Things You'll Need:
- A packing list
- At least four weeks of preparation.
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Step 1
I'll bet you hate getting ready for a trip, especially if you rush to pack at the last moment. I have found that preparing for a Caribbean vacation or any other vacation can be an easy and pleasant experience if you prepare ahead of time.
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Step 2
First determine what the weather will be like for your vacation destination. Even if your trip is not for several months, check out weather.com and see what the average temps are for the location and time of year you will be traveling.
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Step 3
Let's say you're going to a tropical location for your trip. Start at least four week in advance with these tips. Take an hour or so and go through your closet. Find any dress clothes that you love and flatter you and TRY THEM ON. We all, at one time or another, gain or loose weight. You do not want any surprises when you get to the resort.
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Step 4
If the clothes fit and you will not need any other outfits, send your dress clothes for a day trip to the dry cleaners. When your dry cleaning comes back be sure to keep them hanging in the plastic until the you are ready to take off for the airport. If you pack these items too soon then you will have very wrinkled clothes.
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Step 5
Make sure you have footwear to match your clothes. Accessories such as; jewelry, undergarments, scarves, etc. Women be sure to wear the proper undergarments with your outfits. If you have a little belly bulge, go out and pick up some tummy control underwear or a girdle. If you do not have perky, stand-at-attention breasts, buy a convertible bra. There is a certain etiquette to follow when it comes to fine dining and evening entertainment at an all-inclusive resort. You do not want to look like you are falling out of your outfit.
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Step 6
You will probably want to figure on at least five to seven outfits for evening wear. Now if you do not have everything you need take a day or a couple of hours over a couple of days to go shopping for clothes. TIPS: Dress age appropriately. If you are a mom in her 40's with an average body, buy a dress that is classy and slightly sexy. Otherwise, you will look the fool when you are wearing a tight mini dress you bought from Fredrick's of Hollywood. Not to mention that even young women should refrain from that type of attire at an exclusive all-inclusive resort. Women should look classy, sexy and feminine not trashy, slutty, and for sale. So, go shopping. Make sure the clothes flatter your figure. I know I've said this but it needs repeating. Buy a couple of convertible bras and make sure they fit you as well and pick up some tummy control panties or a girdle or two.
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Step 7
Once you have your evening attire be sure to have shoes that will match all of your outfits. Hint: you can buy your basic colors like black, white, red, gold, and silver to match most of your outfits. This way you can wear the same shoes with a couple of different outfits. Next, are the jewelry accessories. You can buy inexpensive costume jewelry so you do not have to worry about loosing it or breaking it while on your trip.
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Step 8
Next, you will need shorts, shirts, sandals, swimsuits, hair accessories, cover-ups, a beach bag, suntan lotion, and all your toiletries. You may want to bring books or magazines to read on the beach and a deck of cards to play on the plane. These days most airlines are NOT serving a meal unless you are paying for first-class seats. Bring a snack. Traveling is stressful and tiring. You will get hungry.
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Step 9
I recommend that you purchase disposable toilets. Get the travel size containers or at least buy the travel-size empty bottles and fill them with your own product. It is much easier to throw away travel size items to give yourself more room in the suitcase for souvenirs for the trip home. These items can be purchased four weeks in advance. Place these items in a zip-lock bags and put them in your suitcase early.
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Step 10
Have your passports, driver's license, airline tickets and resort reservations on you at all times when traveling to and from the airport. Bring a budgeted amount of money for any extras you may need. You may want to hire a taxi or buy some gifts that are from a flea market where credit cards are not accepted.
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Step 11
Here's a break down.
4 Weeks: Get your evening wear together and dry cleaned.
3 Weeks: Get your toiletries, undergarments, casual wear, and your shoes and pack them.
2 Weeks: Gather all of your travel documents and leave them on the top of your suitcase until you are ready to travel.
1 Week: Tidy up the house a bit. You don't want to come home to a mess. Make any necessary arrangements for pets, mail, children, etc. Do not do any excessive activities. Going to work every day and preparing for a trip is time consuming enough. You do not want to add any more stress to the process. Perform a trial run with your luggage. Pack everything you will be bringing with you and weigh your bags at home so you are not stuck re-arranging items from one suitcase to another at the airport. If you have a normal bathroom scale, weigh yourself first and then lift the bag you are bringing. Weight limits are not to exceed 50lbs. First class may allow more. Please check your airline's website before flying. There are also restrictions on how many bags you can bring with you before you are charged an extra fee. -
Step 12
The night before your trip you may perform an on-line web check-in. This will generally allow you to be at the airport two hours early instead of three. However, read all travel tips, rules and guidelines on your air carrier' s website before you fly!
Day of Trip: Wear loose fitting clothing to travel. You do not want to be uncomfortable when traveling. Place any last minute items in your suitcase along with your dress clothes. Have a good meal before your travel. Do not eat too much or you may feel ill or get very tired while traveling. Place your travel documents in a carry-on bag and pack your snack.
