How To Pack For A Vacation
Often times, packing and planning for a vacation is worse than any other part of the experience. However, there are many things you can do to enhance your packing experience an ensure that you fit more things in a smaller space, making your luggage lighter and more manageable. By following these simple tips, you can pack like a pro and get more enjoyment out of your trip.
Make a list of everything you will absolutely require on your trip. This is a list of only the essentials. If you will be at a beach, for example, a bathing suit is an essential item. It would take a long time to find a new one, and you will definitely need it. However, by these standards, an umbrella is unnecessary because there is only a possibility you will need it, and it is very easy to procure one.
Do not over pack for your trip. You should not require two large personal suitcases for a trip of any length. In fact, it is arguable you should be able to get along on a trip with only one medium-sized suitcase, if you packed correctly and are staying less than one month.
Get everything together a few days before your trip and pack them into your suitcase. If you find yourself with extra space, feel free to pack along the items that are unessential, but that you would like to have. These may include additional pairs of shoes, hats, scarves, etc.
Consider rolling your clothing into cylindrical tube shapes to prevent wrinkling and to save space. You can also consider using a 'bundle method', which can be found online. This method creates a thick bundle of clothing that saves the maximum amount of space by overlapping clothing. You can fit about 60 days of clothing (with mixing and matching, of course) into a carry-on using the bundling method, once you get the hang of it--but it needs to be completely undone and redone again if you plan on removing an item.
Only bring one pair of sensible shoes that will match up with all of your clothing. If you choose simple basics, this should be very easy. However, if you are going for a business purpose, consider bringing along your dress shoes and putting all of your socks inside of the shoes to save the maximum amount of space.
When counting how many articles of clothing you are planning to bring, be sure to include the clothing you will be wearing there. This allows you to cut out an entire outfit from the days you will be there. Also, remember that you will likely be requiring pajamas or something to sleep in, so plan accordingly.
By following a simple packing list and employing a good sense of what is and isn't necessary for travel, you can ensure that you can have a safe and happy vacation without dragging along extra luggage. By following these simple tips, you can have an enjoyable vacation experience with all the comforts of home available.
