When going on overseas trips, the problem that easily comes to mind is: How do I manage my expenses such that I don’t go overboard when doing my shopping? This is especially true when going to countries where the Dollar is very much stronger than the local currency such that everything looks super cheap.
The convenient solution is probably to bring just enough foreign currency with you to last the duration of your trip. The problem, however, is that you don’t want to have too much cash on you as that could invite trouble. Even travellers cheques, although replaceable, can cause great inconvenience when lost.
Credit cards are a good alternative to carrying foreign currency, but your purchases could come out more expensive. Some business establishment — especially those that are far from major cities — pass on to the buyer the merchant fee charged by banks on credit card purchases. Some shops even refuse to accept credit cards, especially when goods are selling on special.
Let’s hear what Debra Thomson has to say about this:
Each year most of us plan to take a break and go on vacation. Vacations are a excellent way to recuperate after a busy year. Whether you take an international trip or stay in your home country you can wind up spending more than you bargained for.
How will you decide to manage your finances whilst abroad? It is not always a wise decision to travel with large amounts of cash. Rental cars, Airplane bookings or Hotel bookings will be easily managed if you obtain a prepaid visa travel card or a credit card. Although, most people exclusively use their cards for larger purchases you will find that carrying a credit card or a prepaid visa travel card a lot more convenient and acceptable whilst travelling abroad.
Unlike the alternative methods of payment, carrying a credit card makes it easier for you to concentrate on organising your other Travel Documents, and your receipts from your purchases. You will also receive a running total of your expenditure when you get home, so you have a record of all your purchases in case of any queries. And if you lose cash there will be no compensation, whereas, a card can be cancelled immediately with no further loss to your finances. Also, you can keep track of your spending by preloading the card with the amount of cash that you have budgeted for spending money.
Taking a visa card or a prepaid travel card would be a lot easier than managing foreign currency. If you decide to dine in a restaurant or stay in a hotel resort, cash can be a more inconvenient way to pay. Large amounts of cash can be lost easily or hard to manage particularly when you need purchase an item and you are not familiar with the currency. Use a credit card and the process is automatic.
If you don’t have a card you can always apply for one specifically for travelling abroad. There are a variety of prepaid and visa travel cards and lots of advantages to have one. Many offer incentives and the choice is endless.
Some credit cards or prepaid visa travel cards offer incentives such as rewards and membership points when you make a purchase using one. These points can be used to purchase items offered by many different stores. You can also obtain a card preloaded with incentive points for airmiles,and you can also obtain membership priviledges such as free accomodation or even free flights with some merchants. You can now have a relaxing holiday buy your presents and meals, petrol and food on your card and save points which you can use to buy other items when your vacation is over.
In conclusion, your visa card can make vacationing stress free. Earn reward points and obtain cash back at your leisure. One of the main advantages of carrying a card is that they are the preferred method of payment with most stores and establishments worldwide, and you dont have to worry about changing your cash into the local currency, or changing back when you arrive home. They are easier to carry and handle, some are easy to obtain regardless of your credit rating, and they are a good way to budget whilst travelling so you keep on top of your expenditure, leaving you feeling in control of your finances.
If you don’t have a visa card or a prepaid travel card you should get one before you next vacation. Apply online and you can receive a response almost immediately.
For those travelers who are planning to go ovearseas, here are some very handy tips from the Golden Girl:
If you’re traveling overseas, don’t just take your primary driver’s license, also make sure to carry an International Driving Permit. The International Drivers Permit, or IDP contains your name, photo and driver information, translated into 10 languages and is valid in over 150 countries. Even if you’re not planning to drive, this is an internationally recognized form of identification and can be very helpful if you’re in a situation where you have to communicate with foreign authorities.
In order to apply for an International Drivers Permit in the United States, you must go to one of the two automobile associations authorized by the U.S. Department of State: the American Automobile Association (AAA), or the American Automobile Touring Alliance. AAA has the application available online. AAA charges a fee of $15.00 and you can simply bring it in to AAA office near you.
If you prefer to obtain your International Driving Permit through the mail, here is what you will need to enclose: The completed application form, two ORIGINAL passport-type photos each signed on the back, a $15USD permit fee and a photocopy of both sides of your driver’s license. Mail everything to AAA office near you or simply walk it in to a local AAA office.
Remember that the IDP is not intended to replace a valid U.S. state license and should only be used as a supplement to your own valid license. They are also NOT valid in the individual’s country of residence.
