What to Bring on Vacation and How to Pack It

For a pleasant vacation, it is important to plan your trip carefully and far enough ahead so as to make sure you get the place and the travel arrangements that best fit your finances, lifestyle and schedule. Packing for your vacation trip is equally important. Once you know your travel plans and destination, you can better decide what to pack. You need to decide what to bring. Here's how to decide what to pack for your vacation.

Make a list of your needs. These are needs, not wants.
What special needs will you have? These may be medicines you need to take on your trip or special appliances-crutches, braces, etc. This may even be a card alerting security that you have implants that will set off their machines. You need to consider allergies and food sensitivities when planning your trip, snacks and eating out. While you travel, will you need to pack special snacks or need to check out restaurants and other facilities ahead of time?

If airplane travel isn't scheduled, you can use a pill container large enough for the different medicines/vitamins you take. These containers can be purchased online, at pharmacies and other stores. Make sure you label any medication you take so there is no mistakes in usage. Labeling becomes especially important should there be a physical problem and others need to intervene with medical staff on your behalf.

Special needs may also include sensitivities. Will you need special products for the drive or the destination? What do you need to carry in case of a reaction? Make sure everything is well labeled. Make sure to bring a card listing your name and medical particulars. Actually, carry more than one. Carry one with you at all times. Carry at least on other in your luggage.

Don't assume anything. Packing for your vacation starts with knowing the best way to travel with your particular set of needs. Practical packing makes for a lot less hassle at the airport and at your vacation destination. For even less frustration, be sure to bring extra batteries and/or the proper chargers for whatever electronics you bring along.

What will you bring in the way of clothes, shoes, make up? What you need at a beach in Florida is very different from what you'll need at a mountain resort in Colorado. What you need in a formal setting will be very different from what you'll need in a more informal setting.

Think through what type of vacation you are going on, how long you'll be gone and mode of transportation to arrive at your destination. What you may wear in a car on a long drive may differ from what you'll wear on a plane, though both should start with the idea of comfort. Once you've thought through your destination, the journey, and when and what events, functions, etc. you may be attending, consider what clothing you will need for each phase of your trip. Add to your needs appropriate shoes, accessories, jackets/coats/cover-ups, and make up.

This might come to quite a list. Don't despair. Your vacation is supposed to be a trip on which to relax and enjoy yourself. Consider your finances. Do you have a budget for vacation clothing? What do you already have that will work with your vacation schedule?

When considering what to bring, think comfort and practicality. You are not going to enjoy your vacation if your clothes are uncomfortable and/or are easily soiled with wrinkles or stains. Bring clothes on your trip that travel well.

Shoes are also important for a great vacation. Feet expand during travel. Make sure shoes you bring have some wiggle room in them and are comfortable even after hours of travel and wear. Shoes are also heavy and take up room. Take as few shoes as possible, but always check as you pack that you have both shoes of a pair along.

Vacation is a time to relax. Pare down the make up and accessories. Pack one or two signature pieces of jewelry. You do not want to worry about losing valuable or loved pieces because you can't keep track of everything you decided to pack for your trip.

Put together outfits before you leave on vacation. Instead of packing distinct outfits for every occasion, consider bringing a few key pieces that are comfortable, that you can mix and match, that will go from morning to night, and are easy to dress up or down as required. When considering what to bring, remember, the less you take along, the more room you have for purchases you make on the trip.

If flying, make sure to have your medicines in the prescription containers in which they came. Make sure you know the airline requirements for traveling with your particular needs. When flying, consider purchasing some items, such as toothbrush, paste, comb, etc. at your destination. Be sure to follow regulations so as not to be detained. You certainly don't want to miss a connecting flight. With the cost of luggage when flying, the less is more principle is especially true now.

Whether or not you fly, how much luggage you haul on vacation does make a difference. You have your list of needs. Now, how can you best make use of your packing? Instead of three or four suitcases, think how much less stress you'll feel if you can pare down your needs to one large bag and one carry on bag?

The more you plan before packing for your vacation or trip, the less stress your "stuff" will cause you. You'll have along what you really need, you will have left behind those things you can get along without for a week or so, and you will start your vacation with a whole lot less stress.

Pack with efficiency and comfort in mind. As for the actual packing, consider what you'll need and when. Pack accordingly so you aren't digging through all your luggage for that overnight stay before you reach your vacation destination. Pack liquids and other containers that could break or leak in plastic bags. As for medicines and other absolutely vital items such as prescriptions, keep them close-in a purse or carry on bag. You never know when you might get separated from your luggage.

Vacations should be low stress. Planning before you pack and packing with care helps you have a positive vacation experience.