​When most people think of packing for vacation, they think of piling as many articles of clothing into an oversized suitcase as they can, then stuffing as many items into a carry on as possible, figuring they can sort it all out when they reach their final destination. Some may go the extra step to organize the bags by outfits or types of clothing, but generally the expectation is to take care of it when you get where you are going. Unfortunately, if you are going on a trip that involves multiple stops, that can lead to several problems along the way. If you are going on such a trip, here are some things to consider.
 
Bring Only a Carry-On
 
Lugging around a big, heavy suitcase is a nuisance. But if it’s simply from one destination to another, then back home, it’s not too big of an issue. If, however, you will be moving around every few days, that large suitcase can really impact your vacation. To help make things easier, consolidate to a carry-on only. Most people assume when packing for multiple destinations that they need to pack more. But if you are going to different destinations, you can recycle your outfits. Spending a few dollars on cleaning your clothes will be worth every penny when you don’t have that cumbersome suitcase following you around.
 
Plan Your Outfits
 
Unlike packing for a single destination trip, you need to be extremely careful about what you bring and how it will be worn. Bring clothes which you can mix-and-match – this will make it feel like you are not wearing the same thing every few days, and will allow you to plan the outfits based upon where you are and what you are doing. A shirt that works well with shorts for an outing during the day may work well with dressier pants a few nights later for something more formal. Make sure you know what you will wear every day and to every function on your vacation.

                                                                                                                                                                   video by: Travelrunplay

​Know the Climate
 
If your trip involves different climates or environments, be sure to pack appropriately for them all. If your first leg is at the beach, your second leg is in a major city, and your third leg brings you to a ski resort in the mountains, you need to be sure your outfits are appropriate for all three climates. Similarly, if you are visiting family for a week and will be going to formal functions, then spending a week on the beach, be sure you have clothes that can work in both settings. This is easily accomplished by bringing multi-purpose clothes.
 
Accessories Help
 
For men, this can be watches, sunglasses, flip flops, or boat shoes. For women, this can be bags, jewelry, sunglasses, and shoes. Changing from flip flops to heels or adding a dressy watch can completely transform an outfit but takes up very little real estate in your bag. Packing the right accessories can make or break a vacation with multiple stops.
 
No matter what your destinations or how long you are spending on vacation, by packing smart, you can have everything you need and avoid carting around that burdensome piece of luggage.

​When most people think of packing for vacation, they think of piling as many articles of clothing into an oversized suitcase as they can, then stuffing as many items into a carry on as possible, figuring they can sort it all out when they reach their final destination. Some may go the extra step to organize the bags by outfits or types of clothing, but generally the expectation is to take care of it when you get where you are going. Unfortunately, if you are going on a trip that involves multiple stops, that can lead to several problems along the way. If you are going on such a trip, here are some things to consider.
 
Bring Only a Carry-On
 
Lugging around a big, heavy suitcase is a nuisance. But if it’s simply from one destination to another, then back home, it’s not too big of an issue. If, however, you will be moving around every few days, that large suitcase can really impact your vacation. To help make things easier, consolidate to a carry-on only. Most people assume when packing for multiple destinations that they need to pack more. But if you are going to different destinations, you can recycle your outfits. Spending a few dollars on cleaning your clothes will be worth every penny when you don’t have that cumbersome suitcase following you around.
 
Plan Your Outfits
 
Unlike packing for a single destination trip, you need to be extremely careful about what you bring and how it will be worn. Bring clothes which you can mix-and-match – this will make it feel like you are not wearing the same thing every few days, and will allow you to plan the outfits based upon where you are and what you are doing. A shirt that works well with shorts for an outing during the day may work well with dressier pants a few nights later for something more formal. Make sure you know what you will wear every day and to every function on your vacation.
 
Know the Climate
 
If your trip involves different climates or environments, be sure to pack appropriately for them all. If your first leg is at the beach, your second leg is in a major city, and your third leg brings you to a ski resort in the mountains, you need to be sure your outfits are appropriate for all three climates. Similarly, if you are visiting family for a week and will be going to formal functions, then spending a week on the beach, be sure you have clothes that can work in both settings. This is easily accomplished by bringing multi-purpose clothes.
 
Accessories Help
 
For men, this can be watches, sunglasses, flip flops, or boat shoes. For women, this can be bags, jewelry, sunglasses, and shoes. Changing from flip flops to heels or adding a dressy watch can completely transform an outfit but takes up very little real estate in your bag. Packing the right accessories can make or break a vacation with multiple stops.
 
No matter what your destinations or how long you are spending on vacation, by packing smart, I've found some great deals on all sorts of accessories at Jeff's General Store that can help you out and easy to pack so you can avoid carting around that burdensome piece of luggage.

