Packing checklist set and be ready to go!
Packing for a trip is either something you love or you hate. I don’t think there is much in-between. Getting ready for a trip or vacation means getting organized and doing it right. A packing checklist is essential!
Packing for a vacation need not be stressful. Usually we leave it for last minute. Mistake number 1. All we do, in this scenario is discover, at the destination, a suitcase filled with regrets. How often have you said to yourself – “Damn! I should have brought this, I don’t need this, I forgot the…? “
Only recently, I started to research how to pack like a pro and actually be organized before the time. Yes, perhaps a little pedantic, but you will need a travel packing checklist, essential travel items and, if flying to another country, an international travel checklist.
Think ahead as you use your packing checklist
You just have to know how to do it, what clothes and accessories to bring, and have the best luggage for travel. For some people packing light is the key, however, this won’t work for everybody and is not suitable for all types of travel.
Going on deluxe tours might find you dining in five star hotels and/or fine dining restaurants and you will need more formal wardrobes. Saying you are going away for a 6-day bus or cruise tour, you have to know what to bring and how to pack them all in your luggage.
If you read any guide book about traveling and packing, you will know that finding the best luggage for World travel is imperative – choosing one that is sturdy and a lot of room to spare for your needs. It also has to be lightweight but one that is durable and could withstand handling by different people. I use a distinctive luggage tie around my suitcase and that saves a lot of “is that mine” grabs for the wrong suitcase off the conveyor belt.
Once you have figured out which luggage to use, the “packing your things” part might stress you out. What do you have to bring? As mentioned earlier, using a packing checklist is the easiest. Just adapt it to your specific needs – if you are going on a luxurious cruise, you just might need to pack in some formal clothing. Just give some thought to what you’ll be doing and ‘reverse engineer’ the process. I would suggest using the packing list provided and adding anything to it. Think of it as the main basic list.
Seasonal considerations
If you are traveling during the summer months, you don’t need to bring a heavy coat. If you are unsure how the nights are going to be then you can just pack a lightweight windbreaker which you can wear to just about anywhere. During spring time or fall, a lightweight cardigan would be a good addition in case the temperature drops to uncomfortable levels.
You can probably bring a pair or 2 pairs of pants. You don’t need to bring too many as these can occupy too much space and can be too heavy. Just bring the one that you are most comfortable traveling with.
As a guy, a pair of shoes would suffice, maybe the ones you’d be wearing when you leave for the airport. However, if you plan on doing some workouts, the jogging shoes will be needed. Naturally a beach holiday would require sandals.
For the ladies, the shoe thing can become a compulsive- obsessive exercise of ‘mix and match ‘ and maybes. Try and resist the temptation of piling in a dozen pair of shoes. A couple of easy match heeled shoes will suffice. Well, that’s what I try to nag to my lady. It doesn’t work.
Just keep in mind to wear or bring shoes that are comfortable and wouldn’t strain your feet . Unsurprisingly, we clock up so many more steps then we are used to at home. Plenty of walking done during sightseeing.
Shirts and blouses that do not wrinkle too much are ideal to bring. You don’t have to bring too many since you can have your clothes washed at the hotel. Remember to bring the necessities and use the packing checklist so you don’t forget anything …