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Summer is here and it’s just about time for families to start planning their vacation packing. While most families tend to just throw their life in a suitcase and take it with them if you do a bit of planning before you leave you can make sure that you have everything you need on vacation without breaking your back trying to transport it all. If you want a bit of guidance on what you should be packing for a vacation abroad, here are some of the top items you’ll need.
The Important Things
You can’t travel if you don’t have your passport and wallet, so make sure these are kept safe and kept on your person while you travel. Other important things include your gadgets and their chargers, any documents about the place you’re staying, your travel information, and any insurance details and make sure you take some photos of the documents that are the most important or make a few copies to keep in your bag. If you live in Europe and you’re not planning to stray too far from home for your summer vacation then you can apply for an EHIC card. This nifty little card should be on the top of your packing list as having it means that you have basic health insurance coverage almost everywhere in Europe.
Car Stuff
You’re going to need all of the basics for getting from A to B if you’re planning on driving. This means that your driving license should be at the top of the list. If you’re bringing your own car, check out the requirements of the place you’re going. In France, for example, you’ll need to equip your car with a high visibility vest if you want to avoid a fine and depending on the type of car you have you’ll need headlight converters. If you’re renting a car, however, just make sure you have all of the information.
Essentials
Toiletries should be one of the first things you think of, but that doesn’t mean that you have to go overboard with your packing and bring a bottle of shampoo for every day of the week. There is probably a good chance that the place that you’re going has a few shops where you can by toiletries, so don’t worry too much about the amount. Just bring one or two bottles of shampoo with some soap as well as toothbrushes and toothpaste. As for the other essentials, sleepwear, and underwear like strapless bras should be next on the list (you can never take too many pairs of underwear).
Going to the beach
Equipment for the beach is usually some of the first things that families pack, but there may be a few things that you forget. You’ll need swimming gear, towels, appropriate shoes, some food storage containers, suntan lotion, a blanket, a lockable case for your valuables, and a bag to put it all in. You might also want to bring some entertainment, like books and music or some toys for the kids.
Going for a walk
If you’re planning on walking the kids around to see some of the sights or go to dinner, then you’re going to need to pack a few other things. Comfortable shoes are a must if you’re planning on doing a fair amount of walking along with some clothes that match the weather (maybe take a sweater in case it gets a little cold). If you want to go out for dinner, then you could pack some clothes and accessories to put together a smart look.