If you ARE planning on driving overseas and are renting a car, check with the rental company first to see if they require an International Drivers Permit and allow yourself plenty of time to apply for one before you depart on your trip.
Here are also some helpful tips for driving abroad from the U.S. State Department.
TIPS ON DRIVING ABROAD
1. Obtain an International Driving Permit (IDP).
2. Carry both your IDP and your state driver’s license with you at all times. As many countries have different driving rules. If possible, obtain a copy of the foreign country’s rules before you begin driving in that country. Information may be available from the foreign embassy in the United States, foreign government tourism offices, or from a car rental company in the foreign country.
3. Some countries have a minimum and maximum driving age.
4. Certain countries require road permits, instead of tolls, to use on their divided highways, and they will fine those found driving without a permit.
5. Always “buckle up.” Some countries have penalties for people who violate this law.
6. Many countries require you to honk your horn before going around a sharp corner or to flash your lights before passing.
7. Before you start your journey, find out who has the right of way in a traffic circle.
8. If you rent a car, make sure you have liability insurance. If you do not, this could lead to financial disaster.
9. If the drivers in the country you are visiting drive on the opposite side of the road than in the U.S., it may be prudent to practice driving in a less populated area before attempting to drive in heavy traffic.
10. Always know the route you will be traveling. Have a copy of a good road map, and chart your course before beginning.
11. Do not pick up hitchhikers or strangers.
12. When entering your vehicle, be aware of your surroundings.
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We all love to travel, don’t we? See new places, meet new people, make new friends. Don’t we just wish that we had an unlimited vacation budget? Let’s stop dreaming and start making the most of what we have. Let’s start stretching our vacation budget. How do we do it? Read on and get some tips from Kelly Falgout here:
Budget travel has become a necessity for most people with the cost of gasoline and other consumer products on the rise. But when we start considering when, where, how and what type of vacation to undertake, we sometimes get caught up in the anticipation and excitement of the upcoming trip and let the more important financial side of things slip a little. After all, for most of us, taking a vacation may only happen once a year and for some, even more infrequently, so we tend to indulge and forget about our pocket book a little.
There are many ways to save money, avoid unnecessary cost, ensure you take care of details end up a smart and perceptive traveler. Travel planning is easier that you might think and here are eight great budget travel tips for making your travel dollar go further!
1. Cushion your budget - When considering a trip or planning budget travel, it is important to plan for the unexpected and consider the financial side of things early on. This ensures affordability, liquidity and having the resources to enjoy it to the fullest! Plan for the worst-case financial scenario and prepare for things to cost a little more than you expected. Allow up to 20% increase in cost to be on the safe side of things.
2. Emergency money: Carrying some spare cash somewhere can also be a lifesaver. The rule of thumb seems to be around $50-$100 in small bills. This can be used for incidentals, ground-transportation like cab fare and/or your return home, tips and more.
3. Set your priorities: Set some budget travel spending priorities and criteria in advance, like eating at a special restaurant or attending a concert, even if this means sacrificing a bit on lodgings or visa versa, depending on what is more important to you.
4. Keep an eye on your credit cards: It is extremely easy these days to have access to your financial resources through ATM’s and credit cards. Just remember that it is just as easy to overspend because of it being so readily available. A little discipline will go a long way to protect your financial interest and help you stick to your travel budget.
5. Maximize gas mileage and efficiency: If you’re planning a road trip, make sure that your car has been serviced at least a week before your trip. A well-maintained vehicle will go a long way to ensure carefree driving. If your budget allows, you may consider renting a vehicle to save wear and tear on your own. Small economy cars are better on gas and are much more comfortable than they used to be. Minivans and sport utility vehicles are practical only if you have to transport a large family with a lot of equipment or luggage.
6. Gas fill-ups: For filling up your car en route, avoid pushing to the limit until the gas runs out. Gas will obviously be more expensive when filling up in remote locations. If you miscalculated and the light on the dashboard indicates that you are really in need, opt for filling just half a tank until you reach the next more densely or major populated destination, where gas might be a little cheaper.
7. Pack-a-snack: Bring your own refreshments and snacks. Gas station prices on drinks and snack food are high. Avoid these during a pit stop, if you are counting your budget travel dollars. A cooler packed with lots of cool drinks, water and ice and/or a thermos of coffee or hot water for tea, some fruit, granola bars, or a sandwich, goes a long way to still the hunger and save you money by avoiding all high priced stops en route.
