Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Preparing For Your Summer Vacation - 7 Tips For Packing Essentials

Excited about your vacation destination, but in a turmoil of what to pack? We all know that feeling and if you are like me, it is usually at the last minute. There are so many things to consider these days as there are more and more rules for airline travel, in particular. Here are seven (7) tips to think about to help you decide what to take.

1. Climate has to be taken into consideration. Whether you are holidaying at the beach or in a ski resort, a bathing suit is a must as no matter the destination there is always access to a pool, spa or sauna.

2. Shorts, t-shirts and tank tops are common attire around cruise ships, beaches, amusement parks and cruise ships during the day, but do not forget to pack something for evening. Often bars, restaurants and casinos have strict rules regarding attire to be permitted to enter, especially footwear. If you are on a cruise and plan to dine in the dining room at night, you will need to have evening dress.

3. Raincoats, parkas or umbrellas are a great addition to your vacation clothing list. Most amusement parks are on huge acreage with a lot of walking between the different rides and shows. On a cruise you will want to leave the ship for sight-seeing at the various stopovers therefore a light parka or fold-up umbrella is ideal to carry with you. An umbrella or jacket with hood is a must when camping, especially when you have to use the kitchen, bathroom and washing facilities which can be some distance from your campsite.

4. Sunscreen is a must as a bad dose of sunburn can ruin your holiday and essential y on a beach or cruise ship vacation and when you are walking around an amusement park. Read the labels and make sure the SPF rating is high enough for your skin tone and do not use last year's bottle. Sunscreen has, or should, have an expiry date on it as they do not last. Do not be fooled by a cloudy day - slap it on and you will not be sorry.

5. When on a cruise check what stops are planned along the way. A passport is required on international waters and when traveling to a foreign country. If you are traveling overseas, check whether your passport is accepted without a visa at your destinations. It would be a big disappointment to get turned down at the border!

6. Camping requires a lot of preparation, but once you have outlayed the expense for a camping holiday, you can have plenty more. Camping is one of the most down-to-earth, rewarding family experiences you can have. Before you leave, it is a good idea to erect your tent in the backyard to make sure all the pieces are accounted for. Many campgrounds are in secluded areas, so a good stock of supplies is essential.

7. A good pair of sports shoes is a must. Whatever the holiday, you never know when you will be invited to play tennis, hike up to the top of a hill to enjoy the view, or do a 24 hour tour of a city.

If you forget to bring along certain supplies or essentials you can purchase them. However, the downside to purchasing items at your destination is price. Many popular vacation destinations have inflated prices.

Take your time with preparation and if you are restricted with the amount of luggage you can take, here is a tip to make more room - roll your clothes up instead of lying flat. You will be surprised at how much more you can fit into your bag.

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