21 Things to Pack before Going on Vacation

So, that vacation you’ve been looking forward to is growing near and you need some help choosing what things to take with you. Travel experts like Sharon B. Wingler, flight attendant and author of Travel Alone and Love It, suggest that you start making a written list of all the things you want and/or should take with you a few weeks before your departure date. Take the list everywhere you go. Add items as they occur to you and edit items out that you don’t think you’ll need. Below are some essential, and often overlooked, items that you should think about as you put together your final packing list.

1. Corkscrew - Almost every country has its own wine. A corkscrew is a handy tool to have along, especially for wine lovers wishing to relax in their hotel rooms with bottle of local wine, always a good pre-dinner or bed-time treat.
2. Clothespin - Its uses might not seem obvious at first, but having a good clothespin along will enable you to close those annoying drapes that don’t exactly meet in the middle.
3. Water - A large bottle of water is especially good have on long flights. If you are heading for a tropical or warm climate, a small spray bottle is a good idea. You can use it to splash some cool water on your face from time to time on hikes and other outdoor activities.
4. Earplugs - You never know when you’ll need these. There could be a crying infant on the flight or an all-night dance club right next to your hotel room. Earplugs prove quite useful when you need a good night’s sleep or want to read a book in peace.
5. Pocket calculator - A small calculator makes it easier to figure out currency exchange rates.
6. Tape measure - Taking along a small tape measure will help you figure out foreign sizing, useful when shopping for new shoes and other accessories.
7. Xerox copy of all important travel documents - There’s nothing worse than losing your passport, driver’s license or traveler’s checks while on vacation. Having a copy of them will make it much easier to cancel accounts and request new documents.
8. Washcloth - Many overseas hotels do not provide washcloths, so it’s always good idea to bring your own.
9. Box of tissues - Tissues can become scarce when traveling, especially if you’re heading into remote locations. Keeping a good supply of tissues in your backpack can be a lifesaver.
10. Snacks - A bag of trail mix or dried fruit is good to have in case you get hungry while on a tour or hike, as restaurants may not always be available.
11. Candy to share - Bring some candy along to share with others. Avoid bringing chocolate, however, especially if you’re heading to warm climates. Offering candy to the taxi driver or a fellow traveler is a great way to break the ice.
12. Power Strip - Hotel rooms will not always have enough power plugs available. If you’re bringing along a laptop, a camera, a cellphone, etc., it’s also a good idea to bring your own power strip, so you’ll always have enough plugs to charge your electronics.
13. Quart-sized plastic zip bags - Small zip bags are great for keeping your things organized and handy. You can use one to keep expense receipts, another for business cards, and another for snacks or energy bars, or whatever else you need.
14. Duct tape - You don’t need a huge roll, but enough to make a wallet-sized rectangle. You can use duct tape to brush off lint from clothing, to hang up signs, or shut curtains together.
15. Energy Bars - These work great as meal replacements when you’re on the run. If you’re plane gets delayed or you are forced to skip breakfast to catch the morning tour bus, having a bag of energy bars will prove especially useful.
16. Baby Wipes - Get the ones that are unscented and labeled “just like cloth”. They’re great for wiping up coffee spills and cleaning up after snacks.
17. A digital camera - Having a good digital camera to capture those special moments of your trip is always a good idea. You’ll be kicking yourself for years afterwards if one comes along and you find yourself camera-less.
18. Good sunscreen - This is an especially good item to bring along if you are going to a tropical or warm climate, and/or you are planning on spending much of your time outdoors. But be careful when choosing your sunscreen: not all of them are good.
19. Extra swimsuit and flip-flops - The chance to take a dive in a hotel pool or a natural body of water may arise on any given day. Be prepared with an extra swimsuit and flip-flops.
20. A cap or hat - A light colored cap or straw hat is good to bring along for hot climates. If you are heading to colder regions, consider a warm cap or fedora.
21. Bug spray - Bug bites can really ruin a vacation if you let them. Bringing along a good bug spray bottle can prevent this from happening. Take plenty of spray with you and use it liberally.