Planning a summer full of travels? It’s always around now that I get a serious case of itchy feet; whether it’s for a holiday abroad, a weekend away in the UK or just a day trip. I’m someone that needs plans in place for things to ‘look forward to’ regardless of the season but I’ll admit that this summer is looking a little sparse. With a second child imminent, our biggest concern (after ‘will this one hate the car as much as their older brother did!?’) is how on earth we’d fit everything in. Two adults, two children and a dog plus all of the paraphernalia that comes with us? That’s why I’ve collated some tips on travelling light as a family…
Write A List
Nothing focuses the mind quite like writing a list of everything you need to take. Packing without one is the equivalent of ‘popping’ to the supermarket when you’re starving. You’ll panic, over pack and end up contemplating strapping a child to the roof. Not advisable. Start by thinking about what you’ll be doing and writing down everything you can think of that you’ll need. Then, once you’ve got that list, go through it again and be ruthless. Consider looking smoney.com.au before traveling as well, to make sure you can buy foreign currency online at the very best exchange rates. Do you really need a different board game for every night? No. Cross it out and take it off the list.
Buy It There
As tempting as it is to pack everything that you need, there are plenty of things you can buy whilst you’re away which will save on packing space both in the car and in the suitcase. Things like nappies and food are fairly universal, so rather than packing enough nappies to get you through the week, wait until you’re installed in your accommodation and make a quick supermarket stop. Same with food. If you’re staying in the UK, you can even arrange for a delivery straight to your holiday home just after you get there. Some holiday homes will even accept deliveries on your behalf so you can walk straight in to a stocked fridge… bliss!
Travel Friendly Transportation
Don’t attempt to pack your normal wheels, think about travel friendly options. For us, that means trading the chunky everyday pushchair for a travel version that’s light and small. Even if you have mobility issues and require a wheelchair, there are travel options which can save you space and hassle. Fenetic Wellbeing have launched their #FoldAndGo campaign which is aimed at helping customers get the right mobility product for their needs. They offer folding electric wheelchairs that give all the convenience of an electric mobility aid with the added benefit of being travel friendly and easy to transport.
Check Ahead
Do you need to take towels or are they provided? What about bedding? Or highchairs? Make sure you’ve checked what will and won’t be included in your accommodation. Often things like travel cots can be requested in advance and can save a considerable amount of room; all you then need to take is a sheet! Likewise highchairs and stair gates can often be put in place. In terms of bedding and towels, read it carefully and if you’re unsure then get in contact with the place. There’s nothing worse than trying to take a hand towel to the beach… trust me! Don’t forget to plan where you’re going to go so that you can make sure you take appropriate clothing – not sure what to search for, try Google! A quick search for something like attractions near Waterbury, CT will bring up local guides, blogs and a wealth of helpful information from those who’ve been before.
Take Some Home Comforts
If you’re away for a week or more, consider taking home comforts like a little washing powder with you. Whether it’s rinsing out a child’s top in the sink or using a washing machine (you’d be amazed how many places have them!), you can save huge amounts of space by packing less clothing and just washing anything that’s dirty. Something that’s especially important if you’ve got young children around. They’re dirt magnets and a quick rinse out can save a top to be used for another day!
Travel Friendly
Finally, if you’re travelling often, then you may want to think about investing in a few travel friendly products that will help ease the pain of packing. For us, a travel highchair has been worth it’s (minimal) weight in gold for saving room, as has the travel buggy. Not only that but we bought some lightweight towels which are perfect for days out and holidaying. They fold up to nothing and dry in seconds. Perfection!
Like this post? Pin it!
*This post is in collaboration with Fenetic Wellbeing*
No Comments