, summer vacations.

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!

1. Do Some Planning For Your Summer Vacation

• Jot travel plans in an old-school travel notebook or a nice app like Evernote,  depending on whether you prefer to take notes digitally or with a pen and paper. Getting everything you are thinking about written down or recorded in some way will let you see everything you and your family would like to do on your trip. From here, you can see what you will need to pack, how long you will be away, and get a better idea of any arrangements you need to make for lodging or house care while you are out of town.
• 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 people are traveling and where will you stay? These are just a few questions you need to answer when you start planning your trip. You don’t necessarily have to make a strict schedule of your travel plans, but it helps to have a good idea of all the things you would like to do so you can be sure to make time for them while you are at your destination.
• Research your destination. Ask your friends and family for suggestions. Purchasing a travel book and/or a foreign language dictionary may also be helpful as you prepare for your trip. Travel websites are a great opportunity to check out locations as well as snag a great deal of two on travel, places to stay, dining, activities, and more. A few hours of planning are worth the effort if everything runs smoothly!

2. Gather And Organize Your Documents

From plane tickets to passports and other documentary requirements, you will need to prepare these beforehand. Depending on where you are traveling to and how you are traveling, you will need different documents and paperwork. A little efficient research will save you hours of headache later if you find you have forgotten a document you or a family member cannot travel without.

Be sure to check your passport. Is it about to expire? If it is, have it renewed as soon as possible.

Are you traveling with minor children? They must express written permission from parents or guardians if you are not the parent.

Once you have researched and gathered updated and current versions of all the travel documents you need, put all the paperwork in an envelope or folder and label it clearly.

If it’s going to be a family vacation, assign everyone their own folders for a hassle-free trip. Giving everyone their own information makes for much less shuffling around papers and a lot less time looking for lost items. This method also applies if you’re going on a break with friends, as it will help keep things organized.

You wouldn’t want to panic during the trip because you couldn’t find your important documents!

3. Get Packing for your Summer Vacation

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 layering a lot? Dual-purpose items, such as pants that turn into shorts or a jacket that turns into a travel pillow, are wise choices. Choosing pieces that can be layered or worn for different occasions will save you major space in your luggage. Learn how to pack light, as this will save you costs in airline baggage fees. Grab the packing list here to make sure you have what you need.
• There are some basics you should check and have in tow when you leave for your trip. Be sure to check the amounts of certain toiletry products you can fly with if it is applicable. Check to see if you need an AC/DC adapter for electrical items or bright light reading material, and bring travel games if you are traveling with kids. In the event of delays, these activities will keep them busy!

Conclusion

Traveling should be a fun and relaxing time to make memories with your family. By using these travel preparation steps, you will be on your way to creating a smooth ride for the whole family this Summer!