I’m headed out of town on vacation in 5 days (but who’s counting?), so I decided to create a post about honeymoon packing. As a side note, because of this vacation, Better Together Events will also be closed and away from technology/email until June 8, 2009. All calls and emails missed during vacation will be returned on the 8th and I’ll have some new blog posts as well!
A honeymoon is supposed to be relaxing, but sometimes the packing can be stressful, especially when you don’t know where to start. We’re here to help! Here are the essentials for all sorts of destinations. This checklist was adapted from one found in Real Simple magazine.
- Airline boarding passes and other travel tickets
- Passports, visas (I know it seems obvious, but my husband got stuck in France once because he didn’t have his green card.)
- Driver’s license(s)
- Credit, ATM, auto-club, and telephone calling cards
- Money/traveler’s checks (note: for foreign currency, just go to your local bank so you have some available cash for cabs, etc.)
- Hotel, theater, restaurants, or other reservation confirmations
- Photocopies of all travel documentation (e.g. passport). Also photograph your luggage contents in case of loss. Leave a copy of your itinerary with someone back home.
- Prescription medicine (in the bottle)
- Contraception
- Aspirin or ibuprofen and travel-sickness pills
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Small makeup bag
- Brush and comb
- Camera
- Any valuable jewelry
- In-flight reading
- Light sweater
- One change of clothing, including underwear
- Headphones for in-flight movies
- Travel pillow and blanket
- 2-3 pairs of shoes or sandals (stick with ones you’ve worn before and have broken in)
- 3 pairs of light cotton socks
- 2 pairs of shorts
- 2 pairs of pants
- 2-3 skirts or dresses
- 4 tshirts or casual tops
- 2 blouses or shirts
- lingerie
- enough underwear for every day, plus 2-3 extras, 2-3 bras
- evening wrap or jacket
- evening bag
- swimsuit
- shampoo and conditioner
- soap and face cleanser
- deodorant
- hand and body lotion
- lip balm
- personal-hygiene items
- floss
- qtips
- tweezers
- nail file and clippers
- razors and shaving cream
- insect repellent (where appropriate)
- sunscreen and sunglasses
- contact-lens solution and extra contacts
- eyeglasses
- chargers for cell phones, ipods, and digital camera (leave home with everything fully charged)
- electrical adapter for destinations outside the U.S.
- extra camera batteries and memory cards
- various sizes of re-sealable plastic bags
- maps, guidebooks, and a translation dictionary (if needed)
- travel alarm clock
- addresses of family and friends for postcards
- comfortable daypack for carrying guidebooks, snacks, and essentials
- travel umbrella and raincoat
- travel medical kit (band-aids, antacids, antihistamines, diarrhea medicine, antibacterial cream)
- foldable, lightweight tote for bringing home souvenirs
Add-ons for Beach Honeymoon
- paperbacks
- aloe vera gel or after-sun cream
- beach bag
- 2nd swimsuit and cover-up
- flip-flops
waterproof ski pants and jacket or snowsuit- turtlenecks
- heavy sweaters
- long underwear
- gloves or mittens
- warm hat or headband
- neck warmer or scarf
- goggles
- skis, poles, and boots
- waterproof socks
- hand and foot warmers
- ski lock
- ski bag
- comfortable walking shoes or hiking boots
- small compass
- mosquito netting (if needed)
- binoculars
- clothing in natural colors (avoid bright and white clothing, which can distract wildlife)
- safari or sun hat
- wildlife guides
Other useful tips?
- Remember to consider checked baggage requirements. With the airline industry in a bit of economic distress, they are adding new fees and baggage restrictions all the time.
- Put shampoo and other bottles that could potentially leak in ziploc bags to prevent them from spilling all over your clothes.
- Don’t overpack, but make sure you have good clothing options! Isn’t that the ultimate packing challenge?
For the ski honeymoon list don’t forget your helmet, chapstick and sunscreen.