How do you prepare for a trip?

From the planning to the packing, preparing for a trip involves countless steps before we're ready for take off. Whether we are packing for ourselves (or overpacking!), helping our kids get ready or getting all the ducks in a row that make travel more seamless, each step gets us closer to having a great vacation.

Read on to find out how Jen could teach a masterclass in planning, how Emilee has packing toiletries and electronics down to a science and how Kim has learned to love the google doc. If you're preparing for a Spring Break trip or planning for summer adventures, we hope these tips help!

Jen, Bespoke Travel Planner from @GlobalOnDemandTravel

Preparing for a trip always depends on the destination, but for our family it starts with a lot of research. I read, read, and then read some more through travel books, articles, and plenty of YouTube videos to really understand a place. I also join Facebook groups with other advisors who specialize in that area to see what ideas and itineraries people are sharing. I like my kids to read about where we are going too so they can appreciate the experience once we arrive. The Who Was? series is perfect for this. It is an easy and fun way for them to learn about historical figures and places connected to our destination, which makes everything we see feel more meaningful.

I also make sure the whole family is involved in deciding where we go. When everyone has a say in the destination and activities, the excitement builds long before we even leave and the experience on the trip is that much better.

Once we settle on a destination, I focus on the planning. I work closely with local partners on the ground and line up guides to make sure the experience is thoughtfully curated around what my family enjoys most. I also reach out to the hotel ahead of time if we have special requests such as birthday amenities on arrival, wine in the room, connecting rooms, and other small touches that make the stay feel seamless.

As the trip gets closer, I shift into preparation mode. I arrange a private driver for arrival, preorder foreign currency from the bank, and start adjusting our schedules if there is a time change so the transition is easier once we land.

Rebecca, Woman's Leadership Coach from @PleasantlyAggressive

Day before I leave:

• Do laundry.

• Charge my watch, airpods, and portable charger.

• Make sure dog’s food and pills are restocked and remind my family to feed him and give him his pills!

  
  

Evening before I leave:

• Layout travel outfit - I have a few “travel day” outfits that are presentable, but comfortable. I always wear sneakers and cardigan or zip-front hoodies to the airport and have a backpack carryon - its truly a favorite

• Pack toiletries - Nearly all of my work trips are carry-on only. That means all toiletries must be travel-size, and I keep a stock of them in the linen closet in a basket. I also keep my toiletry bag right next to it. After I return from a trip, I restock it so the next time I travel, it’s ready to go.

• Pack carry-on - I use two makeup bags to organize my electronics and snacks. 1) portable charger and all my charging cords for various devices. 2) mini chocolate bars (you always need a sweet bite late at night in the hotel), beef sticks, and protein bars. Put an empty water bottle in side pocket.

• Pack suitcase - Dress shoes, pajamas, one dress, one business outfit, pair of leggings and a tank top/tshirt, and a jacket or blazer. I can usually mix or match pretty good with that and also workout or go for a walk. I still pack like 5 pairs of underwear because I’m always paranoid about having clean underwear lol.

Ashley, Millennial Mom Nutrition Coach from @AshleyBreaksTheCycle

Let’s start with myself, because apparently when I’m going away I think I’m a completely different person. Somehow I convince myself I need two outfits per day, a special “plane outfit,” new accessories, and a full lineup of appointments before I even get on the plane—nails, waxing, maybe a spray tan if it’s tropical, and sometimes even a blowout.

It really depends on where I’m going though. If I’m traveling with my kids—like for Disney or a hockey tournament—I know it’s going to be much more casual. The pressure I put on myself drops way down and I can usually find most of what I need already in my closet. I always tell myself, “Do NOT buy anything new until you go through what you have.” And then… somehow I still end up buying something last minute anyway.

Packing for my kids is actually easier. Most of the time they already have everything they need because our trips with them are pretty low-key. Comfortable clothes, sports gear, swimsuits if needed, done.

When it comes to planning activities, the only trip that really requires serious strategy is Disney. If you don’t plan restaurants and reservations ahead of time, you’ll end up with nowhere to eat because everything books out so quickly.

The funny part is my husband tends to book trips pretty last minute. That means sometimes I don’t have as much time to overthink things—which can actually be a blessing. Less time to procrastinate or stress. But it also means less time to plan and book things in advance, which my inner planner doesn’t always love.

At the end of the day, we’re both pretty type B when it comes to travel… or maybe I’m a recovering type A who’s learning to loosen up a little. Either way, it’s a constant balance between planning ahead and just going with the flow. And if I end up with a few extra outfits in my suitcase? Well… that’s just part of the process.

Emilee, Book Aficionado from @The BookClubCart

Of course depending on the trip and amenities of where we are staying, the travel prep will differ. But overall, it’s relatively the same.

Personally, I love packing for a trip because it always brings to light what holes or gaps we have in our wardrobes. My son outgrew shorts from a trip we just took in December. Ordering more shorts! We are down to one swimsuit for my daughter? On it! …and now she will be stocked for the summer. I always use this as a time to clear out their closets as well.

Recently I was talking with friends about this topic where we agreed the hardest part of packing isn’t the clothes, but its all the other stuff; toiletries, medicine, etc. For us we keep a “travel” section in my bathroom closet that I pull out when its time to travel. I just do a double check to make sure its updated with everything; ie kids Tylenol, bandaids, hand wipes, laundry detergent, etc. It still takes work to update, but easier that then recreating it every time.

Another game changer that has helped is having a cord organizer for all of our phone and iPad chargers. This stays stocked with our essential cords (one for everyone and their devices), and when the trip is over, cords go back into the organizer and stored away until the next trip. That way we don’t lose any of them and we aren’t searching for cords each time we travel.

With spring break coming up, travel prep is definitely on the forefront of my mind!

Ali, Book Aficionado from @The BookClubCart

Checking the weather is always the first thing I do when preparing for a trip! I honestly can’t even begin planning until I know what we’re working with. From there, I build my packing list—one I’ve been refining over the years. I keep a running list for each trip and even update it while we’re traveling so I can reference it in the future. It’s helped me cut down on overpacking… because I definitely can overpack!

Lately, I’ve also started having my kids pack for themselves. After I check the weather, I write it down for each of them along with simple outfit suggestions for each day. It’s been a great way to get them involved and make packing a little smoother for everyone.

Kim, Home Connoisseur from @Reverie.and.Root & Founder of Spilling Goodness

Preparing for a trip is definitely a group effort in our family. It depends on the destination and if we've been there before, but we usually prepare in a few ways. If we're traveling to a new place, we start with a google doc. We usually outline each day and include any necessary links, confirmation numbers, reservation information, or details we want to have handy. This google doc also becomes a great resourse to look back on after a trip - no chance I'll remember an amazing restaurant's name the next time we travel there, but I can look it up! When we're on the go, this doc makes it easy to find addresses, phone numbers or AirBNB info. And, if you've ever asked me for details about a trip, I've likely sent you a messy google doc loaded with all the info!

If we're staying somewhere with a kitchen and we know we'll be eating in the AirBNB for certain meals, we'll also do a mini meal prep and grocery list. When we're really on our game, we'll place a grocery order for delivery after our arrival. The grocery store after a long travel day is the worst! With my gluten intolerance, this just eases some mystery of what I'll be eating. And, it makes breakfast the next day so much easier.

I'm horrible at packing, so I won't be offering any guidance there. I'd love to be able to pack clothes as succinctly as my husband - maybe someday! Until then, I'll overpack and steal space from my youngest's suitcase. I look the other way when he jams in another stuffed animal and he looks the other way when I jam in another set of running clothes - its a win-win!

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How do you prepare for a trip?