Planning and Packing Your Next Trip
CHOOSING THE RIGHT DESTINATION
Planning a trip is more than just picking a destination, it’s about getting the most out of the experience once you arrive. When I start thinking about a trip, the first thing I do is look at different location options. I usually narrow it down to four or five places and see what works best based on the time of year I’m planning to go.
Once I find a destination and weather combination I’m happy with, I start outlining my days.
CREATING A FLEXIBLE TRAVEL PLAN
I think it’s totally okay for plans to change, but if this is a major trip, I like to at least know where I’ll be each day. This also helps later when it comes time to pack your wardrobe. Having a plan helps me feel less stressed, and yes, there’s ALWAYS room for a little extra adventure.
FINDING THE BEST TRAVEL DEALS
After I’ve locked in the location, the hunt begins for the best deals on travel and accommodations. I am always on the lookout for a good deal. I check out different websites, compare flights and hotels vs VIRBO vs Airbnb. The Daily Drop website is also a good resource I have used to find things out about travel deals. If you have a credit card as well with most companies, travel deals are sometimes available there with points.
TIP: If you’re a AAA member, you can score tons of discounts on hotels and car rentals. I didn’t even know this until I was researching car rentals, and since I’m under 25, my AAA membership actually waived the underage fee. There are tons of different discounts available for seniors, military members, students, essential workers, and more, so it’s always worth checking to see what deals are out there.
PACKING PREP AND WEATHER PLANNING
Packing prep is just as important as planning. I am CONSTANTLY checking the weather leading up to a trip to help decide what I’m bringing. I like to pack outfits by the day and focus on pieces I can layer and swap if I change my mind. And yes, I have been known to overpack once or twice—and YES, I do need everything in my bag, thank you very much.
Below, you’ll find my essentials checklist to make sure I have all the basics covered. This checklist is available for you to download for free so you can have a ready-to-go packing guide of your own. Keep in mind, these are the basics I need, yours might look a little different. Feel free to download it and use it to help plan your next trip!
