The day you've been waiting for the entire year has come - it's the day you get to say goodbye to work for the next couple of weeks, put on your comfy travel clothes and get on a plane/a bus/a train heading towards your chosen holiday destination, where you plan on doing nothing more serious than deciding what to eat for dinner each night while a RV air conditioner blows cool gentle breeze in your hair.
Your enthusiasm is as high as the sky right now, but it won't be long until things start to get complicated and messy due to sheer lack of planning what exactly to pack for the holiday.
We've all been there: because we're so caught up with the huge amount of possibilities, we tend to pack too many things of one kind and completely forget the other. Yes, there are three shirts you could wear for each of the days you're staying, but how did you manage to forget your toothbrush? This is the third year in a row!
All of this could be easily avoided with just a few tweaks to the usual packing tactics you have adopted. You're free to use any and all of them to your liking.
Firstly, let's assume we are all going to a warm-climate destination, possibly somewhere by a sea or an ocean. Mountain-climbing holidays are, unfortunately, not included in this one.
Make outfits
Planning outfits is different to different people - some of them adore it, others despise it. No matter where on the spectrum you fall, you should make sure you have an outfit for each day of your vacation. Choose pieces that can be worn in more than one combination, like solid colored shorts or a simple-lined skirt and work from there, adding interesting details like accessories or statement blouses. In the end, you should have enough outfits for the entire vacation without taking too much space in your luggage.
Expect the worst
When I say the worst, I mean the worst possible weather - be prepared for rain and sudden drops of temperature, so include a piece or two that are a little thicker than your flowy sundresses, like a long sleeve top or a denim jacket. It would be also advised to pack a pair of sneakers that are somewhat water-resistant, which can double as your working out shoes as well as your bad weather shoes.
Think about your health
Make a list of medicine you should bring with you in case you get the commonest of bugs, such as stomach flu, a headache, a high fever or food poisoning. Something for repealing insects would be good to bring, too, as well as a remedy for sunburn. Pack all of them into an individual bag so you have easy access in case of an emergency.
Lists are great
Since I've mentioned making lists, medicine isn't the only field it could be used for - you can make sure you've packed everything you need by writing everything you plan to pack down and checking the items off the list as you put them in your suitcase. This way, it will be highly unlikely for you to forget your toothbrush again!
Leave a little room
If you're anything like me, and I'm a typical tourist, you'll want to buy not only souvenirs but also clothes and shoes and jewelry and all of that will be spilling out of your suitcase on your way back home in case you don't think ahead and leave room before leaving for your vacation.
All in all, if you follow these five simple rules, there are fewer chances for you to have a disaster holiday. You can work around them and tweak them to your liking, but as long as you stick to the basics, everything will be good. Have a nice holiday!
We want to acknowledge and thank the past, present, and future generations of all Native Nations and Indigenous Peoples whose ancestral lands we travel, explore, and play on. Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!
Do you love the outdoors?
Yep, us too. That's why we send you the best local adventures, stories, and expert advice, right to your inbox.
