Going on vacation is exciting, but it can quickly become stressful if you don’t know what to pack. You want to ensure you bring the essentials so missing items won’t ruin your vacation. Here’s a compilation of must-haves for any long vacation–whether it’s a beach getaway or a city break!
Packing the Basics
When packing for a long vacation, always remember the basics. Start by bringing enough clothing and footwear for each day of your trip. Try to plan out your outfits ahead of time and pack accordingly. Additionally, bring enough underwear, socks, and pajamas as well! When traveling with others, it’s best to coordinate outfits, so everyone has something comfortable and stylish for each occasion.
For a Beach Getaway
If you’re heading to the beach, don’t forget to pack things like sunscreen, hats, sunglasses, and a swimsuit. Also, bring plenty of towels for drying off after swimming. If you’re snorkeling or diving, bring the appropriate equipment, like flippers and a mask. Although these are most likely provided, having your own is always helpful. You may also bring extra beach toys for the kids, such as buckets and shovels.
For a City Break
Bring comfortable, weatherproof clothing when packing for a city break. Bringing an umbrella and a waterproof jacket in rain showers is a good idea. If you’re doing a lot of sightseeing or plan on walking around the city, you should pack a pair of comfortable shoes. Make sure to also bring a few small items like a backpack or purse for carrying your belongings. Install a map on your smartphone to avoid getting lost in the city.
Technology
Living without technology can be challenging, so bringing all the necessary items for your vacation is important. Make sure you have a charger and adapter and pack spare batteries or portable chargers. Don’t forget to bring your headphones if you plan on listening to music. Also, if you need internet access during your trip, consider purchasing a small Wi-Fi router.
Toiletries
Ensure you bring all necessary hygiene items such as shampoo, conditioner, body wash/soap, toothbrush/toothpaste, etc. Additionally, when going away for more than a week, you should bring laundry detergent to light-wash during your trip. Put this in a sealable bag to avoid leakage, and store it in an easily accessible place.
Medication
Bring a small first-aid kit with basic medical supplies, such as bandages and antiseptic cream. Pack any prescription medicine for allergies, asthma, or other medical conditions. It’s also helpful to have a list of your allergies and contact information for local doctors in the area. For skin issues, bring colorful pimple patches to protect your skin from unpredictable breakouts and still look cute. These patches can help reduce swelling and redness of acne or other skin irritations while providing a colorful look to your face.
Travel Documents
Make sure to pack your passport and any other important documents, especially when traveling abroad. If there is a safe where you’re staying, keep these copies in there for extra security. Also, it’s best to make copies of these documents with your driver’s license and credit cards in case they become lost or stolen. This can save you a lot of time when replacing them. Lastly, bring some local currency for expenses that aren’t accepted by credit cards.
First Aid Kit
Ensure your first aid kit has all the basics, including bandages, antiseptic wipes or creams, tweezers, scissors, etc. These items will help take care of minor injuries quickly so you can get back out and enjoy your vacation. Also, don’t forget to pack some insect repellent, as mosquitoes and other pests can be a real nuisance. These items are usually available in small sizes, so you can conveniently put them in a small pouch.
Don’t Forget The Fun Stuff!
Finally, don’t forget to bring some entertainment items for your trip. Pack a few books or magazines, cards, board games, portable speakers, or even a guitar if you plan on jamming around the campfire. You can also bring a drone for some cool aerial photos or videos. Bringing your camera and lens kit is also important if you want to capture beautiful shots of the places you visit. These items can add a layer of fun to your vacation and help make lasting memories with family and friends.
This should provide a comprehensive list of items to pack for any vacation. The key is to prepare ahead and be organized when packing. Your vacation will go off without a hitch if you have the right items. Have a great trip!