​Most people don’t associate Easter with vacation travel. Many schools, however, close around Easter. Unfortunately, the climate can be unpredictable in much of the United States, which is part of the reason why we don’t think of this holiday as an opportunity to travel. But if you are thinking of changing things up and going on vacation this year, here are 5 incredible Easter destinations to consider.
 
1. Rome, Italy – If you want to see the greatest Easter celebration in person, there is no better place to head than Rome. The entire city comes alive in the days before Easter, preparing for Holy Saturday and the Easter Vigil inside St. Peter’s Basilica (make sure to get tickets if you plan to attend – they are free and go fast). Then, much of the city is shut down for Easter Sunday and Monday, as there are festivals and celebrations throughout the city.
 
2. Washington DC – If you want to stay in the United States and enjoy Easter as part of the vacation, Washington DC is a great option. On the Monday after Easter, the Easter Egg Roll at the White House happens. Thousands of people gather to watch the President partake in the festivities which include an Easter egg hunt, an egg rolling race, and a chance to see the Easter Bunny. Then, after the event, you are in Washington DC, where there is no shortage of things to do.
 
3. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – This is both a vacation and a celebration of Easter. Rio comes alive for Easter, with street fairs, festivals, and parades you can attend. But after the holiday, you are in Brazil during one of the best times of year. The climate is near perfect, and the beaches are less crowded than the more popular times of year. If you’ve ever thought of traveling to Brazil, this might be the best time to go.

4. New York City, NY – If Washington DC isn’t an option, but you want to stay in the United States, New York City might be an option for you. You can attend mass at the world famous St. Patrick’s Cathedral, then join the festivities of the Easter Bonnet Parade. The parade runs from 49th Street to 57th Street and lasts from 10 AM to 4 PM. All along the parade route, there are fun things to do and see, and since the parade is not a formal affair, anyone can join. Then after Easter Sunday, you can spend the rest of the vacation in the city that never sleeps, where there are countless sights to see and activities to do.
 
5. Honolulu, HI – No list of travel is complete without Hawaii. There is no bad time of year to head to Hawaii, however Easter sits in a time when the weather is about perfect. You also see some of the best prices on airfare and accommodations, as April is not a peak month for Hawaii travel. If major Easter celebrations aren’t important for your trip, then it might be time to see why Hawaii is routinely ranked as the best vacation destination in America.
 
When it comes to vacation, there are no bad destinations. However, if you are traveling and would like to partake in an Easter celebration, check out the options above and you will not be disappointed. ​

​If you’ve never travelled out of the country before, you might be surprised at how much more needs to be done before your vacation can begin. From packing to planning to communicating, everything is different on an international vacation. And while we certainly can’t warn you about everything, here are a few things to keep in mind if you plan to travel out of the country.
 
1. Find Out About International Calls – Every service provider is different, and every country is handled differently, but you need to know what you can and can’t do when travelling. For some, it’s simply understanding what it will cost while you are abroad, but for other providers, you may need a special SIM Card to allow you to even connect overseas. Also, find out how texts are handled – some providers don’t charge additional to text, which can make it a great way to keep in touch.
 
2. Passport and Visas – As obvious as it may be, be sure your passport is not going to be expired when you travel. It can take months to get a replacement passport, so you want to be sure far in advance that you are able to travel. Also be sure to check the rules where you are traveling – some countries will require you to apply for a visa to travel there. This process can take anywhere from a few weeks to almost a year depending on where you are headed.
 
3. Check Travel Advisories – Make sure there are no serious weather issues, outbreaks, or geopolitical warnings before travelling. The last thing you want is to get there and find out you can’t leave the airport because of a monsoon, malaria outbreak, or civil war.
 
4. Know Where the Embassy is – If something should happen while you are out of the country, the embassy may be the only safe place for you. No matter where you are travelling, this piece of information can save you countless hours of paperwork or even save your life.
 
5. Check the Vaccines – When travelling to certain areas, vaccines are recommended to fight diseases which we don’t have here in the United States. Some of these shots are simply a booster, while others are a new shot all together. If you plan to travel abroad, reach out to your doctor to make sure you don’t need any vaccines.
 
6. Give an Itinerary to Someone – Make sure someone at home knows where you will be every day. This doesn’t mean they need to know which museums you will be seeing which days or where you plan to shop, but it should include the cities you will be in and when, as well as the contact information for your hotels or hostels along the way.
 
Again, this is by no means an exhaustive list, but it should give you a head start as you prepare to leave the country. No go take care of these items so you can relax and enjoy yourself on vacation.