Travel Tips: Packing Everything in Your Carry-On

When experienced travelers offer travel tips, packing everything into your carry-on is one of the first tips on the list. This is because tightened airline security and higher prices for checked baggage have rendered it impractical for most people to check luggage when they fly. Managing to fit everything into a small bag is a skill that can be learned, with a little practice and a few tricks.

  • Know your measurements. Check the airline’s website ahead of time to find out the measurements of allowed carry-ons. Bear in mind, you are often allowed “extras,” like a laptop bag or a purse. Make the most of these items to maximize your allotted space.
  • Roll it! One of the best ways to fit a good number of articles of clothing into a small space is to roll them. Fold items in half, lengthwise, and then roll them tightly from the top down. You will be amazed at how much will fit into a small space.
  • Dress for success. Wear your heaviest clothes to the airport. This may sound silly, but it can mean the difference between making your carry-on weight limit or exceeding it. Do you need a sweater and a coat? Wear them both, to avoid packing them. Consider carrying things in your pockets, as well, to reduce what goes in your bag.
  • Purchase when you arrive. Some things, like liquid toiletries, can no longer be carried onto a flight. Fortunately, most of those items will be available at your destination. Save yourself some space, and buy them when you get there.

Traveling without checking any baggage can be a breeze, once you get used to strategic packing! You will want to spend more time vacationing, traveling to exciting destinations. For help planning your next trip, visit Best Vacations Ever for more travel tips and expert insights.

Best U.S. Vacation Spots – Smoky Mountains

If you’re trying to plan a family getaway but you’re stuck in a rut, try booking with an online travel portal, like Best Vacations Ever. Here, you’ll discover how easy and affordable it is to create an amazing adventure in the great Smoky Mountains, year-round.

The Smoky Mountains are America’s most visited national park and are world renowned for its diversity of plant and animal life, the beauty of its ancient mountains and the quality of its remnants of Appalachian  mountain culture.

Find out more from our latest video! To connect with our community, check us out on Facebook and Twitter!

Must-Pack Items for a Family Fun Vacation

Family fun vacations are as varied as the families who enjoy them. Your family may be a beachy bunch, or they may prefer the natural splendor of the mountains, or the rugged beauty of the desert. One thing that every vacation has in common, though, is that packing the right items is very important. Here are some must-pack items, no matter where you are headed:

  • A good camera. Do not miss a moment of the fun! Make sure you have a record that will be enjoyed for years to come.
  • Effective sunscreen. Not all sunscreens are created equal, but protecting your family from UV rays is crucial. Do your research ahead of time, and bring the correct sunblock.
  • Sunglasses and hats. Another important way to block harmful sun exposure is by using glasses and hats. Whether you are in the car, on the trail, at the pool, on the beach, or at a baseball game, remember to protect your skin and eyes.
  • Extra swimsuits. Chances are, no matter where you are headed, you will be spending some time in the water. Few things are more uncomfortable than squishing back into a cold, wet swimsuit, so make sure to bring an extra suit for each member of the family.
  • Good reads. Whether old or young, everyone in your group should have some quality books to devour during downtime.
  • Maps and travel guides. You cannot arrive if you do not know where you are going! Be sure to research your location ahead of time, and bring along some helpful guides.
  • Hand sanitizer. This is the parents’ best friend. Whether you prefer wipes or gel, make sure you have some tucked in a few places, so that you never end up with a germ situation that you cannot handle.
  • An extra bag. Most people find that the contents of the suitcase seem to expand during vacation. Make sure you have an extra bag, so that you can get it all home.
  • Needed medicines. In addition to any prescriptions, make sure you have pain and allergy medication.  Vacations can be unpredictable, and you never know when someone is going to fall, get stung, or have some other minor crisis.
  • Comfortable clothes.  It is imperative to have clothes in which to go out to dinner, or meet someone important. However, the clothes for traveling should be as soft and cozy as pajamas. In fact, for small children, pjs are the perfect travel wear!
  • Entertainment. For some families, this may mean a portable DVD player. For others, travel-sized board games. Whatever it means to your family, smart parents know that even top family vacations can sometimes be sullied by children whining about boredom. Plan ahead, and you will have a ready answer.

Vacation is the perfect time to bond with your family and take a break from your everyday surroundings. No matter where you choose to travel, it is important for people to have time to relax and recharge their batteries. Be sure to plan your packing lists carefully, so that you have less to worry about while you are away.

