by Shannon Bradford

Created on: July 21, 2011

The suitcase battle is familiar to almost anyone who has traveled. Thoughts of what to wear, what to bring, and what to leave are as stressful as the travel planning itself, because no traveler wants to be hundreds of miles from home only to realize they left their phone charger behind. Short getaways are a bit easier to plan for, since a shorter itinerary calls for less amounts of stuff to lug around.

An outfit for each day. Unless you’re going to a jungle climate where sweat and frequent clothing changes are inevitable, plan to bring one outfit per day at most. If your destination offers easy access to laundry facilities, this figure can be downsized even further. Above all else, be prepared for your environment – for instance, a winter coat is great for your ski trip, but don’t bring it as a “just in case” to your beach vacation.

Limit the shoes. One pair of shoes should suffice, as well as one pair of sandals. Plan according to the trip – if you’ll be in the sand and sun the whole time, one pair of sandals might be all you need. Don’t bring high heels and a different pair of boat shoes for every occasion – that route quickly leads to overpacking and stressing about how to get all your things from Point A to Point B.

Think of the itinerary. If lots of sightseeing and tours are on the agenda, bring appropriate gear that won’t be included on-site. This means sunglasses, hiking boots, sunscreen, and more. Most equipment comes included in packages, like snorkeling gear or the parachute for your para-sailing adventure, so don't feel compelled to come bearing all these items.

Don’t forget the electronics. Getaways often mean lots of photo documentation, so remember to bring along any associated charging devices, batteries or cords. Certain items are important to bring beforehand, because buying them on location can be way pricier or just harder to find – like camera batteries or phone chargers.

Documentation. If you’re leaving the country, it’s important to remember the little details like passports and plane tickets. A short getaway can turn into a short nightmare if you’re caught unprepared or lacking a specific document. Be carefree, but be prepared.

Short getaways are quick, fun, and light, so your luggage should be too. Leave the ironing board, the bedspread, and the kitchen sink at home, because chances are you won’t need it, or if you do, where you’re going might provide it. An important piece of travel advice says to take half the clothes and twice the money, which may be the most useful adage in any trip, long or short. 

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