8. Travel necessities: It is advisable to travel with basic necessities, like a cell phone and a first aid kit, since both can prove to be essential in emergencies. Most people have cell phones at their disposal, but in the event that you are not one of them, a prepaid cell phone may be the answer for your trip. The peace of mind it offers is worth the small investment. Cell phones can also save on hefty surcharges and higher long distance rates that hotels and resorts often charge.
Budget travel requires close attention to all things financial before and during your trip. Planning a trip or vacation can be a little time consuming but following these travel tips will hopefully save you a lot of headaches as well as some unnecessary interest charges on your credit card balances later! You will thank yourself for your fiscal restraint and spending discipline, upfront planning, foresight and forward thinking!
Kelley Falgout is the publisher of www.familythemeparkvacations.com“>www.FamilyThemeParkVacations.com, a vacation planning tool and continuously growing database of all theme parks, amusement parks and water parks across the United States. Click www.familythemeparkvacations.com/Orlando-attractions.html“>here to get your free copy of the Orlando Theme Parks Vacation Guide and start planning your next Family Theme Park Vacation.
The most popular and loved figure in Philippine boxing, Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao now holds the distinction of being the first Asian to hold four different world boxing titles in four separate weight divisions, as well as the first Filipino to win the World Boxing Council (WBC) Lightweight Championship of the World.
Manny earned this honor after defeating David Diaz today at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. The “Pacman” troubled Diaz, the former world champion from Chicago, Illinois, USA, with his lightning right jabs for most of the early rounds, causing Diaz to bleed from multiple cuts around his left eyebrow and nose. Manny’s lethal left cross finally started to find its mark in the 5th round.
The Mexican-American former champion took Manny’s early punches gallantly — which would have floored lesser opponents. This gave Diaz the confidence to slug it out with the Filipino challenger which proved to be Diaz’s undoing.
Diaz never saw the “killer” blow coming. Manny unleashed a couple of head jerking right jabs in the 9th round, distracting the former champion before unleashing his pet left which sent Diaz crashing to the canvas minutes into the round.
The referee, Vic Drakulich, after checking on Diaz, who was in no condition to continue, waved the fight as officially over 2:24 of the 9th round. Cheers erupted at the Mandalay Bay Events Center where the title fight was staged, as Michael Buffer announced Manny Pacquiao as the new world champion.
(Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer)
If you missed the fight, you can watch it on video.
Boracay, at this time of the year, can be a bit gusty due to the oncoming northeast monsoon, but that doesn’t mean that we can’t enjoy the fine white sand of the beaches. Just be aware that you need to be prepared. Take some handy tips from Summer Lyndon here:
You have been stressing over your work to the point that you are suffering from a bloated stomach. You snarl at your officemates for no valid reason. You think of resigning at least twice a day. Well, if you are feeling this way, maybe it is time for you to look for another job. Or maybe it is high time you take a break from your desk and all the paperworks piled on top of it. When three cups of coffee are not enough to perk you up, you better file a vacation leave soon. Put your worries in a box and bury it. Go to a place you have never been before and rediscover yourself. With the clear water and soft sand, there is nothing more peaceful than a day or two at the beach. You may want to consider a tropical destination for your sabbatical.
Since you are going back to your work at some point, make the most out of your getaway. I will leave the choice of beach to you. With all the beaches around the globe, that’s not something I want to get myself into. What I am going to help you with is the packing. I get it. You are excited to go to the beach. I’m all for it. But before you actually go, let me check your backpack. I just want to be sure that you got the essentials.
Sunscreen. Getting a tan is part of the beach experience. Getting skin cancer, on the other hand, is not the plan. You want to look like you’ve been kissed by the sun not burnt to the toes. If you don’t like lotion, don’t pass it as an excuse. There are those which are sprayed on. By the way, SPF 30 is considered the minimum. Leave SPF 15 to ChapStick.
Sunglasses. The sun seems bigger and brighter in a beach setting. Unless you want the glare of the big yellow ball on your eyes, get a pair of shades. The darker the glasses the better. It protects your baby blue eyes and you look cool with one. Yes, it’s like hitting two seagulls with one Frisbee.
Beach towels. If you think the hotel you are staying at gives every guest a brand new towel, you are in for a rude awakening. You do not want me to go on about the hazards of sharing a towel, would you? You cannot possibly enjoy a vacation if you are infected with some sort of fungi. Although it is big compared to other beach items, do not even think of leaving home without one.
Swimsuits. You are planning to swim, right? I mean, you are going to the beach after all. Although skinny dipping has its merits, it is best if you include a swimsuit or two in your luggage. It is one the legal ways I know to flaunt your assets. If you are worried about your stretch marks or bulgy stomach, that’s what cover-ups are for.