Family Resort Vacations: Everything in One Place

Some of the top family vacations these days are enjoyed at all-inclusive resorts. When it comes to family fun vacations, this option is often overlooked. For those who have not considered it, here are some reasons a family resort vacation may be right for you:

  • Everything in one place. Often, planning the daily itinerary for a family vacation can be very taxing. Where should you rent kayaks or bicycles? Where is the best beach? Where can you ride horseback? Resorts have a wide variety of activities, right at the resort. No need to run around town hunting down fun things to do—those fun things are right on the resort grounds.
  • Typically more cost-effective. Another benefit of resorts is that you know what you will pay for the vacation, ahead of time. Compared to what it costs to book activities and pay for meals on a typical vacation, all-inclusive resorts are a definite bargain.
  • Something for everyone. No matter the ages of your party, resorts offer fun for all. Because they are meant as a place to stay, not just to visit, you can find fun activities for kids, spa services for mom, maybe golfing for dad, and food to suit every diet. Because resorts plan fun activities and excursions for the little ones, parents can have their own kind of fun, knowing their kids are safe and busying playing.
  • A safe place. Particularly when traveling outside of the country, travelers may have concerns about their families’ safety. Even in the United States, a tourist may not be familiar enough with the city to know which areas are safe. Resorts offer security, and an opportunity to relax, knowing you and your family are safe.

Family resort vacations are a great way to reconnect with your loved ones. Taking your family to a resort allows you to enjoy the benefit of quality family time, without the hassle of planning your own activities. Why not give a resort a try? You can relax and enjoy your vacation, knowing you and your family are in good hands.

Timeshare and Vacation Club Presentations: Why You Should Go

Timeshares in Florida often have promotional vacation offers, in which customers are asked to give some time and attention to a presentation and introductory sales tour, in exchange for certain incentives. These promotional packages vary, and can be found on various vacation portals, such as Best Vacations Ever. But are they worth your time? Yes they are, and here are some reasons why:

  • Complimentary Accommodations: Many promotional packages offer free lodging at the same resort to which they are selling timeshares, or one that is comparable. Often these resorts are high quality, and offer more amenities than the average hotel, so a free or even discounted stay is a great value.
  • Tickets to Attractions: With prices for theme park tickets rising ever higher, a promotion that offers those tickets in exchange for a presentation is a fantastic deal. Considering that the cost for two basic tickets to Disney World is currently $170, it is definitely something worth 90 minutes of your time!
  • Other incentives: Many other gifts may be presented to you in return for your participation, including vouchers for meals, golfing, or shows, and sometimes even gift cards with cash value.

There is not much hardship to a timeshare or vacation club presentation. You are asked for approximately 90 minutes of your time, during which you may be given breakfast or other refreshments. In many cases, secure childcare is provided so that parents can tour the facility without distraction. The presentation may include a physical tour, or, in some cases, a virtual tour.

After the introductory sales tour, participants are asked questions about their vacation preferences and habits, and are asked to complete a brief survey. Once that is completed, the obligation is over, and guests are free to enjoy the rest of their vacation time! If you are interested in learning more, please visit Best Vacations Ever, or connect with us through Twitter or Facebook. You may be on your way to the vacation of your dreams!

Travel Tips: Packing for Your Family

When vacationing with your family, it is helpful to know some travel trips for packing before you begin. It is easy to pack too much or too little, and you do not want to show up at your vacation spot without some vital piece of gear or article of clothing.  Fortunately, there are some tried and true methods for assuring that your family fun vacations are not interrupted by trips to the store for forgotten gear, and your road trips are not bogged down with vacation clutter.

  • Make a list. In a quiet moment, take some time to think through what each family member will need. Then make a list for each person to use during packing. When the packing is complete, be sure to pack the lists, as well. That way, when you pack up to leave your vacation spot, you will be sure not to leave anything behind.
  • Pack a “permanent” toiletries bag. Keeping a bag packed with travel sized shampoo, toothpaste, deodorant, and so on can save time when you vacation. When it is time to pack your suitcase, you will not have to decide what toiletries to bring- just grab your toiletries bag and go!
  • Use plastic bags. Plastic zipper bags can be a benefit while packing, both in protecting clothes from anything that might leak, and in organization. For children, it can be helpful to pack gallon zipper bags with one outfit per bag: top, bottoms, underwear and socks. That makes it easy for children (or adults who may not be the adults who normally dress them) to grab an outfit in the morning without making a mess of the suitcase.
  • Remember the important things. When traveling with small children, never forget to bring a comfort item. Nothing ruins a vacation faster than a little one wailing for a forgotten teddy or blanket.
  • Err on the side of packing light. Chances are there is a store where you are going. Do not pack as if you are headed for a deserted island, only to end up lugging heavy baggage that contains items you could have picked up once you arrived.
  • Pack your itinerary. Especially if you are traveling by air, pack a copy of your itinerary, complete with your address and contact number, in every person’s suitcase. That way, if your luggage is misdirected, it will be more likely to reach you.

Traveling with your family can be a great experience, and is a great way to bond with your loved ones. Using some simple travel tips for packing can be very helpful in making sure the trip goes off without a hitch, and everyone has a good time. For more help planning family fun vacations, visit BestVacationsEver.com, or find us on Facebook or Twitter.  Have a great trip!

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