Summer vacation is a time-honored tradition. For many people, it is a time to relax and forget all the stresses of work or school.
You have had a lot to do throughout the year and now is the time for you to dream about somewhere sunny, hot, and filled with experiences that you can remember for years to come.
But before you can kick back and enjoy your time away, you need to make sure you have packed all the essentials, as you do not want to be on the road or at the airport and suddenly remember that you have forgotten something that is crucial for your summer bag.
If you are still pondering what you may have missed, or just need to be reminded of what is important, here are six must-haves for any summer vacation.
A hat or sunglasses:
You will definitely need to protect your eyes from the sun. Pack a hat or sunglasses (or both!) to keep the sun out of your eyes.
You will need to make sure you have the right fit for your head, because buying without trying or even thinking properly about it could land you in some trouble.
Measuring your head will give you your diameters exactly, so if you have quite a large head, you may want to search online for phrases such as ‘Sunglasses For People With Big Heads‘, for example, as well as get a hat that covers your head completely. Comfort is important on a holiday, so do not be flippant about it.
A good sunscreen:
No matter where you are going or what you are doing, you will need to protect yourself from the sun’s harmful rays. Make sure to pack sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 and reapply it frequently throughout the day.
Apply it around 20 minutes before you go out and if you are planning to get in the water then you are going to need to reapply it as soon as you are out of the pool and dried off. Some sunscreens can be waterproof but check beforehand.
A bathing suit:
If you are going to be spending any time near water, you will need a bathing suit. Whether you are hitting the beach or the pool, make sure you have a suit that fits well and is comfortable to wear.
Check the clothing/swimsuit requirements of the area too. Just because you are at the beach or in a resort, it is important to remember that some countries do have clothing rules to help with keeping other residents comfortable.
A beach towel:
A beach towel is a must-have for any trip to the beach. It is also useful for drying off after a swim or shower.
Pack a few beach towels, as some will get a lot of sand on them which can be incredibly annoying. There are sand-free beach towels available now, so you may want to see where can pick these up.
A first-aid kit:
Hopefully, you will not need it, but it is always better to be safe than sorry. Pack a basic first-aid kit with bandages, antiseptic wipes, and anything else you might need in case of an emergency.
If you are traveling with someone who has allergies or an illness, you will need to keep their medication in your first aid kit and any other medical equipment that may prove useful if something happens when you are away.
Being overly prepared is always a good thing, especially when away from home.
A camera:
Summer vacations are full of memories that you will want to remember forever. Make sure to pack a camera (or your smartphone) so you can capture all the special moments.
You want to remember these days forever, but we cannot keep every last second in our heads, so having a camera is the next best thing. Make sure you have enough film or charge it up fully before starting your day so you can capture as much as possible.
With these six items, you will be ready for anything your summer vacation throws at you. So, pack up your bag and hit the road!