Packing for Long Trips

Packing the right bag is the perfect way to either make or ruin your trip. It is the first step to traveling and one of the most important. 

The first thing you need is a check list. Before you start packing, look up the weather forecast for where you are going. You do not want to show up to California in shorts and a tank top if the weather is raining all week. That just wastes money on souvenir sweatshirts. Once you find the weather, next, make a checklist. Wherever my family goes, my mother prepares a packing list.

Click here to view the packing list I took with me on my trip to Australia in 2014. This is a simple packing list that includes all the necessities: shirts, shoes, pants, and accessories.  After you finish packing and getting all the items together, check your list one more time to make sure you have everything. What I usually do is to pack everything, then unpack it and check it again against my packing list. 

If you are like me and love to pack a lot of clothes, then I would suggest an easy Ziplock bag method. It keeps all of your clothes from getting wet if something spills on your suit case and it makes extra room in your suitcase for clothes by compacting air. It also helps keep your clothes organized by packing similar items together.  You can find extra large Ziplock bags at any grocery store like Walmart, Fresh Market, or Smiths. 

Plastic Bag Use (Curtesy of Hire Order)

Instead of bringing cash, I recommend getting a Visa debit card with a limited amount of cash in the account.  This protects you from theft and is an easy way to track your spending while on your trip.

If you are looking into buying a new suitcase, I would recommend a deep, 4 wheeled suitcase. I recommend one with pockets in the front for extra storage space for chargers, papers, and liquids for removing at security.   I prefer a size that you can store in the overhead bins.  It is always nice to have the option of carrying your suitcase on the airplane.  This is extra important when you are late for your flight or have a short connection.

Suit Cases (Photo Curtesy of TravelTrolleySet.com )

Remember to bring all of your chargers with you when you travel. The worst experience is picking up your camera to take the perfect photo and realizing it's dead.   You will always spend too much if you need to buy a charger while traveling.

You can never count on hotels to provide international adaptors so I recommend buying one before you leave your country of origin.  For example, European electrical outlets are different than those in the U.S.  If you are traveling inside your country, you don't need to worry about bringing an adaptor.

Finally, before you go, make sure you review the TSA guidelines for all commercial airlines. Make sure you are not packing any of the items listed below or you will find yourself spending too much time with the TSA.

 The do nots on a plane (Photo Curtesy of aerlingus.com )

I hope these tips will help you in your future travels. Thank you for reading and I hope you have a safe flight!

Please Stay Seated and Enjoy my Blog!

Welcome to Teen Travel Tips.   Here I will be talking about the perfect places for any adventurer to travel! Want to keep in touch with my blog?  On the right side of this page, there is a button called "Follow my blog by Email".  Type in your email and press submit.  It's easy!

My Mom and I on the London Eye Ferris Wheel

Starbucks Cups From Around the World

A little Bit about Me:
My name is Whitney and traveling is my hobby.  I attend Treasure Mountain Junior High and love photography. I am also in marching band! I marched in lots of parades this past summer. Some of my favorite elective classes are percussion, Spanish, and FAN (Food and Nutrition).  I have been to 20 states and 16 countries, so I know a thing or two about traveling.  I've traveled first class with my family and I've had to rough it, too.

Recent Travels
Last year, I was selected to go on an ambassador trip to Australia. On that 3-week trip, I learned a lot about Australian culture and what it is like to live in Australia.  In that same month I went to Alaska with my family.  Last summer, my family went on a cruise to Northern Europe and I visited Costa Rica on a student exchange program.   Basically, I traveled a lot last summer.

Future Travel Plans
For the 4-day weekend this October, my mom and I are going to Red Mountain Spa in St. George, Utah.  My Mom and I have another girl's trip planned for Winter Break, 2016.  We are going to the Florida Keys.  This spring, my family and I are going on a Disney Cruise to the Caribbean. My year is pretty packed and I promise I will blog where I go!
What I will talk about:
On this site, I will talk about anything related to travel. My experiences, wonders of the world, tips on packing and clothing, and more! If you are going anywhere soon I have got you covered. Stay in touch with my blog to find out how to be an expert traveler!
Who I specialize in:
I specialize in Teens mostly, but these tips can be used for anyone! I can go from 8-108.

My Family:
My family and I are pretty close. We live a pretty normal life. My brother, who is one year older than me, and I go to school.  My parents work long hours to pay for my travel.  My Dad works in sales and my Mom is a Real Estate Agent in Park City. Here's her blog. My Dad travels to Los Angeles for work every week.

My plan is to post once a week about a different destination or travel strategy.  Comment below if you have suggestions for future blogs. I will get back to you as soon as possible.  I hope you enjoyed this post and I look forward to sharing my adventures with you.
                        - Whitney