Planning the perfect vacation takes some work, but the more you prepare before hand, the better you can relax and enjoy once you arrive. The first step is always selecting the destination and your ideal accommodations.
Looking for a romantic mountain escape? We can show you the perfect place to stay. Maybe you're more in the mood for a vacation filled with water sports and boating? No problem, we know a place.
After you decide where you are going, having a packing strategy will make sure you are totally prepared to relax and enjoy your vacation once you arrive. Keep reading for tried and true vacation packing tips that will keep you on track.
1. Figure out what you don't need to bring
When you book a fully equipped vacation rental, there are lots of things you won't need to pack. Our properties welcome you with everything you need to make your coffee, cook dinner, and get comfortable, including luxury bedding, cooking utensils, and even a concierge service to help you get the groceries you need delivered to you.
2. Choose your suitcase wisely
One of the most common packing mistakes people make is over packing. Avoid this by choosing the right suitcase size. A carry-on sized suitcase is usually enough space for one person to pack for up to a week; anything bigger usually means you start filling the space with things you won't use (some might call this the hermit crab effect; your stuff will grow to fill the space you give it).
3. Visualize, then edit
Lay out the outfits you think you want to bring, and then edit. Visualizing the things you want to bring when they are all laid out in front of you will help you edit your choices down to necessities. Most of the time, over packers tend to throw in a few "just in case" clothing items that they will never use. If you must throw in a just in case sweater, don't grab two. Fancy cocktail outfit for a wake boarding vacation? No need. 2 pairs of underwear for each day you will be there? Get real.
In most cases, a small capsule wardrobe will do the trick for your vacation.
4. Roll, don't fold
When you begin to pack your items, roll your clothes to allow them to make the best use of the space in your suitcase. Sometimes packing requires a bit of Tetris skills, and rolled clothes are much easier to place in this case than folded items.
5. Make a list
You might think we mean a list of what to pack, but we actually mean a list of what you packed. The best way to be sure you don't leave anything behind is to have a list of what you brought.
To make sure you don't lose it, but your itemized list of everything you brought in a note on your phone to refer to when you pack up to head home at the end of the trip. This will save lots of time making sure something didn't get left in the vacation rental.
6. Bring a garment bag
As your clothes get dirty, place them in a garment bag in your suitcase. Then, when you get home, everything that needs to be washed is ready to grab and launder. You can even throw a couple in their to sort your laundry before you get home. Your post-vacation self will thank you.
7. Keep toiletries separate
Buy a toiletry bag that contains everything you need, so you can remove the entire thing for the duration of the vacation. This will also help you stay organized and avoid irritating spills or messes in your luggage.