Binoculars. How can you enjoy the view without a good pair of binoculars? No matter how good your vision is, you better cover all your bases. Check out the lifeguard at Station 1. I can go on and on about the boons of binoculars.
Water to drink and food to eat. There is a huge difference between the crystalline water and potable water. Bring your own mineral water or Perrier or whatever it is you drink to quench your thirst. Oh, and don’t forget the cooler with ice. Drinking warm water while you are in a warm setting is unheard of. If you are going to get thirsty, it’s natural you’ll get hungry too. Pack your favorite meal, fruits, and chips.
Beach ball and Frisbee. Let’s get physical. Don’t be a slouch the whole day. Get your muscles moving. Beach volley ball and Frisbee are cool ways of making acquaintances.
Camera. You are having the time of your life. You definitely want to capture it. Bring your trusty digital camera, along with the batteries, and shoot away. The water, the sunrise, the sunset, the lifeguard… They can work as cheap but tasteful postcards. And photos can be evidence that, once in blue moon, you know how to let loose and have fun.
All set? Then off you go. If, by any chance, you forgot something, there are always shops near the beach.
Everybody loves a bargain. When we shop for clothes and personal items, we easily get attracted to shops that display large and glaring signs that spell the word, “SALE.” This is but human nature. So when planning your holiday or short trip, why not try to get the cheapest available airline tickets?
Find out the best way to get yourself bargain airline tickets for your travel from this article by Chas Ainsley:
Do you love to travel? I do too, and I am always looking for new ways to find inexpensive airline tickets. I prefer to spend my money on other things rather than spending a bundle on airfare just to get to my destination. I bet you would too. So I have gathered together a few tips to help all of us “thrifty” travelers.
1. Check neighboring cities. For example, if you are planning on flying into Washington DC, be sure to check out prices for flights to Baltimore instead, as these flights are almost always less expensive.
2. If you are not traveling internationally, consider flying on one of the subsidiary airlines for the major carriers (such as Delta Express), as you will usually save money this way.
3. Be sure to use the Internet to check out last-minute discounted fares on the airline’s website. Start looking Wednesday for the upcoming weekend.
4. Be patient and wait for a good price to come up. However, when you do see a great price go ahead and grab it.
5. Try to be flexible with your leaving and return dates. Sometimes if you just adjust your dates by one day you can get a better price. For example, leave Thursday and return Monday instead of leaving Friday and returning Sunday.
6. If possible, book your tickets directly at the airline’s website. If you use a travel agency, even one online, they will charge you an additional fee. It will also be easier to correct any problems if you are dealing directly with the airline itself instead of a travel agency.
7. Mornings are sometimes the best time to check for tickets, and Saturday and Wednesday mornings are good days to take a look for some great prices.
8. Don’t forget to sign up for frequent flyer miles; it is surprising how often people don’t take advantage of this perk.
9. Traveling one way? Even though you will find this doesn’t work all the time, be sure to check for round-trip prices as well since there are occasions where it is cheaper than flying one-way. Crazy? Sure, but hey, we are trying to save money here so do what you have to.
10. If you plan to travel on a holiday, be sure to book your tickets well in advance. For one thing, you will have a hard time getting the seats and dates you want if you wait until the last minute, but you also will save on airfare by buying early. However, be sure of your itinerary because you will cancel out all savings you made if you have to change your travel dates.
11. Make sure you always book your flights at least 21 days in advance. This will get you the best fares. The earlier the better in this case. Never buy tickets within 7 days of your planned departure if you can help it, as you will pay a significantly higher fare.
12. Consider traveling on the “red eye” flights. Check with your travel agent to see if you can save with these late-night fares. You can often save as much as 25% this way.
There’s no reason you should pay full price for airfare. If you’re ready to discover how to find airline travel cheap, join the thousands of happy travelers who are already saving boatloads of money on airfare right now. You too can get really cheap airfare!
Here are some travel tips from Simon Johnson of Last Minute Holidays Abroad that can come in very handy when you’re planning that last minute trip:
Unexpected holiday plans can spring anytime and for any reasons and often such last minute situations can lead to confusion and travel goof ups. Last minute traveling can be little complicated to handle especially when there is so much to do and you have no idea where to begin or what to do.
