Packing for the Summer Holidays: Don’t Forget Your Passport!
Summer’s here in full swing and many will have already booked the annual summer holiday -or maybe you’re already on it and reading this from a sun-kissed location on your mobile or iPad!
If you really want to get the most out of the trip for you and your family, you need to be organized, knowing what to pack into the family’s suitcases, or leave out of them.
Here are a few tips to make the task easier:
Make a checklist
Prepare a checklist of essential items to pack for each family member. Tick them off as you pack them into the suitcases.
Bring the essentials
Tickets, passports, visa, European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), and travel insurance — don’t be without them. Check that your passport is valid for at least six months, and if not, think about applying for a new one. Meanwhile, the EHIC might entitle you to free or reduced cost of medical treatment within the European Economic Area, but it’s not a substitute for travel insurance. Travel insurance is a holiday essential to avoid expensive medical bills.
If you need to bring medicines abroad, ensure that the drugs are not prohibited in your destination before your travel. Obtain the required official documents such as a doctor’s letter as proof that the drugs have been prescribed by and obtained legally from a doctor. Contact your doctors on advice on vaccinations.
Check luggage requirements
Avoid unpleasant surprises by checking the latest airline security measures. Make sure that your check-in luggage and cabin baggage meet the size requirement.
How to pack
Before you head to the airport, confirm your airline’s baggage allowance and weigh your luggage. Travel light, bringing only the essential items. Lay everything that you plan to take for each family member out on the bed and put away the things that you don’t need. For instance, maybe you have two books, but are you really going to read both of them if the kids are jumping around all over the place! Don’t forget to leave space for souvenirs.
Buy travel-sized toiletries (shower gel, shampoo, conditioner, shaving cream, moisturizer and sun block), appliances (hair dryer) and personal hygiene care items (toothbrush and toothpaste). Pack toiletries in zip lock bags to stop them from leaking over your clothes. Remember the following essentials for your children: first aid kit, mosquito repellent, sunblock or sunscreen suitable for children, water bottles, and travel neck pillow.
Collect old or worn-out clothing throughout the year. Wear them during your holiday (if they’re wearable), then throw them away to lighten the weight of your luggage. To organize your suitcase and prevent wrinkles, pack clothing in travel storage bags. Bring extra bags for dirty clothing.
Then take a rest before going through your suitcases again to make sure that you haven’t left out anything important. Next tip: enjoy your holiday!
Images by emmamccleary and theogeo, used under Creative Commons licence.
Guest post by Anne Merryweather, a mum and part-time receptionist. Summer is her favourite time of the year because she gets to spend time away with her husband and three boys.