5 Vacation Must-Haves

So you're about to leave the house for the first time in who knows how long. You've been planning this trip for weeks and you couldn't be more excited. Do you have everything that you need? Nothing can ruin a vacation more quickly than getting somewhere and realizing that you left the most important thing behind. To avoid this McCallister-style disaster moment, here's a quick checklist of the things you absolutely must have as you are leaving on vacation.

Health and Safety

First of all, make sure that you and everyone with you has everything they need to stay healthy and safe through the whole vacation. That might mean packing necessary medications, proper equipment like hiking gear and cold weather coats and boots, or it might mean making sure that the baby's travel bag is fully stocked with diapers and formula. It might also mean making sure that you've taken any supplements you need. Look at Vitamin c supplements to boost your immune system, or check prebiothrive reviews to make sure that you've done everything you can to stay healthy and safe during your travels. It's all going to depend on where you are going, and who you are going with.

Documents

Remember that where you're going and who you're going with may have an effect on what documents you need to bring. If you're just traveling within the country, you may not need much more than a driver's license, but if you're crossing any national borders, you'll likely need a passport. If you're staying for any length of time, you may need a visa beyond the standard tourist visa. Make sure that you've researched what documentation you need, and that you have both the originals in a secure place and some kind of backup on hand as insurance.

Money

In addition to documentation, you'll want to have enough money. Whether it's the taxi from the airport to the hotel or the souvenirs you intend to bring home or the nice dinner you're going to treat yourself to, vacations cost money. Obviously you've been saving up for this, but if you're traveling abroad do you know what kind of currency they use? Will your credit card work? What kind of transaction fee will you be charged every time you use your card, and have you factored that into your expenses. 

Clothes

When you think of packing, clothes are probably the first thing you think about. This is another area where the kind of trip will have a huge effect on what you bring and how much. If you won't have access to laundry facilities, you'll definitely want to bring enough clothes for each day of the trip, but keep in mind that you really don't want to overpack. Wherever possible, bring clothes that multitask. Pants can be good for a long walk and a nice dinner, if they're comfortable and stylish enough. Shoes too, can be comfortable enough to wear around the city but nice enough to wear to a fancy dinner. Multitasking clothes and outfits that are more flexible can free up space, and space is at a premium on vacation. 

Space

One of the joys of going on vacation is bringing back things that will remind you of your travels, and you can't do that if you haven't left any space in your suitcase. Make sure that your suitcase is nice and light on the way out of the door, so it can be nice and heavy when you come back. That's part of the reason it's so important to know what's absolutely necessary; so you can leave out the unneeded extras and have that little bit of extra wiggle room.

Now you are truly ready to go. Zip up your backpack and lock up your suitcase, you're ready to get out of town and enjoy the good times. Have a wonderful vacation, secure in the knowledge that you definitely brought everything you need. Going on a road trip? Here's some good advice for your next road trip.