We love to wander, to travel and revitalize our spirits with new scenery, different cultures, and adventures. Whether you're starting to itch for your very first excursion, family vacation, or you're an experienced gypsy, it’s important to have a checklist that covers the essentials!

Pick the right luggage for your trip:
Every travel bag is different and specific to where you're going and what you’ll be doing. You need something versatile and sturdy along with:

• Fitting all of your essentials 
• Gear that makes it easy for transporting.

Luggage ideas: 

• 4-Wheel/Rolling Luggage: Big or small, if it’s on wheels it's easier to move. 
• Duffel Bag: Maybe you're not going too far and you prefer something to toss over your shoulder. You can also find great duffle bags with wheels and that convert into backpacks. Wheel backpacks help you make a quick switch from airports to rough terrain, to hand-free. Another option is to purchase a travel backpack which is lightweight, durable, and offers hands-free mobility.
• Carry On: The less you pack the easier it is to get in and out of the airport, reduce baggage fees, and you’ll have everything you need next to you. Although if you are going for a long or international trip, this may not be a great option.

Tips:
1. Make sure to always check with your airline for luggage size requirements, fees.
2. Before your trip, make sure to inspect all luggage. Nothing is worse than traveling with broken wheels or zippers.

Organize the essentials:
You’ll want to consider the length of your trip, where you will be going (climate, weather), and the activities you’ll be participating in. If you're packing in layers to cover all climate conditions we recommend packing cubes or vacuum seal bags making everything easier to fit in your bag and to help with organization. Don’t worry, they come in all sizes! You’ll want to start with the basics: a toiletry bag, and first aid items. Hand sanitizer is a must have as well.

Tips:
1. Keep your toiletry bag light and follow TSA’s 3-1-1 rule which makes it easy to remember what items are compliant.
2. Stay informed and check with the Center for Disease Control & Prevention’s website for more information on travel medicines, vaccines, and other travel advice at least two months before your travels begin.

Collect your legal documents:
Ensure all pertinent travel documents are up to date or don't expire within 6 months of travel and have all important information close by. Being efficient and tidy is one of the highest priorities for the traveler .That being said, look into purchasing a travel document organizer that will hold important documents, cash, credit cards,  pens, boarding passes, passports, and IDs. This will create peace of mind when going from one place to the next, with easy accessibility to your documents.

Prep & secure your home:
Upon setting out for an adventure or vacation, we need to think about this one last entity - Our safe havens, our homes. 

Tidy up! No one wants to come home to a mess and let's face it, sometimes we need a vacation after the vacation. Clean up, secure all locks, and make sure everything you can turn off - is turned off and unplugged. It's also great to pre-pay bills (so you can relax), have the post office hold your mail, stop newspaper delivery, empty your refrigerator of items that will expire and leave flight and hotel itineraries with a friend or relative. If you have pets, search for the most reliable and trustworthy boarding homes or if you are leaving them at home, assign someone you deeply trust to tend to your fur child.

Research:
Lastly, wherever the wind is taking you, as a tourist, it is respectful to do your research on the destinations you visit to understand cultural norms. This will go a long way and it also helps to truly immerse yourself within the culture. We know you’ll have a great experience by planning ahead, bringing the essentials, and packing properly for your activities.

Are you ready for your first trip?  Click here for your checklist

Need more advanced packing? Click here