Following are some of the key pointers you should keep in mind when planning a last minute holiday or when getting ready for that last minute travel:
If this is some sudden plan of going out with the family for a day or two or if it’s some random idea of spending time with friends away from the rush of your city, always decide on a destination or a city before packing those heavy bags of yours. The best way is to either come with a common favorite place or call up friends or family members who might be able to come up with great holiday spot ideas. Another way is to decide is to consider factors like budget and time.
Find the cheaper airlines or hotels
Last minute travel can also be result of emergency or difficult to avoid circumstances leaving no time to plan a budget or to search for the most affordable way to travel or stay. At such situation, the best thing that could be done is to find cheaper online deals for airlines and hotel reservations. Internet is full of such last minute deals and can prove to be a good idea at such status of your travel.
Even the last minute holiday based on urgent account of affairs can be made suitable to one’s pocket by such deals. It is advisable to discuss the matter with any friend or family member who might have idea on affordable traveling ideas or might have any such experience.
Start the holiday one day in advance
It is always a good idea to mark the beginning of a holiday a day in advance, a day when you can sit think, plan and shop. A day in advance means lots of time and less of confusion especially if its one of those last minute holiday plans.
Make a list
For everything you plan, wish to do and still have to do make a list. By penning down every little thing you get to have a clear idea on what’s been done and what’s still not done, also it saves you from asking yourself ‘am I forgetting something?’, when you board your plane or train.
List making technique also helps in checking everything twice and ensures that you have planned it all.
Reach not on time, but before time
This is one of the important tips to follow when planning or getting ready for last minute holiday. Reaching the airport or station much before the time saves you from unexpected incidents that might delay you and gives you sometime to sit and think. Often, last minute holiday or last minute traveling makes you forget things you might have wanted to take with you or things you simply forgot to pick, with early arrival at your airport or station you get enough time to drive back, in case you have to. Also, reaching before time helps to unwind the trouble and lets you begin your journey with peace.
If you found this article useful, then you can find out more at www.last-minute-holidays.me.uk. Here you will be able to get more useful information about other holiday destinations, and also be able to watch various holiday videos as well as browse Last Minute Holidays Abroad. Please feel free to republish this article provided a working hyperlink remains to our site - Simon Johnson
Travel insurance is just like any other insurance. It is protection for things that we wish would never happen to us. We all know that once the cover that travel insurance provides expires, it’s money down the drain. But again, there’s the peace of mind we get that once certain undesirable things happen to us while we’re traveling or even before we start off on our journey, we get compensated for it.
But it’s not easy. Read about the pitfalls we have to get through here:
When going away on holiday you may be going to somewhere completely new and different from your usual day to day life. There are new dangers and risks whether it’s the beaches of Spain or the Rain forests of the Amazon, there are many things that you may take for granted but in reality are extremely costly.
One example is the typical family holiday to Florida, water parks and theme parks are everywhere but if you or a family member were to hurt themselves and need an air ambulance back to the UK then it would cost £35,000. Obviously no one can afford these expenses hence the necessity of travel insurance.
The trouble is that getting travel insurance is like getting any kind of insurance; you can get turned down for it. People that get turned down for travel insurance are normally those who have pre-existing health conditions such as heart disease. People who try applying online may be turned down simply for mentioning they have health concerns but that doesn’t mean that they are excluded from getting travel insurance, some companies may simply require extra paperwork to confirm that you are safe to travel.
There are specialist travel insurers who offer travel insurance for people with health concerns; these unfortunately come with an extended premium which can vary from only a couple of pounds for something like Asthma to a substantially larger amount for terminal cancer. Another reason you may be turned down for travel insurance is your age, 97% of travel insurers impose upper age limits on their policies and so you may find it harder to find an insurer if you’re in your later years.
Policy holders that are 85 and older are eight times more likely to make claims on their insurance than under 35 year olds but fortunately there are specific insurers like Saga that have no age limit and also cover a large amount of health conditions too.
It’s not just the old and frail that may struggle getting travel insurance, if you plan to engage in some extreme sports there is a long list of insurers who won’t go there such as Norwich Union and Marks & Spencer. It is important that when you apply for insurance that you disclose all the activities that you are likely to engage in so you don’t risk voiding your insurance policy.
Whilst again, there are specialist insurers available you will find that even they won’t cover some death-defying feats such as base jumping and free-style skiing. Overall make sure you’re suitably covered for your holidays this year and you’ll save yourself a lot of hassle and money whilst having a great time!
If you find you’re one of the lucky ones who go on holiday a lot then maybe you should consider annual travel insurance; it can save you a lot of hassle when it comes time to organize your holiday. Please remember that no matter where you are going this year that travel insurance is something that you’ll need so you don’t end up with unexpected bills.
