You’re weeks away from your much-deserved escape to paradise, and the excitement of the trip is starting to build as you cross days off of your calendar. It’s time to decide what things to pack for vacation. If you are anything like me, this is a daunting task, to say the least. As you sift through piles and piles of warm-weather-wear, and begin to throw outfit after outfit in your suitcase, a couple things become quite evident:
1) Not only have you filled your suitcase with your entire summer wardrobe,
2) You have also single-handedly exceeded the free baggage allowance for at least four passengers!
So, let’s start from scratch. Here are some packing tips for your all inclusive vacation that are sure to lighten your load, and help you prepare for a relaxing holiday in the sun.
Create a vacation packing checklist
Before you begin throwing the “just in case” outfits in the suitcase, sit down and create a vacation packing checklist of the things you will need for your holiday. Your travel packing list should include items like clothing, toiletries, accessories, shoes, and other miscellaneous pieces, which can range from an running shoes to electronics. The list will help you identity what you have, what you may still need to get, and/or what you don’t really need to take.
Plan ahead
Planning ahead covers everything from checking the weather forecast to finding out the acceptable dress code for various on-site restaurants. Also, if you plan to venture off the resort for an excursion, you can determine what you will need to carry to make your tour comfortable (i.e. a hat, walking shoes, sunscreen, bug repellent, hand sanitizer, etc.).
Sort first, pack later
You have your packing checklist, you’ve done your research, but before you start throwing things in a bag all willy nilly, here are a few suggestions to take the guesswork out of sorting:
- Lay your outfits out on a bed or table to give yourself a clearer picture of what you have
- Choose multi-purpose clothing to save space, i.e. a beach wrap that couples as a chic dress for an evening out
- Organize day and night outfits, and then see which ones you can mix and match
- Add in a couple of scarves to spruce up your outfits and give them a different look and feel
- Let’s face it, you will probably spend 60% of your trip in your bathing suit, which helps to eliminate a lot of daytime outfits
- Shoes take up the most space in your bag, so give yourself a reality check: One comfy pair of shoes or flip flops for the day, a neutral colour heel or sandal for the evening, and one pair of travelling shoes are really all that you need
- Downsize your toiletries into travel size containers, and only pack multi-use accessories
- Make sure to carry travel size medications, sunscreen and bug repellent –these things tend to be expensive in the Caribbean and Mexico
- Avoid the urge to throw in a couple of “just in case” tops or shorts, because, chances are, you won’t need them
- Most all inclusive resorts provide towels for the beach and pool, so there’s no need to bring your own
Get started
Now that you have all of your outfits neatly laid out on the bed or table, it’s time to put them in your suitcase. If you want to conserve space, take each item, roll it like a pig in a blanket, then put it in your suitcase. I typically put all my clothes on one side and my shoes on the other (in individual bags so they don’t dirty my clothes). I put my toiletries in a sealed plastic bag to avoid spillage, and I slot my accessories into an open space.
Congrats, now you’re packing like a pro! Preparing for travel can be stressful. Chances are you will forget something, but planning ahead reduces that risk significantly. Now, it’s time for a worry-free and relaxing vacation down south. Enjoy your vacation!
Regan Baird has over 14 years of experience in the travel industry, jet-setting from one country to another every other week. She holds a Master of Tourism degree from Florida International University. An avid dancer, she also enjoys film, photography and writing about her adventures.
This guest blog post has been provided by Sunwing Vacations, and can also be viewed at http://bit.ly/1BaLUzW.