Car trips, vacations and even short breaks away from home are great opportunities to have fun, but to get the most out of a trip you need to pack what you really need. Sometimes packing can be tedious or confusing if you have no idea what to bring. The best way to organize your thoughts and not fall victim to the tragedy of the suitcase is to prepare a list of the items to put inside it. Follow these simple steps to create it and get ready to go!
Steps
Step 1. Make sure you have a clear idea of where you will go, how long you will be staying, the weather conditions and how you will reach your destination
If you are unaware of any or all of this information, it is best to postpone your departure.
Step 2. Grab a piece of paper and a pen or open a blank document on your computer
The latter is the best solution, because you will have the possibility to add and / or modify the items more easily, but even with pen and paper you can organize yourself comfortably. Write "Travel List" at the top. If it's for the whole family, it's best to split the page equally for each family member.
Step 3. Decide if you prefer to use a bulleted list or create a list for each type of item (clothing list, bathroom supplies list, leisure list, etc.)
If you opt for the latter solution, head each list at the top where you will begin developing it.
Step 4. Start with the clothes
If you are going to be away for 1-7 nights, you may want to consider bringing 1 shirt, 1 pair of pants, 1 pair of briefs, 1 pair of socks, 1 pajamas, and for women, 1 bra for each night you stay out. If you have the option to wash your clothes, you can bring less stuff. If the trip is longer, consider packing 1 dress and 1 pajamas for every 3-4 days, provided you can wash them. Remember swimwear, something heavy, 1 extra pair of shoes, scarf, coat, gloves, and other items you feel comfortable with.
Step 5. Switch to bathroom supplies
If you are going to be away from home for 1 to 7 nights, bring shampoo and body wash, unless you are only going to be away for one night - in this case, consider skipping the shower. If you spend more than a week somewhere, remember to bring toilet paper. Calculate a roll every 2 days that you will be out, if the place you are going may not have one. Don't forget razor, deodorant, hairbrush, toothbrush, straightener or hair iron and for women tampons and sanitary pads.
Step 6. Then start writing your leisure list
Books, magazines, MP3s, telephones and CDs are classified as entertainment items. If it's just an overnight stay, it's advisable to bring a magazine, instead of two or three books, as you won't find time to read them overnight. Remember not to bring DVDs if your host doesn't have a player available!
Step 7. Also remember what you need for the night
Organize yourself with pillows, blankets and sleeping bags. If you are going to be away from home for 1 to 7 nights, don't think about washing the sheets. Bring what you need for the bed (considering whether you will sleep on a bed or on the floor) and maybe another sheet, just in case. If you are going to be away for a long time, bring two pairs of sheets and change them once every two weeks.
Step 8. Next, start writing what you need to wash clothes
You will need something to wash your clothes if you stay outside for a long time. Check with your host facility to see if they have detergents and, if so, what type.
Step 9. Then write the list of necessary documents
For many people, it's just a wallet and passport, in case the trip is overseas. If you only have to spend one night out, you may not need to bring any money either, as you probably won't have to buy anything.
Step 10. Start writing your list of medications and other health related items
If you are taking any pills, write down the medication. Make sure you bring bandages, vitamins, and pain relievers wherever you go, unless it's just an overnight stay. Remember the first aid kit, car sickness medications, and possibly sleeping pills.
Step 11. After that you can write down the devices you need
MP3 and mobile phone can fall into this category or the entertainment section. Remember your cell phone charger, camera, alarm clock (if you have to wake up at certain times), laptop, and walkies-talkies if necessary.
Step 12. If you go camping or somewhere outdoors, such as the beach or swimming pool, add a corresponding section
Sunscreen is essential wherever you go. Tents, sleeping bags, life jackets, beach towels, buckets, spades and similar items are suitable for spending time on the beach and camping. Remember the insect repellent product and flashlights for camping.
Step 13. This tip is only needed if you are traveling with family or children
Cloths, nappies, baby powder, drip cup and strollers are useful if you have young children.
Step 14. Add any other items needed for the trip, such as pens and pencils, notebooks, GPS (for orientation) or cloths
Step 15. Go back and double check the list
Did you remember everything or did you insert something superfluous? Take a closer look and add only what you really need. Remember that if you go far, you can always buy what you need once you arrive at your destination.
Step 16. Have a nice trip and have fun
Advice
- Make sure you have the right size bag when it comes time to pack everything.
- If, when packing your bags, it occurs to you to bring something else, write it down on the list. You can come in handy in the future. It is recommended that you prepare it about a week before your trip, check it once a day and then, when it comes time to pack your suitcase, insert only the items listed and nothing else.
- If you have a lot of bathroom items, it is a good idea to put them in a different bag to make them easier to remove when you need to unpack.
- Put the list somewhere easy to remember or somewhere the whole family can see it.
- If you are traveling by car, you will need to bring a cooler and plastic shopping bags (the latter for rubbish).
- Ask someone with travel experience for some advice. He will probably give you some suggestions on what bags you should bring, how to prepare them, which items to not forget and what to leave at home.
- Be reasonable. You won't need a coat if you're planning to go to Africa, much less a swimsuit in the dead of winter.
- https://www.invaligia.com/ and https://www.siviaggia.it/38847/reportage/moda-viaggio-gps-bikini-trolley.html are excellent websites that allow you to draw up a list of the necessary to pack if you're too confused or don't have time to think. They also offer you useful ideas if you're unsure of what to bring.
