Hello travelers from all around the world! For those of you who don’t know us yet, we are Vincenzo and Francesca. We met 15 years ago and soon discovered our common passion for travel. Our mission is to make traveling easier for everyone, which is why we created nexttriploading.com. On our travel blog, we share our trips, offering valuable insights about destinations and travel ideas. With over 10 years of travel experience, particularly with short-haul trips, we’re excited to share our knowledge with you. In this blog post, we’ll explore what to pack for a summer trip.
Summer is the perfect time to embark on exciting adventures and explore new destinations. To help you make the most of your upcoming summer adventure, we’ve compiled a comprehensive packing guide filled with essential items and practical tips.
How to pack for a summer trip: Smart & Light
Packing can indeed be overwhelming at times. Deciding what to pack for a summer trip isn’t easy, as we often want to bring extras or nicer clothing options. Have you ever packed that extra outfit that you never ended up wearing during your trip? We’ve overcome that habit by packing smartly. Whether you’re planning a beach getaway, a hiking expedition, or a city exploration, one crucial aspect of preparing for your summer trip is packing efficiently. Smart packing ensures you have everything you need while keeping your luggage manageable and stress-free.
Here, we’ll list some of the advantages of packing smartly for a summer trip:
1: Freedom and Flexibility
Traveling light provides you with more freedom and flexibility to explore your destination. You can easily change your itinerary, switch accommodations, walk longer distances, or explore new destinations without feeling weighed down. This is especially useful when exploring cities or engaging in outdoor activities.
2: Cost savings
Traveling light can save you money. With fewer bags, you may avoid extra baggage fees, which can quickly add up if you’re taking multiple flights or traveling with a budget airline.
3: Time efficiency
When you pack light, you can bypass long waits at baggage claim areas. You won’t have to worry about lost or delayed luggage, and you can simply carry your belongings with you, enabling you to get to your destination and start your activities more quickly.
4: Reduced stress
Traveling with less luggage generally leads to less stress. You don’t have to constantly worry about the safety of your belongings or the logistics of handling heavy bags. Packing light simplifies the entire travel process and allows you to focus more on enjoying your trip.
5: Environmental Consciousness
Packing light promotes sustainable travel practices. Less amount of luggage means reducing carbon emissions associated with transporting heavy bags. Additionally, with fewer possessions, you consume fewer resources and contribute less to waste and pollution.
Remember!
Packing light doesn’t mean sacrificing essential items. It’s about being smart and efficient with your choices, prioritizing what you truly need, and leaving behind unnecessary items that can weigh you down.
This is what you should pack for a summer trip
In this section, we’ll review what you should pack for a summer trip. You can adjust it to your needs, whether it’s a short or long trip. We haven’t included lightweight and breathable clothing and underwear since you can mix and match them as needed. Just be mindful not to pack too many of these items, and remember, you can always wash them at your accommodation. So let’s dive right in!
1. Trolley or backpack
Investing in a durable trolley or backpack that will last you a long time is a good idea. For short trips, consider a trolley that fits as a cabin bag. Francesca has been using her Roncato trolley for several years and is happy with it. On the other hand, for longer trips, a backpack is the ideal choice. While there are many options available, we recommend the Lowe Alpine Airzone Trail for its lightweight and durability.
Our choice: a large backpack for longer or multi-destination trips and a trolley for city breaks or holiday resorts.
2. Small backpack
In addition to your main bag, it’s always a good idea to have a small everyday backpack. You can bring it around with you during your city excursions, at the beach, and on the plane. It doesn’t need to be a fancy one, just one that gets the job done!
Don’t forget to bring a small backpack to keep everyday essentials such as documents and a water bottle
3. Microfiber towel
If you’re traveling to a sunny destination, chances are you’ll be hitting the beach. Since it’s unlikely your host will provide you with beach towels, it’s best to bring your own. A microfiber towel is a great choice as it takes up less space than a normal towel and dries out quickly. It’s also convenient if you plan to do boat tours or any water activities.
