Travel Plans

This is it! The month that I’m about to embark on my dream trip; my trip of a lifetime… the Greek Islands. As you read this, I may be touring the ruins of the lost city of Atlantis, or having lunch overlooking the Aegean sea, or basking in the sun by the pool. It is my honeymoon!When we have travel plans, it seems that little ‘to do’ items keep cropping up, stressing us out so much that by the time we leave we really ARE ready for a vacation! Here are a few tips to help you out with all that. Get your little ‘To Do’ notebook out, and don’t forget to look at your ‘Ta Dah’ list also, as you need to feel rewarded for your efforts.Plan Your Outfits in Advance. I can’t stress this one enough. If you’re on a four-day trip, review your schedule in your head and add up the number of times you estimate you’ll need to change clothes. Then, plan what you’ll wear for each change. This will keep your travel wardrobe lean and mean, and you won’t drag along any extra pieces that you end up not wearing.Choose a Color Scheme. Plan to wear pants/skirts in one dark neutral, either black or brown. Then add tops in a light neutral (grey, tan or white). Then, add a few more pieces in shades of a single bright color such as blue or red .  Throw in some accessories and jewelry and you’re all set. Get a Smaller Bag. Parkinson’s Law states that work expands according to the amount of time available. So try buying a smaller bag and you’ll force yourself to pack lighter. Use Your Shoes As Containers. If you have to pack shoes in your luggage, remember they’re hollow, so you may as well take advantage of the space inside them. Stuff them with socks, underwear, or even other shoes.Carry one on. If you’re taking an airline or other mass transit to your destination, always carry on a small carry-on bag that contains your prescription medications, some of your cosmetics, a toothbrush/toothpaste duo, your cell phone, a change of clothes, underwear and a good book. Just in case your luggage doesn’t make it when you do, you’ll have your important items with you. Bag it. If you don’t plan on washing your clothes while you’re away, be sure to pack an empty plastic bag so your dirty items can be kept separate from your clean clothes. Bring one of those Tide To Go sticks for emergency cleanups.Bring games for the kids.
It’s definitely worth it to stop by your local travel store to find some travel games for the kids, such as Travel Bingo, magnetic checkers or coloring books. Also, don’t forget some snacks and pre-frozen boxed juices as the little ones are bound to get hungry at one point or another. A portable DVD player, or a laptop computer to watch movies could be your best friend!There’s no place like home.
Before you leave for vacation, clean your house, wash all of your laundry and make your bed. When you arrive back home after your vacation, your home will be a welcome haven.

This entry was posted on Saturday, May 3rd, 2008 at 5:39 am and is filed under Newsletters, Patti's Paraphernalia. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.