Travel Light and Stress free
So, today I had the pleasure of planning a trip for a family of 5 and they just wanted a quick getaway to the Bahamas. 4 days, 3 nights and some relaxation after the continuous nightmare this pandemic has been, don’t most of us feel like this?! One of the big concerns was packing for the family and what to take, what to leave, and what to get when they arrived.
It got me to thinking about my own many years of travel and how I’ve always been a travel with contingencies person. I travel and pack as though something will happen to keep me stuck in a destination for at least 2 days. I know it may sound weird, but my nightmare scenario happened once and I was without luggage and essentials for 2 days!
Now with some wisdom, my contingencies ideas are kind of out the window. Travel light if you can and avoid having to drag luggage across rocky streets or on/off boats. Some find this difficult to impossible. Others are pros at traveling light and traveling well under that notorious flight luggage limit.
However, for those who need a little extra help and a reminder, here are some quick tips:
- Buy a small travel scale – For those who have no intention on traveling light, invest in a small travel scale. The newest ones are handheld and super convenient for making sure your overpacking leaves room for some items you want to bring home.
- Carry on bag and backpack combo– This is my favorite go to combination for trips that are about 3-4 days. Shoes for every occasion is fun, but also a bit much when you’re only going to hang out on the beach. Pack for the occasion, but try to bring things that serve a dual purpose.
- Make a list and check it twice – Santa may not care if you’re bringing unnecessary items, but slugging along even the nifty rolling bags becomes a bit much when they weigh 40 plus lbs. Become a minimalist and only bring what’s on the list of essentials. Some essentials can even be purchased at your destination. I always carry my toothbrush, toothpaste, Chapstick (must have!), and at least one pair of clean undies and a tank top in my carry on bag or backpack. It won’t sound weird if you’re ever stuck in an airport due to a canceled flight. Trust me! Do you need a full can of hairspray in your checked bag? To the gentleman, shave before you go is a timesaver and space saver.
- Laundry facilities or dry cleaners – A quick call to most hotels will reveal if they have laundry facilities or a preferred dry cleaner who can handle 24 hr turnarounds. For long extended trips 7 days of or more, it’s a consideration and worth the fee. Instead of bringing alot of clothing, then having to pack said dirty clothing in bags to return home, you can save space by wearing maybe those jeans and clean t-shirt or blouse on the return trip. There are options to consider.
- When in doubt, leave it out – Lay out your clothes to pack before placing them in your smaller suitcase first. Get a feel for what clothing you’ll wear day to day, then pack. If it’s too much and you absolutely need everything because it may be hot during the day and cold at night, might I suggest compression cubes and packing using the roll up method. Space saving is hard, but it doesn’t always have to be.
There are dozens of others, but this is what came to mind while advising the family on their island getaway. If you absolutely have to bring that large suitcase, make sure you have an idea of how far your hotel is from where you’ll be dropped off. Are there stairs in the building or an elevator? Being prepared makes the relaxation far easier. Then again, you can also just throw some stuff into a bag and go!
We support all forms of preparation! Happy and safe travels! – MJ