Keeping your valuables safe is crucial to having a great day at the beach. If you’re leaving anything unattended, consider stashing your cash in a conspicuous beach towel with a hidden pocket, and leave it near the lifeguard if possible.
Say goodbye to pesky sand residue after beach day by chucking a bottle of talcum powder in your duffel. Before hopping into your car or walking back to your hotel room, sprinkle some talcum powder all over yourself to take the moisture off your skin and hair, and let the beach sand fall off easily.
Organizing your backpack well can help you hike comfortably for longer periods. Start by packing compressible items like your sleeping bag or nightwear at the bottom of your backpack, which acts as shock absorption and lumbar support. Then, place bulkier food and cooking items towards the midsection, padding them with tent fabrics or spare clothes to prevent them from digging into your back. Lastly, keep the top layer of your backpack for items that you’ll need most frequently while on the hike, like your insulated windbreaker, waterproof layers, toilet supplies and first aid kit.
“You want something with a hip belt that will transfer a lot of the weight off your shoulders. Something like an Osprey Talon/Tempest is lightweight and should carry the weight well.” - Liz M
Cuts, scrapes, blisters and unexpected serious injuries could always happen while you’re out there, so make sure you’re fully prepared for every scenario. Prep an emergency kit loaded with essentials including a lightweight 1L water bottle, water purification tablets, ready meal kits, box matches, a waterproof flashlight with backup batteries, flares, a multi-tool, and first aid supplies like antiseptic wipes, medical tape, and allergy medication like antihistamines. Depending on how remote your hike will be, you might even want to bring signal equipment like a satellite radio, signaling mirrors, flares, or survival whistles.
If you’re planning a trip during the wet season, line the inside of your backpack with a heavy-duty plastic bag before placing all of your items in it to keep them safe from the rain.
Keep the car cleaner for longer with designated snack and trash compartments. Pack clips or clothing pegs to seal unfinished snack bags. For disposables, line a spare cereal or cookie box with a trash bag and tuck it between the car seats for chucking used napkins or sweet wrappers.
“Take a few clothes pegs—they're often just what you need to hang up wet things or clip things together. You won't even need to bring them back home, so bin them on the return trip.” - Pfeiffer
A great cooler box is one luxury you’ll thank yourself for. Other Tripadvisor members have even found creative ways to keep their drinks cool, from using bottles of frozen water to lining the interior of the box with frozen vegetables.
"It's nice to have a cold drink during the day. We always freeze a couple of bottles of water to serve as our ice packs for the first day. We also take ice packs and freeze them if our hotel rooms have the facilities. If not, you can buy packs of store-brand frozen vegetables (think peas) which keep things surprisingly cold.” -TxOffWeGo
Unless you’re willing to splurge on extra baggage allowance, it’s generally a good idea to only pack ski gear you won’t be able to rent at the ski resort. Leave bulkier items like skis and boards at home.
“There are plenty of shops which rent out ski gear and it really depends on your level of expertise. For beginners, rent the cheapest possible, whilst for the more experienced, look around for the skis/boards that match your skill level.” - Aceozski
Slip tea bags into your musty ski boots to absorb the stench and keep your hotel room odor-free. Hot tea bags can also be applied to newly formed blisters to keep them from bubbling up.
Aside from protecting and healing damaged lips, you can also apply lip balm to your face to prevent windburn, or rub some on the inside of your nostrils to keep them from going dry and irritated. Lip balm can also be used to lubricate the zipper teeth on your coat if they get stuck.
Even on the hottest days in the desert, temperatures can drop dramatically when the sun sets. If your itinerary includes a desert safari, long-sleeved tops and pants are a must to protect you from the sun while keeping you warm at night. A shawl is also a great multi-functional item that can keep the dust away from your face.
“For camel rides, wear soft trousers that won't rub, depending on how long your trek is. I did an hour in a maxi dress and was fine but trousers are certainly more practical.” - LaLico
Leave the train sets at home and pack simple card games like Uno or crayons and coloring sheets to keep the children busy on long flights or road trips.
"Crayola Color Wonder Markers/coloring books (they're neater than regular markers since they won't stain clothes or car seats)" - BlueTang2
One pair of all-purpose shoes (usually sneakers) is all they’ll need on a city getaway. On beach vacations, ditch the sneakers for a pair of sandals.
Pack healthy snacks to set the little ones in a good mood on long journeys. Lollipops can help ease the ear pressure during flight take-offs, while sugar-free chewable treats like gummies can help calm hyperactive kids.
"All drinks are always put in sippy cups (even for my older kids). I bring large plastic cups to pour snacks into—this way they can sit in the cup holders, less chance of spilling while eating. Lastly, get crunchy snacks not sticky—much easier to clean up afterward." - Julie F
If there’s one thing you need when you’re traveling alone, it’s an item that brings you comfort. Solo trips can get lonely, so bring along a little treat from home—whether it’s your go-to snack, your favorite worn-out sweater, or episodes of your favorite show to rewatch on your phone when you feel homesick.
Traveling again can seem daunting at first, especially as domestic and international border restrictions change with the evolving Covid-19 pandemic. If you’re taking the leap (and all the precautions too,) here are some additional things you should pack to make your journey as smooth as possible.
Entry requirements vary from place to place, so check the official government sites for the latest restrictions and requirements for the country you’re visiting. Is quarantine or a pre-departure test mandatory, or do you have to show any type of documentation on your way back?
Some tour groups, activities, and accommodations require travelers to produce both a proof of vaccination and a negative COVID test, so be sure to do your homework and make preparations in advance.
Bottled hand sanitizer is useful when soap and water aren’t available, and disinfecting wipes come in handy for wiping down airplane seats, toilet seats and sanitizing your hotel room upon arrival. Some airlines and places may be stricter on the type of masks you’re supposed to wear, so make sure to carry some extra surgical masks with you even if you prefer wearing fabric ones.
"Due to COVID, I have added (to my packing list) cloth and medical masks, Clorex wipes, hand sanitizer, and baggies to store used masks in until the end of our flight." - Condu
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