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Travel Tips

Would you like to travel but you are worried about logistics? I’ve got lots of travel tips so that you can easily navigate your next trip whether you are going on a romantic trip with just your husband, or traveling with the whole family like we do. If I can do it with a family of 8 with two special needs kiddos, you can too!

From what to pack to road trip tricks, flying with kids, and so much more! We’ve got lots of practical and helpful travel tips to help you stop worrying and start making memories on vacation!

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What to pack!

Copy of Itinerary
Printed Tickets
Phone (with digital copy of itinerary)
Charging cables for phone
Brick Charger (to charge your phone anywhere)
Essential Medications
Hand sanitizer (3 oz or less)
Empty water bottle (until you pass through airport securit and then you can fill it up)
snacks (a couple granola bars in case you need a snack
Tylenol, Dramamine, Excedrine Migrain, Neosporin, Bandaids, sunscreen (3 oz or less), etc.
Complete change of clothes (handy in case you spill or luggage doesn’t arrive)
Kindle or book for entertainment during voyage
sunglasses or hat
kleenex, travel size
Money / credit cards
target bags for storing wet clothes or if anyone gets sick

We love staying organized when packing. Everyone has their own packing cube, this allows us to save space and make it easy for our large family to eaily get to our things in the luggage. Everyone has their own color to make it easy to grab our own clothes. The medium size is good for kids and the large is good for adults.

5-7 underwear
5-7 pairs of socks (less if beach/cruise vacation)
extra bra
swimsuit / cover up / flip flops
1-2 pairs of comfy pants (jeans / cargo / yoga pants)
5-7 shirts
sweater or sweatchirts for chilly nights (optional)
dress or shirt/tie with appropriate shoes (for cruises)
Fully size sunscreen and after sun in ziplock bag
toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, make-up, face cream, razor, brush / comb)
diapers (if applicable)

If we are gone for an extended time we still bring the above items – we just plan to wash clothes after 5-7 days.

NOTE: Save signifiant space by using vacuum storage bags to shrink things like coats (if headed to a cold destination)

Your essential coduments pouch lets you keep all the important things together and at your finger tips. We like to use these snap envelopes.

passports (in a ziplock bag or passport bag for extra protection)
printed itinerary with daily plan, confirmation numbers, plan/train//tour/hotel name/address/ph #
Printed Tickets (if needed for tours or plane)

father and daughter relaxing looking at waterfall after hike

Traveling Tips

Besides the important what to pack I dove into above, here are some handy, general recommendations to keep in mind when heading out for your next trip!

Pack light (no one cares if you rewear clothes)
Never keep your wallet in your back pocket
Make a plan, but be flexible because something won’t go as planned!
Internet can be spotty, download maps / google translate / important information before hand
Wear comfortable walking shoes
Bring emergency cash
Traveling to a different country? Learn basic phrases like thank you, help
Bring a pen and notebook (write down funny things or highlights so you can remember it)
Ask if you need help, but keep your guard up with strangers
Try new food, but be warry of street vendors and markets
Check weather, travel advisories, local news, and traveling requirements before traveling
Bring an extra credit card and if you are traving with someone else, have them keep different cards than you do
Buy travel insurance as soon as you make a deposit to cover things that could go wrong
Be respectful, you are a guest in a different town, state, or country – try to blend in with locals
Stay hydrated, consider bringing a refillable water bottle
Always carry a power bank
Carry a protein rich snack like a kind bar to avoid headaches or hangry moments
Take pictures! Make sure you are in some and take pictures of signs to identify where you were
Pre-book excursions, hotels, and as much travel as possible to avoid dissapointment and unneeded stress
Bring and wear sunscreen, you are always in the sun more than you realize!

Why you should always carry a backpack

If you bring a wheel-aboard

They may run out of overhead space and you’ll need to gate check it
If you have to check your carry-on suitcase you MUST pull out powe bank, medications, documents folder, entertainment for plane
Rolling a suitcase along coblestone streets in Europe is not as easy as in the airpor!

Backpacks are great!

Backpacks offer a versatile, easy-to-carry option to bring your trip essetials and ensure you an always stay adjacent to all your most valued posessions.

power bank and charging cables for your phone
important documents folder
complete change of clothes
sweatshirts

Tips for Roadtrips with Kids

Roadtrips mean you have your own transportation. You can stop at a grocery store to get more snack, an extra pack of diapers, etc. So plan to stop at a Walmart along the way and pack less things – your whole family will be grateful for the extra space

Use a canvas box or milk crate on the seat or floor of an empty seat (or under a younger child) to contain all the things you bring. Teach kids to put their toys away in that box, just like at home. No one likes it when you open the van door to get out and all the things start spilling out. Not only is that embarrassing, but you can loose important things.

Make sure you bring lots of target bags or garbage bags to contain garbage. We hook ours on the back of the front row seats. Then throw out your fast food packaging at least once a day to avoid mess and smell

You will want somethings to entertain kids, but at the same point it is OK for kids to be bored. It is actually good for them! And when you do allow kids to watch movies or play games on kindle devices, make sure to designate screen free time to give their eyes a break and avoid the behaviors that can come from too much tv time.

Kindle (loaded with parent approved movie, tv, and game choices)
book or magazine – if your kids can read in the car without getting sick
3-5 favorite toys – bring something your child likes, but hide it a couple weeks before the trip so it will be extra fun

We love to listen to books on tape, Jonathan Park radio stories, or sing songs together. So make sure to put some on your phone to enjoy all together as a family on the trip

We all spill! So bring a pack of baby wipes, paper towels, and carpet cleaner to easily take care of messes without making anyone feel bad.

Roadtrips aren’t just a way to get from point a to point, it is a fun experience. Talk to your kids and get to know them better, listen to their jokes (or google some to tell them), try some riddles or would you rather questions, sing together, take lots of pictures (with you in them), and don’t be afraid to stop for fun. If you see a pretty vista, fun looking go kart track, or just feel like having a picnic – do it! Enjoy the journey of a roadtrip. Your vacation starts when you get in the car, not when you “arrive”

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