My Travel Tips & Tricks

Stressing over packing for your next fabulous vacation? 

Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered 😉 

 Today I’d like to share some of the things I’ve learned about packing for a long vacation. Danny and I are fans of traveling light. We hate waiting at the airport for our luggage or hauling a big suitcase. As a result, I’ve learned to pack all my essentials, and not so essential, items into a small suitcase for a 16-day trip to Europe. And yes, this is possible during the winter season too. Want to find out more? Keep on reading for my collected wisdom… 

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●      Make a list of everything you need… 

Unlike my boyfriend, I can’t just throw in 5 shirts and 2 pants and hope for the best when it comes to packing. I’m all about planning ahead. Before you start, I recommend you think about the number of days you need clothing for, the type of activities you’ll be doing, and the places you’ll visit. Doing this will help you avoid overpacking and save you time, since you won’t spend hours deciding what to wear while on vacation. After all, you’re there to discover new places. 

You don’t need a fancy notepad or app to do this, simply open up your Notes in your phone and write away. But if you are like me and like to beautify your lists then you use this template to help. 

●      And now cut it in half! 

 I know it sounds crazy, but I promise it helps. Sometimes (and by that, I mean all the time) you think you need something, but you really don’t. If you are packing and struggling to close your suitcase, then chances are there are some things that are not necessary. This will help cut down to the exact essentials you’ll really need. I mean, do you really need two white t-shirts just in case one of them gets dirty? Probably NOT!

●      Roll your clothes! 

I know many people nowadays swear by packing cubes, but I remain unconvinced. Don’t get me wrong, I own packing cubes and have used them in the past but only for short trips where I don’t have to worry about space. I still believe simply rolling your clothes is the best way to make full use of your luggage space. Trust me, I rolled all my clothing (including a thick coat)  into my Kelty 40L Backpack for a winter vacation just last year. Rolling your clothes also helps keep them wrinkle free, if you do it right of course. I promise this is a game changer, just try it! 

●      Essentials to bring with you: 

○      Ziploc bags: These can be lifesavers! Always carry a couple of empty Ziplocs to use in case of spills, food storage or for your liquids at the airport. 

○      Reusable travel bottles: Invest $7.99 on these leak-proof containers and simply refill them with your choice of liquids. Beats having to buy new travel size toiletries every time you travel. 

○      Adaptor: Probably one of the most important things to take with you when you travel, but it’s also one of the easiest to forget. I recommend you buy an all-in-one adapter like this one, so you can use it in different countries. Another option is to get an adapter plug set if you have a lot of dual-voltage appliances (i.e. your phone, camera and laptop chargers), they are small and easy to fit anywhere. But, be careful because they will not work for your single-voltage appliances (i.e. hairdryers and electric razors). 

○      Extension cord: I can’t say how many times I’ve wished I had one of these during my trips.  Adaptors can be expensive and bulky, so if you only have one you can simply buy an extension cord like this one and get all your electronics charged simultaneously! 

○      Hand sanitizer: When you travel you are bound to get exposed to many germs and being enclosed in an airplane cabin can also increase your risk of catching a cold. I always carry one with me when I travel because unfortunately you don’t always have a restroom close by to wash your hands. 

○      Portable charger: One of the newer additions to my list of “must haves” is a portable charger. When you are out exploring all day, you are bound to run out of battery, so having a small portable charger can help keep you connected until you get to your hotel room and properly charge your devices. I’ve found that a simple one like this one usually does the job for me. 

I hope these simple tips help you pack smarter and downsize on your travel luggage, because as Rachel McAdams said…

“Running through the airport with pounds of luggage, that is a workout.”