Why do most people travel? Some do so to see places. Other love to meet people and make new friends. There are many benefits to travel other than to get away from your boring job. Listen to what Sam McKenzy has to say about the benefits of travel.
Traveling is something everyone should do. It’s good for you. You learn many things in school, but there’s nothing at all like actually visiting a famous landmark in a foreign country. Sure it can be expensive to visit faraway places, but it will always be worth it. There’s something in it for everybody, too. If you’re into cooking, visit a country that’s famous for its food. If you like ancient history, visit Rome.
Okay, so now that you’re in another country, what should you do? Your best bet is to not stay at a major hotel. If you really want to get a feel of this new place, you have to live like they do. Find a bed and breakfast or a room in a small, family owned motel. Wake up and walk to the bakery in the morning. Rent a car or a motor scooter so you can get around on your own, there’s no sense using a public tour bus.
Public transportation is also good. Ride the bus, take a cab, or depending on where you are, try something new. If you’re in Italy, take a Gondola. How about a carriage or stagecoach? This will give you the true experience.
Next, you have to talk to people. Whenever and wherever you go, make a conscious effort to start conversations with people. You’ll find that people in other countries are much different that what you’re probably used to. Every culture has different traditions and different daily lifestyles. If you spend a week in another country, you’ll no doubt at least begin to understand an entirely different way of life.
Okay, so why is this important? What will you get out of talking to people and riding in taxis and sleeping in a bed and breakfast and walking to the bakery in the morning? How will it be worth it? It’s something that’s almost hard to describe unless you experience it yourself. To experience a culture is more than can ever be taught in any high school textbook or college lecture.
Traveling is also good for you. It’s not healthy to stay working week after week at a desk job or have a completely repetitive life. Your life is your life. And if you do nothing but the same things over and over, you’ll grow very tired over the years and feel very unaccomplished. Traveling, at least, will give you a good sense of knowledge.
It’s also just simply a good experience. Imagine living your whole life never having gone anywhere, met anyone, or done anything. That is pretty boring. But the person who has traveled and talked to people and understands the world is an interesting person; the type of person that people like talking to and getting to know. So not only will traveling help you, but it will make you more attractive to people.
So that is why traveling is good for you. You’ll get to learn new things, have many new and interesting experiences, live as other people live, and even be viewed as a better person. Start traveling today!
Sarah Miller wrote these very handy tips for families going on a vacation:
A family vacation can be a hassle free trip provided you have all the gear you need. To avoid leaving behind things that are really important, begin creating a checklist a couple of weeks before your flight, and add things to them over the days. If you sit down to make a list a couple of days before the trip, you’re likely to forget something that strikes you later – when you’re on the plane!
If you have a baby, your bag should contain the following items:
Lots of diapers
A changing pad
Diaper rash cream
Stroller
Front pack or backpack
Feeding bottles
A feeding bowl with lid and spoon
Sterilizer
Bibs – lots of them
Baby wipes
Pacifiers
Baby toys
Tins of formula
Bottled water
If you have a toddler, don’t forget to take along:
Lots of clothes if you don’t intend to do laundry. If you want to take a limited number of clothes and do a few wash cycles during your trip, leave behind jeans and other clothes that take forever to dry. Light fabrics that dry in a few hours are ideal. For boys, pants that can be unzipped to create shorts are good for separate looks with the same clothes. Take along two or three sets of swimwear if you’re heading to a warm climate, and lots of jackets and vests for colder climes.
If you have a stash of old clothes that you want to get rid of, take them along on your trip, and throw them after they’ve been worn a couple of times. It’ll cut down your luggage dramatically.
General
No matter how many of you are on the trip and how many kids are going along, you’ll absolutely need:
A first aid box with essential medication, bandages, gauze, anti allergen medication and other must haves
Trash bags for wet clothes.
Camera
Zip lock bags to store little things like your daughter’s accessories and hair pins.
As far as possible, try to compartmentalize your possessions into separate zip lock bags. It makes finding everything in a hurry a lot easier if you just have to glance at a few bags, see their content and find what it is you’re looking for instead of rummaging through clothes and more clothes to find a safety pin.
This author lives in Flemington, NJ with her husband and 5 month old daughter and is an expert contributing author for a luxury baby gifts boutique offering variety of baby shower favors, baby shower coffee favors, handprint footprint kits and more. This author and Babygiftstation is also dedicated to providing valuable and informative articles on childcare, baby safety tips, pregnancy health, parenting, potty training and more.