A microfiber towel is convenient for beach outings, poolside relaxation, or even while on a boat trip
4. Travel adaptor
Don’t forget to check the socket types of your destinations and if needed, get a Travel adaptor
Check out the socket types of your destination before getting a universal travel adaptor
5. Flip-flops or sandals
Flip-flops are ideal for visiting sunny destinations, especially for beach outings. They’re also useful for staying comfortable at home and when taking showers. While Francesca loves Flip-flops, I prefer sandals as they are better suited for long walks.
Flip-flops are great for beach outings, but sandals are also suitable for long walks.
6. Swimwear
Summer is synonymous with the sun and beach, so you can’t forget a pair of swimming shorts or a bikini. We’re loyal to the United Colours of Benetton brand for swimwear. Their products are of good quality and made with recycled materials.
Swimwear is a must-have for your summer trip
7. Shirt or a dress
When we travel, we might want to dress up for special occasions, like going to a restaurant or a nightclub. I always bring a shirt, while Francesca opts for a light dress.
Get ready to dress up during your summer trip
8. Comfortable shoes
Wherever you go, comfort is key. Whether you’re planning long walks, excursions, or sightseeing, you’ll need a good pair of comfortable shoes. For short trips, consider bringing just one versatile pair. We recommend Skechers for their comfort and versatility.
Skechers is one of our favorite shoe brands, especially for long walks
9. Light Jacket
Even in warm destinations, evenings can sometimes be cooler than expected. A waterproof light jacket would be a great choice to stay comfortable and covered from cold and rain while dressing smartly.
The North Face Dryvent is ideal for windy evenings
10. Camera or smartphone for capturing memories
If you’re planning a holiday focused on sunbathing and relaxation, your smartphone can suffice for taking a few photos. However, if you’re aiming for sightseeing and capturing the beauty around you, it might be worth investing in a good camera. After a few trips, Francesca and I realized that our smartphones weren’t sufficient for capturing the sights, prompting us to invest in a professional camera. We use a Canon eos 77d with a zoom lens of 18 mm-55 mm
Our Canon Eos 77d takes good photos and it doesn’t cost a fortune
11. Power bank for charging devices on the go
A power bank is essential for any kind of trip, providing backup power for your phone, camera, and any other devices you may have.
Don’t forget to pack a power bank for your summer trip
12. Reusable water bottle
A water bottle is definitely a must-have for your summer trip. We recommend avoiding plastic bottles, as the heat can make the water taste bad and they’re not environmentally friendly. Plus, constantly buying bottled water can be both time-consuming and expensive. Instead, opt for a vacuum insulated water bottle. They keep your water cool and fresh, are lightweight, and easy to carry.
Chilly’s bottles maintain water clean and cold or hot. They’re ideal for any kind of trip.
13. Toiletries and Personal Care
- Sunscreen: we recommend the Sun Care Organic – Alga Maris from Laboratoires de Biarritz
- Toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, soap, etc.)
- Medications (if necessary)
- Basic first aid kit
- Personal hygiene products
- Hairbrush or comb
Alga Maris sunscreen is made with organic, skin and environmentally friendly products. We have been using this brand for a long time
14. Other essentials
- Travel insurance
- Passport, ID, and necessary travel documents
- Credit cards and cash
- Itinerary and hotel reservations
Time for conclusions….
As your summer trip approaches, the excitement builds, and the anticipation of new experiences grows. By following this comprehensive packing guide, you can eliminate the stress of last-minute preparations and ensure that you have everything you need for a memorable adventure.
Remember, the key to successful packing is striking a balance between practicality and versatility. Choose items that can be easily mixed and matched, and prioritize lightweight and breathable fabrics to stay cool in the summer heat. Don’t forget to pack sun protection essentials and travel insurance.
Additionally, consider the activities you have planned and pack accordingly. Whether you’re lounging on the beach, exploring bustling city streets, or venturing into nature’s wonders, having the right gear and accessories will enhance your experience and make your trip even more enjoyable.
Happy travels!
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