My Travel Backpack

Anyone traveling internationally knows to bring their passport and good walking shoes, but there is much more to packing for an international vacation. Oftentimes, the list is things you might not think about is longer than this list of things you would…and it’s usually the less obvious things you don’t want to forget. The process of gathering all the items you need and then packing them into appropriate luggage can be daunting, which is why some travel companies like Viking River Cruises offer helpful packing tips on their website. By using those resources and following these basic packing guidelines, you can avoid a lot of the pre-travel stress.

Preparing for the Trip

Nowadays, with changes in airport security and luggage regulations, it’s wise to check with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) for an up-to-date list of items allowed in checked and carry-on luggage and a list of luggage regulations. It’s helpful to begin gathering the items for the trip at least a week or two before your departure. This gives you time to think about what you will need and eliminated “panic packing” which, inevitably leads to things being overlooked and forgotten. Place everything in the designated packing area so you can see what you already have and what you still need to get; it’s also helpful to keep a packing check list handy to keep you organized and on track.

Choosing and Packing Luggage

It’s very important to find out how many pieces of luggage you are permitted to bring. Many airlines and cruise ships have restrictions for the number of pieces of luggage allowed per passenger. It is easiest to travel with one large rolling bag and one carry-on; however, if you prefer not to check your luggage, you need to know the size requirements for carry-on items. Try to pick a carry-on bag that can be strapped onto the large bag so your hands will be free to access documents and money in the airport without having to put down your bag. Make sure all your important travel and identification documents are on your person or in your carry-on. It’s also a good idea to pack one change of clothes and necessary toiletries (particularly medication) in your carry-on bag in case your luggage is lost by the airport.

Clothing

Based on the nature of your trip, decide how many changes of clothes are needed per day. For most international trips, you will need two changes of clothes each day, especially if you are traveling to a warm destination and/or you are planning to put on fresh (or more formal) clothes for dinner. Sometimes you will be able to wear the same evening clothes more than once which will enable you to pack fewer pieces of clothing. It’s also a good idea to pack clothing that are all the same colors or that can be worn together in a variety of combinations so that you can pack fewer items but still have many options. Make sure you have accessories that match each outfit because you don’t want to have to hunt for a certain color socks or nylons in an unfamiliar place.

Toiletries

Write down a list of all things you use in the morning and in the evening. Do this at least a month before traveling because sometimes you don’t use an item every day. When possible, purchase travel size quantities or purchase empty travel size bottles and transfer products into them. Also, it’s helpful to pack toiletries in individual plastic bag in case of leakage during your flight and one leaky bottle of shampoo doesn’t ruin the rest of your toiletries.

Odds & Ends

When traveling internationally, there are other items that are sure to come in handy. First, you might want to bring a small travel notebook. This is great for keeping track of things you’ve seen but is also good for recording the contact information for new friends you’ve met and for keeping a record of purchases for your customs form at the end of the trip. Another good tip is to fill a plastic bag with small useful items like paper clips, rubber bands and safety pins; these are things you won’t know you need until you can’t live without them.

Packing for an international vacation doesn’t need to be overwhelming. If you plan ahead and plan thoughtfully, the process will be easy and you’ll have everything you need on your vacation.

This post is sponsored by : Viking River Cruises

So it’s that time of year again, time to plan your summer holiday and give yourself something to look forward to…..but you have absolutely no idea where to go or what time of the year. Also, you may be a very disorganised or impulsive person, which can lead to problems when planning where you should go on holiday, so we have some tips for you to make sure that you have the best time possible by planning well now, not when you get there!

Tip 1: DON’T pick the first holiday you see, DO shop around
There are some people who will see a holiday online or in a brochure, decide that that they want to go there and book it immediately with no real thoughts that there might be a better holiday or deal around. Shopping around will give you inspiration if you don’t know where you want to go, or help you to find cheap holidays if you have your heart set on somewhere specific.

Tip 2: DON’T book without research, DO research thoroughly
If you have decided to go somewhere, make sure you research it thoroughly. This applies to both the place you are going to and the hotel/resort you want to stay in. Make sure you know about the local customs, any restrictions that might restrict the type of holiday you will go on and maybe most importantly the temperatures – if you are looking to go in certain month for sun, it doesn’t mean that month is warm in the place you are going to. Check out temperature charts for your proposed destination. For hotels you should read reviews online, make sure that you read a few review sites to avoid fake reviews! Use your instinct, if there are a few 1 star reviews among glowing ones, don’t go there!

So these are the best tips for when you are booking the holiday, but that isn’t where the disorganisation usually ends, it usually begins when it comes to packing before the holiday, which can be a problem in itself!

Tip 3: DON’T pack the morning you are leaving, DO pack in good time
Many people pack late for their holiday, either the morning they are leaving, which leaves you wide open to forgetting something important or missing the little things that will make your trip away that bit more comfortable. You should really make a list as you go along, from weeks before the holiday, and then pack over the days before you go, ticking off things as they go in. This will make you more organised and make it very unlikely that you will actually forget something important

This goes for your passport too, DON’T dig it out the morning of thinking it’s in a “safe place”, find it when you book the holiday, meaning if you’ve lost it you have plenty of time to find it again or get a new one. When you do find it, put it somewhere you WILL remember, and then dig it out again a week before the holiday to prevent that morning scramble!

All of this will ensure that your holiday is a smooth one, with no nasty surprises!

This post is sponsored by : icelolly.com