The Ultimate Organized Travel Guide
Preparing for Departure
Here is a simple checklist for what needs to be done before leaving your home for an extended period of time:
- Arrange care for plants, pets, yard, and mail.
- Pay any bills due in advance.
- Empty your perishables from fridge. (Give away to friends/ family, or your local donation center)
- Take out the trash (nothing worse than coming back to a smelly home!)
- Unplug your appliances and electronics.
- Close fireplace flue.
- Lock all doors and windows.
- Set thermostat to a reasonable level for pets and plants left behind.
- Double check that stove and oven are shut off.
- Leave a key and itinerary with a close friend, a trusted neighbor, or your plant/ pet caretaker.
- Leave a light on to deter burglars or set timers if your home is equipped! We use these smart lights that come with an app to your phone.
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Sample Packing Lists
Clothing Essentials for Everyone
Flipflops/ sandals, walking shoes, dress shoes
Jackets, sweaters/ sweatshirts
Underwear, socks, pj's, bras
Shirts, tshirts, beach coverups
Shorts, trousers/ pants/ jeans, athletic bottoms
First Aid
Prescription medications
Vitamins and supplements
First aid kit (bandages, hydrocortisone cream, triple antibiotic ointment)
Hand sanitizer/ wipes
Cold Medicine
Diarrhea remedy
Insect repellent
Motion sickness remedy
Pain relievers
Gadgets
Phone + chargers
Headphones
Disposable camera/ film camera + batteries/ charger
Laptop/ Tablet + charger
Important Documents
Cash
Credit and ATM Cards + Contact info for cards
Drivers license
Health insurance info
Itineraries
Photocopies of important docs
Travel tickets and reservations
Travelers Checks
Personal Hygiene
Brush/ Comb
Contact lenses/ solution
Cosmetics
Cotton swabs
Deodorant
Feminine hygiene products
Floss
Glasses
Moisturizer (face and body)
Nail clippers
Razor
Shampoo and conditioner
Soap
Sunscreen and lip balm (reef safe if you're going to the beach)
Toothbrush
Toothpaste
Travel Towel
Tweezers
Travel Aids
Daypack
Earplugs
Flashlight
Luggage Locks (TSA- Approved)
Reusable water bottle
Travel sewing kit
Travel blanket
Travel pillow
Umbrella
A few product recommendations that I use for travelling:
Apple AirTag - add an AirTag to important items such as your checked luggage, wallet, etc. in the case something gets lost.
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Lists by Vacation Type
Beach Vacation
Aloe Vera
Bathing Suits
Beach Chairs
Beach Totes
Beach Toys
Beach Umbrella
Cooler
Flip Flops/ Sandals
Mosquito Net
Rash Guards
Reusable Water Bottle
Sarong/ Beach Cover Up
Sun Hat
Sunglasses
Reef-Safe Sunscreen
Wetsuit
Business Trip
Belt
Briefcase
Dress Socks / Pantyhose
Dress Shoes
Laptop, Case, Charger
Ties / Scarf
Watch
Camping Trip
Air Mattress / Sleeping Pad
Camping Chairs
Can Opener
Citronella Candle and Bug Repellent
Clothesline
Cooking Stove + Fuel
Cooler
Cot
Dishes and Cutlery
Downloaded Maps of Park and Trail
Drinking Water
First Aid Kit
Hammock
Headlamp
Lantern
Lighter / Matches
Pots and Pans
Sleeping Bags
Tent + Tarp
Toilet Paper and Zip Top Bags
International Trip
Auto Insurance Card
Foreign Currency
International Student ID Card
Passports and Relevant Visas
Universal Electrical Adapter
Translation App
Vaccination Records
Water Purification Method
Ski Trip
After-Ski Boots
Apres- Sun Lotion
Boots and Carrying Straps
Fanny Pack
Gloves and Liners
Goggles
Granola Bars
Hand and Toe Warmers
Hat and Earmuffs
Knee Brace
Long Underwear
Scarf or Neck Gator
Ski Pants and Jacket
Ski Socks and Liners
Ski Sweaters
Skis and Poles or Snowboard
Sunglasses with Neck Strap
Sunscreen and Lip Balm
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Carry-On Essentials
When it comes to you carry-on bag, pack only those items you will need during the flight or that you can't do without in the event that your checked luggage doesn't arrive. Your carry-on should include cash, jewelry, passport, travel documents (including itineraries), traveler's checks, keys, laptop and power cord, medications, makeup, toothpaste, toothbrush, and a clean pair of underwear.